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VPN Internet connection: what is it and how to use it? VPN: setup. VPN connections in Windows, Android

Many people don't know how to set up vpn connection, however, this is not a tricky matter, but it requires certain skills. First, let's figure out why such a connection is needed. VPN literally translates as virtual private network. As the name suggests, it serves to create a tunnel between two computers, through which information is transmitted in encrypted form. Thus, the confidentiality and anonymity of all transmitted information is ensured. Now let's look at the basic steps for VPN settings.
1. Make sure your home computer is properly connected to the World Wide Web.
2. After making sure the connection is working, go to the Start menu.
3. Select the “Control Panel” folder.
4. Find the “Network Connections” folder.
5. Select the link to create a new network connection.
6. In the first window, click on “Next”.
7. Select “Connect to a network at the workplace” and again click on the item “Connect to a virtual network”, again the “Next” button
8. In the next window you need to select an option depending on your connection type:
do not dial the number to pre-connect;
dial the number to pre-connect.
9. Enter a name for the new connection.
10. Then you need to enter the ip of the remote computer or its name in a special field.
11. Select users for whom this connection from this computer will be possible.
12. If necessary, place the icon opposite creating a shortcut on the desktop.
Your computer will then prompt you to connect immediately, but we should decline this. Select the shortcut for our connection on the main screen and right-click on it. Select the “Properties” tab. We indicate the method for restoring the connection depending on the type of network connection. We save the result.
Setting up VPN Windows finished, now to connect you just need to click on the desktop shortcut or the icon in the connections “Start” menu.

In this article Mr. Whoer will tell you about 12 possible problems with VPN. This is not a detailed guide to troubleshooting VPN problems, but hopefully the article will tell you what to do if your VPN stops working and how to set up a VPN connection.

1. I'm connecting to the VPN, but I can't see a specific website.

It is possible that you are unable to connect to one particular website, especially if you see that your VPN is working fine and other websites are accessible. Try clearing the cache in the browser you are using (Ctrl + F5). Restart your computer just in case.

DNS settings can also prevent certain sites from loading, read more about this in point 3.

Additionally, the site may not be accessible from your chosen VPN server due to geographic restrictions. Try changing the server country.

2. VPN connection is established, but no data is transferred

Check if you are using another VPN client at the same time as yours. You need to find the VPN among running programs, even if it is in the background. Disable and exit all VPN programs that are installed on your computer except the one you plan to use at the moment.

Also, a problem with Internet connection can sometimes arise if you use one VPN client on several devices at the same time (for example, on a mobile device and a desktop computer) and these devices are connected to the same VPN server. Solution: if it turns out, for example, that the server country Germany is selected on the computer in the VPN client, and on the mobile device too, then try changing the country on one of the devices, say, to Switzerland.

3. Connecting to the site works by IP address, but not by domain name

You can also try connecting to the site you need by its IP address rather than its name. If you can access previously inaccessible resources using IP addresses, this may indicate a DNS problem. Check which DNS servers are configured for use on your computer.

Instructions on what DNS is and how to change it can be found.

4. There is a connection to the VPN, but the sites do not load

Fire up your browser and visit a few different sites to make sure your internet connection is actually working. If your computer is on a wireless network and you're having problems connecting to the Internet or hotspot, you'll need to resolve your wireless connection issues before you can use a VPN.

5. Problems with the VPN client

Make sure that the VPN client was installed exactly as indicated in; reinstall the client, re-enter your login information.

1. Uninstall the application
2. Restart your computer
3. Install the client
4. Restart your computer
5. Try connecting

6. Connected to the VPN server, but there is no Internet

If some servers connect and others don't, then the problem is related to the location of the server you connected to when you launched the VPN client. Try reconnecting, perhaps one particular server is not working, but other servers in that country are working. You can also try restarting the client, this is especially recommended if this is your first time trying to connect to the server since installation.

7. Problems with the VPN protocol

Select the “Use UPD connection” option in the settings.

8. VPN doesn't work on your home network

If you're using a laptop or mobile device, visit a free public wi-fi hotspot (cafe, library) and try connecting to the VPN from there.

If the VPN works when connected through a hotspot network, you should look for the problem in your home network. You may need to change some network settings that may be causing problems with VPN access.

9. Programs block VPN operation

Firewall and anti-spyware software may interfere with VPN performance. Antivirus software may also have VPN restrictions set by default. Firewalls are usually not a problem. However, some older versions do not work properly with a VPN connection. To find out if this is your case, temporarily disable your firewall and try to connect to the VPN server again. If the problem is with your firewall, you may need to open some outgoing ports, which may vary depending on the VPN and firewall software.

You can also try disabling the security software and try connecting to the VPN client again. If this doesn't help, try adding the VPN client as an exception to your firewall and antivirus software and unblocking the ports commonly used for VPN connections: TCP 443, TCP 1701, and TCP 1723.

10. Your home router (router) does not support VPN

Some routers do not support VPN Passthrough (a feature of the router that allows traffic to pass freely through the Internet) and/or the protocols required for certain types of VPNs to operate. When purchasing a new router, be sure to check if it is marked as VPN-compatible.

If you're having trouble connecting to a VPN, do an online search for your specific router brand and model plus the word "VPN" to see if there are any reports that your router model isn't working with VPN and if there's a way to fix it .

Your router manufacturer may offer a firmware update that includes VPN support. If there is no such update, you will have to purchase a new home router, but first contact your ISP technical support for advice.

11. Problems with router settings, VPN transit and VPN ports and protocols

If you determine that your router model supports VPN Passthrough, check your router and personal firewall configuration settings on your home network for the following settings:

In the security settings, you can find options for setting up a VPN connection, such as enabling IPSec Passthrough and PPTP Passthrough. These are the two most common types of VPN connections. You can try enabling both.

Check port forwarding and protocols. Your firewall (inside the router and separately in any firewall programs you have installed) may require transmission over certain ports and open protocols. IPSec VPNs must have forwarded UDP port 500 (IKE), and protocols 50 (ESP) and 51 (AH). For PPTP, Microsoft's VPN tunneling protocol, you will need TCP forwarded port 1723 and IP protocol 47 (GRE).

It's not as difficult as it seems. First, read the router's user manual or search the manufacturer's website for information regarding “VPN.” You need to find something that applies specifically to your specific device model.

12. Problems that arise when connecting to a local network.

A VPN will not work if your IP address is in the same range of IP addresses that your local network uses. An example of this is your computer's IP address is 192.168.1. , this means that the network uses the 192.168.1 addressing scheme. .

To find your computer's IP address in Windows, go to Start > Run... and type cmd to launch a command window. In this window, type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Locate the network adapter and check the IP address field.

If you find that your IP address is within the IP address range, you need to make some changes to your home router settings.

Go to your router's configuration page and change the router's IP address so that the first three blocks of numbers in the IP address are different from the IP subnet (in our example: to 192.168.2.1.)

Also find the DHCP server settings and change it so that the router issues IP addresses in the required address range (in our example: from 192.168.2.2 to 192.168.2.255.)

Additionally, watch our video, where we also talk about emerging problems with VPN for users

If a user decides to use a VPN for a computer on the network for free, then he will have to choose not only the service, but also the connection method: manual, through an application or in a browser.

How to choose a VPN connection for your computer?

There are three ways available to the user to install and enable VPN on a computer for free, and each has advantages and disadvantages. To make a choice, the user will have to consider the following factors:

  • Application– an option that does not require any unnecessary movements from the user: all settings will be set automatically (). However, any programs from third-party developers are always a risk. The application may collect and send statistics, logins and/or passwords. The user is completely dependent on the integrity of the developers.
  • Configure manually – the server is configured once, but an unprepared client will have to spend a little time. The advantage is the ability to manually alternate between different connection types (IKEv2, IPSec and L2TP, etc.), comparing and selecting the optimal one.
  • Browser extension – as in the application, there is a risk of collecting personal information. The Opera browser (VPN built-in) is a little more trustworthy. The main feature is the ability to use a virtual network only in a browser, and programs will work using a regular Internet connection.

Setting up a VPN on your computer manually

Before setting up a VPN on your computer, you need to find out from the service provider the necessary data - available connection types and settings; there are free services on the Internet with such information. The server address, keys/identifiers and password will depend on the connection type.

To set up a virtual network, you will need:

  • Open the settings for private virtual networks; you can find them through the “Settings” menu or by searching the system.

  • Click “Add”.

  • Fill in all fields (come up with a connection name yourself).

If additional settings are required, there should be detailed instructions on the service provider’s website. After setting up, you will need to click “Connect” in the same menu.

Download the VPN app on your computer

The VPN program (application) for your computer is much easier in terms of settings; you can download such applications for free from official websites or through the Microsoft Store.

After installing and opening the program, you will need:

  • Accept the terms of use.
  • Click "Connect".

A record of a successful connection will appear in the list of connections.

Working VPN in a browser on a PC

The most convenient way is to download a VPN browser for free on a Windows 7, 10 or 8 computer - for example, Opera offers all users a special button.

If the user is not ready to part with the usual browser, you can open the extension store and look for free options. After installation, a corresponding icon will appear on the top panel to enable/disable the virtual private network and change the IP address.

If the question arises about how to change the VPN address of your computer, then you will need to reconnect to the virtual network.

After setting, click Next. The created VPN connection can be found in the window Network connections. There you can create a shortcut for this connection. What I mean is that many people have a shortcut for connecting to the Internet on their desktop. It's the same issue here. The VPN connection is connected in the same way as all other connections.

During this setup, the user does not have access to most VPN connection settings. Therefore, after creating a connection, you can log in VPN connection properties and change the necessary parameters. But basically, these parameters should not be changed.

What is VPN Reconnect?

VPN Reconnect is a new feature in Windows 7. And as you might guess, this feature belongs to VPN technology. We have already learned what a VPN is.

What is VPN Reconnect? VPN Reconnect is a feature that can initiate a reconnection to the VPN server when disconnected. With traditional VPN connections, if the connection was lost, you had to manually re-establish the connection. At the same time, any process that was taking place at this moment will have to be started again.

But times are changing. The new VPN Reconnect feature allows you to automatically re-initiate a broken connection without re-authorization. All this is possible thanks to the new IKEv2 tunneling protocol with the MOBIKE extension. And since we’re talking about protocols, it’s worth noting that other protocols (PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP) that are also supported in Windows 7 are not compatible with the VPN Reconnect function. And given the fact that the IKEv2 protocol is the most secure of all the protocols listed above, it follows that using the new IKEv2 protocol is not only secure, but also convenient.

The IKEv2 protocol with the MOBIKE extension allows you to automatically re-initiate the connection even after 8 hours of interruption. More precisely, the maximum gap period is 8 hours. You can leave the computer for a couple of hours, turning off the Internet, then come back, connect to the Internet and continue working on the remote computer. Also, this protocol allows VPN clients to change their Internet addresses. So, you can safely move from one location to another, while disconnecting the previous connection and connecting to a new Internet connection, but you will still be connected to the VPN. Although in truth, you will first be disconnected from the VPN connection, but VPN Reconnect will immediately return it to you. So you won't notice anything.

I recently introduced readers to the new Direct Access technology, which bypasses VPN technology in several ways. So, one of the advantages of DirectAccess - a constant connection - can easily be compensated by the new VPN function. The main thing here is to keep up with fashion and use new software: I have already mentioned Windows 7 (by the way, in the article Why Windows 7 is better than Windows XP you can find other examples of how XP really lags behind advanced operating systems), but about Windows Server I forgot 2008 R2. This means that the IKEv2 protocol only supports VPN servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 or later.

Well, in the end, I’ll indicate the place where you can configure the maximum time for disconnecting the connection. To do this, you need to go to Network connections, find the created VPN connection there and log into it Properties A. Next, on the tab Safety find and press the button Extra options. In the window that opens Additional properties go to tab IKEv2, check the box Mobility and specify the maximum break time. This is how the VPN Reconnect function is configured.

Modern technologies are improving at tremendous speed, opening up an amazing breadth of new opportunities for us. Not long ago, Internet users began to use a private network - VPN. It allows you to create a secure connection between remote PCs, providing:

  • anonymity of work on the World Wide Web;
  • the ability to download applications when the IP address is located in a different regional zone;
  • high safety of work in a corporate environment;
  • high transfer speed without interruptions;
  • the ability to create a channel protected from hackers.

Let's look at how to connect to the Internet via VPN on different OSes.

The OS is more complex than previous versions. But setting up a connection via VPN turns out to be very simple. Follow the step by step instructions below.

Open Start. From the drop-down list, go to “Settings”. This subsection may be called "Options".

Where can I find “Options”?

When the Windows Settings window appears, you will see the Network and Internet option. Open the content. There is a “VPN” item here. Make one click. Click "Add VPN connection". In the new window, set the following parameters in order:

  • Windows (embedded);
  • Business Communication;
  • L2TP protocol;
  • . The necessary information is specified in your agreement for the provision of Internet services.

Check that the fields are filled in correctly and click “Save”.

Setting up a VPN on Windows 7

Here the phasing has no fundamental distinctive features. The only difference is the location of the sections that interest us. Proceed to the "Control Panel".

Where is the Control Panel located?

We will need “Network and Internet”.

We need a control center. From here you can manage networks and access. You will need to configure the connection. This will be a new direction.

You will need an active “Connect to workplace” button. Go ahead. “Use my Internet connection” will appear at the top of the form. Let's make a selection. A form will appear where you enter in the stated sequence:

  • Business Communication;
  • Check the "Don't connect now" checkbox. You will be prompted to simultaneously check for future connections;
  • move on.

On the page that opens, enter your username and password. This information is provided when signing an agreement for the provision of communication services. Place a marker in the box that asks you to remember your password. Next, a working connection will be displayed. The form can be closed.

While in Control Center, continue working with custom metrics. In the form, click on “Change adapter settings”. The active and passive connections will be highlighted. Click on the configured option and select Properties. This is done through the right key.

You will be on the General form. Here the address information regarding the VPN server is checked. Correct view: inter.net.

In the “Security” form, you also need to make certain settings. Put VPN type here. There is no need to register anything. It is enough to use the drop-down list. Select the item: L2TP/IPsec. In the “data encryption” line, enter: optional. Click OK.

Stay in the connections tab. Here you will need to create a shortcut for “Business Connection”.

When you see a message that an icon cannot be created in this folder, agree to move it to your desktop.

Go to the main screen. Here you will find the corresponding label. Double-click with the left mouse button. A window will appear where you should select “Connection”.

You can check this point by following this path:

  • go to “Network and Internet”;
  • specify the section you are interested in. This is the control center;
  • you need to check the configured indicators. Go to the form where the adapter settings are changed;
  • Before finding the information you are interested in, read the sections. You will need “Network Connections”;
  • we require “Local Area Connection”;
  • go to “Properties”, open “Network” and select “TCP/IPv4”;
  • click on “Properties”;
  • The item about obtaining an IP address automatically must be activated, click on OK.

Now we can say with confidence that the connection to the VPN is complete.

How to connect a VPN on Windows XP

Getting started is exactly the same as in version 7 of the OS. After activating the creation of a connection, the Connection Wizard will automatically launch. With it you will resolve the issue faster and more conveniently. After following “Next”, find the second item. It will allow you to connect to the network on your desktop.

Keep tuning. You will see the “Connection name” window. Specify Business Connection. Proceed to the second stage.

Stop at “Select VPN Server”.

You will be taken to the last page of the wizard. Check the box where you are offered to display a shortcut on the desktop. Complete the procedure.

Confirming settings and creating a shortcut on the desktop

Click the right mouse button on the window that appears. Go to "Properties". In the first tab, check the VPN server address. It should be written here: inter.net. Go to "Options". Mark with the marker “Call back when connection is lost.” Then open “Security”. Remove the checkbox from “Data encryption required.”

The connection window appears. It asks for a username and password. Enter the information provided by your Internet service provider when completing the contract. Place a marker next to the prompt to save passwords. Start connecting.

As in the option discussed above, double-check that you received the IP address. It should be done automatically. This is done through Start. Find "Network and Internet Connections". From the suggested sub-items, select “Network connections”. Find “Local Area Connection”, right-click to get to Properties. Here you need to highlight TCP/IPv4. Then you need to go to Properties again. Now check for the checkbox next to the offer to register your IP address automatically.

Setting up mobile equipment on Android OS

If you need to set up a VPN on mobile devices, use the step-by-step instructions below. It will create a secure channel connecting separate networks and providing access to them for people who regularly change their location.

Important! For the setup to be successful, you need to know the address of the server to which you will connect, your login and password.

Open the Settings menu on your device.

In the “Wireless Network” column, click on the “More” sub-item and select “VPN”.

Check the box to add a VPN connection. It may be called that or designated as “+”.

A form will open in front of you where you need to enter the settings:

  • “Network name” - any name. You decide what name to give your new VPN connection;
  • "Type" - "PPTP";
  • “Address”—VPN server address;
  • click on the “Save” button.

Find out detailed instructions for setting up home Internet in the article -

When you first start, the system will ask for your username and password. To avoid having to enter them again next time, check the box next to the prompt to remember user data.

The VPN connection is configured and ready to use. You will learn about this thanks to the corresponding notification. By clicking on the icon that appears, you will see detailed information on the connection.