Read, how to set up a VPN server on your PC, using special equipment or using standard methods Windows. VPN (English: Virtual Private Network) - a virtual private network is a collective general name for technology that provides the ability to one or more network connections(logical networks) over another network (optionally the Internet).
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VPNs are very useful no matter where you use them: whether you're traveling the world, working in an office, or connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop in your hometown. You just don't have to use paid service VPN – You can host your own VPN server at home.
A fairly important criterion for creating a VPN is an indicator of the loading speed of your home Internet connections. If the bandwidth is very low, then you are better off just using a paid VPN service. Internet service providers usually offer much less throughput than is necessary to create a virtual network. However, if your Internet connection is capable enough, setting up a VPN server at home could be very useful for you.
What is a VPN for?
A home VPN provides you with an encrypted tunnel - a connection that allows you to use open public Wi-Fi networks to create a connection to the desired VPN network. You can use VPN from any device on different operating systems: Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Windows, Linux or macOS; can access various services a specific country, even while outside its borders. VPN will provide secure access to your home network from anywhere. You can even share your network with your family, friends, or colleagues by allowing them to use servers hosted on your home network. For example, this will allow you to exchange data, share photos and video files, documents, projects, and be able to constantly communicate and stay in touch. Also you can play computer games, designed for a local network - although there are easier ways to set up a temporary network for games with friends.
A VPN is also useful for connecting to various services while traveling. For example, you can use Netflix or other services to receive streaming video when traveling, use any library or catalog of films and recordings.
Method 1: Use a Router with VPN Capabilities
Instead of trying to set up a VPN yourself, you can buy a ready-made, pre-configured VPN solution right away. High-end home routers (routers) are often sold with built-in VPN servers - just search wireless router, in which such a server is present. Often these are routers in the middle and high price ranges. You can then use your router's web interface to activate and configure the VPN server. Be sure to check and choose a router that supports the type of VPN you want to use.
Method 2: Use a router that supports DD-WRT or other third-party firmware
Custom router firmware is mostly new operating system, which you can use on your router to replace your existing standard router operating system. DD-WRT is the most popular firmware, but other operating systems such as OpenWrt also work well.
If you have a router that supports using DD-WRT, OpenWrt or any other third party operating system, then you can run it with this firmware to get more features. DD-WRT and other similar firmware include built-in VPN server support. Therefore, you can host a VPN server even on those routers that initially come without software, which supports the creation and management of a VPN server.
Be sure to choose a router that has built-in support for third-party operating systems. Install custom router firmware and enable the VPN server.
Method 3: Create your own dedicated VPN server
You can also simply use the software to set up a VPN server on one of your computers.
The Apple Server app (as well as Windows) offers a built-in way to host a VPN server. However, these are not the most powerful or secure options. And they may be too demanding to set up a VPN server and make it work correctly.
You can also install a third-party VPN server such as OpenVPN. VPN servers are available for every operating system, from Windows to Mac and Linux. You just need to forward the appropriate ports from your router to the computer running the server software.
There is also the option of converting your own dedicated device into a VPN server. You can take a Raspberry Pi single board computer (raspberry) and install the OpenVPN server software, turning it into a lightweight, low-power VPN server. You can even install other server software on it and use it as a multi-purpose server.
Where else can you host your own VPN server?
There is another option that falls in between hosting a VPN server on your own hardware and paying a VPN provider to provide you with VPN service and a user-friendly app.
You can host your own VPN server on web hosting. And in fact, it will save you a small amount of money than if you used a dedicated VPN provider. You will pay the hosting provider for the server hosting and then install the VPN server in the location they provide you with.
Depending on the capabilities and cost of your hosting provider's packages, this can be a quick way to connect where you add a VPN server and get a control panel over it. Or you may have to start setting up the server manually completely from the very beginning.
When setting up a VPN at home, you'll probably want to set up dynamic DNS on your router. Dynamic DNS always monitors changes in your IP address and associates it with the current one this moment, the IP address of your computer. This will give you an easy way to always access your VPN, even if the IP address of your home Internet connection has changed.
However, it is very important to remember to set up a secure VPN server. Do you need a reliable secure network so that no one can connect to it without appropriate permission. This may be a password protection option (but it is advisable to change it regularly). Or another option, as OpenVPN suggests, is to use a preset key, one of the most simple ways reliable authentication.
It's no secret that many people, in some cases, use a virtual private network or VPN when connecting to the Internet on their computer or smartphone. This may sound paranoid, but there are real threats and situations are only getting worse. On Wi-Fi networks, unscrupulous people may try to intercept your information. And whenever you connect to the Internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has access to everything you send. Online, advertisers and spies can track your movements between websites and discern your location by looking at your IP address. This is scary! And in order to prevent and protect yourself, you need to use a VPN, and we will describe how to set up a VPN in this article
The fact is that the Internet itself was not designed to protect your privacy. It was created for convenient information sharing rather than user privacy, anonymity or encrypted communication. Although, HTTPS protocol designed to protect your information, it does not protect against Internet attack attempts or local network attacks, which is a serious problem if you have ever used a connection that is not yours. For example, in a hotel or cafe.
While a more private, closed internet will not become a reality (perhaps never), using a VPN is the easiest way to make sure you share as little information as possible.
What a VPN Does and Doesn't Do
As with any security tool, it's important to understand the capabilities of a VPN.
After all, you wouldn't expect a Kevlar vest to save you from falling out of an airplane; it's designed to stop a bullet.
When you enable a VPN, your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a server managed by the VPN company. This means that your ISP or anyone connected to your router will not be able to see your web traffic. From the VPN server, your traffic goes to the Internet.
Since your traffic is coming from the VPN server, your actual IP address is hidden. This is important because IP addresses are distributed geographically and can be used to determine location. If someone checks your IP address, they will see the VPN server's IP address. This can come in handy if you want to spoof your location. When you connect to a VPN server in London, it will appear as if you are connecting to the internet from the UK.
What a VPN won't do is completely anonymous traffic. To do this you will need to use Tor. This excellent anonymization is easily accessible through a special version Firefox browser. Instead of just sending your data through one VPN server on the network, your data is sent through several different computers. This makes it much more difficult for those trying to track your actions and understand what you are doing.
Additionally, websites may track your movements using cookies, online trackers and other sophisticated tools. Using an ad blocker such as Adblock Plus, helps suppress these nasties and will make it much harder to access and make it harder for advertisers to study your online movements.
Finally, just because you have a VPN doesn't mean you can forget about security basics. Although some VPN services claim that they can block malware, we recommend standalone antivirus software for your computer because these tools are designed specifically to protect your computer from malware. Another precaution is to use common sense when clicking on links or opening attachments Email. Phishing attacks—where an attacker uses a bogus website that mimics one you know to trick you into entering your credentials—are very common, so stay alert.
How to choose a VPN
When we look at a VPN, there are a few key metrics we look for. First, the VPN service should allow you to connect to at least five devices simultaneously. Another is whether the VPN service supports BitTorrent traffic on its servers.
Speaking of fees, the average cost for a VPN service is $10.53 per month. A VPN service that charges more per month should offer something substantial, like a great interface or multiple server locations to sweeten the deal. Usually you can get a discount if you buy from long term, but we recommend avoiding them until you are sure you are happy with the service.
Before signing up for a VPN, be sure to read its terms of service.
This document will outline the information the VPN collects and what it does with that information. Most companies say they don't log traffic, which is great. Others go further, saying that they do not monitor user activity at all. This is important because the VPN provider has access to all the information you are trying to protect from others. Be sure to review this issue and consider trying a different service if the terms and conditions of this one do not suit you. The most important thing about a VPN is trust. If the location, prices or terms of service don't fill you with confidence, try another service.
Free VPN or paid?
We at WoW IT recently conducted a survey of 1,000 people asking questions about using a VPN.
According to our results:
- 62.9 percent said they were unwilling to pay more than $5 per use.
- 47.1 percent said they want to use free VPN.
Some services offer free trial version, but usually for a limited time. Others, like TunnelBear and AnchorFree Hotspot Shield Elite, have completely free versions but may limit some features for paid users. For example, TunnelBear has a data surcharge for free users. On the other hand, Hotspot Shield has free version ad-supported. IN Opera browser, until recently, there was a free VPN and they didn't charge anything to use it. Opera separately offers excellent VPN apps for Android and iOS, also completely free, extending protection wherever you go.
How to set up a VPN and start working with it
Once you purchase the service, the first thing you need to do is download the company's app. The VPN service's website usually has a download page. Next, download applications for your mobile devices; you'll want to protect as many of your devices as possible. Typically you pay one subscription fee for a certain number of licenses (usually five), you can use this service on any device for which the application is provided. If you suddenly have problems and cannot set up a VPN, the support service of the company where you purchased the VPN will always come to your aid. This is another plus of a paid application. 
Once you have installed the app, you will be asked to enter your login information. In most cases, this is the username and password you created when you registered. Some companies, such as Private Internet Access, assign you a username that is different from your login credentials to give clients more privacy.
Once you log in, your VPN app will typically connect to the VPN server closest to your current location. This is done to ensure faster speeds with a VPN, as latency and speed reductions increase with the distance of the VPN server from your actual location. Like this: Your information is now securely tunneled to the VPN server.
Note that you don't have to install the VPN company's app. Instead you can configure network settings your device to connect directly to the VPN service. If you are concerned about app surveillance, this may be good option for you. Most VPN services will have documentation on how to set up your device.
Perhaps you want to spoof your location, use BitTorrent over a VPN, or want to take advantage of some of the custom servers provided by your VPN company.
Many VPN companies include interactive map as part of your application. For example, NordVPN allows you to click on countries to connect to those servers. This is a useful way to understand where your information is going.
The choice of server depends entirely on what you want to achieve. To ensure security and speed, you should choose a server that is nearby. To access region-specific content, you need a server that is local to the content you want to watch. If you're trying to watch the BBC, you'll need to make your way to the UK. Some VPN companies, such as KeepSolid VPN Unlimited and NordVPN, have dedicated servers for video streaming.
These specialized servers are useful because streaming services such as Netflix block VPNs. We're talking about Netflix's licensing deals. For example, Netflix has the right to provide Star Trek: Discovery outside the US, but in the US you have to pay for the service.
It's also a good idea to check whether your VPN service allows BitTorrent traffic on any server or only on certain ones. NordVPN clearly states that the servers do not allow torrent traffic.
Other services, such as NordVPN and ProtonVPN, have advanced security options such as access to Tor or multihop virtual networks. Tor, as mentioned above, is a way better protection your privacy and allows you to open hidden websites on the so-called Dark Web. Multihop VPN, rather than simply routing your traffic through one VPN server, connecting through multiple hosts connects you to one server and then to another.
If you choose to ignore apps third party developers and configure your network settings manually, you will likely have to enter information for each VPN server separately.
Advanced VPN settings
The feature set of each VPN varies from service to service, so we can only generalize what you can see when you open the Settings panel. But we recommend that you read the documentation and try clicking a few buttons. In the end, The best way learn to use the tool - try it.
Most VPN services include a Kill-Switch feature. Once enabled, this setting prevents the computer from sending or receiving information over the Internet unless a VPN is enabled. This is useful when your computer is disconnected from the VPN, and it can prevent small pieces of data from leaking in that are not encrypted.
We recommend using the OpenVPN protocol. With open source code, so like many potential vulnerabilities have been tested and you can set up a VPN with ease. IKEv2 is also good, safe option, if OpenVPN is not available. Please note that on some platforms such as macOS and iPhone, OpenVPN is not always available due to additional restrictions set by the developers. The best VPNS for iPhone give you access to the latest and greatest protocols available on the platform.
How to set up a VPN and use it?
To ensure maximum security, you should use a VPN as often as possible, and ideally, all the time. But this is an ideal, and it is not always achievable. At a minimum, you should use a VPN when you're using a network that you don't control, and especially if it's a public Wi-Fi network. But in general, we recommend that users set the default in their VPN applications. You can always disconnect if it causes a problem.
VPN for Android and other mobile devices is a little more complicated, especially if you move around often and get coverage cell phone. Every time you lose and reconnect, the VPN should reconnect. But at the same time, it is less likely that your mobile traffic may be intercepted, but as researchers prove, it can be done. And given that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have virtually unhindered access to telecommunications data, it is recommended to use a VPN even when cellular communication. Additionally, most mobile devices can automatically connect to any familiar Wi-Fi network. At a minimum, you should use a VPN when connecting via Wi-Fi.
If you're concerned that a VPN is slowing down your connections or blocking important traffic, you should take a look at your split tunneling options. Again, different companies give this feature different names, but the point is that you can decide which apps will use the VPN for their traffic and which apps can run without a VPN. For example, TunnelBear includes the option to not tunnel Apple apps to ensure they function properly on the Mac.
How to Set Up a VPN to Stream Using Chromecast or AirPlay
Chromecast and AirPlay let you stream music and videos from your computer or mobile device to speakers, TVs, and streaming boxes. But they all require Wi-Fi, which can be a problem when using a VPN.
When a VPN is enabled, your traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel, preventing devices from finding each other on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the way it should be, since you don't want anyone snooping on the network and finding out what you're doing. Unfortunately, this also means that Chromecast and AirPlay won't work if you activate a VPN.
Chromecast Ultra
The simplest solution is to disable the VPN, but this is not the only option. You can use split tunneling, as mentioned above, to route only the traffic you want to protect through the VPN. You can use a VPN browser plugin that only encrypts your browser traffic and nothing else.
Alternatively, you can install and configure a VPN on your router. This means that all devices connected to your router, from your phone to your smart juicer, will have encrypted traffic. This is a great option for a smart home.
VPNs are not a rocket ship
Too many of you don't use a VPN because they think it's a secret security tool. But many companies have worked hard to make them convenient and easy to use. Most set and forget about security tools, as it should be. And while opening your wallet to protect yourself from potential threats is always annoying, purchasing a VPN is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your web traffic.
If you are unable to set up a VPN or have problems with it, the WoW IT team is always ready to help.
More and more cafes, hotels and other public places are acquiring their own Wi-Fi networks. But by using unprotected traffic, device owners jeopardize the security of their own data. Therefore, the relevance of private networks is increasing. To protect yourself, you can create a VPN connection. Read our article about what it is and how to configure it correctly in Windows 7.
What is a VPN connection and why is it needed?
This technology refers to a secure network created on top of an unsecured network. The VPN client, using a public network, connects to the VPN server through special protocols. The server accepts the request, verifies the client's identity, and then transmits the data. This is ensured by cryptography.
VPN capabilities allow you to use it for the following purposes:
- Hide your real IP and become anonymous.
- Download a file from a network in which access is restricted for IP addresses of the user’s country (if you use the IP address of a country that has access to this network.
- Encryption of transmitted data.
How to set up a connection?
- Through "Start" open "Control Panel", then launch "Network and Sharing Center" shared access».
Select the “Network and Sharing Center” area
- Follow the link “Set up a new connection or network.”
To create a new connection or network, you need to click on the corresponding line in the list
- Click "Connect to Workplace".
Select "Connect to a workplace"
- Select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)."
Select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)"
- In the “Internet address” field, enter the address of your VPN server.
- To find it out, you need to launch the Run tool (Win + R) and enter cmd.
You need to enter cmd in the line and press “Enter”
- Then write the ipconfig command, run it and find the “Default gateway” line, which contains the desired address.
You need the address that is in the “Main gateway” line
- Now you need to insert the address and tick the “Don’t connect now...” checkbox and click “Next”.
Enter the received address in the field, check the box next to “Don’t connect now...”
- Enter the username and password provided by the provider and click “Create”.
Enter login and password
- Close a window.
- Open Network and Sharing Center again and click Change adapter settings.
- The VPN connection icon appears here. To make a connection, you need to click on the icon right click mouse and click “Connect”. To disable, also right-click on the icon and click “Disable”.
There is a VPN connection icon here, through which you can connect or disconnect
- In the window that opens, you need to enter your username and password and connect.
Enter your username and password (if necessary) and click “Connect”
Video: creating and setting up a VPN
Possible errors and solutions to problems
400 Bad Request
- Disable a firewall or other program that affects your security and online activities.
- Update the version of the browser you are using or use a different one.
- Delete everything that the browser writes to disk: settings, certificates, saved files, etc.
611, 612
- Restart your computer and check if the local network is working. If this does not solve the problem, then call technical assistance.
- Close some programs to improve system performance.
629
Check your firewall settings. As a last resort, it can be disabled, but this is undesirable, as the level of security will be reduced.
630
Reinstall the network adapter drivers.
650
- Check if "Local Area Connection" works.
- There is a problem with the network card or network cable.
738
- Perhaps your login and password were stolen by attackers.
- The session was stuck. After a few minutes, try to connect again.
752
- The local firewall is not configured correctly.
- Changed access attributes (international phone number instead of the VPN server address).
789
Open the VPN connection settings, go to the “Network” tab and select “Automatic” or “Point-to-Point Tunnel Protocol (PPTP)” from the available VPN types. Then reconnect.
800
The cable, router or router may be damaged. If they are ok, then you need to check the following:
- LAN connection properties. They may have gotten lost or been deleted. You need to open the properties of the VPN connection, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and open its properties. Then check the correctness of the parameters: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway. As a rule, they are specified in the provider's Internet connection agreement. Alternatively, you can check the boxes next to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain a DNS server address automatically.”
- If you are using a router or router, then the “Default gateway” field is 192.168.0.1 (192.168.0.1). More details about this are described in the router instructions. If it is known for sure that the access point has a default gateway of 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, then the IP addresses are in the range from 192.168.0.100 (192.168.1.100) and higher.
- IP address conflict (there is a yellow exclamation mark in the tray icon on the monitor). This means that there is a computer on the local network with the same IP address. If there is no router, but there is a conflict, it means that the IP address is not the one specified in the agreement with the provider. In this case, you need to change the IP address.
- There may be problems with the subnet mask or DNS server. They must be specified in the contract. In cases where a router is used, the DNS is often the same as the default gateway.
- The network card is turned off or burned out. To check the device, you need to click “Start”, select the “Run” tool and enter devmgmt.msc in the mmc line. In the window that opens, click on “ Network adapters" If it is turned off (crossed out), then you need to start it. If the card does not turn on, it means that it has burned out or has come out of the slot (the second option is only possible if the card is not built into motherboard). If the card works, then disable it and start again. As a last resort, you can delete network card from the configuration and click on the “Update hardware configuration” icon. The system will find the network card and install it.
- Incorrect VPN server address. It must be indicated in the instructions. If there is no such information, then you need to contact technical service. If the Internet works without a VPN connection, then go to the provider’s website and find the VPN server address. It can be either alphabetic (vpn.lan) or in the form of an IP address. To view the VPN server address, you need to open the properties of the VPN connection.
- On personal account no money.
Regardless of the error, if you cannot fix it yourself, you will have to contact technical support.
How to enable automatic start?
- In order for the connection to start automatically, you need to go to “Control Panel” - “Network and Internet” - “ Network connections».
Find VPN in Control Panel
- We find the VPN, open properties, then go to the “Options” tab and uncheck the “Display connection progress”, “Prompt for name, password” and “Include Windows login domain” checkboxes.
- Then you need to open the scheduler Windows jobs. Go to “Control Panel” - “System and Security” - “Administration” - “Task Scheduler”. Or you can go through the registry: Win + R, enter the line taskschd.msc.
Open the task scheduler
- Select “Action” from the menu, then “Create a simple task.”
Previously, the state had a rather mediocre understanding of the Internet, so it did not legally interfere with users. Today, while walking on the World Wide Web, you can increasingly come across the phrase: “This site is included in the register of prohibited sites” or “Your ISP has blocked access.”
So, if you want to regain complete freedom of action on the Internet and acquire another level of protection, then you definitely need to familiarize yourself with the technology of virtual private networks - VPN.
VPN: term and principle of operation
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the name of a technology that allows the creation and overlay of one or more networks on top of any other user network.
Now, how exactly does a VPN work? Your computer has a specific IP address that blocks access to certain sites. You enable VPN technology through some program or extension. VPN changes your address to an address from a server in another country (for example, Holland or Germany).
Next, a security connection is created, which cannot be blocked by the provider. As a result, you get a secure protocol through which you can freely visit any Internet site, and completely anonymously.
Structure and types of technology
The whole technology works in two layers. The first is an internal network, the second is an external one. When you connect to the technology, the system identifies your network and then sends an authentication request. This technology is very similar to authorization in some social network, only here everything is carried out through secure protocols and without the participation of the provider.
Virtual networks themselves are also divided into several categories. The main classification is based on the degree of protection, that is, the user can use both paid and free VPNs.
The difference between them is the secure connection. For example, subscription systems will give you secure protocols such as PPTP, IPSec and others. While free VPNs often provide only “trusted” channels. That is, your network itself must be highly protected, and a VPN will only enhance the level of protection.
To be honest, the biggest disadvantage of free VPN services not even security, but stability and connection speed. Through a free VPN, the Internet will most likely work very slowly, and not always stable.
A subscription to paid VPNs does not exceed $10 per month, but not every user needs it. For ordinary tasks, there is no point in purchasing Premium accounts; standard capabilities are sufficient.
Reasons to use a VPN
Every user needs to use VPN technology, and here's why:
- Data protection. Especially suitable for those users who like to connect to a neighbor’s “free” Wi-Fi connection, and then discover that their card data has been stolen. Such situations include gatherings in cafes and generally in any places with free Wi-Fi.
- Complete anonymity. When you open new tab with the site - this action will be displayed on the provider’s server, so that your journey on the Internet can be tracked by any employee of the company. By turning on a VPN, you will hide your browsing history because you are using a different IP address.
- The ability to surf the Internet without obstacles. Bookmakers, online casinos, torrents, forums, sites for adults - all the “underground” of the Internet is again available to you, everything is like in the old days.
- Use of foreign resources. It is, of course, unlikely that you will use English-language services such as hulu.com, but still, you are provided with full access to all popular sites around the world.
How to use VPN on a computer?
Let's consider a situation where we use a regular browser and want to visit blocked sites. In this situation, you can go two ways:
- install the VPN client (program) on your PC;
- add a browser extension via Webstore.
Both the first and second options are easy to implement, but for the full picture, let’s consider both.
You can also use the free one.
To install a VPN client, you need to download a program on the Internet, for example, “Betternet”. Let's launch installation file and install the client. We launch it, click: “Connect” and that’s it. The problem is that the program automatically gives us a random IP address, and we cannot select a country, but by pressing just one button we are already using a VPN. And one more disadvantage is the need to constantly launch the program, however, some clients have the ability to launch it simultaneously with the OS.
The second way is to add an extension. The downside here is that, most often, registration is required to use it, plus the extensions have the ability to crash. But the extension is much easier to use - click on the icon in the browser, select the country and profit. At the moment, there are thousands of similar programs, you can choose any of them, for example, “Hotspot Shield”. Add the extension to your browser, register and there will be no more technical issues.
For example, this is how it works ZenMate extension VPN in browser:
ABOUT VPN extensions For different browsers we wrote in the article: .
How to use VPN on mobile devices?
We will look at those devices that have popular operating systems on board, for example, iOS or Android.
Using a VPN on smartphones or tablets is also quite simple, namely through mobile applications. The problem is that some programs require root rights, and these are additional hassles, plus the possibility of turning the phone into a “brick”. So look for programs that do not require you to have root rights. On Android, for example, it is OpenVPN, and on iOS it is Cloak. You can also use the free and proven one on iPhone and iPad. I use it myself sometimes, it works great.
The download technology is very simple: download the application from Play Market or AppStore, install it on your device. Next, we activate the VPN, select a profile (from where we will get the IP address), then make a connection and that’s all. Now you are browsing the Internet through a VPN, which the application you are using will tell you about.
Now you understand how VPN connection technology is implemented, and now your online experience will become more secure, anonymous, and most importantly - accessible and unlimited.
They have become commonplace. True, no one really thinks about what is behind the concept like “VPN, setup, use, etc.” Most users prefer not to delve into the jungle of computer terminology and use standard templates. But in vain. From knowledge about such connections, you can derive a lot of benefits, for example, increase traffic or connection speed, etc. Let's look at what a connection to a virtual network actually is, using the example of interaction between operational Windows systems on a desktop computer terminal and Android on a mobile device.
What is VPN
Let's start with the fact that VPN setup is impossible without the general principle of understanding the essence of the connection being created or used.
If you explain in simple words, in such a network there is necessarily a so-called router (the same router), which provides computers or mobile devices trying to connect to existing network, standard additional IP addresses for access to LAN or the Internet.
In this case, a virtual network in which there is an activated VPN connection setting accepts any device connected to it and is assigned a unique internal IP address. The range of such addresses in the usual standard is from zero to the value 255.
What’s most interesting is that even when accessing the Internet, the external IP address of the device from which the request is made is not so easy to determine. There are several reasons for this, which will be discussed below.
The simplest VPN setup for Android
Almost all virtual networks using wireless connection Wi-Fi types work on the same principle - assigning free IP addresses from the available range. It's no surprise that any mobile device can easily be connected to them (but only on condition that it supports the appropriate connection protocols).
However, today any smartphones or tablets based on the Android OS have in their functionality the option of connecting the same Wi-Fi. The network is detected automatically if the device is within its coverage area. The only thing you may need is to enter a password. The so-called “shared” ones do not require a password at all.
IN in this case You need to go to the main settings on your smartphone or tablet and activate the Wi-Fi connection. The system itself will determine the presence of radio modules at a distance of 100-300 meters from the device (it all depends on the model of the distribution router). Once the network is identified, a menu will be displayed with all available connections and their blocking indication. If the network has a padlock icon, it is password protected (however, this will be indicated initially in the message). If you know the password, enter it.
In public networks, where login using a password is not provided, it is even simpler. Has the network been determined? All. Click on connection and use it. As is already clear, VPN configuration in this case is not required at all. Another thing is when to use Windows settings or another operating system (even mobile) to create a connection or assign the status of a VPN distribution server to a computer terminal or laptop.
Creation on Windows
With "OS" Windows family not everything is as simple as most users think. Of course, they automatically recognize a network or connection via Wi-Fi, ADSL, or even a direct connection via an Ethernet network card (subject to the presence of installed equipment). The question is different: if the distributor is not a router, but a laptop or desktop computer how to get out of this situation?
Main settings
Here you will have to delve into the VPN settings. Windows as an operating system is considered first.
First you need to pay attention not even to the settings of the system itself, but to its accompanying components. True, when creating a connection or using it to the maximum, you will have to configure some protocols such as TCP/IP (IPv4, IPv6).
If the provider does not provide such services in automatic mode, you will have to make settings indicating previously obtained parameters. For example, when connecting automatically, the fields in the Internet browser properties for filling will be inactive (there will be a dot on the item “Obtain an IP address automatically”). That is why you do not have to enter the values of the subnet mask, gateway, DNS or WINS servers manually (especially for proxy servers).
Router settings
Regardless of whether the VPN is configured on an ASUS laptop or terminal (or any other device), access to the network is still common.
To do it correctly, you need to go to its own menu. This can be done using any Internet browser, provided that the router is directly connected to a computer or laptop.
In the address field, enter the value 192.168.1.1 (this corresponds to most models), after which you should activate the enable function (using the router parameters in advanced mode). Typically this line looks like WLAN Connection Type.
Using VPN Clients
VPN clients are quite specific programs that work like anonymous proxy servers that hide the true IP address of the user's computer when accessing the Internet. local network or on the Internet.
Actually, the use of programs of this type is reduced to almost complete automation. The VPN setting in this case, in general, is not important, since the application itself redirects requests from one server (mirror) to another.
True, you will have to tinker a little with setting up such a client, especially if you want to make the most of your home virtual network available connections. Here you have to choose between software products. And it should be noted that some applications, even the smallest in size, sometimes surpass the commercial products of many famous brands, for which you also have to pay (by the way, a lot of money).
What about TCP/IP?
It goes without saying that almost all of the above settings affect the TCP/IP protocol to one degree or another. Today nothing better has been invented for comfort. Even remote anonymous proxy servers or local data stores still use these settings. But you need to be careful with him.
It is best to contact your provider or system administrator. But one thing must be clearly remembered: even when setting the values manually, as a rule, the subnet mask has the sequence 255.255.255.0 (it can change), and all IP addresses begin with the values 192.168.0.X (the last letter can have from one to three characters ).
Conclusion
However, these are all subtleties computer technology. The same VPN client for Android can provide communication between multiple smart devices. But the biggest snag is whether it’s worth using such a connection on a mobile gadget.
If you noticed, we didn’t go into too much technical detail. This is rather a descriptive instruction about general concepts. But even that simple example, I think, will help, so to speak, to understand the very essence of the issue. Moreover, with a clear understanding of it, the whole problem will be reduced only to the system settings, which will not affect a specific user in any way.
But here you need to be very careful. Actually, for those who don’t know what it is VPN connection, it won't do much. For more advanced users it is worth telling what to create virtual network using native Windows OS tools is not recommended. You can, of course, use the initial settings, however, as practice shows, it is better to have some additional client in stock, which will always be like an ace in the hole.