Use
Virtual Private Networks for Secure Internet Data Transfer
Data sent across the public Internet is generally not
protected from prying eyes, but you can make your Internet
communications secure and extend your private network
with a virtual private network (VPN) connection. VPN
uses a technique known as tunneling to transfer data
securely on the Internet to a remote access server on
your workplace network. Using a VPN helps you save money
by using the public Internet instead of making long–distance
phone calls to connect securely with your private network.
The
connection over the Internet is encrypted and secure.
New authentication and encryption protocols are enforced
by the remote access server. Sensitive data is hidden
from the public, but it is securely accessible to appropriate
users through a VPN.
There
are two ways to create a VPN connection: By dialing
an Internet service provider (ISP), or by connecting
directly to the Internet.
- If
you dial–in to an ISP, your ISP then makes another
call to the private network’s remote access server
to establish the PPTP or L2TP tunnel. After authentication,
you can access the private network.
- If
you are already connected to the Internet, on a
local area network, a cable modem, or a digital
subscriber line (DSL), you can make a tunnel through
the Internet and connects directly to the remote
access server. After authentication, you can access
the corporate network.
To
make a virtual private network (VPN) connection
- Open
Network Connections. (Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet
Connections, and then click Network Connections.
- Under
Network Tasks, click Create a new connection
and then click Next.
- Click
Connect to the network at my workplace, an
then click Next as shown below.
- Click
Virtual Private Network connection, click
Next, and then follow the instructions i
the wizard.
Notes:
- You
can create multiple VPN connections by copying them
in the Network Connections folder. You can then
rename the connections and modify connection settings.
By doing so, you can easily create different connections
to accommodate multiple hosts, security options,
and so on.
- If
you have an active Winsock Proxy client, you cannot
create a VPN. A Winsock Proxy client immediately
redirects data to a configured proxy server before
the data can be processed in the fashion required
by a VPN. To establish a VPN, you should disable
the Winsock Proxy client.
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