General Consultant Discussion

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  • 1.  ELI5: Why does it seem that EVERY customer has a different VPN client?

    Posted 01-11-2023 09:56
    Is there that much variation between the standard VPN access included with Windows and the myriad 3rd party VPN clients? 

    It has been problematic to install 1/2 dozen VPN clients. Some of these clients are older.  Some don't seem to release their VPN security even when closed and therefore require you to reboot your computer.

    Why can't they use the VPN that is available with Microsoft and MFA? That would seem to resolve most security concerns but I suppose there's something that I'm missing.

    PS - I'm going to talk about this more at MOTM 2023 at my session that I want to title "How to get sh*t done" but probably will use a kinder SFW description...

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    Wayne Schulz
    wayne@s-consult.com
    Schulz Consulting
    (860) 516-8990
    Moodus, CT
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  • 2.  RE: ELI5: Why does it seem that EVERY customer has a different VPN client?

    Posted 01-11-2023 10:05
    Virtual machines are your friend!

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    Phil McIntosh
    President
    Friendly Systems, Inc.
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  • 3.  RE: ELI5: Why does it seem that EVERY customer has a different VPN client?

    Posted 01-11-2023 12:11
    Firewall options depend on the router brand... and we have the same issue.  One option that a couple of our clients use (FortiClient) just installing the VPN client will cause BSOD workstation crashes, requiring a hard reboot... which is a deal-breaker for us (mostly WFH).
    GoToAssist unattended bypasses VPN's, since it mimic's logging in at the console.
    Note: MFA is a real pain within a team environment (using shared credentials to access customer systems).

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    Kevin Moyes
    Technical Systems Analyst
    Munjal White Consulting Co.
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  • 4.  RE: ELI5: Why does it seem that EVERY customer has a different VPN client?

    Posted 01-11-2023 20:16
    Everybody has the best solution in the world for their organization.  I have the MSFT VPN, Sonicwall Netextender, Sonicwall Global VPN Client, Zyxel Securextender, Foriclient, TruGrid, Zerotier, Teamview, Splashtop and just tonight, a client sent me OPEN VPN to use.  For TFA products, I have Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, and Okta Verify and True Grid Authenticato.  Forticlient emails the code to me.

    I have a couple clients with simple RDP access, a couple clients that will only give access via Go To Assist and one client that have their servers hidden from the outside world completely locked down.  I have an IT escort whenever I am on their system. A couple clients do not allow copy/paste but I can start a GTA session on their server to transfer the files.  Also some clients that allow access via their web portal.

    All are a day in the life...

    Don't get me started talking about Zoom, Teams, GTM, Google, GTA or any other conferencing software........



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    Jeff Schwenk
    Bottomline Software, Inc.
    (540) 221-4444
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    Original Message


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