Online safety is more important than ever, so people are trying to find new ways to stay on the safe side of the internet with a VPN. What is a VPN? This cybersecurity tool secures your internet connection and keeps valuable information safe from hackers. When it comes to using this tool, setting up a VPN is a quick process, and connecting your Linux Fedora computer to it is very simple.
Your setup will use the PPTP protocol. To get started, your computer should be connected to the internet and capable of browsing the web. If you are not connected to the internet yet, do so before moving forward with the setup instructions that will follow.
The PPTP VPN connection, which will be explained in detail here, is very easy to set up when compared to setting up with other protocols. The preferred connection is via the SSL OpenVPN application, but there may be instances that restrict your Linux Fedora from connecting this way, so keep this in mind. So let’s get started with the setup.
Check That You Are Connected to the Internet
The easiest way to check if your Linux Fedora is connected to the internet is by attempting to browse the web. Once you have established connectivity, visit the IP info page (What Is My IP Address?) to check your information. This will indicate the country that you are connecting from and your IP address.
Locate the group of icons in the upper right-hand corner of your desktop. From this group, select Network Connection. Your connection could be wireless or wired, as it varies based on your internet connection.
Select Wired Settings for this installation. In the lower left-hand corner, select the + icon to set up a new VPN connection and then select VPN.
From here, you will be asked to select the VPN connection type. Select the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP). Now you will move on to configuring your PPTP connection.
PPTP Connection Setup
Once you select PPTP as the connection type, you will be required to enter the VPN details as indicated below. To show an example case, we will assume you are setting your VPN to connect in the UK.
The connection name will be MPN GBR, and the gateway will be gbr.mypn.co. For those seeking a free connection, use free.mypn.co in the connection name field. This will rotate your connection throughout the countries currently available to free connection users.
If you intend to connect through servers located in other areas, use the list of servers to find the appropriate server name and enter it into the connection name field.
Finally, enter your My Private Network password and username that you chose when you registered. To move on to the next step, select the option labeled “Advanced.”
PPTP Connection Setup (Advanced)
Verify that the authentication method in use is MSCHAP. You must deselect CHAP and PAP to indicate that only MSCHAP along with the MSCHAPV2 are in use. Check the box next to “Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE).”
Choose the OK button in the bottom right-hand corner and select Save to finish the configuration process.
Starting the VPN Connection
Return to the initial step and locate the selection of icons waiting in the upper right-hand corner of your desktop. From this group, select Network Manager, choose VPN, and hit the Connect button. You may be prompted to enter your My Network password. If so, enter the password you chose during the registration process.
Return to the Network Manager located in the upper right-hand corner of your desktop and enter the portal again. It should show that you are now connected to the VPN.
Verify by Checking Your IP Address
If you return to the IP Info page you used earlier, it should now show your location as the UK (using our sample from before). If you select a different country in the configuration process, it should show there.
If you have fulfilled all the steps above and verified your connection with the IP Info page, you can use your new VPN connection. Using the VPN offers a secure connection routed through a server in the location you have chosen. Enjoy the freedom this new connection offers!