Virtual Private Sushi!?

“wirelesspacket” (quickly becoming one of my favorite chat regulars) sent this suggestion on virtual private networks for individuals.

I was reading your post about Tor or VPN.. Have you ever tried Hamachi? (hamachi.cc) Hamachi is an alternative to VPN. It was highly recommended by Steve Gibson in his Security Now podcast episode 18. aolradio.podcast.aol.com/sn/SN-018.mp3

Hamachi uses AES 256bit encryption creating an Ad-hoch local area network (LAN) using the 5 dot IP address range. (5.xxx.xxx.xxx range) It is also multi platform, running on Windows, Linux and OSX. Hamachi does not send any traffic from your network to there servers. Just your initial login, all connections from there on in are client to client.

Fully Secure.. Here is how you get started…

First, you need to visit the Hamachi website and download there free software. (Spyware free)

Second, install the software. The Hamachi software installs a GUI client with a virtual network adaptor that will allow you to connect to the Hamachi servers and clients.

Third, Create a unique Hamachi network name. You have the ability to use wildcard card characters within your network name. Making it virtually impossible for anyone to guess what network name you have decided to use.

Forth, Use a strong 64 key password. This can be generated at www.grc.com/passwords.htm . Copy and past your network password into the field provided.

Fifth, Download and Install the Hamachi software onto other clients. Have those clients join your Hamachi network. Do this by copying and pasting your network name and password. You have just now created a Hamachi network. (Doesn’t it feel great!)

Simple and efficient.

You now have the ability to use Windows file sharing, FTP, Remote Desktop Connection, VNC, play games and even VPN. All through the ad-hoc LAN network you have just created. (This is Sparta!)

You can now run a VPN server from the privacy of your own home or office without port forwarding. Start your VPN server and Install Hamachi onto that machine. On a machine that has Hamachi already configured. Open the VPN client you wish to use. Input the IP address of the VPN server on your Hamachi network into the client. The address entered should start with 5.xxx.xxx.xxx. You are now connecting to a VPN server over Hamachi.

Double the security and encryption. All done without touching any of the settings on your firewall.

The only problem is, OS X support is shaky. I may have to keep looking, I guess.

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