VPN: what is it and how to connect it?

Whether to explain in simple terms, VPN is a technology that creates a secure user connection to the network between several computers, and you can also configure VPN on other devices. Among other things, VPNs are used to bypass restrictions and maintain network privacy.

You can connect a VPN to a computer, phone or any other device through an encrypted virtual tunnel to a remote server through which you access the Internet. The server can be located anywhere. Your ISP knows that you are using a VPN, but not for what purpose.

The vpn settings work like an invisibility cloak - it disguises you and keeps you anonymous.

How to configure VPN on a computer at home, depending on the operating system (Windows 10, 11, macOS)?

When we decide to figure it out on our own, many questions arise: how to enable vpn, how to install vpn on a computer, or just how to install vpn?

Set up VPN on Windows 10, Windows 11

At home, you can independently connect a VPN on a computer with Windows 10 and Windows 11. To do this, you need to:

1. Go to the "Start" menu - "Settings";
2. Further - "Network and Internet";
3. Select "VPN";
4. Then click "Add VPN connection";
5. Specify the name of the connection and the address of the VPN;
6. Then click "Save".

Set up a VPN on MacOS

1. Go to the iOS menu - "System Preferences" and then select "Network."
2. In the list on the left - click "Add", then a window with the "Interface" menu will appear and after that click on "VPN".
3. When the window with the "VPN Type" menu appears, select the type of VPN connection (here it all depends on the network on the computer that you want to regulate). Come up with a name for the VPN, only then click "Create".
   • L2TP is a PPTP (full version) protocol that ISPs use to maintain VPN over the Internet.
   • Security protocol list is IPSec protocol.
   • This protocol: IKEv2 establishes a security comparison in IPSec.
4. Provide the server address and account name for the VPN connection.
5. Click on "Authentication Settings", in this case the network administrator must provide the information that you must enter.
6. After the instructions of the network administrator, click "Advanced" and enter additional. info: TCP / IP settings, session parameters, DNS servers and also proxies.
7. The additional information that you must enter depends solely on the type of VPN connection you are establishing.
8. The final steps will be: "Apply", and after "OK".

How to set up VPN on my phone (iOS, Android)?

VPN setup on Android

Sometimes, for home or work purposes, you need to urgently connect to a VPN, so now we will figure out how to set up a VPN on Android, as well as how to enable VPN on your phone.

1. First, go to the "Settings" of your device, click on "More" there.
2. Select "VPN".
3. A modal window will be displayed, then click on "OK" - you will need to set a password or a PIN code to lock the screen.
4. Choose one of the proposed items. For example, "Password".
5. Enter the password and click "Continue". The password will need to be duplicated again.
6. In lock mode, switch to notification mode on your device.
7. In the upper right corner of the screen, a window will appear where you will need to click "+", and then define a new VPN network.
8. We write the name, but the PPTP type must be left unchanged.
9. Specify the server address suggested by the network administrator and save the performed actions.
10. The new network will be listed in the VPN list. The username and password received from the network administrator will need to be selected and written. Check "Save credentials", so you will not perform a second action and then click "Connect".
11. Then the status will display - "Connected" and the key symbol will be displayed at the top of the command line.

VPN setup on iOS

If you wondered how to connect VPN on iPhone, then read the instructions below:

1. Go to your IPhone in "Settings -> General -> VPN";
2. After "Add VPN configuration";
3. PPTP is "cut" by operators, so immediately select the L2TP type (the Cisco IPSec type is suitable for public network technology);
4. Now enter the connection data, which can be entered either from the administrator or received automatically, if possible:
   • in the line "Description" enter the name of the network, but it is important to write it with a small letter;
   • in the field "Server" the connection of the server or, in other words, the Internet provider is indicated;
   • in the line "Account" specify the username given to you;
   • turn off RSA SecurID;
   • in the "Password" field, write down the password for the account;
   • You can leave the "Shared Key" line untouched;
   • disable "Proxy" and click "Save".
5. When you go to "Settings", a toggle switch for enabling and disabling VPN will appear;
6. There are no special differences in the PPTP and IPSec settings: download the automatic "Encryption" and enable "For all data", then when you turn on the VPN, an icon will appear on the panel at the top.

After the work done, the true location and the IP-address will be hidden from strangers. You can, of course, take an easier way, but here you need to download special applications on the iPhone.

How to configure VPN on different routers (TP-Link, MikroTIK)?

Connect VPN on TP-Link router

1. Choose a convenient format for connecting to the router - this can be done either via WiFi or by cable.
2. When you have already connected the device, open a browser on it and enter the address: tplinklogin.net. You can also try one of the IPs: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Next, enter the username and password that you specified during the initial setup. IMPORTANT! If you have problems with the login and password, try the value "admin - admin" or take the username and key on the sticker of the device itself.
3. Go to "Network" - "WAN" (on the left in the menu).
4. Then select the connection format used by the Internet provider. Usually, when configuring VPN, PPTP is used for connection.
5. Enter your username, password, and do not forget to specify the IP or DNS server, since you will be connecting to it.
6. If the provider allocates a static IP, then you can enter this data. But as a rule, "dynamic IP" is used.
7. At the end of all manipulations, click "Save".

How to set up VPN on Mikrotik router?

1. In the router settings - click on Quick Set to connect VPN - click in the lower right corner;
2. Think of a password that is strong for this task.
3. An authorization field will appear with the address ********. Sn.mynetname.net. The numbers (the serial number of the router) in this case automatically become your network address, with which you can configure VPN access to your home network.
4. Then we connect the VPN and use the built-in Windows client (we wrote about this above).

Frequent mistakes that are made when configuring VPN?

There is no such connection. Start automatic creation of the connection.

You can manually connect the VPN. Also, it is worth checking for malicious viruses and existing updates for the system.

The certificate cannot be found. It is required to install a certificate on the computer

Go to the security window and make sure the settings are correct.

University resources are not available when the VPN connection is successful

Check that the VPN metric is set correctly.

Error 619

The password is incorrect.

Error 628

You can connect using another PPTP or L2TP protocol and then the error will disappear.

Error 720

Such a failure occurs due to unsettled working processes of the system adapter - WAN. Or incorrectly configured or loaded Kaspersky Secure Connection.

Error 768

Make sure to choose the correct encryption method, as it is mandatory for L2TP and not for PPTP. If the settings are correct, restart the PC.

Error 868 when connecting from the University network.

Check the update, you may need to install drivers on the network card or the router is not connected correctly. The local network could fail due to the fact that the addresses in the pool ran out or the access switch was turned off altogether.

Error 807

Check the permissibility of the protocols on the router itself.

If you find a bug or want to share more accurate information on how to connect a VPN, write in the comments below this article.