Using VPN on Mint
 

I just moved from Ubuntu 11.04 to Mint 12. On Ubuntu I was able to log in to my companies VPN with VPNC but I am not seeing how to do this with Mint. In Ubuntu I was able to click on the network connection icon in the upper right hand corner and choose VPN and then choose the VPN that I had configured. I do not see that option in Mint. The only thing that I see is a list of all wireless connections, no VPN option. What am I missing?

Thanks!

I just started trying Mint 12 a week or two back after moving from Ubuntu to Debian to Mint. Mint does not automatically install VPN so unless you've already done that, I would guess that's the reason.

You'll want to install openvpn, openvpn-blacklist, openvpn-auth-dap, network-manager-openvpn, and network-manager-openvpn-gnome.

It's the last two that will put the VPN capability into the network manager applet.

Installing VPNC
 

I'm a "newbie" and have just read Linux31's response to leupi (two years ago) regarding "Using VPN on Mint". I've installed VPNC, openvpn, openvpn-blacklist, network-manager-openvpn, and network-manager-openvpn-gnome. openvpn-auth-dap was not found. Still, /etc/vpnc/default.config is empty, and I don't know how to proceed. Please advise unless there is now a better (free/inexpensive) solution for an expat overseas surfing US sites with a VPN. I do not know how to access the network manager applet.

I would recommend Private Internet Access vpn service. Around $40 a year. They give full directions on the website on how to setup your vpn with Network Manager.

You should also choose "Automatic(dhcp)addresses only" and add PIA's dns servers. Something they do not specify.

You cannot trust the free services with sensitive information. Many are just honeypots.