VPN connection. How to set up your own VPN server. What a VPN Does and Doesn't Do

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 next to 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.

Today, Internet users increasingly use the term VPN. Some recommend using it more often, while others recommend avoiding it. Let's take a closer look at what is hidden behind this term.

VPN connection, what is it?

VPN(Virtual Private Network) is technology, which provides communication closed from external access in the presence of a high connection speed. This connection is carried out according to the principle “ dot - dot" In science, this connection method is called tunnel. You can join the tunnel at PC with any OS, wherein VPN client installed. This program “forwards” a virtual port using TCP/IP to another network.

To implement such a connection, you need a platform that quickly scales and ensures data integrity and confidentiality.

In order for the PC to IP address 192.168.1.1-100 connected via a gateway to an external network, you need to set the connection rules on the router. When a VPN connection is made, the message header contains the address of the remote PC. The message is encrypted by the sender and decrypted by the recipient using a shared key. After this, a secure connection is established between the two networks.

How to connect a VPN

A brief diagram of the protocol's operation was previously described. Now we’ll find out how to connect a client on a specific device.

On a computer and laptop

Before you set up VPN connection to Windows 7 PC, should specify IP address or server name. To do this in " Network Sharing Center" on " Control panels" need to " Create a new connection».

Select item "" - " (VPN)».

At the next stage you should specify Name And server address.

You need to wait for the connection to complete.

Let's check the VPN connection. To do this in " Control Panel" In chapter " Network connections» Call the context menu by double-clicking on the shortcut.

On the " Details" need to check IPv4 address. It must be within the IP range specified in the VPN settings.

On your phone, iPhone or tablet

Now let's look at how to create a VPN connection and configure it on gadgets running Android OS.

For this you need:

• smartphone, tablet;
• login, password for the network;
• server address.

To set up a VPN connection, you need to select “” in your phone settings and create a new one.

An icon with a new connection will appear on the screen.

The system requires a login and password. You need to enter the parameters and select the "" option. Then at the next session you will not have to confirm these data again.

Once the VPN connection is activated, a characteristic icon will appear on the toolbar.

If you click on the icon, the connection details will appear.

How to set up a VPN to work correctly

Let's take a closer look at how to automatically configure VPN on computers with Windows 10 OS.

Go to PC settings.

In chapter " Options"go to the subsection "".

... and add a new VPN connection.

On the next page you should specify the VPN connection parameters:

• Service Provider - Windows;
• Connection name;
• Server address;
• VPN type;
• Username and password.

Once the connection is established, you need to connect to it.

How to create a VPN server

All providers record the activities of their clients. If a request is received from law enforcement agencies, they will provide complete information about which sites the offender visited. Thus, the provider relieves itself of all legal liability. But sometimes situations arise in which the user needs to protect his data:

• Companies transmit their data over the Internet via an encrypted channel.
• Many services on the Internet operate based on geographic location. For example, the Yandex.Music service operates only on IP from the Russian Federation and CIS countries. A Russian, while in Europe, will not be able to listen to his favorite music.
• Offices often block access to social networks.

You can, of course, clear your browser history every time you visit a site. But it’s easier to create and configure a VPN server.

To do this, call the command line ( Win+R), and then enter your query ncpa.cpl and press Enter. In a new window click Alt and select "".

Next, you need to create a user and give him limited rights only to the VPN. You will also have to come up with a new long password. Select a user from the list. At the next stage you need to select the connection option " Through the Internet».

How to use a VPN

Once a new connection has been created, all you need to do is open your browser and load any page.

Beginners can skip creating a connection and immediately download a VPN client from the Internet or install a special browser extension. After downloading the program, you need to launch it and click the “ Connect" The client will join another network and the user will be able to view sites prohibited in his region.

The disadvantage of this method is that the IP is issued automatically. The user cannot select a country. But the connection is set up very quickly, by pressing just one button. The option of adding an extension also has disadvantages. Firstly, the user must be registered on the official website of the program, and secondly, the extension often crashes. But the user can choose the country through which the connection to the external network will be made. The connection process itself also does not raise any questions. Just press the button " Start" and the browser will reboot on the new network. Let's look at how to install the extension using an example ZenMate VPN.

Download the program from the official website. After installation, the following icon will appear in the browser:

Click on the icon. The extension window will appear:

If you move the mouse cursor to icon with the Russian flag, then the screen will display current IP. If you move the cursor over the icon with the Romanian flag, the IP of the selected server will appear. If desired, you can change the connection country. To do this, click on the globe and select one of the automatic addresses.

The disadvantage of the free version of the program is the small number of available servers and the imposition of advertising.

The most common mistakes

Various antivirus programs and firewalls may block the connection. In this case, an error code is displayed on the screen. Let's look at the most popular problems and ways to solve them.

Error	Cause	Solution
678	Encryption is not allowed in the OS	You need to open the command line and check the “ProhibitIpSec” parameter in the registry “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\RasMan\Parameters”. It should be equal to 0. If the provider itself uses an encryption channel to provide services, then changing this setting will affect Internet access.
691	Incorrect login/password entered	You need to log in to the network again
692	Firewall Error	Disable your firewall
720/738	User is already connected	Error 720 occurs only on Windows 7. All other operating systems display code 738. If you have to work from different PCs through one client, then you need to create several user names.
734	Automatic VPN	You need to change the connection type from “Automatic” to “L2TP IPSec VPN” in the connection properties. If the error does not disappear, you need to re-create the connection.
766/781	Key not saved/not entered	Open the VPN properties, on the “Security” tab, select “Advanced settings” and enter the key in the new window
768/789 (Windows 7, Vista, XP)	IPSec doesn't work	RMB on the shortcut “My Computer” - “Management”. In the “Services” section, select “IPSec”. Set the connection type to Auto.

Private VPN technology gives users a chance to download files from resources that are not available in the country; hide your IP address and “surf” the Internet as an anonymous person; protect your data from theft through encryption. To start using such a network, you first need to create a connection. How to do this on Windows 7 - in the system window or in a third-party utility?

A clear guide to creating and configuring a VPN in the “seven”: several methods

The built-in Windows tool involves manually setting up the network - entering the VPN server address in the creation wizard, as well as your login and password. You can obtain this data from your provider (if it provides such a service), as well as on special sites that offer information on VPN - free of charge or for a fee. An example of a free one is Netherlands Free VPN.

Find the details of a VPN server online

A third-party utility with a VPN service configures everything automatically - it is much more convenient to use. The interface has a special button that quickly turns the service on or off. Usually, even in free applications, you can change the VPN server and country in a couple of clicks.

With a VPN, your PC connects to a server on the Internet not directly, but through an intermediary

We use built-in Windows tools

Once you have found the details to create a VPN connection, do the following:

1. Expand “Control Panel” - click on the item in the right list in “Start”.

   In Windows 7, Control Panel is located in the Start menu on the right

2. Or click on “K” (Russian) and Windows, and then enter the control command and click OK.

   The panel is launched through the Run window

3. Set the interface to show large icons and click on the link leading to the “Network Control Center”.
4. Another method of launching the center is through the additional menu of the network icon on the right side of the bottom panel next to the clock (called by right-clicking the mouse).
5. Open the link to create a new network.
6. Select Desktop Attachment and click Next.

   Select Desktop Connection

7. Click on the first link to use your connection.

   Select your current connection in the window

8. Leave setting up the connection for now in the next window.

   Let the system know that you want to configure your connection later

9. Enter the Internet address and destination name.

   Enter VPN server address

10. Check the box next to the item that prohibits connecting at the moment. If you want all users of your device to have access to this connection, check the second box as well. Click “Next”.

    You can only do the installation now and leave the network connection for later

11. Type your login and security key - the data that your provider provided you with or that you found yourself. Click on "Create".

    Click on "Create" in the lower right corner

12. You should see a notification in the window that the connection has been created and is ready to use.

    The wizard will notify you that the connection has been successfully created

13. Go back to the center and click on the second link on the left for adapters.
14. Select the newly created network with the right mouse button - click on “Properties”.

    Go to connection properties

15. In the third tab with security settings, set the VPN PPTP type. Set the option to optionally encrypt information and uncheck the Microsoft CHAP box.

    In the "Security" section, install the point-to-point tunnel protocol

16. In the next section, uncheck the last two items on the list.

    Disable options for Microsoft Networks Client and File Sharing Services

17. In the second tab, deactivate the line “Enable login domain in Windows.”

    Deactivate domain input for login

18. Click on the “PPP Settings” button. Uncheck all lines in the additional window.

    Clear all checkboxes

19. Click OK to save. Confirm that you want to turn off encryption. Now you can connect to the VPN network and use it.

    Save all changes

Video: how to create a VPN connection in Windows without additional software

Create a point via the Command Line

If you are already a confident PC user, use the console to create a connection:

Download and install a third-party program

A free and high-quality VPN service is the Windscribe utility from the developer of the same name. It provides 2 GB of traffic, but you can increase it to 10 GB if you simply register your email with the service. Unlimited traffic use is available only for a certain fee.

We'll tell you where to download it from, how to install and use the utility:

1. Let's go to the official Windscribe resource. Click on the second green Windows button.

   Download the installer from the official website

2. Open the installer and run the Express installation.

   Perform express installation of the program

3. We are waiting for it to complete - it will take a little time.

   Wait - the installer needs some time to install the utility on your PC

4. Check the box and click “Finish” to immediately open the utility interface.

   Close the window and open the program

5. In the first window you will immediately be asked if you have an account. Most likely not, so click on the second button to immediately create an “account”.

   Click "No" if you don't have an account

6. In the browser that is installed on your system by default, the application website will open - a page for registering an account. Fill out the form: create a Username and Password. If the login is not unique, click on the icon on the right in the field so that the system itself creates it for you. In the third line, enter the password again.

   Enter the data: created login, password and valid email

7. If you want to use 10 GB, write the address of the "soap". Click on Create Free Account.

   Click on the green button at the bottom of the questionnaire

8. Through the letter that came to your email, activate your profile.

   Verify your email to get an additional 8 GB of data

9. In the Windscribe utility, enter the authorization data that you just came up with.

   Login to your account

10. To enable the service, click on the key shaped like a power button on the right.

    Click on the button on the right

11. After a few seconds, the interface will turn blue - On mode is activated.

    If the word ON lights up on the button, it means the VPN is turned on

12. Initially, the application selects the best location for the user. If you want to change the VPN server country, expand the menu.

    Open dropdown menu for locations

13. Select the state that interests you from the list, among those that are not marked with stars (they are available to those who have paid for a subscription).

    Select the desired country from the list

14. Select a city in the country you have chosen.

    Click on the required locality

15. The application will reconnect you automatically.

    The location will change immediately

You can manage the connection to the VPN network yourself (activate or disable it in the system window) or set up an auto-connection.

How to manually connect to a VPN

You can independently monitor network activity as follows:

1. We go to the same system window “Network Connections” through the center. Select the VPN tile with RMB and click on “Connect”.

   Click on “Connect” in the context menu

2. In the login window we write the security key and user name. You can set the data to be saved from the “account”. Let's start the connection.
3. On the panel with network types, select public.

   Select a public network in the window

4. In order not to go to the panel with network connections every time, select “Create a shortcut” in the context menu.

   Create a connection shortcut on the “Desktop”

5. We agree with the creation of the icon.

   Click "Yes" to place the network shortcut on the table

6. An icon for your connection is displayed on the “Desktop” - double-clicking on it opens a window for authorization.

   A shortcut with the name of your connection appears on the “Desktop”

How to set up automatic connection when Windows 7 boots

If you want to automate logging into the VPN network so as not to perform unnecessary actions when loading the operating system, do the following:

1. Click on “Win” and “K” to launch a window for executing commands - insert and run the code taskschd.msc to open the “Task Scheduler”.

   Run the command taskschd.msc

2. On the panel with a list of actions, click on the item to create a simple task.

   Click on “Create a simple task”

3. We write any name and description.

   Enter a task name and description for it

4. Select the penultimate item “When logging into Windows.”

   Select to run the "When I sign in to Windows" task

5. Leave the first line checked to launch the utility.

   In the “Action” tab, select launch the program

6. Click on “Browse” and indicate in “Explorer” the directory C:\Windows\system32\rasdial.exe.

   In Explorer, select the executable file rasdial.exe

7. In the arguments we print the data separated by a space: the name of the VPN connection, login and security key.

   Yours should appear in the list of active tasks

8. Click “Next” and complete the creation of the task. In the list of active tasks you will see the newly created item.

Autorun via Registry Editor

A special branch has been placed in the registry - the list in this section contains utilities that Windows automatically opens when fully loaded:

1. First, rename the name of your VPN connection - give it an English name. Select it in “Network Connections” with the right mouse button and click on the option.

   Rename your connection via the context menu

2. For example, name the network vpn_office.

   Set the value for the entry with network login parameters

3. Reboot so that all changes to the registry are made.
4. If you want the network to be turned on when Windows logs in only for your user, but not for others, do the same only in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER branch.

How to disable or remove VPN in Windows 7

If you no longer need to be online via VPN (temporarily or completely), deactivate and completely delete the connection:

1. In the list of network connections, right-click on the network and select “Delete”.
2. Confirm the action in the additional window.

   

   You can deactivate the network in the panel with the list of connections

Table: main VPN connection errors and how to fix them in Windows 7

Error	Solution
400 Bad Request	Disable Firewall and Antivirus for a while to check if they are blocking the connection. 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, disable it while using the VPN.
630	Reinstall network adapter drivers.
650	Check if "Local Area Connection" works. Reinstall the network card drivers and check the network cable for damage.
738	Perhaps your login and password were stolen by attackers. Use a different north. The session was stuck. After a few minutes, try to connect again.
752	The built-in Firewall is not configured correctly. Check its parameters. Changed access attributes (international phone number instead of VPN server address).
789	Set the VPN type to “Automatic” or “Point-to-Point Tunnel Protocol (PPTP)” in the connection properties. Then reconnect.
800	Check the cable and router for damage. If they are intact and all the necessary indicators are lit on the router, use the following methods: Check the properties of the Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) component: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway. If you don’t know what data is needed, check the boxes for automatic data retrieval. Enable the network adapter in Device Manager. If it doesn't help, remove the device (leave the drivers) and update the configuration. Check the VPN server address - you may have entered it incorrectly. If you took it from your provider, contact technical service or look at the address on the operator’s official website. Check your balance - if there is a minus, top up your account.

Photo gallery: error codes when connecting to VPN

An error with the text 400 Bad Request appears when you try to open a website in the browser An error with code 800 occurs due to a failure of the used VPN tunnels. The text of error 738 indicates that the server was unable to assign an address. Error 789 indicates that a failure occurred on security level during negotiations with a remote computer

Creating a VPN connection is easy: if you are a complete beginner, use special utilities, and if you are a more advanced user, choose the built-in Windows tools. In the latter case, you can configure automatic connection to the network through the scheduler or place the connection as a shortcut on the “Desktop” in order to have quick access to the login window.

A private virtual network (VPN) is good because it provides the user with a secure or trusted channel with another PC without the need for a dedicated communication channel. It is created on top of another network - the Internet, for example.

Windows has built-in tools for establishing a VPN connection between computers located over long distances. Let's set up a VPN tunnel between two PCs that are controlled by the Windows environment.

Let's create the server part

Connection of remote clients to the VPN network is organized through a special access server. It may require an incoming connection to go through identification and authentication procedures. It knows which users have access to the virtual network. It also has data about allowed IP addresses.

To set up a VPN access server in the Network Control Center, you need to open the applet for changing adapter settings. If the applet's main menu is not displayed, press the Alt button. A main menu should appear at the top of the applet, in which you should find the “File” item, and then select “New incoming connection”. Let's take a closer look.

In the control panel, go to “Network and Internet”.

In the next step, we will open the network center.

Let's create a new incoming connection.

The window that appears will prompt you to select from existing users or define a new one who will be allowed to connect to this PC.

When adding a new “user”, you need to specify a name and password with which he will be allowed to connect to the VPN access server.

In the next step, the Private Network Setup Wizard will ask how users will connect.

It is necessary to indicate that they will do this over the Internet, so let’s check the required option.

The next step involves setting up network applications that need to accept incoming connections. Among them is the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) component. You will need to open its properties and manually enter the range of IP addresses that are allowed to access the server.

Otherwise, leave this matter to the DHCP server to automatically determine the IP addresses. In our case, we had to manually determine them.

After processing the entered data, the access server will receive the required information to provide the necessary permissions to authorized users. At the same time, the system will prompt you for the computer name that will be needed in the future.

As a result, we will get the following result. There are no connected clients yet.

Let's set up the client

Modern networks are most often built on a client-server architecture. It allows you to highlight the main computer in a network environment. Clients initiate requests to the server and make the first attempt to connect to the server.

We have already configured the server part of this architecture. Now all that remains is to get the client part working. Another computer must act as a client.

We will establish a new connection in the network center of another PC (client).

We need to connect directly to the workplace.

Again, let's go to the Windows Network Center, only now on a different PC. Let's select the option to set up a new connection. The applet that appears will offer several options to choose from, but we will need the option to connect to a workplace. The wizard will ask you how to make the connection. We need to opt for setting up an Internet connection (VPN).

In the next step, the wizard will ask you to specify the IP address of the VPN access server and assign a destination name. The IP address of the access server can be found on our first computer by entering the ipconfig command in the command line. The IP address of the Ethernet network will be the address you are looking for.

Then, the system will apply all entered settings.

Let's make the connection

Time X for our experiment is when the client connects to the server side of our network. In the network center, select the “Connect to a network” option. In the window that appears, click VPN-Test (we specified the destination with this name) and click the connect button.

So, we will open the VPN-Test connection applet. In the text fields we indicate the “user” name and password for authorization on the access server. If everything goes well and our user not only registers on the network, but is also able to fully connect to the access server, then the designation of the connected “user” will appear on the opposite side.

But sometimes, this kind of error can happen. The VPN server is not responding.

Click on the incoming connections tab.

On the marked tab, open the properties of the IP protocol.

Let's set the option to specify IP addresses explicitly and specify which IP addresses need to be served.

When we reconnect, we will see this picture. The system shows us that one client is connected and this client is vpn (SimpleUser).

Brief summary

So, to establish a VPN network between two PCs, you will need to decide which of them should become the “master” and play the role of a server. Other PCs must connect to it through an authorization system. Windows has tools that enable the creation of a server part for our network. It is configured by creating a new incoming connection, specifying the user, and the applications that should accept the connection. The client is configured by establishing a connection to the workstation, specifying the user and server data to which this user should connect.

This article discusses setting up a client computer running Windows 7 from which a connection to a Windows remote desktop should be established. The settings of the server and the computer to which the connection will be established are not discussed here.

Creating a new VPN connection

1. Open the “Network and Sharing Center”, to do this, right-click on the connection icon in the system tray and select the “Network and Sharing Center” menu item. You can also open Network and Sharing Center through Control Panel.

3. Select “Connect to your workplace. Setting up a telephone or VPN connection to your workplace" and click "Next".

4. Select “Use my Internet connection (VPN).”

5. Enter the Internet Address and Destination Name and click Next.

6. Fill in the “User” and “Password” fields and click “Connect”.

7. After connecting, click “Close”.

To ensure that the connected network is not the main one, you need to perform the following steps

8. Open Network and Sharing Center.
9. Click on the “Change adapter settings” link (on the left).

10. Find the created connection, right-click on it and select the “Properties” menu item.

11. On the Network tab, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

12. In the “Properties” window that opens. Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” click on the “Advanced” button.

13. In the “Advanced TCP/IP Settings” window that opens, uncheck the “Use default gateway on the remote network” checkbox.

14. Close all windows by clicking on the “OK” buttons. This will display a warning that some changes will take effect after reconnecting.

15. For the changes to take effect, in the window opened in step 10, find your connection, right-click and select the “Disconnect” menu item.

16. After disconnecting, right-click on your connection and select “Connect”. When prompted for a password, fill out the User and Password fields and click Connect.

Remote Desktop Connection

17. Establish a VPN connection as described in step 16.
18. Launch the Remote Desktop Connection program. Usually the shortcut is located in the “Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Remote Desktop Connection” menu. Or you can start writing the text “Connect to a remote desktop” and the program will be found.
19. In the “Remote Desktop Connection” window that appears, enter the IP address or computer name and click “Connect”.

20. In the Windows Security window that appears, enter your username and password and click OK. If you have previously logged into a remote desktop, the system will prompt you for the username, see the figure.

21. In the window that appears, the system will warn you that it cannot confirm the authenticity of the computer, see the figure. If you are sure that you are connecting to the right computer, you can check the box “Don’t prompt me for connections to this computer again” and click “Yes”.

22. After working with the remote computer, you can simply close the window. Then the session will be saved and, the next time you connect, you will see all the windows you opened in an unchanged state. If you need to close the session (usually this needs to be done on servers), then you need to log out of the system on the remote computer.