Tips on Setting Up VPN Access
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an encrypted private network connection established over a public network, like the internet. VPN access is usually controlled by password and ID authentication. For faculty, staff and students, the ID and password are their Unity ID and Password from their university or college.
VPN offers two kinds of login – one through an external server (i.e. through ISP) and another through a client-side software program.
In an external server, the private network is established using a central server with a special IP address.
The IP address of the external server is kept secret by the provider. The IP address will be different for every service provider. When you connect to the external server, your computer is actually connected to a private network that is not accessible by anyone else.
Client-side VPN is also called WAN VPN or IPsec VPN. The client-side VPN can be used between two computers that do not have any connection to the public internet such as a business network, a residential network, and LANs.
When a client-side VPN is used, you can surf the web privately without revealing your actual IP. When you browse the web through the client-side VPN connection, your browser will encrypt the website you are visiting, preventing others from viewing it.
If you use your Unity ID or Password when you go online using your external server, it is very easy to access sites that you don’t want others to see. It can be a great way of watching movies, music, or gaming sites. However, if you are using your Unity ID or Password to log onto a site that requires you to log in using a username and password, there is a risk that your private network can be hacked. With this risk, you can lose your data and some private information that might not be retrievable if you have your identity compromised.
VPN access can also be used to access your home networks from your workplace.
When you use an external server, this may not be possible, because you cannot control what goes on in the server. It’s better if you have your own dedicated IP network in your home that you can log into your personal computer and see what happens in it.
VPN access can be installed on all computers, regardless of operating system. You just need to have the right software. It does not matter if you are using a personal computer, laptop or desktop, as all computers can be easily protected. Just ensure that the software is safe for your PC by downloading it from a secure website.
When you install the software on your computer, it will be installed directly on your router, which is an additional layer of protection to your Unity ID or password. When you connect to the external server, the software runs and creates a virtual tunnel between your computer and the server. When you have an external server, your computer can only see the secure channel of the server. When you connect to a public network, your computer will not have access to the secure channel of the server.
- VPN access is very simple to set up.
- You just need to select your desired location where you want to use your external server,
- Select the encryption mode, then download the software from a secure website.
Once the software is downloaded, you can connect to the server and get instant access to the external server. The software is available for free from many websites.
If you want to set up the software on your laptop, you have the same easy process as with the desktop. All you need is the same software that is available for free on many websites. Just download the software and install it to your computer.
By using the right software, you can gain complete anonymity and security to surf the internet without revealing your actual IP address. If you have an external server at your workplace, it makes it easier to access the internet and protect your personal data and information.
