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

In today's digital age, securing your online activities is more important than ever. Whether you're protecting your personal data or ensuring that your business communications remain confidential, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are indispensable. This article not only delves into some of the best VPN promotions currently available but also provides a detailed guide on configuring an Azure Point to Site VPN, which is crucial for secure remote access to Azure resources.

Why Choose a VPN?

Before we dive into the specifics of VPN promotions and Azure configuration, let's understand why VPNs are essential. A VPN provides several key benefits:

- **Privacy:** It encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for third parties to track your online activities.

- **Security:** VPNs offer protection against cyber threats like hacking, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi.

- **Access Control:** They allow you to bypass geographical restrictions, accessing content or services not available in your region.

- **Anonymity:** By masking your IP address, VPNs help maintain your anonymity online.

Current Best VPN Promotions

Here are some of the top VPN services with their ongoing promotions:

- **NordVPN:** Known for its robust security features, NordVPN often runs promotions where you can get up to 68% off on a 2-year plan, plus additional months for free.

- **ExpressVPN:** Offers up to 49% off when you purchase their 1-year plan, which includes 3 extra months free.

- **Surfshark:** Provides a unique deal with 82% off on a 24-month subscription, making it one of the most affordable options.

- **CyberGhost:** Frequently has a deal where you can save 79% on a 27-month plan, which also comes with an additional 3 months at no extra cost.

- **Private Internet Access (PIA):** Currently, PIA offers up to 77% off on their yearly plan, ideal for users looking for a budget-friendly yet effective VPN.

Step-by-Step Azure Point to Site VPN Configuration

Now, let's move to the technical part. Configuring a Point to Site VPN in Azure involves several steps, which we'll break down:

1. Set Up Azure Virtual Network

First, you need to create a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure:

- Navigate to the Azure portal, click on "Create a resource," and select "Virtual Network."

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- Fill in the details like name, address space, and subnets. Ensure you configure a Gateway Subnet as this is where the VPN Gateway will be installed.

2. Create a VPN Gateway

- After your VNet is set up, go to "VPN Gateway" under the "Networking" section.

- Select "Create VPN Gateway," choose your VNet, and set the Gateway Type to "VPN."

- Configure the SKU (size) based on your needs; for Point to Site, a basic SKU might suffice.

3. Configure Point to Site Connection

- In the VPN Gateway settings, go to "Point-to-site configuration."

- Choose "OpenVPN (SSL)" or "IKEv2" as the tunnel type. OpenVPN is recommended for broader client compatibility.

- Set up the address pool for client IP addresses, select authentication type (Azure AD, RADIUS, or certificate-based), and upload the root certificate if using certificate authentication.

4. Install Client Certificates

- If you opted for certificate-based authentication, you'll need to generate and install client certificates:

- Use tools like PowerShell or OpenSSL to generate certificates.

- Install these certificates on the client devices that will connect to the VPN.

5. Client Configuration

- Download the VPN client configuration package from Azure. This package includes the necessary configuration files for your VPN client.

- Install the VPN client software on your device, and import the configuration. For Windows, you might use the built-in SSTP or IKEv2 client or third-party software like OpenVPN.

6. Connect and Test

- Launch your VPN client, select your Azure VPN, and connect.

- Verify the connection by checking your IP address, which should now reflect the Azure VNet's IP range, or by accessing resources within the VNet.

Conclusion

Securing your online activities with a VPN not only protects your data but also enhances your digital freedom. By taking advantage of the current VPN promotions, you can enjoy these benefits at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, understanding how to configure an Azure Point to Site VPN can significantly enhance your ability to securely connect to cloud resources, making it an invaluable skill for IT professionals and businesses alike. Whether for personal use or enterprise-level security, the steps outlined above provide a robust framework for establishing a secure connection to your Azure environment.