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OpenVPN

A guide to connecting to our network using OpenVPN.

Task 1: Connecting to our network

Get Connected

To connect to our network, you need to download the OpenVPN GUI open-source application and import your VPN configuration file.

On TryHackMe you can deploy lab machines that you can use to hack into and learn from. However, to access these machines you need to be connected to our network. You do this through using a VPN (similar to how you would connect to a work or school computer from home).

This VPN should be connected from your hacking machine, directly to the THM network. If your machine is a lab machine, run the steps for the lab machine, not the host machine.

Firstly, go to the access page and download your VPN configuration file. Then read the task that is suited for your computer.

Answer the questions below

  1. Download your configuration file from the access page.

Task 2: Connecting with Windows


OpenVPN - Windows

    1. Download the OpenVPN GUI application.

    2. Install the OpenVPN GUI application. Then open the installer file and follow the setup wizard.


3. Open and run the OpenVPN GUI application as Administrator.


4. The application will start running in the system tray. It's at the bottom of your screen, near the clock. Right click on the application and click Import File.

    

5. Select the configuration file you downloaded earlier (download from the access page)

6. Now right click on the application again, select your file and click Connect

    

And that's it! You should be successfully connected. To disconnect, follow step 6 and click disconnect.

Answer the questions below

  1. Connect to our network on Windows using your OpenVPN configuration file.

Task 3: Connecting with MacOS


OpenVPN - MacOS

    1. Download OpenVPN for MacOS.

    2. Install the OpenVPN GUI application, by opening the dmg file and following the setup wizard.

        

    3. Open and run the OpenVPN GUI application.

    4. The application will start running and appear in your top bar. Right click on the application and click Import File ->     Local file.

        

    5. Select the configuration file you downloaded earlier (download from your access page).

    6. Now right click on the application again, select your file and click connect.

        

    And that's it! You should be successfully connected! To disconnected, follow step 6 and click disconnect.

Answer the questions below

  1. Connect to our network on MacOS using your OpenVPN configuration file.

Task 4: Connecting with Linux


OpenVPN - Linux

   1. Download OpenVPN by running the following command in your terminal: sudo apt install openvpn

2. Locate the full path to your VPN configuration file (download from the access page), normally in your Downloads folder.

3. Use your OpenVPN file with the following command: sudo openvpn /path-to-file/file-name.ovpn

And that's it! You should be successfully connected.

Answer the questions below

  1. Connect to our network on Linux using your OpenVPN configuration file.

Task 5: Using TryHackMe without a VPN

If you are unable to connect to our network through the VPN, you can deploy a Kali-based AttackBox machine and control it in your browser. The AttackBox button is available in the room you are in and located on the top-right side.  You can then access all TryHackMe machines through that machine. Free users can deploy the machine for 1 hour a day, subscribers have unlimited access.


An in-browser window will then appear, wait for your machine to load, and you will be able to access machines through the Kali Linux machine without being connected to a VPN.

Answer the questions below

  1. Read the above.

Task 6: Check you're connected

You can check if you're connected to our network by a green tick next to connected on the Network Information table on the access page. 

Now verify that you're connected by deploying a machine and accessing its website. Deploy the machine on this task (it will take a few minutes to boot). Go to http://MACHINE_IP - can you see a website?

Answer the questions below

  1. What is the flag displayed on the deployed machine's website?

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OpenVPN

A guide to connecting to our network using OpenVPN.

easy

45 min

267,740

User profile photo.
User profile photo.

To access material, start machines and answer questions login.

Get Connected

To connect to our network, you need to download the OpenVPN  open-source application and import your configuration file.

On TryHackMe you can deploy lab machines that you can use to hack into and learn from. However, to access these machines you need to be connected to our network. You do this through using a VPN (similar to how you would connect to a work or school computer from home).

This VPN should be connected from your hacking machine, directly to the network. If your machine is a lab machine, run the steps for the lab machine, not the host machine.

Firstly, go to the access page and download your VPN configuration file. Then read the task that is suited for your computer.

Answer the questions below

Download your configuration file from the access page.


OpenVPN - Windows

    1. Download the OpenVPN application.

    2. Install the OpenVPN GUI application. Then open the installer file and follow the setup wizard.


3. Open and run the OpenVPN GUI application as Administrator.


4. The application will start running in the system tray. It's at the bottom of your screen, near the clock. Right click on the application and click Import File.

    

5. Select the configuration file you downloaded earlier (download from the access page)

6. Now right click on the application again, select your file and click Connect

    

And that's it! You should be successfully connected. To disconnect, follow step 6 and click disconnect.

Answer the questions below

Connect to our network on Windows using your OpenVPN configuration file.


OpenVPN - MacOS

    1. Download OpenVPN for MacOS.

    2. Install the OpenVPN application, by opening the dmg file and following the setup wizard.

        

    3. Open and run the OpenVPN GUI application.

    4. The application will start running and appear in your top bar. Right click on the application and click Import File ->     Local file.

        

    5. Select the configuration file you downloaded earlier (download from your access page).

    6. Now right click on the application again, select your file and click connect.

        

    And that's it! You should be successfully connected! To disconnected, follow step 6 and click disconnect.

Answer the questions below

Connect to our network on MacOS using your OpenVPN configuration file.


OpenVPN -

   1. Download OpenVPN by running the following command in your terminal: sudo apt install openvpn

2. Locate the full path to your VPN configuration file (download from the access page), normally in your Downloads folder.

3. Use your OpenVPN file with the following command: sudo openvpn /path-to-file/file-name.ovpn

And that's it! You should be successfully connected.
Answer the questions below
Connect to our network on Linux using your OpenVPN configuration file.

If you are unable to connect to our network through the , you can deploy a Kali-based AttackBox machine and control it in your browser. The AttackBox button is available in the room you are in and located on the top-right side.  You can then access all TryHackMe machines through that machine. Free users can deploy the machine for 1 hour a day, subscribers have unlimited access.

Image showing how to start the AttackBox.

An in-browser window will then appear, wait for your machine to load, and you will be able to access machines through the Kali machine without being connected to a VPN.

Answer the questions below

Read the above.

Set up your virtual environment

To successfully complete this room, you'll need to set up your virtual environment. This involves starting both your AttackBox (if you're not using your VPN) and Lab Machines, ensuring you're equipped with the necessary tools and access to tackle the challenges ahead.
Attacker machine
Status:Off
Lab machine
Status:Off

You can check if you're connected to our network by a green tick next to connected on the Network Information table on the access page. 

Now verify that you're connected by deploying a machine and accessing its website. Deploy the machine on this task (it will take a few minutes to boot). Go to ://MACHINE_IP - can you see a website?

Answer the questions below

What is the flag displayed on the deployed machine's website?