The internet is made up of many computers connected together. In the midst of these computers there are devices called routers that are used to direct data to the right terminals (otherwise they could go haphazardly!).
When several computers are connected to the Internet, they can "see" each other even if they are geographically distant by using the Internet connection and a secure protocol such as VPN.
In this guide we discover how to remotely connect PCs using the secure VPN network, so as to be safe from eavesdropping and to be able to exchange files (but not only, even remote desktop and peripherals) in total safety.
READ ALSO -> Best free VPN services and programs to surf safely and freely
VPN features as well
In this article we discover how you can create a network between different computers to connect them even if they are distant (even abroad, it is not a problem) thanks to programs that are as simple to use as they are powerful .
For example, if we want to check or access the files present from the PC in the office while we are at home, we can do it without problems with the right programs, the important thing is that the PCs are connected to the Internet and use the secure VPN programs to be able to communicate between of them safely.
Just to understand the purpose, connecting two computers means that one can enter the other ; it is as if our LAN was extended worldwide, but only the PCs authorized by us can enter and be controlled (otherwise it would be a security problem if everyone could access it).
At the basis of the technology there is the VPN tunneling, that is an encrypted and protected connection (hacker-proof) that passes through a specific PC port and ends, after passing through the Internet, in the PC port (or PC) that must receive the connection, so as to create a privileged channel capable of overcoming numerous obstacles such as firewalls or business restrictions.
Usually VPNs are used to overcome restrictions related to geographic location or to mask one's IP, but they are actually created to connect multiple PCs in an extended network via the Internet in a safe way (the need to hide one's IP is very recent and is properly called VPN Proxy ).
Although often classified as a VPN, remote desktop control programs use very similar technology but with different protocols, so they cannot be considered pure VPNs (although we will show you the best remote desktop programs, so as to respond to any need).
The best programs to connect PCs remotely (VPN)
After seeing some basic concepts about VPNs, let's see together the best programs to create a private and virtual VPN that we can also try for free.
1) Hamachi
The most famous and used program in the world to create dedicated VPN networks is Hamachi, which we talked about on the site in reference to the creation of a private network for video games and which we can download from here -> Hamachi .
By installing this small program and registering for the service, we will be able to control any PC by adding them to our personal and secure network anywhere in the world.
Widely used to make multiplayer online in games or to access remote folders, we can configure it for free up to 5 PCs (to configure a greater number of PCs it is necessary to pay an annual user license with a variable price) simply by accessing the Hamachi configuration panel from PCs that need to be configured and by clicking on Networks -> Add client -> Install LogMeIn Hamachi on this computer .
Once the tool is downloaded, simply associate it with the same account used previously to be able to use it on the extended LAN network that we are creating with Hamachi.
By repeating this step for all the computers to be controlled we can add them to the network and start sharing the files or the connection, as if we were all on a LAN (even if thousands of kilometers apart).
2) Radmin VPN
The best service that stands as a real alternative to Hamachi to create an extended virtual network is Radmin VPN, available here -> Radmin VPN .
Once subscribed to the service and downloaded the small client provided, just connect and click on Create network to be able to create your own extended network, choosing a name for the network and an access password.
On the other PCs to add we will have to download the client and use the Join network button instead, entering the network name and password that we had created.
Now that we have added the PC (we can repeat the steps for all the PCs we want to add), just click on it to find out all the associated services, including access to shared folders, remote desktop control, file transfer, chat and remote shutdown (by installing the dedicated server in the Help menu).
Definitely a comfortable and complete solution to create a secure personal VPN with all our PCs always available wherever we go.
It seems that the program has no limits of use, so we can use it to connect an unlimited amount of clients to the network (the only true limit is on the transfer speed, offered up to 100 Megabits per second).
3) Evolve (closed and replaced by Player.me)
A good alternative to Hamachi to play online multiplayer by extending its LAN is Evolve, downloadable from here -> Evolve .
This program was created specifically to help gamers, so as to have a single interface where they can chat, share videos of their businesses during video games, show what we are playing in live streaming and finally create a virtual LAN to be able to play in multiplayer online to all games that do not natively provide this possibility.
Really a very good solution for videogamers, but that lends itself little to other activities being focused entirely on gaming.
4) ZeroTier
One of the best pure VPN solutions that we can adopt to extend our LAN is ZeroTier, available here -> ZeroTier .
Once subscribed to the service it will be sufficient to download the dedicated client and log in to be able to take advantage of an excellent VPN to be able to play in multiplayer or to be able to create your small corporate network extended even between multiple locations and between different geographic locations.
This solution allows you to configure up to 100 devices for free using the dedicated network, or an unlimited number of devices (after building the dedicated device or subscribing to a dedicated subscription).
5) OpenVPN
The free and free solution to be able to connect two PCs via VPN without limits and without going through any server (P2P VPN) is OpenVPN, freely downloadable from here -> OpenVPN .
Although it may seem difficult to configure, OpenVPN requires very few steps to be able to configure VPN tunneling correctly, so that multiple PCs can communicate.
Once you have installed everything you need on the basic PC, we open the Start menu, find the OpenVPN folder and click Generate a static OpenVPN key .
The encryption key will be generated, which will also be copied to the recipient PC (they must coincide in order to make a secure connection).
Now we start the OpenVPN GUI program, we right click on its icon in the lower right (in the system tray), and we click on the item Edit config .
We insert the following configurations (PC A) into the text file:
remote
ifconfig 10.3.0.1 255.255.255.0
secret key.txt
Obviously in remote we will have to enter the IP address of our provider, using a service like the one available here -> My IP, while in secret we will have to enter the file name of the key generated a little while ago.
In ifconfig we have to provide the parameters of the virtual network that we are going to create, taking care to change the IP for the target PC.
Now let's go to the other PC and configure it like this (PC B):
remote
ifconfig 10.3.0.2 255.255.255.0
secret key.txt
The secret key must be the same generated by PC A (better copy the text file and save it in the same location), in ifconfig we changed the assigned IP to not create a conflict and in remote we have to enter the IP assigned by the provider to that PC (it can also coincide with A if we want to try the service on our local network, even if it is frankly useless!).
Now that everything is ready, just click Connect in the OpenVPN icon present in the system tray of both PCs to create an absolutely secure P2P VPN tunnel.
Programs for remote desktop control
Even if not properly VPNs (although many integrate features from VPN), we can use one of the following programs to directly control the desktop of a PC remotely, so as to have access to all the programs, files and functionality of the PC to distance by controlling the keyboard and mouse of the other PC using our peripherals.
Widely used to provide remote assistance to PCs
1) TeamViewer is considered the best program to connect remote, portable computer, which can be copied to a USB stick, easy to use and supported by Windows and Mac.
2) Join.me is a web solution, which works where others fail because it is based on a remote command even with remote desktop that works via browser and the controlled PC is displayed as if it were a website.
3) Chrome Remote Desktop is an extension for the Google Chrome browser and allows you to remotely control the desktop of any PC, just associate the computers with the same extension and with Google Chrome installed to our Google account, so you can access to desktops quickly and quickly.
In this regard, another article we talked about the best free applications to share the screen on Windows .
