There is a large amount of VPN software available for you to connect to secure servers worldwide. It is a simple option and you can achieve it yourself using any version of Windows to establish a secured connection. What these servers do is ensure that all transmitted data is encrypted using encryption protocols and techniques known as “Tunneling”, which makes it almost impossible for any third party to know the origin of the connected device.
The utility of virtual private networks is well established for companies . With them they can create secure connections between multiple terminals, sometimes hundreds, even thousands of kilometers away. There is no doubt that for you, who are an active user, this is the most viable option to protect your IP address, in addition to having the plus of browsing safely without risking your data being intercepted by curious people who wish to obtain your information with bad intentions.
Therefore, this time we bring you a step-by-step guide for you to learn how to configure, create and connect to a VPN in Windows 10, 8 and 7 , in addition to giving you practical solutions that will prevent you from having problems with this type of connections. At the end of the reading you will be almost an expert on the subject and you will greatly improve the security of your browsing.
What is a VPN or Virtual Private Network? / span>
As the name implies, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is simply a virtual version of a local computer network, which are physically interconnected with cables to share resources such as printer, files, emails, among others.
With it, the computer can connect to the local network from anywhere in the world. For this, the Virtual Private Network, integrates two essential functions: encryption and tunneling , whose purpose is to deliver your data securely over the Internet.
Creating a private network can offer you a number of benefits. One of them is that it allows you to share documents in a very simple way, and the second is that due to the increase in cybercrimes, the VPN becomes an essential service to protect your computer system and all your devices.
Steps to create and configure a Virtual Private Network on your Windows computer
The Microsoft operating system currently has three versions that are widely used. We refer to those that respond to nomenclature 7, 8 and 10, although the former currently no longer has support. Next we will show you how to create and configure a private network in each of these deliveries , so that you know how to do it regardless of the version you handle.
Windows 10
In Windows 10 you can do it in a few clicks as long as you have the address of a server and also the identifiers to connect to it to pass your traffic.
W10 supports 4 protocols:
- PPTP
- L2TP / IPsec
- SSTP
- IKEv2
Before any configuration, you will have to find the address of a VPN server . There are several sites that offer them for free and that are reliable. To find one, enter the list of the best free VPN servers and choose the one that suits you best. Once you have this resource, the steps to follow are:
- What you should do is find a server, I recommend the site VPNbook.com . It offers a small list of free servers. On the “ PPTP ” tab on the site page, choose an address and remember the username and password (they are changed regularly).
- Then, to configure a connection on your S, or Windows, go to Settings> Networks and Internet> Virtual private network . Click « Add VPN connection «.
- Immediately, a blue window appears in which you will have to enter the information indicated above. Remember that in the field “ Name ” it may be mandatory to enter a specific name for your private connection service.
- Go to settings and click on « Connect «, to add the VPN (Virtual Private Network). This will cause your internet connection at that time to be made through that service.
Windows 7
Although by the time Windows 7 came out the VPNs were not as popular, Microsoft decided to provide this version of its flagship operating system with that feature . Activating it requires searching among the most remote services, but once you learn to do it, it becomes very easy for you, being a matter of minutes to activate it. If you want to know how, just follow the steps that we explain below:
- Go to the control panel, “ Administrative Tools ” and click on “ Services “.
- Activate the routing and remote access service . To do this, right click on it and go to Properties. Choose the “ Startup Type” , change it from “ Manual” to the “ Automatic” option, then tap “ Start” and “Apply” .
- Then, go to Networks> Network Center and change the map settings and update network connections with F5. Incoming connections should appear on the screen.
- Right click on this new connection and select « Properties «. Then check the box that allows the connection to the virtual private network to your computer in the “ General ” tab and click on “ Start “, then “ Accept accoun.
- On the “ Users ” tab, select the user accounts that can connect to the network. A new account can be created by clicking on “ New ” and entering an ID and then a password.
- Then, go to “ Control Panel ” and select Network and Sharing Center . In the “ Change your network settings ” menu, select “ Set up a new connection or network “.
- Choose the option « Connect to your work area » to configure a dial-up connection.
- Click on « Use my Internet connection «. For the Internet address, enter the address of the server you want to connect to and enter a destination name. Do not check the boxes below and click on « Next «.
- Enter your username and password and click on « Connect «. That’s it.
Windows 8
At this level you already know how to configure your VPN for Windows 10 or 7; Now you are going to learn to do it with Windows 8, remember, you must follow the instructions, at the bottom of the letter.
- The first thing is to create a new incoming connection. To do this you must go to “ Control Panel” and then select “ Network Connections “. Once the window is open, display the menu bar and select « New incoming connection «.
- The window that appears below allows you to define the type of connection users will connect to your VPN. Check the “ Internet ” box and click on “ Next “.
- Then, allow or not allow certain protocols. If you are not sure, I recommend that you leave the default options. Then click on « Properties «.
- Then configure the server’s IP address . When the “ Incoming IP Properties ” window appears, enter the IP addresses you obtained.
- Then, click on « Allow access to the VPN server «.
- After that, select the people that can connect to your network, usually only you.
- Then, the new connection appears on screen , your W8 virtual server is already configured.
Problems and connection solutions of a VPN in Windows 10
If you as a user experience problems with your VPN using Windows 10, the error may be: the computer, the VPN or the infrastructure you are using.
In these cases we proceed to:
Problems and connection solutions of a VPN in Windows 7
The problems to be found are very similar, although with slight differences in terms of solutions since they are different interfaces.
Problems and connection solutions of a VPN in Windows 8
For W8, the protocol is the same. You must follow the steps indicated to restore the fault as I mentioned in the previous case.