VPN connection

On this page:
Setting up a VPN connection and surfing securely in public WLAN networks. 

What is VPN?

With VPN (Virtual Private Network), you can access your Internet-Box via an encrypted channel at home and away:

  • secure surfing in a public WLAN
  • Device configuration
  • Secure access to your data

We recommend using the IKEv2 VPN protocol for Android, iOS and Mac devices. The only option for Windows is the L2TP VPN protocol. The Internet-Box 2, 3 and 4 support both protocols; the Internet-Box plus only supports L2TP. 

Activating VPN

To use the VPN, you have to activate it once on your Internet-Box and set it up on your device (computer/laptop or smartphone/tablet).

Internet-Box 2, 3 and 4 support three connections at the same time. Three VPN users have to be created for this. Only one connection is permitted for each user. Note: Only one VPN connection can be set up with Internet-Box plus. At http://internetbox.swisscom.ch or 192.168.1.1(opens in new tab), you will see which product you are using. Please note that you only have access when your home network is connected to your Internet-Box.

Activate IKEv2 on the Internet-Box

Access your Internet-Box web portal by typing http://internetbox.swisscom.ch or 192.168.1.1 into your Internet browser. Please note that you only have access to the Web portal when your home network is connected to your Internet-Box.

How it works

  1. Select “Applications” in the menu. 
  2. Go to expert mode. 
  3. Switch the slider below the “VPN server” application to “on”. 
  4. Enter your personal login details. 
  5. Save your entries. 

Tip: Use the DynDNS service, to ensure a long-term VPN connection. 

Activate L2TP on the Internet-Box

Type http://internetbox.swisscom.ch or 192.168.1.1(opens in new tab) into your Internet browser and log in.

  1. Select “Applications” in the menu.
  2. Go to expert mode.
  3. Swipe the slider below the “VPN server” application.
  4. Enter your personal access data.
  5. Save your entries.


Tip: use the DynDNS(opens in new tab) service to ensure a long-term VPN connection.

Setting up VPN

Follow the instructions to add VPN to your smartphone or computer.

Set up IKEv2 on your device

In the settings, select “VPN” > “Add VPN”. Then follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen.

  1. Select “IKEv2” as the VPN protocol. 
  2. Enter a name for the new VPN connection. 
  3. Enter your DNS name from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address.
  4. Enter your VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal. 
  5. Select the option for no user authentication and deactivate “Use Certificate”. 
  6. Enter the VPN password you set previously. 
  7. Save the settings. You can now start the VPN connection. 

In Settings, select the “Connection” tab -> “Other settings” -> “VPN” -> “+” to add the VPN connection. Then follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen.

  1. Enter a name for the new VPN connection.
  2. Select the type “IKEv2/IPSec PSK”. 
  3. Enter your DNS name from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address.
  4. Enter your VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal.
  5. Enter the VPN password you set previously.
  6. Save the settings. You can now start the VPN connection. 

In the network settings, add a new connection and select VPN as the connection. Select “IKEv2” under type and enter a name for the new VPN connection. 

Now follow the step-by-step instructions on the screens.

  1. Enter the name or, if required, the IP address from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address. 
  2. Enter the VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal. 
  3. Click on “Authentication Settings” for further settings and select the option for no user authentication. 
  4. Enter the password you set from the Internet-Box web portal. Click "Connect” to test your entries. 

Tip: Activate the VPN status display so you can manage your VPN connection at any time via the menu bar. 

Set up L2TP on your device

In the settings, select General > VPN > Add VPN. Then follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen.

  1. Select “L2TP” as the VPN protocol.
  2. Enter a name for the new VPN connection.
  3. Enter your VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal.
  4. Enter your previously set VPN password.
  5. Enter your DNS name from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address.
  6. Enter your personal VPN Shared Secret key.
  7. Save your entries and activate the connection via VPN.

In the settings, select the “Connection” tab -> “Other settings” -> “VPN” -> “+” to add the VPN connection.
Then follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen.

  1. Enter your DNS name from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address.
  2. Enter your personal VPN Shared Secret key.
  3. Enter the VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal.
  4. Enter your previously set VPN password. Tip: Ensure that this box is checked to avoid having to enter your details again.
  5. Select “Save”.

In the network settings, add a new connection and select VPN as the connection. Select VPN type “L2TP over IPSec” and enter a name for the new VPN connection.
Now follow the step-by-step instructions on the screens:

  1. Enter the name or, if necessary, the IP address from the Internet-Box web portal. We recommend always selecting the same DynDNS account as the server address.
  2. Enter the VPN user name from the Internet-Box web portal.
  3. Click “Authentication Settings…” to perform further settings and enter the VPN password that you set for the Internet-Box web portal.
  4. Enter your personal VPN Shared Secret key and confirm your entry. Click "Connect” to test your entries. Tip: Activate the VPN status display so you can manage your VPN connection at any time via the menu bar.

VPN connection not working?

This can happen when you test the VPN connection at home. If you are connected to your own home network, you cannot connect to the VPN. Check the VPN connection when you are not at home and not connected to your home network.

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