Bulletproof Networks

Setting up a PPTP VPN for Windows 2000

To set up a VPN, your office Firewall and Internet connection require configuration and/or extra software. Check with the network administrator at your company to find out what VPN arrangements are in place. The instructions below allow your roaming users to connect to your PPTP VPN Router. Your administrator will know the address of your router and whether it supports PPTP.

Warning: As your VPN connection is an extension of your Office network, similar if not the same security measures should be followed to guard your computer from intruders. This is normally performed by the company firewall server when you are connected while in the office but is no longer the case when you are at home. Your exposure to the internet in this case should be taken into your company's security policy.

A Personal Firewall and Personal Antivirus program should be installed on your home / mobile PC. Please check with your Administrator on how to ensure this is set up and working correctly on your system before configuring your VPN connection.

Configure a VPN Connection
Before you get started, you may wish to upgrade your Windows 2000 with the latest 128-bit security update, which is a free upgrade from Microsoft. The normal encryption from Microsoft is 40 bits, which is much weaker. Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/recommended/encryption/default.asp to obtain the update.

To configure your VPN connection, follow these steps:

1. Click the Windows 2000 Start button and select Programs.
   
   
2. Click on Accessories.
   
   
3. Click on Communications.
   
   
4. Click on Network and Dial-up Connections.
   The Network and Dial-up Connections window appears.
5. Double-click on the Make New Connection icon.
   The Network connection wizard appears.

   If a Welcome to the Network Connection Wizard introduction
   window appears just press Next to get started.

   

6. Select the Connect to a private network through the Internet radio button.

   
   

7. Click on Next. The Public Network window appears.

   
   

8. Select the Do not dial the initial connection radio button.
9. Click on Next. The Destination Address window appears.
10. In the Host name or IP address field, type the host name
    or IP address of your VPN server (e.g. vpn.bulletproof.net.au).
11. Click on Next. The Connection Availability window appears.
12. In the Create this connection field, select the For all users radio button.
13. Click on Next. The Completing the Network Connection Wizard window appears
14. Type in a name for this connection. e.g. VPN to Office.
    Ensure Add a shortcut to my desktop is ticked.
15. Click on Finish. The Connect VPN of Office window appears
16. Type in your Login name and password for your Office network.

    Depending on your company's security policy you may want to remove the tick on the Save Password checkbox.

17. Click on Connect to start your VPN session to your office

Disabling the Default Gateway setting

You may need to disable the 'default gateway' setting on the VPN connection, so that non-VPN traffic still uses your usual Internet connection. Check with your system administrator on whether you should be doing this. If so:

1. Open up the Connect dialog
2. Click on Properties. Click on the Networking tab. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) then press the Properties button.
3. Click on the Advanced button. Ensure the Use default gateway on remote network is NOT ticked as below
4. Press OK. Press OK. Press OK. You should be back at the Connect VPN to Office window.

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