Best VPN Promotions | Azure Point to Site VPN Configuration Step by Step: A Complete Guide

In the digital age, ensuring secure access to your corporate network from anywhere in the world is paramount. One of the most effective solutions for this is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Not only does a VPN provide security, but it also often comes with various promotions that make it an economically viable choice for both individuals and businesses. Here, we'll explore some of the best VPN promotions currently available and provide a detailed guide on configuring an Azure Point-to-Site VPN.

Why Use a VPN?

Before diving into the specifics of promotions and configurations, understanding why you should use a VPN is crucial. VPNs offer several key benefits:

Security: Encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data from prying eyes.
Privacy: Masks your IP address, making your online actions virtually untraceable.
Access: Allows you to access content restricted by geographic locations or network policies.
Remote Access: Facilitates secure access to your corporate network from remote locations.

Best VPN Promotions

Here are some of the top VPN services currently offering attractive promotions:

NordVPN: Known for its strong encryption, NordVPN often runs a promotion offering up to 70% off for a 3-year plan, reducing the monthly cost significantly.
ExpressVPN: While generally on the pricier side, ExpressVPN occasionally provides a deal where you get 3 months free on a 12-month plan.
Surfshark: This VPN service frequently offers discounts of up to 80% off on a 24-month subscription, making it one of the most cost-effective options for long-term users.
CyberGhost: With its large server network, CyberGhost often has promotions like an 83% discount on the first year of a 2-year plan.
IPVanish: Known for unlimited device connections, IPVanish sometimes offers a 50% discount on annual plans.

Azure Point-to-Site VPN Configuration

Now, let's delve into how to configure a Point-to-Site VPN in Azure, which allows individual clients to connect securely to an Azure virtual network from any location.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/576155114910691/posts/589067036952832/

Step 1: Prepare Your Azure Environment

First, ensure you have:

An Azure subscription.
A Virtual Network (VNet) with a Gateway subnet.
A Virtual Network Gateway configured for Point-to-Site connections.

Step 2: Configure the Virtual Network Gateway

Here's how to set up the gateway:

Go to the Azure portal.
Create a Virtual Network Gateway or select an existing one.
Under 'Point-to-site configuration', click 'Configure now'.
Choose 'OpenVPN (SSL) or SSTP (SSL)' for the tunnel type.
Select or upload a root certificate.
Set the address pool for the VPN clients.
Save your changes.

Step 3: Generate and Export Certificates

Generate certificates for authentication:

Create a root certificate and export it in Base-64 encoded X.509 format.
Generate client certificates signed by the root certificate.
Export these certificates in PFX format with private keys.

Step 4: Configure VPN Clients

Now, configure your VPN client software:

Download the VPN client configuration from Azure.
Install the VPN client software on your device.
Import the PFX certificate into the client.
Configure the VPN client with the server address and client certificate details provided by Azure.

Step 5: Connect to the VPN

Finally, connect to your Azure network:

Open your VPN client.
Select the Azure VPN connection.
Click 'Connect' and authenticate with your certificate.

Once connected, your device should now be able to communicate securely with resources in your Azure Virtual Network.

Conclusion

Choosing the right VPN service not only ensures your online security but can also be financially beneficial due to various promotions. Meanwhile, configuring an Azure Point-to-Site VPN allows for secure, flexible remote access to your corporate network. By following this guide, you can leverage both security and economic benefits, ensuring a robust setup for your remote connectivity needs. Whether you're looking to save on VPN services or need step-by-step guidance on Azure configuration, this article serves as a comprehensive resource to get you started or improve your existing setup.