VPN software

[Rigger]

Can someone explain to me how VPN software works. I am using strong VPN which I have to pay for is there a free type of program that does the same
Thanks

[Muadib]

Virtual Private Network (VPN) software established a secure, encrypted communications link between your computer and a private network somewhere... The VPN software is usually matched to the network you are trying to connect to, i.e. Cisco VPN to Cisco Remote Access clusters... You can download Cisco VPN software from their website for free...

[Rigger]

Thanks
I will try that one when mine runs out.

[Fabian]

How it works? Not at all for me so far.

[Rigger]

I couldnt get mine to work (Strong VPN) so they got tec to connect to my machine and sort it out.
Havent tried the free one but others here are now using it and say it works fine

[Fabian]

I talked with my tech guys three or four times on the phone but it is still not running. I am glad to hear that I am not alone with this problem. Now I hope they come over and sort it out soon.

I won't use free software though.

[slackula]

I won't use free software though.

Why not?

[Fabian]

Because my IT technician installed the hardware and is selling me the matching software.

Good news, finally we got the VPN to run from my computer at home this morning.
Thinking about it, maybe it is not such good news.

[slackula]

Because my IT technician installed the hardware and is selling me the matching software.

Hardware? Do you mean the ethernet card? Your IT "technician" is ripping you off.

[Fabian]

No, the hardware is the VPN router connected to the terminal server, at least that's how I understand it.

[Muadib]

VPN is a software application and a router is a router...

Your PC established a network connection to a host somewhere on the internet or private network normally via TCP/IP... The network traffic between your PC and the host can be 'sniffed' out and decoded if someone was so inclined... VPN software allows you to create a secure, encrypted channel over the network connection between the host and you... The VPN software actually places a wrapper around of every packet of data sent / received over the connection... The encryption algorithm for the encryption is encoded into each packet... Both the host & client system must know the VPN configuration to allow the encryption / decryption of packets correctly... Not that it means shite, just thought I'd clear that up...

[harrybarracuda]

I use Logmein on my latops so I can connect to my Office desktop and access it as if I was sitting at it.

Works fine and if anyone really wants to crack Https and see what I'm doing I can't see them getting terribly excited.

Works fast, too, even when my broadband gets throttled 'cos I've maxed it out

[baldrick]

I flash tomato+openVPN onto linksys WRT54GLs and then configure the open VPN server on them with the certs and keys and DH parms . then run openVPN client on the windows boxes that are required to connect. multiple simultanious connections are easy also , I have one machine ( headless box that monitors cameras on remote networks ) running 6 VPN tunnels at the same time.

the WRT54GL costs 1800 baht and the software is free and it takes about 15 minutes to configure certs/keys/configs for about 5-10 users - then zip up the 4 files and the openVPN gui installer and email it to them and get them to place the files in the openvpn/config folder and away they go.

you can have your high priced cisco gear or you can go the very cheap openvpn route with the same security.

if anyone wishes to set a wrt54gl openvpn server up on their home network , just ask and I will provide assistance.