MikroTik Router VPN Remote Access And Secure Connection Setup

Okay folks, let me tell you about a little something called VPNs. It stands for Virtual Private Networks, which basically means that you can securely connect to the internet from anywhere in the world. But today, we're going to focus specifically on setting up a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router. Sounds complicated, right? But don't worry, I've got your back.

Before we dive into the details, let's talk about why you might want to set up a VPN server on your Mikrotik router. First of all, it adds an extra layer of security when browsing the internet. It encrypts all of your data so that no one can intercept it and steal your personal information. Secondly, it allows you to bypass internet restrictions in certain countries. For example, if you're in China and want to access Facebook (which is blocked there), a VPN server can help you get around that. Thirdly, it allows you to remotely access your home network from anywhere in the world. This means you can access files on your computer, view security cameras, and even control your smart home devices (if you have any).

Now, let's get down to business. Here's how you can set up a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router:

Step 1: Connect to your Mikrotik router via Winbox

The first step is to connect to your Mikrotik router via Winbox. Winbox is a free utility that allows you to connect to your Mikrotik router from your computer. Once you've downloaded and installed Winbox, open it up and enter the IP address of your Mikrotik router in the connect-to field. Then, enter the username and password for your router and click Connect.

Step 2: Configure your router's IP address

Next, you need to configure your router's IP address. This is the address that your VPN clients will use to connect to the VPN server. To do this, go to IP > Addresses and click on the plus sign to add a new address. Enter an IP address that's in the same subnet as your router's LAN IP address. For example, if your router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, you could enter 192.168.1.5 as the VPN server address.

Step 3: Create a new PPTP server interface

Now, you need to create a new PPTP server interface. This is the interface that your VPN clients will use to connect to the VPN server. To do this, go to PPP > Interface and click on the plus sign to add a new interface. Choose PPTP Server as the interface type and enter a name for the interface (e.g. VPN).

Step 4: Configure the PPTP server

Next, you need to configure the PPTP server. This is where you'll set up the encryption and authentication settings for your VPN server. Go to PPP > Profiles and click on the plus sign to add a new profile. Enter a name for the profile (e.g. VPN) and select the encryption and authentication settings that you want to use. Click Apply to save the changes.

Step 5: Create a new PPP user

Now, you need to create a new PPP user. This is the username and password that your VPN clients will use to connect to the VPN server. Go to PPP > Secrets and click on the plus sign to add a new user. Enter a username and password for the user and select PPTP as the service. Click Apply to save the changes.

Step 6: Configure the firewall

Finally, you need to configure the firewall to allow VPN traffic. Go to IP > Firewall and click on the plus sign to add a new rule. Choose Chain=forward, Protocol=TCP, Dst. Port=1723 and Action=accept.

Congratulations! You've successfully set up a PPTP VPN server on your Mikrotik router. Now, you can connect to your VPN server from anywhere in the world and enjoy all the benefits of a secure, private internet connection.

Of course, there are other VPN protocols and server types you can use, but PPTP is a good starting point for beginners. If you want to learn more about VPNs and how to set up other types of VPN servers, there are plenty of resources out there.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try! And remember, stay safe and secure online.

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