How to create an OpenVPN connect in Linux

This example is based on the usage of Ivacy.com VPN-service.

Install the following packages on your Linux computer. (I use for this”Synaptic Package manager”)

• network-manager-openvpn

• openvpn

• openvpn-blacklist

The configuration files for Ivacy's OpenVPN service can be found on the there homepage:

https://pr.ivacy.com/en/doc/help/setup/winxp_openvpn

As alternative you can download the complete fils from my homepage.

Extract all files to a new folder in your /home/user/ folder on your hard disk. You will later need to link to the files when you are configuring the OpenVPN in the Network-Manager.

Left-click now on your Gnome Network-Mangager and select:

VPN-Connections → Configure VPN

Create a new VPN Connection by secting ”Add”.

Select then: ”Connect to: OpenVPN Client”

Now, give the connection a name. I called my one ”OpenVPN Ivacy”.

Enter the following data.

Gateway Adress: openvpn.ivacy.com

Gateway Port: 1194

Connection Type: X.509 with Password Authentication

On the next fields, you have to link to the files you downloaded.

CA File: select the file ”Ivacy-ca.crt”

Certificate: select the file ”Ivacy-client.crt”

Key: select the file ”Ivacy-clienty.key”.

In the field ”Username” enter your username you registered you with att www.ivacy.com .

Now, jump to the next window ”Optional”.

Mark there the checkbox “Use LZO Compression”

Mark “Use cipher” and select “BF-CBC” (This stands for Blowfish encryption)

Mark “Use TLS auth:” and select the file “Ivacy-tls.key” you saved on your hard disk.

Select then under Direction: “1”.

Click then on “Apply” to save your settings.

Close the VPN Connection window.

Now, left-click on your Network-Manager and select “VPN-Connection” → “OpenVPN Ivacy”.

You will be asked for the password. Enter your password and mark the checkbox “Save in keyring”. Then the next time you connect to your OpenVPN connection you don't have to enter your password again.

When the connection was successful you will see a small Lock together with your Network-Manager symbol.