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FAQ and known problems

1. Potential problems with Windows XP firewall

Connection problems can arise, even if the software has been put in the exception list: http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Bde%3B913522&x=12&y=13. Unfortunately, the hot fix is only available on request from Microsoft.

2. DHCP Client Service is not running

The DHCP Client Service must run to be able to generate an IP address. Check under "Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services" to see whether the DHCP Client Service is running and, if this is not the case, set it to "Automatic". In rare cases, connections fail because the DHCP stops running properly after another network card has been activated. The Internet connection often fails in this case. The DHCP Client should be restarted in this instance too.

3. Firewall blocks virtual network card

Some firewalls can block the data traffic from the virtual network card "TAPI-Win32 Adapter". Given that only the CyberGhost VPN server can communicate with this adapter (server and client are authenticated by certificate), and the CyberGhost VPN server offers firewall functions, deactivating the firewall for the "§TAPI-Win32 adapter" would be an option in the event of connection problems. Some firewalls in routers, as well as software firewalls also block UDP traffic to and from the CyberGhost servers. Ports 8080 and 8081might need to be activated in the relevant firewall or router for this (port forwarding).

4. Problems with cFOS and other network tools

cFOS (network diagnostics tool) and other network tools seem to prevent routing from being processed correctly. At the moment, it seems to be deactivating a solution, all network services and protocols for the CyberGhost VPN network connection:

  • Right-click the CyberGhost VPN network connection in the network administration
  • Select "Properties"
  • Uncheck all the boxes down to "Internet protocol (TCP/IP)" or "Internet protocol version 4(TCP/IPv4)" (under Vista)

Some programs, including cFOS, seem however to automatically restart for the network card after a while. In this instance, we recommend you uninstall the program. cFOS might even hinder rather than help when using CyberGhost VPN.

Note from the cFOS FAQ

cFosSpeed supports VPN. To be able to use traffic shaping via VPN connections, you need to set the value "ping_dest" to "10.128.0.1" in the [param] section of the cFosSpeed.ini file. (Note from administrators: 10.128.0.1 is an IP address from the CyberGhost VPN network).

By also adding the parameter keep_bindings=1 to the [param] section of the cfosspeed.ini file, you can deactivate unbind operations for network adapters that do not seem to be used. Use this when terminating VPN connections.

Source: cFOS FAQ

5. Installer cannot connect to the download server

Downloading the installer works without a hitch. However, when you run it, an error message appears stating that the download has not been successfully completed. In this case, the installer is probably being blocked by a firewall. Incidentally, Kaspersky blocks the installer without displaying any warning message. It is therefore worth having a look at the firewall frequently, and, if necessary, deactivate it for the short duration of the installation.

6. UMTS software

If UMTS cards are installed but are not used, the relevant software for these cards should be deactivated. Otherwise, this may cause problems with CyberGhost.

7. Data execution prevention blocks CyberGhost

Implementing the SOAP protocol used by CyberGhost is not compatible with the data execution prevention feature integrated into Windows, which is activated by default only for Windows services and programs. If this feature is activated for all applications, CyberGhost will not run.

Vista solution: Select the following options: System - Advanced system settings - Performance - Settings - Data execution prevention. Then check "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only" and restart.

8. File sharing programs

Many file sharing programs attempt to prevent you from being able to download data from other users at high speed, without activating anything themselves. This is often done using an "ID". For instance, if you have a low ID with Azureus, you can only download data slowly from other users. To obtain a high ID, other people must also be able to download from the user. To do this, however, the relevant user's computer must be accessible from outside. This means that a firewall must be configured to allow data traffic to reach the computer from outside. In most cases, the ports in the firewall required for Azureus, for example, are activated for this. So that another outside computer can access the user's computer, it needs the IP address of the user's computer.

However, when CyberGhost is used, it is precisely this actual, unique IP address that is hidden from outside. This is the principle behind anonymization. In other words, external computers can no longer locate and uniquely identify My Computer. This is also known as NAT (Network Address Translation).

Side-effect: As a result, this NAT process works in the same way as a firewall. It would therefore completely go against the anonymization principle if a user's computer could be accessed from outside.

Solution: If you want to operate anonymous file sharing, you will then need, in many cases, to put up with low download rates due to low IDs. Subsequently, we would like to point out that offering copyright-protected material can result in criminal prosecution, which means that anonymization can protect against unintentionally offering this kind of information.

9. Deactivated network card

Some programs seem to deactivate the virtual network card. You can solve this problem by activating it manually.