Apple Mac OS X - PPTP HOWTO
This document will provide an easy step-by-step configuration guide for
PPTP VPN on Apple Mac OS X (10.6). You will not need to install any additional,
3rd party software, OS X includes everything you need.
PPTP with MPPE encryption is a widely-used VPN protocol. It combines easy of use with speed and a reasonable amount of security. Your Mac supports PPTP out of the box.
It's true that MPPE doesn't provide perfect security (there are some flaws which could possibly be exploited). However, if you don't need perfect industry standard encryption, but want speed, easy of use and simplicity, then we recommend PPTP.
Below are screenshots taken from a PPTP VPN configuration taken on our Apple iMac. Unfortunately, the language is English only, but non-English speakers should get the point, too.
1. Open your Mac's System Preferences and click on Network.
You should now see a screen similar to the one pictured below:
Note: if the yellow padlock in the bottom left corner is in locked state, you need to first click on the padlock and enter your administrator password to unlock the configuration!
Now, click on the +, which in our example is marked in a red circle.
2. Create a new vpn connection
Chose "VPN" for Interface and "PPTP" for VPN Type. For Service Name you may chose any wording of your liking.
Then, click on Create.
3. We're now back in the network settings screen for the new vpn connection which we created in step 2.
For Server Address, enter "pptp.surfonym.com", for Account Name enter your SurfoNym username which you received in your activation email! You can leave Encryption at the default setting of "Automatic".
To setup your password, click on Authentication Settings...
4. Chose Password and enter your SurfoNym password, which you received in your activation email.
To finalize the setup, click on OK and then, back at the previous settings screen, on the Advanced... button.
5. We're now in the advanced settings screen:
It's advisable to check Disconnect when user logs out.
Important: if you want any and all internet traffic in and out of your computer to go through the secure SurfoNym vpn tunnel, then you must check Send all traffic over VPN connection!
Click now OK and, back on the previous settings screen, Apply. You can now close the System Preferences window.
Your PPTP VPN should be active now! You can check with tools like ping, traceroute, netstat and ifconfig.
