Set Up a Virtual Private Network with Windows

Imagine you are on business overseas working to secure a new account with an offshore supplier. This is a big meeting for you and your company. If you clinch the deal, you are in line for a big promotion. The morning of the presentation, you turn on your laptop and discover your hard drive has crashed. Panicking, you call your office to request an electronic copy of your presentation, but because of the time difference, your call goes unanswered.

However, if you knew how to set up a virtual private network (VPN), you could access the file from any computer in the world! A VPN allows you to connect to a computer from anywhere in the world and access the files. Setting up a VPN in Windows is a two step process. 1) Set up one computer to share files (server). 2) Set up another computer to access them (client).

Steps

Setting Up the Server

  1. Open your web browser and go to www.whatismyip.com. Write down the IP address. You will need it to configure the client.
  2. Click the Start button and click Run.
  3. Type control and hit Enter.
  4. Click Network and Internet Connections.
  5. Click Network Connections.
  6. Click Create a New Connection, which is the first option on the left toolbar.
  7. The New Connection Wizard will open. Click Next.
  8. Choose Set up an advanced connection, the last element on the list. Click Next.
  9. Choose Accept incoming connections. Click Next.
  10. You will see the Devices for Incoming Connections screen. Do not select anything on this screen. Click Next.
  11. Select Allow virtual private connections. Click Next.
  12. Select to whom you want to give access. Click Next. If a user is not listed, you will have to add an account. See “Related Wikihows” for more information.
  13. Do not change anything on the Networking Software screen. Click Next.
  14. That’s it! Your computer is now set up to allow for VPNs. Click Finish to complete the wizard.

Connecting the Client

  1. Click the Start button and click Run.
  2. Type control and hit Enter.
  3. Click Network and Internet Connections.
  4. Click Network Connections.
  5. Click Create a New Connection, which is the first option on the left toolbar.
  6. The New Connection Wizard will open. Click Next.
  7. Select Connect to the network at my workplace and click Next.
  8. Select Virtual Private Network connection and click Next.
  9. Type the name of your network in the blank box. Click Next.
  10. Enter the IP address you wrote down earlier and click Next.
  11. Select Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop and click Finish.



Tips

  • You can also try VPN software if you don't want to be managing the VPN.
  • The user name and password must be entered exactly as you saved them.
  • If the VPN doesn’t work, turn off your firewall. If it now works you need to forward ports. Do not leave your firewall off if you need your computer to be secure.
  • The IP address must be written exactly as listed on the screen.
  • Both computers must be connected to the internet.

Warnings

  • Do not give access to the “guest” account. It does not require a password, allowing anyone to access the VPN.

Things You'll Need

  • Two computers with Windows XP
  • The server’s IP address
  • High speed internet connection

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