The IPSec protocol offered by PureVPN provides a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, enhancing online anonymity. Setting up PureVPN with IPSec involves configuring your device or router to connect to a PureVPN server using IPSec parameters. This method offers robust encryption and authentication. This guide outlines a minimal configuration to get you started.
Here’s a sample configuration block for setting up IPSec with PureVPN. Adapt these settings to your specific device or router interface.
Connection Type: IPSec/L2TP
Server Address: [PureVPN Server Address - e.g., us1.purevpn.net]
Username: [Your PureVPN Username]
Password: [Your PureVPN Password]
Pre-shared Key (PSK): PureVPN2016
For a Linux-based system using Strongswan, a basic ipsec.conf entry might look like this:
conn purevpn-ipsec
auto=add
type=tunnel
left=%any
leftid=[Your Local IP or Identifier]
right=[PureVPN Server Address - e.g., us1.purevpn.net]
rightid=@us1.purevpn.net
rightsubnet=0.0.0.0/0
authby=secret
ike=aes256-sha256-modp2048!
esp=aes256-sha256!
keyexchange=ikev2
dpdaction=restart
dpddelay=300s
dpdtimeout=900s
rekey=yes
ikelifetime=28800s
lifetime=3600s
The corresponding ipsec.secrets file would contain:
[Your Local IP or Identifier] %any: PSK "PureVPN2016"
[Your PureVPN Username] : XAUTH "[Your PureVPN Password]"
Adapt the leftid and server addresses to your PureVPN account and server location.
After establishing the IPSec tunnel, configure your routing table to direct all traffic through the PureVPN interface. This ensures all your internet traffic is protected by the PureVPN IPSec tunnel.
Default Gateway: Set to the IPSec tunnel interface.
Configure your DNS settings to use PureVPN's DNS servers or a trusted third-party DNS provider to prevent DNS leaks.
DNS Servers: Consider using 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google Public DNS) or PureVPN's recommended DNS servers.
Verify the IPSec connection is active and routing traffic correctly.
IP Address Check: Confirm your public IP address has changed to the PureVPN server's IP. Use websites like whatismyip.com.
Traceroute: Perform a traceroute to a known website to ensure traffic is routing through the PureVPN IPSec tunnel.
Security: Regularly update your IPSec client and firewall rules.
Troubleshooting: Consult PureVPN's support documentation for IPSec specific troubleshooting steps.
Customization: The provided configurations are minimal. Explore advanced IPSec options for further customization.
Server Selection: Choose a PureVPN server location close to you for optimal performance.
PSK Security: While "PureVPN2016" is used as an example, it's crucial to use a strong, unique Pre-Shared Key (PSK) for enhanced security in a production environment.