CollinsVirtual private networks (VPNs) can give your online activities an extra degree of protection and anonymity. A VPN can provide a lot of benefits, whether you’re working on a public Wi-Fi network and want to avoid prying eyes, or you’re concerned about your privacy in general.
In a nutshell, a VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a private server, preventing others from seeing your traffic. Of course, the VPN can still view your traffic, which is why you should select a VPN from a reputable provider. (A good rule of thumb is to avoid free VPNs because they may be profiting in a less acceptable method if they aren’t charging you a price.) Furthermore, the VPN company might give law enforcement access to your information. A VPN, on the other hand, provides a technique to disguise your online activity from others for the most part.
It’s important to note that acquiring a VPN is just one of the steps you may take to improve the security of your web browsing. Other options include utilizing a password manager and setting two-factor authentication.
VPNs can be useful when trying to access sensitive information or if you’re traveling in Europe and want to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime titles that are only available in the United States. Some even claim to be able to bypass firewalls in countries with strict regulations, such as China.
At home, you can set up your VPN through your router, which takes a few more steps but eliminates the need to configure each device individually; however, this can slow down any traffic that passes through. However, for the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on VPN software that you can install on your laptop or phone to allow you to access the internet safely while away from home.
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Most VPN apps nowadays support the OpenVPN protocol, making setup as simple as granting the app permission to modify your settings for you. But, whether you’re using macOS, Chrome OS, Windows 10, iOS, or Android, if you’d like a brief review of what’s involved before choosing a service, or if you’d rather do it manually, we’ve broken down the procedures into simple instructions for you.
SETTING UP A VPN IN WINDOWS 10
The first step is to build a VPN profile, which you’ll populate with information from your chosen VPN service.
1 Go to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “VPN” after pressing the Windows button. Select “Add a VPN connection” from the drop-down menu.
2 Select “Windows (built-in)” as your VPN provider in the fields on the menu. Under “Connection name,” give your VPN a name. Enter the server name or location, VPN type, and type of sign-in information (username and password, for example).
3 Select “Save.”
4 Return to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “VPN” to connect to your VPN. Select your VPN’s name from the drop-down menu.
5 Select “Advanced Options” if you wish to change the connection characteristics, clear your sign-in information, or set up a VPN proxy. For added security, you can enter a username and password in this box (optional, but recommended).
6 If you’ve set a password, select “Connect” and enter it.
SETTING UP A VPN IN CHROME OS
While utilizing a VPN with a Chromebook used to be difficult, there are now numerous (such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN) that provide Chrome OS-specific versions. To get started, go to the Google Play store and download the VPN software, or go to the VPN’s website and download one. After you start your VPN program, it should offer you instructions on how to fully set it up, regardless of whatever option you choose.
You can do it manually if necessary. L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN are both supported natively in Chrome. To set up a VPN that supports one of these formats, follow these steps:
1 Select “Settings” from the time in the lower-right corner of your screen.
2 Select “Add connection,” then “OpenVPN / L2TP.” (The name of your VPN may also be found in the “Add connection” list, which will make things easier.)
3 Include everything you need, such as the server hostname, service name, provider type, pre-shared key, username, and password. If you choose, you can save your identity and password. When you’re finished, click “Connect.”
Some VPNs, particularly those offered by a company, require a certificate, which you must import first. If this is necessary
1 In the address bar, type chrome:/settings/certificates.
2 Select “Authorities” from the drop-down menu. Click “Import” after you’ve found the correct certificate in the list.
3 Then, to set up the VPN, follow the steps outlined above.
SETTING UP A VPN IN MACOS
There are apps that will take you through the setup process automatically, just like the other formats above, but you may also do it manually.
1 To begin, go to “System Preferences” and select “Network.”
2 The rest of the procedure is uncomplicated. Select your VPN from the Interface drop-down box by clicking the Plus-symbol button on the bottom left. To fill out “VPN Type” and “Service Name,” you’ll need the information from your VPN of choice.
3 Select “Create” from the drop-down menu. Fill in the necessary fields with the server IP, remote ID, and local ID. Then select “Authentication Settings” from the drop-down menu.
4 Enter your VPN’s username and password, which you may set in your VPN app.
5 After that, click “OK” and then “Connect.”
SETTING UP A VPN IN IOS
It’s quite straightforward to set up a VPN on an iOS smartphone. If you use the App Store to download an app, select it and it should walk you through the configuration process. However, here’s how to do it manually:
1 Simply go to “Settings” and select “General.”
2 Select “VPN” from the drop-down menu. (Your iPhone will tell you whether you’re linked to one or not.)
3 To choose a security protocol, tap “Add VPN Configuration” and then “Type.” (Follow the directions provided by the app you’ve chosen.)
4 Return to the “Add Configuration” box and enter the VPN’s description, server, distant ID, and local ID.
5 Type your login and password into the boxes provided. If you like, you can also utilize a proxy.
6 Select “Done.” You’ll be taken back to the VPN interface after that. Toggle the “Status” switch to the “On” position.
SETTING UP A VPN IN ANDROID
Setting up a VPN on an Android device should be similar to setting one up on an iOS device. If you don’t want to use an app to customize things for you, here’s how to do it manually. (Be aware that some companies, like Samsung, change their Android versions, so your procedure may differ significantly.)
1 Select “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “Advanced” > “VPN” from the drop-down menu. If you don’t find “Network & Internet” in the Settings menu (which may or may not be the case depending on your Android overlay), look for VPN in Settings. Select “Add” from the drop-down menu.
2 If you’re setting this up on a new phone or if you haven’t already set a screen lock or password, Google will prompt you to do so first. Please do so.
3Now it’s time to establish your VPN profile. The VPN name, type, and server address must all be entered. “Save” should be selected.
4 You’ll be directed back to the VPN screen, where the name of your VPN should now appear. Simply tap it and enter your VPN username and password. You can also select to save your account details and set the VPN to be on all the time. When you’re done, tap “Connect.”
5 Type the VPN name, type, server address, username, and password into the appropriate fields.
6 Finally, hit “save.” You’ve completed the task!
After you’ve set up your VPN, you might discover that online browsing isn’t as quick as it used to be, especially if data is routed through another nation. Stronger encryption or more people connected to a single VPN can slow down your internet connection. Downloads may take an eternity to complete, and your League of Legends screen lag may be unbearable. But, in comparison to the security you’ve introduced, these are minor issues.
And, besides, now that you know how to set up a VPN, turning it off is a breeze. All you have to do now is remember to do it.
Collins