Access Your PC Remotely From Anywhere in the World
If you're constantly on the go, or if you never quite seem to have enough time with your PC and work, arranging access via VPN might be a good idea. Here’s how to set up Windows 10 Remote Desktop (RDP) over a VPN connection so that you can remotely connect to your PC anywhere in the world.
First of all, we’re going to install an application called OpenVPN client on our Windows 10 system. This will enable us to connect with ease when we browse for the remote control settings from within our browser.
After installation, we are going to configure our OpenVPN settings. Go to the OpenVPN client settings, and click on “configure VPN”. In the configuration area, in the left pane, select “Connection”.
Next, you can create your own VPN connection here and connect to the desired server location. If you would like to use a VPN provider's servers (like VyprVPN), you will then access their website and login with your credentials. For this guide we will be using a free server from http://freevpnserverlist.com/ which is known as VPN Gate . This is an open source project maintained by volunteers of the community.
Next click "Add" this will bring you to the VPN Gate Selection screen. We choose a server that is closest to our geographic location, in this case "United States - Phoenix, AZ PPTP". If a proxy is needed enter the details and then click OK. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take affect.
This will initiate a connection to the VPN Gate server, once connected make sure that it says "Connected" before continuing. Now we can create our RDP connection so that we can connect directly from any computer around the world. The next steps are identical to the installation of the OpenVPN client and we will just select "Create New Connection".
This will bring up a number of options. The screenshot below shows a screen that lists our local network as well as a new "Dynamic IP" option. To add to help us in creating our connection over the VPN, we are going to use a port number and then select "Dynamic Port". This will bring up another window showing the ports available on our connection. Now it is time to enter the server location that you want your VPN connection to go through. This can be different from our local location, so select "Global".
Now select a protocol (in this case we will use TCP/SSL) to make sure that only the applications that we have added to the firewall rule are able to connect. Now click on "Create New Connection". You will then have a new VPN connection available in your browser and the title of the window will show the name of your new connection. Double check this for accuracy before proceeding with connecting.
Click on "Choose a name for this VPN connection" and type in anything you would like it to be called. For example, my computer is named "computer". Then click on "Connect".
Now we will receive a pop-up window when we try to connect. Click "Yes" to continue with the connection. If you would like to connect using a user name and password, then here is where you can do that. Otherwise click OK and enter the wrong credentials (my example shows as "pcuser"). You will be met with another pop-up asking you to enter the correct credentials. Enter your username here (in my case it is "user") and then your password. Then select "Connect". If you have chosen a proxy for your VPN connection, then you may have the option to enter this information here as well.
Once connected the window will list the name of your connection and will say "Connected", then you'll be able to connect from any computer or device with a web browser allowing you to use P2P applications, such as Skype. If you would like to stop this connection, just click on "Disconnect" and then click "Yes". If you would like to disconnect at any time again it is recommended that you do so before closing this browser window as this is how your VPN connection works.
Once disconnected, make sure that it says "Disconnected" before closing out the browser window (or at least close all other open browsers). Now we are ready to set up Remote Desktop on our system. Go to the Control Panel and then to Administrative Tools. Then click on "Remote Desktop Connection Manager".
Now click on "Show Options" and then check everything that is listed. This will allow you to control quite a few aspects of your connection, but most importantly it allows you to forward ports if you so choose. Select how many connections (1-10) you would like, and then select the "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure)" option if you want it more secure than default Remote Desktop connections. Once everything is filled in correctly, just click OK.
Now we can test the connection to see that it works at this time. In Windows XP, Vista, and 7 you can enter "control mstsc" in the search box to connect. If you are using Windows 8 or higher you can open a new browser window and directly enter "mstsc.exe". The default credentials will be whatever has been set up earlier in this guide.
If it worked properly it will look as if the remote system is running directly on your computer, but actually it is operating over the VPN connection. These connections go through quite a few hops in order for them to work securely and the most important part is to make sure that the security certificate from the VPN server is signed by a trusted authority who has verified their identity by them being an incorporated business.
While this guide has been focused on using the OpenVPN protocol, you are free to use any other VPN protocol that you prefer. If you need help getting OpenVPN onto your system, check out this guide: Getting started with OpenVPN. Many VPN providers also provide connecting programs for other protocols. It is important that wherever you connect your system to make sure that it is not only allowed but also secure. Many VPN providers offer a free trial period which gives you a chance to test the connection and see if it works for you. Choosing a provider to use can be difficult, but hopefully this guide will help point you in the right direction.
Conclusion
While it is always good to be cautious and find the most secure method of accessing the Internet, sometimes it may be necessary to be as cautious as possible. If your goal is to access P2P applications such as BitTorrent, then you will want to use a VPN connection with OpenVPN or other P2P compatible protocols. It may feel restrictive at first, but in the long run this will help keep you safe from those who would like to steal your information or impose on your privacy. No matter how much you worry about what others are doing with their personal information online, taking precautions can help put some of that worry away.
About Me
I've been using Linux since version 1.