VPN Configuration / VPN Client in Kali Linux / Debian / Ubuntu / Backtrack | How to | Anonymous Internet | VPN Secure Connection

You could have a variety of concerns while using the Internet:

1. Security: While I work as a penetration tester for remote clients, I like to make sure my “tunnel” to the internet is free from eavesdroppers and is reasonably secure. VPN tunneling takes care of that.

2. Anonymity: All of us need privacy and anonymity for one reason or another. VPN servers allow that by “not storing” (beware!) logs of usage on their servers.

3. Over-blocking and “Internet-usage Policies”: ISPs and local network administrators can get overzealous about restricting user activity on their networks (this is specially so for college and office networks). The network that I use takes pride in blocking categories like “file transfer” and “hacking”. On several occasions, I have a legitimate need for visiting a “hack forum” or a “file transfer” service since most email providers don’t allow ‘attachments’ to go over 25 - 30 MB.

(By the way, you can also use TOR for anonymity and unblocking websites. I have written about how to use TOR in Kali Linux here)

How to set up / configure VPN in Linux:

Step 1. Subscribe to a VPN Service. I have subscribed to AirVPN (around $9 a month)

Step 2. Login to the VPN service provider’s website (AirVPN in my case) and locate ‘Generate Configuration file’

Step 3. Download the .opvn file

Additionally, a .proxyauth file will be provided if a proxy authentication is required in your local network proxy (see HTTP code 407)

Step 4. In Terminal type:

apt-get install openvpn**  
openvpn --version**  
openvpn --config <file_you_downloaded.opvn>  

This should configure that VPN.

ifconfig

Notice the presence of a new interface tun0, along with its IP address (a private IP address provided by the VPN network).

Now remove any local proxy setting you might be using in your browsers or system and connect to the Internet through the VPN tunnel.