Setting up a VPN Connection on Windows XP

If you are connecting to the DATASAFE™ Web Portal from a location that has a dynamic IP address (your IP address changes every time you connect to the internet - ask Prisma or your ISP for details), then you need to set up a secure VPN connection to DATASAFE™ in order to use the Application and access the Web Portal.

This can be done in a few easy steps, following which the DATASAFE™ Application will automatically use this connection.

(See the bottom of this page for a visual guide)

STEP 1: Open Control Panel, and click on "Network Connections", and a window showing your PC's network connections will open. On the top left hand side, underneath "Network Tasks" (as shown above), click on "Create a new connection".

STEP 2: At the welcome screen, click Next.

STEP 3: In the next window, select "Connect to the network at my workplace", and click Next.

STEP 4: In the next window, select "Virtual Private Network connection" and click Next.

STEP 5: In the next window, under "Company Name", type "DataSafe" (no quotes, and exactly as shown, with a capital D and capital S). Click Next.

STEP 6: In the next window, select "Do not dial the initial connection" and click Next.

STEP 7: In the next window, under "Host name or IP address", type "www.datasafe.com.mt" (no quotes). Click Next.

STEP 8: In the next window, it is recommended that you check "Add a shortcut..." and click Finish.

STEP 9: Following this, the connection dialog for the newly created connection will open. DO NOT click on connect yet, but click on the "Properties" button. The next four steps are very important, and failure to perform them may result in your internet connectivity to be disrupted.

STEP 10: In the properties window that appears, click on the "Networking" tab at the top, then double click on the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" entry.

STEP 11: In the window that appears, click on "Advanced".

STEP 12: Uncheck the "Use default gateway on remote network" checkbox (important).

STEP 13: Click OK to close this window, then click OK again to close the "Internet Protocol" window, then click OK again to close the "Properties" window.

STEP 14: You should now see the connect dialog again. Enter your DATASAFE™ VPN username and password as given to you by Prisma (these are NOT the same username and password used for the DATASAFE™ accounts on your servers/workstations).

STEP 15: Check the "Save username and password" checkbox and click on Connect.

STEP 16: After a few seconds, you should see a "DataSafe is now connected" notification in the system tray. The DATASAFE™ Application will from now on handle this connection automatically when required.

TROUBLESHOOTING: If the VPN connection fails to connect or gives an error, it is most likely a firewall issue. Contact Prisma or the DATASAFE™ 24hr Hotline for assistance.

The VPN username and password are controlled by Prisma, and you may not change them without sending a change request to Prisma.

The VPN username and password are static for all servers/workstations/access points for any one customer. They are unrelated to the username and password used to access the Web Portal, which you may change at any time and which may be different for each server/workstation.

Disclosing the VPN username and/or password as given to you by Prisma violates the DATASAFE™ service level agreement. If you have any reason to suspect that the VPN username and/or password has come to be in third party hands, notify Prisma immediately.