How to Setup VPN on PS4 on University Network
There’s no question that cybersecurity is a major issue. More and more companies are adopting hybrid IT, blending on-premises datacenters with SaaS applications. This makes them more vulnerable to attacks, and worse, it makes it harder to defend against these attacks. Companies that operate under these models need to think strategically about cybersecurity and how to defend their interests.
One of the best ways to do this is by establishing a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN creates a protected virtual space on your network, allowing for secure and encrypted connections to resources and applications beyond your firewall. This way, even if someone gets access to your company’s actual network, they won’t be able to see or communicate with other sensitive files or data. VPNs also help ensure that no matter where you go, your personal information will be protected.
In this article, we will discuss how to set up a VPN on your PlayStation 4 (PS4) so you can securely access resources and applications on a university network. We’ll then walk you through the process of connecting to a VPN server to obtain security and privacy for yourself and your devices.
Why A VPN On Your PS4?
Many companies are adopting hybrid IT, in which they blend on-premises datacenters with SaaS applications. This makes them more vulnerable to attacks, and worse, it makes it harder to defend against these attacks. In these situations, a VPN can help. SaaS applications such as Teams require access to connect to a VPN server, ensuring that your connection is secure and encrypted.
Establishing and using a VPN on your network is also a great way to ensure that your personal information is kept private wherever you go. If you connect to a VPN server while on a public network, such as the internet, your personal information will be kept secure even if you’re not on a private network.
Set Up Your VPN On Your PS4
The first step to securing your PS4 and its resources is to set up a VPN. We will discuss several different methods of establishing and using a VPN on your network below. However, if you’re interested in setting up a VPN on a PS4, you can follow the steps outlined in this article to begin with.
Choose A VPN Server
The first step in securing your PS4 is to choose a VPN server. There are various factors that you need to consider when picking a VPN server, such as the security measures in place, the amount of resources available, and how easy it is to set up.
First, make sure that the VPN server you choose is a reputable company with a good standing reputation. In addition, consider what protocol the server supports. Many reputable companies offer VPN services with good security and efficient connection speeds.
Obtain A VPN Login
To get started using the VPN on your PS4, you’ll need to obtain a login for the service. You can do this by contacting the company that provides your VPN service and asking them for an account login. Alternatively, you can use the following resources to find a free VPN login:
Once you have a VPN login, you can use it to connect to a VPN server. We’ll discuss connecting to a VPN server in more detail below.
Use Your VPN To Securely Access University Resources
Now that you have a VPN login, you can use it to connect to a VPN server and establish a secure connection to university resources. To do this, you’ll need to ensure that your network is protected by completing the following steps:
Set Up Your Firewall
To fully secure your network, you will need to install a firewall. There are various types of firewalls that you can choose from, such as the UniFi WiFi firewall and the Fortigate firewall. Once you have installed a firewall, you will need to configure it to block all network traffic except for traffic that is explicitly allowed through by you or a whitelist of approved IP addresses.
Installing a firewall is not only about blocking malware and protecting your network from attacks. It’s also about ensuring that your network is protected from accidental or intentional breaches due to misconfiguration or malicious attacks. Fortigate’s stateful inspection provides the best mix of security and usability. This type of firewall can inspect the traffic and look for malicious activity.
Apply Patience
Once you have a firewall in place and configured to block all unauthorized network activity, you can begin the process of connecting to a VPN server. Remember, this process can take a while, so be patient.
Use The IP Address Of Your Computer To Access Resources In Place Of A DNS Name
If you have a computer on your network that is currently used for general browsing, you can use this computer to access resources on your local network instead of typing in a DNS name (domain name system). Instead of typing in the DNS name for the university’s network (i.e., university.edu), you can simply use the IP address of the computer (172.16.2.2) to access it:
- 172.16.2.2 – University IP address
- 10.0.0.1 – Private IP address
- 1.2.3.4 – Cable Modem IP address
- 198.51.100.1 – DSL IP address
- 188.40.56.2 – Mobile Phone IP address
- 194.87.119.124 – Xbox Live ID address
To find your computer’s IP address, you can use the command line tool, getifaddr. For example, to find my computer’s IP address, I enter:
$ getifaddr -a
And then, the tool will ask for a search term, which I provide as follows:
$ getifaddr -a 172.16.2.2
This will return a list of IP addresses that are assigned to the computer. You can also use the graphical interface, Ifconfig, by simply selecting the interface (wired or wireless) and press enter.
Check For Updates
With any type of device or software application, there are security updates that can be applied to improve the overall security of the product. For example, there is currently an update for OpenSSL that is designed to fix several vulnerabilities. To find out if there are any updates for OpenSSL, you can search for it using your favorite search engine.
Similarly, you can use your VPN to search for updates and fixes to improve the security of the service.
If you’re interested in keeping your personal information secure, you should consult the company that provides your VPN service and see what updates are available for their product.
Use A VPN To Securely Access Sensitive Data On Other Devices
If you need to access sensitive data (such as financial information or company trade secrets) from a device that is not connected to your network (e.g., a mobile phone or a desktop computer), you can use a VPN. This is especially useful if you need to access company data while on the road, whether it’s for work or for personal reasons.
Sensitive data is often stored on devices that are not always secure. This means that people outside of your organization can access this data. To protect yourself and your organization’s interests, you can use a VPN whenever you need to access company data stored on a device that is not connected to your network. This way, even if someone gets access to your device or the data stored on it, it will not be accessible by everyone within the organization.
This scenario is commonly referred to as “bring your own device” (BYOD) computing. If you’re responsible for setting up a company-owned device for use by your employees, you can use a VPN to ensure that their personal information is always secure even when they’re using these devices on public networks (e.g., the internet).
Establish A Trusted Connection To A VPN Server
When you connect to a VPN server for the first time, the server will ask for a username and password. After you log in successfully, the server will then ask you to verify the identity by confirming your IP address. This is a critical step in ensuring that you only connect to a trusted and secure server: