[sachiko]

hello guys!
can u please help me set up/connect to a vpn(virtual private network)? im in canada and i would like to connect to a philippine vpn host. i have seen steps on how to connect to one which is just like making a new dial-up connection. however, when i try to connect i get error msgs like 'vpn server may be unreachable' or 'the connection needs a certificate'. this really puzzles me because i am quite a computer noob (no make that a total computer noob T_T). my OS is windows xp and i have a linksys router with cable connection. my internet connection is working fine.

i have some questions here.. please feel free to answer any of them.

- what do you need in order to set up a vpn? do i have to download some software?
- what do you need to do to be able to successfully connect to a vpn?
- how are proxy servers different from vpn?
- how do i know what to use PPTP or L2TP?
- do i need to configure something else on my router in order to be able to connect to a vpn?
- will i definitely be needing certificates? and how do i get one?
- is the "go to my pc" software like a vpn?

replies would be very much appreciated thank you!
hope someone kind person helps me out ^_^

god bless!