I am connected through an VPN for work. Can I set up an Virtual Machine to surf the web without my host VPN knowing about it?
I’ve set up the Virtual Machine “Network Adapter” to be “Bridged,” however, the reason I have doubt is because both my Host and Virtual Machine have the same External IP Addresses (Google search). I did notice that they have different Enternal IP Addresses (cmd > ipconfig).
So, ideally, I just want to be able to surf the web on the work computer and bypass the VPN.
Host OS: Windows 7
Virtual Machine OS: Windows 7
Virtual Machine Software: VMware Player
You’re talking about taking your work issued computer home and browsing the internet from your home?
The virtual machine traffic will use the same routes as the host, so this will not directly cure the problem. It does give you administrative power over an operating system, so you could set up your own VPN on this virtual machine, which can’t be snooped by your work environment.
Have you tried turning the VPN off when you’re home? A lot of the VPNs I’ve set up will reverse all routing configuration once disabled.
If this fails, you can edit your static routes. Set it so only traffic to your work subnet goes through the computer’s VPN gateway address, but all other traffic (0.0.0.0) goes through the default gateway on your regular interface. The only reason this sounds really complicated is because it is really complicated.
If you’re talking about browsing the internet while you’re at work, having your own VPN could allow that. But any good sysadmin will have standard VPN providers blocked too if unauthorized browsing is a top concern. Rolling your own VPN host could work, but sysadmins will usually block uncategorized web hosts also if unauthorized browsing is a top concern.
TL;DR: You’re likely SOL
Thank you for the reply. So, are you saying that if a host is connected to a VPN, then a VM would technically also be connected to the VPN?
yes. all the VM hardware is virtual, therefore the VM doesnt have it’s own “real” network interface, so all its traffic is routed through the host, then forwarded to your machine. If the host is connected to the VPN, then so is your VM.
Your answer was very concise and spot-on. Thank you! My situation is that I have a computer I can bring home and work from home, however, it requires me to connect to the VPN to access work-related files. I’m paranoid they will be snooping on my browsing habits. What are my possible solutions? I’m thinking maybe use Tor within the Virtual Machine?
i would not recommend Tor for everyday browsing, as its anonimity is only as good as the exit node you are using. Also many things on Tor are blocked, or will not be able to run properly. Also, normally Tor is very slow for everyday use.
If your company is concerned with monitoring your computer, then can technically see what you do, no matter what precautions you take, since at any time they can just ask for access to your machine, or access it remotely (i assume you need to use AD credentials to login, right?). At that point, they can see everything you browser / downloaded anyways …
Why dont you just NOT use company computer to browse personal stuff? lol
Think of it as someone looking over your shoulder 24/7 while you browse 
…especially if you’re doing from inside a VM
whenever i work from home, i just put my laptop next to me to do work stuff, then use my desktop to do whatever else i want.
wow, i tried making this post short, but just couldn’t do it.
Actually, this is my personal desktop. I just install a 3rd-party VPN client, so I can access our company servers. They won’t ever remote into my computer nor do we use AD.
I’m thinking, maybe I can just install two Virtual Machines. One VM will be for my work (with work-VPN installed), then another VM will have my personal browsing (with no VPN). Would two VM’s on the same host be a solution?
are the VMs on your computer? (aka at your house) or on the company server?
if they are on your computer, that would work. If they are on company server, you are SOL.
The two VMs will be on my personal desktop computer at home. So, my work VPN on a VM cannot see traffic from another VM, even when both are running off of 1 host? For example, I will have a VM for work, then a VM for personal stuff.
…especially if you’re doing from inside a VM