The acronym "VPN" stands for "Virtual Private Network". It is a network connection model that allows users to access a private computer network from anywhere in the world. Often this technology is used in business or for educational purposes, since it offers many features for data encryption, in order to protect them and make them much more secure when they have to transit on the public internet network. A VPN connection also allows you to take advantage of data published in other countries, bypassing any type of access control based on geographical location. For these reasons it is very common nowadays to take advantage of the VPN connection offered by hosts and providers on the web. If you need to connect to a VPN, the owner or manager will need to provide you with login credentials (username and password). This guide shows you how to connect to a VPN using any computer connected to the internet.
Steps
Get Access to a VPN Service
Step 1. Find an available account
If you are an employee or a student, your company or school will provide you with your VPN login credentials. Consult the staff of the competent offices to obtain the information necessary to use the service.
Step 2. Do a thorough search of the options available to you
To choose the ideal VPN service, consider all the aspects you need: level of security offered, privacy, bandwidth, placement of physical servers, supported platforms, quality of customer support and cost of service. For more information on this, consult the "Tips" section at the end of the article.
Step 3. Create a new account and make a note of its login credentials
If you have purchased a VPN service from a provider on the web, you will need to pay a fee in order to use it. After creating an account and paying for the subscription (or after making sure that your company or school provides such a service), you will be provided with login credentials, such as username, password, IP address or domain of the VPN server. To log in to your chosen VPN service, you can use one of the methods described below.
Method 1 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using Windows Vista and Windows 7
Step 1. Press the "Start" button
Step 2. Select the "Control Panel" item
Step 3. From the Control Panel window choose the "Network and Internet" category
Step 4. Select the "Connect to a network" link
Step 5. Choose the "Set up a new connection or network" link
Step 6. From the "Select a connection option" window, choose "Connect to a corporate network", then press the "Next" button
Step 7. Look at the options available on the "Specify How You Want to Connect" screen
Select the "Use existing Internet connection (VPN)" option.
Step 8. On the next screen, when asked "Do you want to set up an Internet connection before continuing?
", choose the option" I will set up an Internet connection later ".
Step 9. Enter the VPN server information provided to you
In the text field "Internet address" enter the IP address of the server, while in the field "Destination name" enter its name. Select the check button "Do not connect now. Only run the connection setup so that you can connect at a later time". Before you can use the connection, you will need to complete the setup process. Press the "Next" button to continue.
Step 10. In the relevant text fields enter the username and password of the account that was provided to you by the VPN network operator
Select the check button to store login credentials because otherwise you will have to provide them each time you connect. At the end press the "Create" button.
Step 11. When you see the message "The connection is ready for use", press the "Close" button
Step 12. Select the "Connect to a network" link under "Network and Sharing Center", then choose the VPN connection you just created
To connect, press the "Connect" button.
Method 2 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using Windows 8
Step 1. Press the Windows button on your keyboard, then search using the keyword "VPN"
Step 2. Select the "Settings" icon appeared in the right panel, then choose the "Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection" option present in the left panel
Step 3. In the "Create a VPN connection" window that appears, enter the internet address of the server you wish to connect to, along with a descriptive name that will help you immediately understand what it is
To speed up the connection process, select the "Remember my credentials" check button. At the end press the "Create" button.
The IP address of the VPN server to connect to should have been provided to you by your company or service provider
Step 4. When the "Networks" panel appears, move the mouse cursor over the new VPN connection you just created, then press the "Connect" button
Step 5. Enter your username and password
This information should also have been provided to you by your company or the provider providing the VPN service. When finished, press the "OK" button. The connection should be established in seconds.
Method 3 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using Windows XP
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu, then choose the "Control Panel" item
Step 2. Select the "Network and Internet Connections" category, then choose the "Network Connections" icon
Step 3. Select the "Create a new connection" link located in the "Network Operations" panel
In the new window that appears, press the "Next" button. Press the "Next" button again also on the next "New Connection Wizard" welcome screen.
Step 4. Select the "Connect to Corporate Network" radio button, then press the "Next" button
Step 5. In the new screen that appeared choose the option "VPN Connection", then press the "Next" button
- If you are using an internet connection through the analog modem you will see the "Public Network" screen appear. Select the "Automatically connect to:" radio button, choose the dial-up connection to use, then press the "Next" button.
- If you are using a broadband connection or some other type of always-on internet connection, select the radio button "Do not connect first".
Step 6. Type the name of the new connection into the "Connection Name" text field, then press the "Next" button
Step 7. In the "Host name or IP address" text field enter the public name or IP address of the VPN server you wish to connect to
When finished, press the "Next" button, then click "Finish".
Step 8. Type in the username and password that was provided to you by the VPN provider
Select the check button to save this data, so that you don't have to retype it every time you connect. To start the VPN connection, press the "Connect" button.
Method 4 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using a Mac OS X
The tool for managing network connections for Mac systems has remained virtually unchanged in all versions of the OS X operating system. For this reason, the following instructions should ensure that a basic VPN connection is created. However, it is advisable to always keep the operating system up to date, to be sure that there are no data security holes and to have access to all the latest features released for configuring a VPN connection (for example, the use of authentication certificates).
Step 1. Access the "Apple" menu, then select the "System Preferences" item
Choose the icon named "Network".
Step 2. In the left panel you will see a list of all network connections currently configured on the computer
Press the "+" button to create a new connection.
Step 3. Use the drop-down menu in the appeared window to select the "VPN" network interface
Choose the protocol to use for the connection. The OS X Yosemite operating system supports the following protocols for VPN connections: "L2TP over IPSec", "PPTP" or "Cisco IPSec". In the "Tips" section of the article, you can read more about these protocols. Type in the name you want to give the VPN connection, then press the "Create" button.
Step 4. Return to the "Network" window, then select the VPN connection you just created from the list on the left
From its drop-down menu choose the "Add configuration…" option. In the text field that appears, type the identification name of the VPN connection, then press the "Create" button.
Step 5. In the respective text fields enter the VPN server address and account name that were provided to you by the service provider
Press the "Authentication Settings" button below the "Account Name" field.
Step 6. Select the "Password" radio button, then proceed by entering the password that was provided to you by the service provider
Click on the "Shared Secret" radio button and enter the information you have been given. When finished, press the "OK" button.
Step 7. Press the "Advanced" button and make sure the "Send all traffic over VPN connection" checkbox is checked
At the end, press the "OK" and "Apply" buttons in succession. To connect to the newly configured VPN network, press the "Connect" button.
Method 5 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using an iOS Device
Step 1. Access the "Settings" application, then choose the "General" item
Step 2. Scroll to the bottom of the appeared list to select the "VPN" option
Press the "Add VPN Configuration" button.
Step 3. Choose the connection protocol
In the bar at the top of the screen you will see the three available protocols appear: "L2TP", "PPTP" and "IPSec". If you want to connect to the VPN of the company you work for, you will most likely have already been given the name of the protocol to use. If you want to connect to a web provider's VPN service instead, make sure you use a protocol that is supported.
Step 4. Enter a description
You can type what you want. For example, if it is the VPN connection to access the network of the company you work for, you can enter the description "I work". If you plan to use the VPN connection to enjoy Netflix content destined for another country, you can use the description "Netflix Country_name" (for example "Netflix USA").
Step 5. Enter the connection server information
This data should have been provided to you by your company or chosen VPN provider.
Step 6. Type your "Account" name
This field refers to the username to use to connect; most likely you created it yourself when you signed up for the VPN service or it was created by your company when you requested it.
Step 7. Activate the "RSA SecurID" authentication system (only if you use this form of access)
To do this, tap the gray button next to this option. Once the button has turned green, it means that its functionality has been activated successfully. The RSA SecureID authentication system is based on hardware or software processes that produce specific keys to verify the user's access permissions over a specified time interval. Most likely this authentication system will only be provided to you in a professional setting.
- To enable the "RSA SecurID" authentication for the "IPSec" protocol, you must press the button relative to the "Use certificate" item, so that it turns green. At this point you can choose the "RSA SecurID" option and press the "Save" button.
- The "IPSec" protocol also allows to use the authentication system through CRYPTOCard, or any certificate in the following raw formats: ".cer", ".crt", ".der", ".p12" and ".pfx".
Step 8. Provide your login password
This information should also have been provided to you along with the username to use for the connection. If you do not yet have this information, please contact the IT department of the company you work for or the VPN provider providing the service.
Step 9. If prompted, enter your shared "Secret" code
This data is used to increase the robustness of the account authentication system. The "Secret" code is very similar to an "RSA Secure ID" key and is made up of a series of numbers and letters that is provided directly by the VPN service provider or company. The fact that you have not been provided with any code could mean that you do not have to enter any data in this configuration field, or that you must request it personally from your company or the service provider
Step 10. If necessary, enter the "Group Name" of the IPSec connection
Again this information will be provided to you by the provider or company. If you do not have this information, it most likely means that you do not need to use it, so you can leave the related configuration field blank.
Step 11. Choose whether to send all data traffic via VPN connection
If so, press the button for the "Send all traffic" field and make sure it turns green. In this way, all data traffic to the internet will be conveyed through the VPN connection.
Step 12. To save the configuration, press the "Save" button located in the upper right corner of the screen
At this point the VPN connection is ready to be used.
- You can activate or deactivate the VPN connection from the "Settings" application by clicking on the relative button. If the latter is green, it means that the connection is active, while if it is gray it means that it is not. The connection will appear directly under the "Wi-Fi" section.
- When the phone is using the VPN connection, an icon appears in the upper left of the screen with "VPN" enclosed in a box.
Method 6 of 6: Connect to a VPN Using an Android Device
Step 1. Press the "Menu" button, then choose the "Settings" option
Step 2. Depending on the version of Android you are using, choose "Wireless and Network" or "Wireless Controls"
Step 3. Select the "VPN Settings" item
Step 4. Choose the "Add VPN Network" option
Step 5. Using the "Type" drop-down menu, select the protocol to be used
You can choose the "PPTP" or "L2TP / IPsec PSK" protocol (depending on the version of Android in use, the list of available protocols may vary). Read the "Tips" section of the article for more information on the protocols to use.
Step 6. Select the "Name" field, then type in the name you want to give the connection
You can choose the name you prefer.
Step 7. Enter the IP address of the VPN server in the "Server Address" field
Step 8. Configure the data encryption settings
For this information, consult the VPN service provider directly.
Step 9. Once the configuration is complete, press the "Save" button
You may be prompted to set up or provide your device login password. This is the Android password and not the VPN connection password
Step 10. Press the "Menu" button, then choose the "Settings" item
Go to the "Wireless and Network" or "Wireless Controls" section.
Step 11. Choose the VPN you just created
Enter their username and password, then select the "Save account information" checkbox. The VPN connection is now active. A key icon should have appeared at the top of the screen indicating that the VPN connection is active.
Advice
- When choosing which connection protocol to use, consider your use of the VPN connection. It is known that the "PPTP" protocol is very fast when used with Wi-Fi connections, but it is less secure than the "L2TP" and "IPSec" protocol. So, if the security of your data is a very important aspect, consider using a secure VPN connection via "L2TP" or "IPSec". If you use a VPN connection to connect to the corporate network, it is very likely that your company has a preferred protocol. If you are using a VPN service offered by a web provider, make sure you are using one of the supported connection protocols.
- When buying a VPN service from an internet provider, consider the level of security they offer. If you want to use the VPN connection to send documents, e-mails or to browse the web anonymously, choose a host that offers a data encryption service, such as the "SSL" protocol (also called "TLS") or "IPsec". The "SSL" protocol is the data encryption algorithm most used to secure internet connections. Encryption is a way to "mask" data and make it available only to those who are authorized to view it. Also, choose a VPN provider that uses the "OpenVPN" encryption protocol instead of the outdated "PPTP" (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol). In the last few years some security holes have been detected in the "PPTP" protocol, while the "OpenVPN" protocol, to date, is considered by all to be the best method for data encryption.
- When you buy a VPN service from an internet provider, consider the level of privacy you want to achieve. Some hosts monitor the activities of their customers in order to be able to provide the necessary information to the competent authorities in case of legal problems. If you want your information and data to remain confidential, consider using a VPN provider that doesn't monitor their customers' activities.
- When buying a VPN service from an internet provider, consider the connection speed you will need. The connection bandwidth determines the data transfer rate. Multimedia content, such as high-resolution video and audio, have a considerable size, so they require more bandwidth than simply text or images. If you want to use a VPN connection simply to browse the web anonymously or to transfer private documents, note that most providers provide enough bandwidth to be able to do this quickly and easily. Conversely, if you want to enjoy streaming audio and video content, for example by using Netflix services or playing online with friends, you will need to choose a VPN host that has no limits on the bandwidth offered to its customers.
- When you buy a VPN service from an internet provider, consider whether you will need to access content that resides outside the borders of the state where you are physically located. When a user browses the web, he is associated with an address that identifies his geographical position. This information is called "IP address". Trying to access content published exclusively in another country and protected by copyright, you may not obtain permission to do so (due to the existence of an access filter based on the IP address). However, to take advantage of this content, you can use a VPN service that "masks" your IP address making it appear within the borders of the State in question. This way you will be able to access the desired content without any geographical restrictions. If you choose to use a VPN service for this purpose, check where that provider's servers are physically located, to make sure it has access points even in the country where the content you want to view is present.
- When purchasing VPN access from an internet provider, consider the type of platform you want to use it on. Will you use it via mobile device or computer? If you travel a lot and tend to use it via mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, it is important that you choose a provider that supports connection from this type of device or that provides the appropriate application for your specific model of smartphone or Tablet.
- When buying VPN access from an internet provider, consider the quality of customer service. Read the reviews about it and analyze the type of support that is provided to customers. Some hosts may only provide telephone support, while others may also offer the ability to contact technical support via chat or email. It is important to choose a service that offers customer support that is simple and functional to use. Search for reviews made by other users using a search engine (such as Google), in this way you can better evaluate the quality of customer service.
- When you buy VPN access from an internet provider, first consider how much you are willing to spend on that service. Some VPN hosts (eg "Open VPN") offer their services for free. However, this type of service may have limitations in its use. Since the competition is very high, take the time to compare different VPN hosts, comparing their cost to the services offered. This way you may be able to get all the services you need at a low cost.
