How to Connect to a VPN in Windows / Mac / iOS / Android

In addition to their security benefits, VPNs can come in handy when you’re trying to access sensitive information

How to set up a VPN

Virtual private networks (VPNs) can offer an additional layer of security and privacy. Whether you’re working on a public Wi-Fi network and want to escape prying eyes, or you’re worried about privacy in general, a VPN can offer a lot of benefits.

In a nutshell, a VPN establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a private server, hiding your traffic from being seen by others. Of course, the VPN itself can still see your traffic, which is why you should choose a VPN from a company you trust. (A good rule of thumb is to avoid free VPNs, because if they’re not charging you a fee, they may be monetizing in some less desirable way.) In addition, law enforcement can get its hands on your information through the VPN company. However, for the most part, a VPN offers you a way to hide your online activity from others.

Related

Note that getting a VPN is only one of the measures you can take to make your web browsing more secure. Others include enabling two-factor authentication and using a password manager.

In addition to their security benefits, VPNs can come in handy when you’re trying to access sensitive information, or if you’re traveling in Europe and want to stream Netflix or Amazon Prime titles only allowed in the US. They can also possibly allow you to jump firewalls in heavily regulated countries such as China, although that is becoming difficult.

In addition to their security benefits, VPNs can come in handy when you’re trying to access sensitive information

At home, you can set up your VPN through your router, which takes slightly more steps but means that any devices connected to your router won’t need individual configuration; it can also slow down all traffic that goes through. However, for this article, we’re going to concentrate on VPN apps that you can load on your laptop or phone, so that you can use the internet safely away from your home base.

Most VPN apps these days support the OpenVPN protocol, making setup a simple matter of allowing the app access to configure the settings for you. (Stay tuned for our guide to the best services to try out.) But whether your device uses MacOS, Chrome OS, Windows 10, iOS, or Android, if you’d like to get a quick overview of what’s involved before selecting a service, or prefer to do a manual setup, we’ve broken down the steps into straightforward instructions for you.

Setting up a VPN in Windows 10

The first step is to create a VPN profile which you’ll fill this out with details from your particular VPN service.

• Click on the Windows button, then head into Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Click on Add a VPN connection.
• In the fields on the page, select Windows (built-in) for your VPN provider. Give your VPN a name under Connection name. Enter the server name or address, the VPN type, and the type of sign-in info.
• Add a user name and password for extra security (this is optional, but recommended). You can choose to have the computer remember your sign-in info.
• Click Save
• To connect to your VPN, go back to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Click on your VPN name.
• If you want, at this point you can select Advanced Options to edit the connection properties, clear your sign-in info, or set up a VPN proxy.
• Select Connect and enter a password if you’ve set one.

Setting up a VPN in Chrome OS

To get set up with a VPN in Chrome OS, you can head into the Chrome Web Store to find a extension for your VPN of choice, go to Google Play store (if your Chromebook is set up for it) and get a VPN app from there, or download one from a VPN’s site. Either way, your VPN app should prompt you with instructions on how to fully set it up.

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 on the time in the lower right corner of your screen, and click on Settings.
• Click on Add connection and then on OpenVPN / L2TP
• Add all the information necessary, which may include server hostname, service name, provider type, pre-shared key, username and password. You can save your identity and password if you want. Click on Connect.

Some VPNs, especially those issued from a workplace, demand a certificate, which you will need to import first. If that’s something that’s required:

• Head into chrome://settings/certificates
• Go to the Authorities tab. Find the correct certificate in the list and click Import.
• Then follow the above instructions for setting up the VPN.

Setting up a VPN in macOS

As with the other formats here, there are apps that help you through the setup process automatically, but you can also do it yourself manually.

Choose the drop-down menu and choose VPN so you can enter your VPN’s details.

• To start, head into System Preferences and then dive into Network.
• From there, the process is straightforward. Click the Plus symbol button on the bottom left, and use the Interface drop-down menu to choose VPN. You’ll need the details from your VPN of choice to fill out the VPN Type and Service Name.
• Click on the Create button. Fill out the server address, remote ID and local ID in the appropriate fields. Click on Authentication Settings.
• Enter the username and password for your VPN, which you can set through your VPN app.
• Click OK and Connect.

Setting up a VPN in iOS

Setting up a VPN on an iOS device is fairly simple. Again, if you download an app from the App Store, it should automatically configure settings for you. Here’s how to do it manually, though:

How to Connect to a VPN in Windows / Mac / iOS / Android

Trying to connect your device to a VPN? This is very easy! Just follow the instructions below, and you’ll be able to set up a VPN connection on your device quickly.

To connect to a VPN

The following are the methods for different operating systems. Just choose the right one for your device.

To connect to a VPN manually

To connect to a VPN manually, you should have a VPN server you can connect to, and the information to sign in this server, including its IP address, your username and password, and the VPN type.

• Connect to a VPN with a Windows system
• Connect to a VPN with a Mac computer
• Connect to a VPN with an iOS device
• Connect to a VPN with an Android device

To connect to a VPN automatically

This is a more convenient option. You don’t need to have a server, and you can connect to a VPN very easily.

1. Connect to a VPN with a Windows system

The connection process is different depending on your variant of Windows system:

1. On Windows 10:
   1. On your Windows system, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard, then type “vpn”.
   2. Click Change virtual private networks (VPN).
      
   3. Click Add a VPN connection.
   4. Enter the information required to configure the new VPN connection, then click Save.
   5. Click the VPN connection you’ve added, then click Connect.
   6. Wait for the connection process to be complete.
2. On Windows 7:
   1. On your Windows system, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard, then type “vpn”.
   2. Click Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
   3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a VPN connection.

That’s how you can set up a VPN connection on a Windows device.

2. Connect to a VPN with a Mac computer

1. On your Mac computer, click System Preferences.
2. Click Network.
3. Click the + button.
4. Select “VPN” for Interface and choose your VPN Type, then click Create.
5. Fill out the server address and ID information.
6. Click the Authentication Settings button, type your username and password, and click OK.
7. Click the Apply button.
8. Click the Connect button.
9. Wait for the connection process to be complete.

Now you’ve set up a VPN connection on your Mac computer.

3. Connect to a VPN with a iOS device

1. On your iOS device, open Settings.
2. Tap General.
   
3. Tap VPN.
4. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
5. Enter the information required to configure a VPN, then tap Done.
6. Tap the switch of the VPN status to enable the connection.

That’s how to connect your iOS device to a VPN.

4. Connect to a VPN with an Android device

1. On your Android device, open Settings.
2. Tap More… under Wireless & Network.
3. Tap VPN.
4. Tap the + button.
5. Edit the VPN profile, then tap Save.
6. Tap the VPN profile you created.
7. Enter the username and password, then tap Connect.

Your Android device will be connected to the VPN very soon.

5. Use a VPN service

If you don’t have any VPN server, or if you want an easier and more convenient option, you can use a VPN service. We recommend using NordVPN. NordVPN works on all the platforms above and more. It helps you set up a fast, stable and secure Internet connection to anywhere. And you can do this with just a few clicks or taps!

You can get a decent deal for the NordVPN services. Check out the NordVPN coupons here!

1. Download and install NordVPN.
2. Run NordVPN, then choose a location you want to connect to.

That’s it! You’ve already set up a VPN connection to the Internet on your device!