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Thread: VPN setup to ATT

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  1. #1
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    Question VPN setup to ATT

    Is it possible for me to setup a VPN on my laptop computer running Windows 7 with my ISP being AT&T?

    I want to be able to protect my computer when in coffee shops and other public networks.

    I've been trying for a couple hours now, running every possible configuration but no luck.

  2. #2
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    Are you trying to get back to a office or the like?

    Maybe this will help out.
    http://www.howstuffworks.com/vpn.htm

  3. #3
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    It sounds like I'm not understanding some of the basics of a VPN. I thought I could set one up to my ISP's server, but it sounds like I need a different place to "point" it to?

  4. #4
    Administrator Steve R Jones's Avatar
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    Correct. A VPN would allow you access to programs/data etc on the server you connect to. AT&T would never give you permission to do that.

    You need to concentrate on using the correcpt WEP (or whatever its called) and passwords etc on you pc to not allow others to access it.

  5. #5
    Member ua549's Avatar
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    A VPN is point-to-point. Normally you would set up a VPN to a host where you access data or run applications such as at your work server or your home server.

    To protect your computer you need to use firewall and malware/virus protection software. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials plus Windows Firewall. Microsoft Security Essentials is free but you must download it from MS. Windows Firewall is built into the OS and is configured in Control Panel.

  6. #6
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    Thank you all for your advice. No wonder the AT&T tech I was talking to last night sounded confused - LOL.

  7. #7
    Ultimate Member Ol'Tunzafun's Avatar
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    You're on the right track with the VPN service for encrypting your communication, but the VPN server that you are connecting to must also be an HTTP proxy server in order for you to browse the internet. There are two different approaches to this. You can set up your home computer to run these services and connect through that or you can use an online VPN/Proxy service.
    You could probably set up your home computer with these two services in about 15 minutes by using Hamachi for VPN. Just use the unmanaged version.
    https://secure.logmein.com/products/.../download.aspx
    Install this on both computers.
    For proxy server, download and install Free Proxy on your home computer.
    http://www.handcraftedsoftware.org/i...?page=download
    There is a short tutorial here:
    http://community.logmein.com/t5/Hama...chi/td-p/22808
    Don't forget to start the proxy service after it is installed. There is a black button/icon on Free Proxy's top toolbar for that.
    The other option is an online service like Hotspot Shield. The free version has annoying popups and I can't speak to the paid version (about $50/yr) because I've not tried it. The one that I use is called Identity Cloaker and is excellent in every way, but is expensive. I pay something like $100/yr (or a little more) but it allows me to appear to be in any of a long list of countries, though this may be more than you require. There are others but those are the only two that I have any real experience with.
    http://www.google.ca/search?gcx=c&so...w=1440&bih=775
    As a rule, I use my own proxy server when connecting at an open wi-fi hotspot.

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