Although Windows and iOS software platforms are popular amongst internet users, there is a growing trend where people have shifted towards using Linux based Operating Systems. The two main reasons for this would be stable system operation and security, which are totally missing in the case of other operating systems. Most important of all, Linux OS can be obtained for free. Linux Mint and Ubuntu are the two most widely used types of operating systems.
Even though Linux OS offers security and stability to its users, when it is put to test against a strong paradigm like a Virtual Private Network, it does have flaws. The best way to obtain secured internet access would be with the help of a VPN network. Techies would be able to setup Linux VPN quite easily. For such professional users, the process to setup Linux VPN would be just like setting up a social networking platform such as Skype, Facebook, and Google Talk etc. Few other users might find the procedure to setup Linux VPN quite hard and complex.
Purpose of using VPN
The need for a VPN service provider is mainly due to the lack of security and access over the internet. Using VPNs, users would be able to perform anonymous internet activity at higher security. Their data and files would be protected from thefts of any sort. Similarly, accessibility is another major concern for internet users who travel around the world quite often and also for users who love certain country specific contents. For example, internet users all over would love to watch US based video streaming websites such as Netflix, Hulu, Pandora etc. All these websites and channels can be accessed only with the help of a VPN network. Unlimited accessibility at higher access speed can be obtained using a VPN server.
Business organizations would be able to improve their efficiency and productivity by including VPN into their operations. Business communications and transfers would take place in the encrypted tunnel network provided by the VPN server and in that case, the entire business transfer would be kept confidential and thus, businesses would be able to generate considerable amount of profit. Even individuals who want to perform secured fund transfer would be able to make it possible through VPN servers. Businesses would be able to monitor the performance of their employees too.
How to Setup Linux VPN
This is for those who want to know how to setup Linux VPN. There is no need to get tensed because there is no need to worry about. One can follow these simple steps to get the setup up and running.
Setup Linux VPN on Server end
No matter, what the type of operating system is, server end is the location where the IP address of the internet user would be altered. Server would send the IP address to all the clients connected on its network. Thus, this would be the first step to setup Linux VPN.
- The first and foremost step would be to install the VPN application on the server i.e. if the user is using a PPTP based VPN connection; they would have to setup PPTP VPN on the server. Similarly for an Open VPN connection, the Open VPN should be setup. It is very easy to setup PPTP VPN on the server.
Command: ‘apt-get’ to install the setup.
But, before we go any further to the next step, it is always better to update the parameters in the first place before installing the VPN on the server. The following commands would help in updating the repositories.
Command: “sudo apt-get update” and “sudo apt-get install pptdp”
- The next step is to edit the file so called “pptd.conf”. There are two ways of editing this file; one would be using ‘Gedit’ and the other using ‘nano’. The file that we are talking about can be found in the path, “/etc/pptdp.conf”. To edit the file, use any one of the two types.
Using ‘Gedit’ – sudo gedit /etc/pptdp.conf
Using ‘nano’ – sudo nano /etc/pptdp.conf
- The next step would be to enter the IP address. Local IP and Remote IP have to be entered. Local IP would be the original IP address of the user, whereas remote IP would indicate the IP provided by the VPN server that the user is going to use.
- The following step would be to add new users. To add new users, the person can use ‘Gedit’ or ‘nano’. The file name “/etc/ppp/chap-secrets” contains all the details about the users. There is a particular order in which the details have to be entered in each and every new user and if this particular format is not followed, the user would not be able to add new users. The correct order goes like this, client’s name, server name, password and finally IP address. In the IP address entry, the user can either opt to enter the IP address or can even enter #, which would help in identifying the IP address automatically.
- The next step is about DNS server. When it comes to DNS servers, there are two very famous types of DNS and those include Google DNS and Open DNS.
Google DNS requisites – IP addresses should be 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 and for Open DNS requisites – IP addresses should be 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. And also, Open DNS users should enter the following two lines “ms-dns 208.67.222.222 and ms-dns 208.67.220.220”.
- PPTPD should be initiated and for this to happen, the user should enter the terminal code of “service pptdp start”.
- Forwarding should be made proper and for that to happen, the user should edit the file, “/etc/systl.conf”. The user should check whether this particular file has the code of “net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1”. If the user does not find this code on the file location, the user should enter the code and then save it using the command “sysctl – p”.
Server end setup Linux VPN is done, now we have to move onto the setup procedure for the client’s end.
Setup Linux VPN on Client’s end
Client based VPN setup is also simple. The type of device possessed by the user does not have any impact on the Linux based VPN setup. But, the only condition is that, the client should have PPTP installed on their system.
- PPTP installation would be the first step. As we know, the server end has already been installed with PPTP and now its turn for the client’s end to be installed with PPTP. Same commands should be used in the client’s end and it would include terminal command codes such as “sudo apt-get update” and “sudo apt-get install pptp-linux”.
- Using the command “modprobe ppp_mppe” the module of “ppp_mppe” can be loaded onto the client’ end.
- Next is to configure the client end and this can be found in the file, “/etc/ppp/peers/”. The file name can be decided by the user and it does not have any effect on the setup process, but whatever name the user gives to the connection does not matter, but he or she should remember the name in order to establish the VPN connection later.
The following commands should be executed:
pty ‘pptp – nolaunchpppd’
name vpn1 (as mentioned, the name is the user’s choice)
password password
remotename PPTP
require-mope-128”
Based on the name given by the user, the connection command would differ. As per the command mentioned above, the connection command would be “pppd call vpn1”
- For adding multiple clients, the user should simply follow the above steps again.
With that, the setup Linux VPN process is done. Proper routing can be checked in the end by the user, but it is just optional. Only if the user faces problem with the connection, this should be handled to check for any errors and rectify the problem in the end.
Setup Linux VPN using best provider
The list generated below contains the list of the best VPN service providers amongst all the operators in this field. Users would be able to choose the best pick that would suit their needs and proceed with the process to setup Linux VPN. Effective and reliable VPN provider would only make the package a complete one for the user.
| Rank | Provider | Starting Price | Money Back | Visit Provider |
| 1 | ExpressVPN | $6.67 /Month | 30 Days |  |
| 2 | Hidemyass | $6.55/ Month | 30 Days | |
| 3 | iPVanish | $10.00/Month | 7 Days | |
| 4 | StrongVPN | $21/ 3 Months | 7 Days | |
| 5 | VyprVPN | $14.95/Month | 7 Days | |
