Virtual Private Network is a service through which, one would be able to establish a tunnel network through which they would be able to actively connect to the internet. Tunnel based network would provide security and anonymity to its users. This is the reason why, more and more internet users have started to subscribe for a Windows XP VPN service.
With the help of a Windows XP VPN, users would be able to secure their private internet network at home and also access most of the popular websites streamed across the world. When travelling abroad, VPN subscribers would be able to stay in touch with all their favorite websites and also access their local bank accounts etc. securely. As we all know, security feature is being provided to the user via the tunneling effect, but how does a VPN service provider offer accessibility. The technique used by VPNs is very simple. The original IP address of the user would be replaced by an IP address provided by the VPN server and this IP address would provide accessibility to the user. By doing so, it would also hide the identity of the user.
How to configure Windows XP VPN?
We have dealt enough about the need for a VPN network and the benefits that users would be able to obtain from them. In this section, readers would be provided with the information on how to configure Windows XP VPN. Before we go any further, the subscriber should make sure their OS version states Windows XP because, for different OS platforms, there is a different setup procedure. Step by Step illustration is provided below:
- Control Panel – Control Panel can be found on the Windows Start menu. Under that section, the user should click on “Network and Internet Connections”.
- Networks – Under the Network and Internet Connections, the user should select “Create a connection to the network at your workplace”.
- New Connection Wizard – In this stage, users would have to choose “Virtual Private Network connection”. One should select this option to initiate the Windows XP VPN configuration. Click on Next after that.
- Connection Name – Users should specify a name for the connection. In the case of Library use, the user should enter “UB VPN” and for UTnet use, enter “Utwente VPN”. Click on Next after that.
- VPN Server selection – A space for entering the host name or IP-address would be provided and in that, type “pptp.utwente.nl”. Click Next.
- Shortcut and Finish – The Final step would be to select the option to “Add a shortcut to the connection to my desktop”. Click on Finish.
- VPN Properties – Now, this VPN connection can be found under the Network and Internet Connections menu or even in the desktop. Right click on the connection icon and select properties.
- Security – A menu bar would appear, in that go to the Security tab and then select “Advanced” settings.
- The following options should be selected under this, before clicking OK. In the Data encryption space, the user should select “Optional encryption”. In the option of Allow these protocols, the user should make sure that the options, “Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)”, “Microsoft CHAP (MS-CHAP)”, and “Microsoft CHAP Version 2 (MS-CHAP v2)” are selected. When clicking on OK, there might be a pop up screen stating that, these changes are unsafe, click on Yes.
- Network setup – In order to proceed with this setup, the user should obtain all the basic details necessary to make the connection. Parameters such as VPN protocol, encryption type, username, initial password etc. All these details would be provided to the subscriber by the VPN service provider.
- In the Networking option of the properties, enter the type of VPN (for example: PPTP VPN, SSTP VPN etc.) Even select the option of “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click OK.
- Under TCP/IP settings, the user should make sure that, the options of “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” are selected. Click on Advanced.
- In the advanced section, library users should select the option of “Use default gateway on remote network”. For making use of the UT network, deselect the above mentioned option and default gateway on remote network should be used. Setup of Windows XP VPN is complete.
Connecting to a Windows XP VPN
Click on the VPN connection that would be displayed on the desktop. Username and password corresponding to the VPN account would be provided by the service provider. Enter the username and password and click on Connect. Now, the VPN connection would be established in the name of the connection name provided by the user earlier. By clicking on the same icon, the user can opt to disconnect with the VPN network too. Status of the Windows XP VPN connection can be found on the icon.
Readers would have understood the steps which they would have to follow to configure and connect to the Windows XP VPN connection. Before all that, the prime step would be to choose the best Windows XP VPN service provider.
Best Windows XP VPN service providers
It is not easy to shortlist and select one particular VPN service provider. For that reason, we have made it easy for you, by evaluating all the VPN service providers and have put down a list of the best Windows XP VPN providers.
| 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 | |
