Choosing The Right VPN Solution A Guide For MikroTik Routers

Have you ever needed to connect to a remote network securely and privately but weren't sure how? One powerful solution to this problem is using a virtual private network (VPN), and one popular option for setting up a VPN is the MikroTik router. In this post, we'll walk through the process of configuring a MikroTik VPN with PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) so that you can safely and easily connect to remote networks from anywhere.

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a method of connecting two or more computers or networks securely and privately over the internet. By using encryption and other security measures, VPNs allow you to protect your online activity from prying eyes, bypass censorships, and access restricted content.

There are many ways to set up a VPN, from using software on your desktop or mobile device to configuring a router like the MikroTik. The advantage of using a router-based VPN is that all traffic on your network can be routed through the VPN, instead of just traffic from a specific device.

Why Use MikroTik for a VPN?

MikroTik is a Latvian company that produces both hardware and software solutions for network management and security. Their routers are known for being reliable and feature-rich, making them a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike. When it comes to configuring a VPN, MikroTik routers offer several advantages:

Easy to configure: While configuring a VPN can seem intimidating, MikroTik routers make it relatively simple with options for both PPTP and L2TP/IPSec protocols.
Reliable: Many users report that MikroTik routers are rock solid and rarely need rebooting or maintenance.
Customizable: Advanced users can take advantage of MikroTik's scripting capabilities to fine-tune their VPN configuration.

Configuring MikroTik VPN with PPTP

Once you have your MikroTik router set up and connected to the internet, configuring a VPN with PPTP is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Create a PPTP Server

The first step in setting up a VPN on your MikroTik router is to create a PPTP server. This server will handle the incoming VPN connections from remote clients, so it's important to configure it correctly.

Log into your MikroTik router's web management interface. This can usually be done by typing the router's IP address (such as 192.168.1.1) into a web browser.
Click on the "PPP" menu on the left-hand side of the page, then click "PPTP Server".
Click the "+" button to add a new PPTP server.
In the "General" tab of the PPTP server window, make sure that the "Enabled" box is checked.
In the "Authentication" tab, make sure that the "mschap2" box is checked. This will ensure that client authentication uses the MS-CHAP v2 protocol, which is more secure than the original MS-CHAP.
In the "Profile" tab, you can configure settings like the maximum number of clients and the IP address range that will be assigned to VPN clients. Leave these settings at their defaults for now.
Click "Apply" to save your changes.

Step 2: Configure Firewall Rules

Next, you'll need to configure firewall rules to allow traffic to and from the PPTP server. Here's how:

Click on the "IP" menu on the left-hand side of the page, then click "Firewall".
Click the "NAT" tab.
Click the "+" button to add a new NAT rule.
In the "General" tab, set the "Chain" to "dstnat".
In the "Dst. Address" field, enter the WAN IP address of your MikroTik router. This is the IP address that remote clients will use to connect to the VPN.
In the "Protocol" drop-down menu, select "tcp".
In the "Dst. Port" field, enter "1723". This is the default port used by PPTP.
In the "Action" drop-down menu, select "dst-nat".
In the "To Addresses" field, enter the IP address of your PPTP server. This should be the LAN IP address of your MikroTik router.
Click "Apply" to save your changes.
Click the "Filter Rules" tab.
Click the "+" button to add a new filter rule.
In the "General" tab, set the "Chain" to "input".
In the "Protocol" drop-down menu, select "tcp".
In the "Dst. Port" field, enter "1723".
In the "Action" drop-down menu, select "accept".
Click "Apply" to save your changes.

Step 3: Create Users

Now that your PPTP server is configured and your firewall rules are set up, you'll need to create user accounts for remote clients to use when connecting to the VPN. Here's how:

Click on the "Secrets" tab under the "PPP" menu.
Click the "+" button to add a new user.
In the "Name" field, enter a username for the user.
In the "Password" field, enter a secure password for the user.
In the "Service" drop-down menu, select "pptp".
Leave all other settings at their default values and click "Apply" to save your changes.

Step 4: Test Your VPN Connection

With your PPTP server, firewall rules, and user accounts all set up, you're ready to test your VPN connection. Here's how:

Connect to the internet on a remote client device (such as a laptop or smartphone).
Open the VPN settings on your device and create a new VPN connection.
Enter the WAN IP address of your MikroTik router as the server address and the username and password you created in the "Secrets" tab as your login credentials.
Save your settings and connect to the VPN.
If everything is configured correctly, you should now be connected to your remote network over the VPN.

Configuring Other VPN Protocols

While PPTP is a popular VPN protocol, it's not the most secure. If you have more advanced needs, you may want to use a different protocol like L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, or OpenVPN. Configuring these protocols on your MikroTik router will be more complicated than setting up PPTP, but the principles are largely the same.

To configure a different VPN protocol, you'll need to:

Choose the appropriate protocol and configure the settings on your MikroTik router's PPTP server or a new server.
Configure firewall rules to allow traffic to and from the new server.
Create user accounts for the new protocol.
Connect using your remote client's VPN settings, making sure to specify the correct protocol, server address, and login credentials.

Conclusion

Configuring a VPN on your MikroTik router with PPTP is a powerful way to connect to remote networks securely and privately. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can set up a robust and reliable VPN in no time. However, remember that no VPN service or protocol can guarantee 100% security, so it's essential to use other security measures like strong passwords, encryption, and two-factor authentication when possible. Stay safe out there!

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