In these times we use the Internet for all kinds of tasks, both professional and more domestic. But on many occasions we seek or need some anonymity or privacy, something for which VPNs are very helpful.
We must know that everything related to privacy and security on our computers is increasingly important. More if we take into account that we spend a good part of the day connected to the Internet. In addition, anonymity is a section that is also used by a growing number of Internet users, for which the best solution is to use a VPN. Well, for those of you who do not know well what we are talking about here, we will explain what this is.
What is it and what is the use of using a VPN?
The first thing we should know at this point is that the VPN or virtual private network can be used for many things on the Internet . Without a doubt, its main objective is to help us hide our identity when we connect. With this, what we really do is surf the net anonymously and privately without revealing our data from the connection itself.
At the same time, these services have their own encryption system, something that we also use as a security measure on a day-to-day basis. With this we avoid that nobody can capture, follow or modify our traffic without our permission. Therefore, we avoid censorship, third-party monitoring, data extraction among other things. It is also important to know that we have different ways to connect to a VPN from a Windows computer
Some make use of servers external to the Redmond operating system that we can hire. But we must also know that many operating systems are compatible with the most common protocols and be able to use a VPN without the need for other programs.
How to use a VPN in Windows 10
What’s more, we can say that right now we can connect to a VPN directly from Windows 10 . For all this, the system can said VPN through one of the compatible protocols, which are PPTP , L2TP / IPSec, SSTP and IKEv2. In addition, starting a VPN to increase anonymity on the Internet if we use Windows 10, it is very simple.
For all this we only have to go to the System Configuration application using the Win + I key combination. Once the corresponding window appears, we go to the Network and Internet section.
At that moment a new window appears on the screen, so we take a look at the left side of it, where we find the VPN option. We click on it and we only have to select the option called Add a VPN in order to configure a new service of this type.
Here we only have to fill in the information requested by the form to configure the virtual private network that we are talking about. At the same time we find two advanced options that we can activate or not. These allow us to choose if we want the VPN to work also when we use a metered data network, or if we want to use it when Windows detects roaming.
Common mistakes when using a VPN in Windows and their solutions
But as is usual in many of the functions and features that we find in the Redmond system, these are not infallible. What we mean by this is that we can find errors in its operation . But of course, if necessary it is also true that Microsoft usually offers us the possibility of solving them from the same operating system. This is something that, how could it be otherwise, is extended to the VPNs that we are talking about here.
That is why below we will talk about some of the most common error codes that we can find in Windows when using a service of these. In the same way we will talk about the most common solution for it.
Error 800, the VPN client cannot connect to the server
To begin with, we will say that this error occurs when the Windows computer has lost its connection. This may be that of the local network used, although it may also be the case that the firewall is blocking the traffic, so here the first thing to do is check that the VPN configuration data is correct.
We can also try to disable the firewall or modify its configuration so that it does not block IP connections, in addition to opening the ports of the private network.
Error 619, unable to establish remote connection
In this case we find an error that usually occurs in the event that the anonymous session is suddenly disconnected. On the other hand, if the Windows PC tries to establish a new connection and the aforementioned message appears, it is best to disable the operating system’s firewall in case it is blocking the connection.
It can also be useful to do the same with the antivirus, even temporarily, to make sure that this software does not block the connection.
Error 691, remote connection was denied
This failure is another of the most common when we use an anonymous connection in Windows, but it is easy to solve. And it is that the same can occur because the username and password are not recognized. At the same time, it may be possible that the selected protocol is not allowed on the server we use. Therefore, to solve the problem is to make sure that we have entered our access credentials correctly.
It is also important that we make sure that the protocols supported by the client, in this case the Windows PC, are the same as those of the server.
Error 412, the remote peer is not responding
While the previous bug is easy to fix, this one is not so easy. The reason for this is that it can be caused by an external error, for example from a firewall that is blocking our connection with the VPN . Therefore, if we have the possibility, the best thing is that we deactivate that firewall or request it from the administrator, to retry the connection if the same.
Error 720, no control protocols configured
As it is easy to imagine based on the error message that we find here, to say that we will find this failure if we do not have a compatible protocol . These are essential so that the Windows computer can connect to the server in question. Therefore, the only solution in this sense is either to change to another server with protocols compatible with ours, or to connect from another platform.
Error 721, the remote computer is not responding
This is an error message that we can usually find when using a VPN if the remote peer is not working as it should, or is simply not responding. Then we will see that the anonymous connection cannot be carried out, so let’s see how to fix it. The first thing we recommend you carry out in this case is that we have the corresponding ports open on our router.
Similarly, continuing with this component, we must also make sure that PPTP is activated and the firewall is not blocking our secure connection in Windows.
