PPTP VPN, and weak passwords

(Traditional format)

Wed Dec 22 13:02:54 2004 PPTP VPN, and weak passwords
Posted by Bruce Garlock

I use a VPN to connect to work. I run a PPTP server on Linux, at my firewall, for our remote users to connect from home to our work network. As has been explained before, PPTP has had it's share of security issues. I came across this link today, which has some good information on the insecure passwords used by a PPTP server.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/index.php?p=21

I still need to do some testing against my PPTP server, since it is not MS based, and based off of OpenSource products. The PPTP server I use on my linux box is located here: http://poptop.org/

I have it configured so that only 128 bit encrypted connections are allowed, with MS-CHAP2 password authentication only. I hope after using some of the tools listed in the zdnet article show that I am safe, but if not, then it is time to start researching other VPN's for our users.

Usually after tools like this are released, it's only a matter of time before a trojan horse, or worm is released to uncover exposed systems.

--BruceGarlock

More Articles by Bruce Garlock

Click here to add your comments




Sun Jul 10 03:48:42 2005: Subject:   anonymous



You should use a proxy on your firewall.
A good one is here : http://www.mgix.com/pptpproxy





Tue Feb 24 12:05:38 2009: Subject:   anonymous


We use a \" http://world-secure-channel.com/why/\" vpn to secure connectivity - this eliminates the need to expose internal systems to the whole wide world. Related to topic- \" http://vpnomania.com/proxy-surf.html/\" proxy

Don't miss responses! Subscribe to Comments by RSS or by Email

Click here to add your comments

If you want a picture to show with your comment, go get a Gravatar

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.