Virtual private networks (VPNs) can offer an additional layer of security and privacy for your online activity. Whether you’re working on a public Wi-Fi network and want to avoid prying eyes or worry about privacy in general, a VPN can offer many benefits.
In a nutshell, a VPN prevents your traffic from being seen by others by establishing a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a private server. Of course, the VPN itself can see your traffic, so you should choose a VPN from a company you trust. (A good rule of thumb is to avoid free VPNs, because if they aren’t charging you, they may be making money in a less desirable way.) Also, law enforcement can get your information through the VPN company. . However, for the most part, a VPN offers a way to hide your online activity from others.
Keep in mind that getting a VPN is only one of the measures you can take to make your web browsing safer. Others include enabling two-factor authentication and using a password manager.
In addition to the security benefits, VPNs can come in handy when trying to access sensitive information or if you’re traveling in Europe and want to stream. Netflix or Amazon Prime content only allowed in the US. Some even claim that they can allow you to bypass firewalls in countries with strict regulations. Open-eyed.
You can set up your VPN at home via your domain router a few more steps, but then no individual device connected to your router needs to be configured; this can also slow down any passing traffic. But for this article, we will focus on VPN apps that you can install on your laptop or phone so you can use the internet safely while away from your home base.
Most VPN apps these days support the OpenVPN protocol, making setup a simple matter of granting access to the app to configure settings for you. But whether your device is running macOS, Chrome OS, Windows 10, iOS or Android, it turns into simple instructions for you if you want a quick overview of what’s included before choosing a service, or if you prefer manual setup.
Setting up VPN on Windows 10
The first step is to create a VPN profile, which you fill in with the details of your particular VPN service.
- Click the Windows button, then go to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “VPN”. Click “Add a VPN connection”.
- Select “Windows (built-in)” for your VPN provider in the fields in the menu. Give your VPN a name under “Connection name”. Enter the server name or address, VPN type, and type of login information such as username and password.
- Click “Save”.
- Go back to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “VPN” to connect to your VPN. Click on your VPN name.
- If you want, you can select “Advanced Options” to edit the connection properties, clear your login information, or set up a VPN proxy. You can also add a username and password to this section for extra security (optional, but recommended).
- Select “Connect” and enter a password if you have set one.
Setting up VPN on Chrome OS
Using a VPN with a Chromebook used to be an issue, but there are a few these days (ExpressVPN or NordVPN) which are versions specifically for Chrome OS. To get started, you can go to the Google Play store and get the VPN app from there or download one from the VPN’s website. Whichever you choose, once you open your VPN app, it will ask for instructions on how to set it up exactly.
If you need to do it manually, you can. Chrome has native support for L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN. To install a VPN that works with one of these formats:
- Click the clock in the lower right corner of your screen, then click “Settings”.
- Click “Add connection” and then “OpenVPN / L2TP”. (You can also find your VPN’s name in the “Add link” list, which will make things easy.)
- Include all required information such as server hostname, service name, provider type, preshared key, username, and password. If you wish, you can save your ID and password. When you’re done, click “Connect”.
Some VPNs, especially those issued from a workplace, require a certificate that you must import first. If this is necessary:
- Login chrome://settings/certificates enter it in the address bar.
- Go to the “Authorities” tab. Find the correct certificate in the list and click “Import”.
- Then follow the instructions above to set up the VPN.
Setting up a VPN on macOS
As with the other formats here, there are apps that automatically guide you through the setup process, but you can do it yourself.
- To get started, go to “System Preferences” and then select “Network”.
- From there, the process is simple. Click the Plus symbol button in the bottom left and use the Interface dropdown to select your VPN. You will need the details on your chosen VPN to fill in the “VPN Type” and “Service Name”.
- Click “Create”. Fill in the server address, remote ID, and local ID in the appropriate fields. Then click on “Authentication Settings”.
- Enter the username and password for your VPN, which you can set up through your VPN app.
- Click “OK” and then “Connect”.
Setting up a VPN on iOS
Setting up a VPN on an iOS device is pretty simple. Again, if you download an app from the App Store, select it and it should guide you through the configuration. Here’s how to do it manually though:
- Just go to “Settings” and tap on “General”.
- Scroll down to select “VPN”. (The iPhone will show if you’re currently connected to someone.)
- Tap on “Add VPN Configuration” followed by “Type” to choose a security protocol. (Follow the instructions provided by the app of your choice.)
- Return to the “Add Configuration” screen where you will add the VPN’s description, server, remote ID and local ID.
- Enter your username and password. You can also use a proxy if you wish.
- Tap “Done”. You will then be brought back to the VPN screen. Turn on the “Status” switch.
Setting up a VPN on Android
As with iOS, setting up a VPN on an Android device shouldn’t be too difficult. If you don’t want an app to automatically configure things for you, the manual process is here. (Note that your process may vary slightly, as some vendors like Samsung change Android versions.)
- Go to “Settings” > “Network & Internet” > “Advanced” > “VPN”. If you don’t see “Network & Internet” in the Settings menu (it may depend on your Android overlay), do a search in VPN Settings. Press the “Add” button.
- If you’re installing this on a new phone or haven’t set a screen lock or passcode yet, Google will ask you to set one up for your phone first. Do so.
- Now create your VPN profile. Add the VPN name, type, and server address. Click “Save”.
- You will now be taken back to the VPN screen where you should see the name of your VPN. Tap on it and enter your name and password for the VPN. You can also choose to save your account information and optionally set the VPN to always be on. When you’re done, tap “Connect”.
- Enter the VPN name, type, server address, username, and password.
- Then tap “save”. You’re done!
Once you have your VPN up and running, you may find that web browsing isn’t as fast as it used to be, especially if you’ve configured traffic to pass through another country. Stronger encryption or more users connected to a VPN can also slow down your internet speeds. Downloads can slow down the snail’s pace and League of Legends screen lag can be ridiculous. But these aren’t big issues compared to the security you’ve added.
Anyway, now that you know how to set up a VPN, disabling it is easy in comparison. You just have to remember to do it.
Update June 1, 2021 at 10:20 pm ET: This article was originally published on March 1, 2019 and now includes several updates regarding changes to the Windows 10 interface.