virtualbox.org

I connect to my VPN from my Solyd X installation in my VirtualBox. My host is Mac OS X. My network settings are set to bridged. Then I thought I would create a tunnel directly from my Solyd X to my VPN provider. But if I'm looking in my network, I will also access my Mac. How is this possible? I also see all other users who have Macs. What I'm afraid of is that I let the other people into my network. Because obviously I have not a closed tunnel between my VB and VPN server. I do not want to connect directly from my Mac. I do not want to send unnecessary data through a VPN.
Does anyone have knowledge about this situation?

What you see is a normal behaviour. Normally VPN software doesn't stop local traffic (traffic that doesn't require a gateway).

I do not open up my network for other members using the same VPN service? As long as I have the firewall turned on in my guest operating system, then I should be protected?

Is this a good way to use an open VPN service? The idea with this is that I can have dropbox, email, spotify and other programs running on my host. While I may be connected to my VPN service where I surf anonymously in my guest, but where I do not feel like having to send my passwords and other sensitive information through.
Or are there any downsides to this that I'm missing?

I think we're being confuse on the mean and the goal here. I can give you few facts :
- If you configure your guest as Bridged, it would be like having another real computer on the network, separate from your host. So both would need firewalling, since none is directly related.
- A VPN is a generic term for a networking technologie. Implementations and behaviours change between the products, and some can have policies enforcement. So it can mean many things and nothing.

Now, if you're trying to protect your host while connecting your guest to a VPN, that's absolutely not what you're doing (from the info you gave). The guest is protected (in the limit of the VPN config) while your host is not, since your host has no knowledge of your VPN.

If you would explain what you're actually trying to achieve, and not how you're trying to achieve it, we could give you directions.

Thanks for your answers. I will describe my situation.

I've got an account to connect through a remote VPN tunnel to download files without being tracked (Of course legal files). When I do this, I am afraid to go to pages where I need to enter password and username. I'm afraid of "man in the middle attacks" and sniffer programs. At the same time, I want to use the computer when I download. Therefore, I explore the possibility of VB for this. But I dont want to fool myself into a false sense of security.

Do you want ALL the traffic to go via the VPN then? or only the download part?

Only the download traffic.

Then yes, you're doing it right.

Thanks for your time. It has been very enlightening.

hello
sorry i am writing here if its not right but i found something about vpn and i write
My question is ,how can i connect my linux quest to my hosts win7 vpn connection ,
I think i did anything i found on the internet but nothng happens
is there any istructions how this can be true? and with the safety
thanks

weri wrote:sorry i am writing here if its not right

Yes, you're right that you're not right. Please open a new thread. And provide more information about the problem that you're facing.