How to Install a VPN Connection
On Surfshark’s Website
How To Set Up A VPN On Any Device
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing about a variety of health and personal finance topics. When she’s away from her laptop, she can be found working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family. Connect to her on LinkedIn.
Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she manages a column at Inc. Magazine.
Anna Baluch Contributor
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing about a variety of health and personal finance topics. When she’s away from her laptop, she can be found working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family. Connect to her on LinkedIn.
Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she manages a column at Inc. Magazine.
Contributor, Editor
Rob is an SMB writer and editor based in New Jersey. Before joining Forbes Advisor, he was a content producer at Fit Small Business. In that role, he was responsible for writing, editing, and strategizing content geared toward small business owners. Before that, he worked at PCMag as a business analyst.
Rob is an SMB writer and editor based in New Jersey. Before joining Forbes Advisor, he was a content producer at Fit Small Business. In that role, he was responsible for writing, editing, and strategizing content geared toward small business owners. Before that, he worked at PCMag as a business analyst.
Updated: Sep 3, 2023, 1:19pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
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Table of Contents
- Set Up a VPN on a PC
- Set Up a VPN on a Mac
- Set Up a VPN on an Android Device
- Set Up a VPN on an iPhone or iPad
- How to Set up a VPN on Your Router
- Check Your VPN
- What To Do If Your VPN Doesn’t Work
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
A virtual private network (VPN) can allow you to improve your privacy online. It hides your identity so that you can browse the internet safely and anonymously. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a tech expert to set one up. The process is fairly easy. Here’s a closer look at how to set up a VPN on various devices.
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Set Up a VPN on a PC
- Use the Windows Store or internet to download a VPN app.
- Move into “Settings” and click on “Network” and then “VPN.”
- Click “Add a VPN” and fill out the fields for “Server Name,” “VPN Type” and your account information, which should be shared by the VPN provider you chose.
- Save your VPN.
- Go back into “VPN,” click on your newly added account and press “Connect.”
Set Up a VPN on a Mac
- Use the App Store or internet to download a VPN app.
- Go to “System Preferences” and then “Network.”
- Click on the plus sign in the bottom left corner and use the drop-down menu to choose your VPN.
- Fill in the details for your chosen VPN in the fields “VPN Type” and “Service Name.”
- Create a new VPN network and fill in your “Server Address,” “Remote ID” and “Local ID.”
- Enter “Authentication Settings” and add your username and password.
- Click “OK” and Connect your VPN.
Set Up a VPN on an Android Device
- Use the application store to download a VPN app.
- Go to “Settings” and from there click “Network & Internet” then “Advanced” and, finally, “VPN.”
- Click “Add VPN.”
- Fill out your VPN’s “Name” and “Server” and hit save.
- Click on your newly added VPN profile and fill out the “Account” and “Password” fields then click “Connect.”
Set Up a VPN on an iPhone or iPad
- Use the App Store or internet to download a VPN app.
- Go to “Settings” and scroll down to “General.”
- Find the VPN submenu and press “Add VPN Configuration.”
- Select the correct “Type” of VPN that you have installed and return to type in its details.
- Fill in your VPN’s “Description” and “Server” as well as your “Account” and “Password.”
- Click done and toggle your new profile to “on” so that the VPN can begin to work its magic.
How to Set up a VPN on Your Router
If you set up a VPN on your router, you’ll be able to connect all of your devices. It’s a great way to protect your entire network, instead of only one device. While every router is unique, here are the general directions you’ll have to follow:
- Type your router’s internet protocol (IP) address and password to log into your admin panel.
- Find the VPN option in the settings.
- Select the option for VPN client, not VPN server.
- Enter the correct settings. Your VPN provider should provide you with this information. If you have an OpenVPN config file, you’ll be able to upload the details and won’t have to type them in manually.
- Complete any additional steps your router may request.
Check Your VPN
Once you go through all the steps to set up a VPN, you may wonder whether it’s working. To do so, go to Google and type in “what is my IP” to find out your IP address and jot it down. Then, connect to your VPN server and make sure the IP address is different from the one you found. If so, congratulations, you’ve set up your VPN correctly.
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What To Do If Your VPN Doesn’t Work
There are several issues that may prevent your VPN from working properly. Here are a few of the most common as well as their solutions.
Bottom Line
You can set up a VPN based on your needs, no matter how tech-savvy you are or aren’t. If you’re struggling or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your VPN provider for support. Depending on the VPN you chose, there might be a frequently asked questions (FAQs) page on their website or a phone number you can call to connect to a customer service representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to set up my VPN manually?
Often, you don’t have to set up a VPN manually. Most VPN apps offer automatic installation that makes the process even easier.
What is the best VPN?
The ideal VPN depends on your unique needs. Our guide on how to choose a VPN is sure to help you make an informed decision.
Will I have to pay for a VPN?
While free VPNs do exist, they often sell their user data and, therefore, defeat their main purpose. If you’re concerned about cost, you can rest assured that most VPN services are affordable and may be anywhere from $10 to $13 per month or less if you commit to a longer subscription.
Why is my internet slower after I’ve set up my VPN?
Once your VPN is set up, don’t be alarmed if your internet connection is slower than it used to be. When you think about the high level of privacy and security a VPN has added, this is a minor drawback.
Should I get a dedicated IP address add-on?
Depending on how you intend to use a VPN, a dedicated IP address is a must-have. This feature, often available as a premium add-on, dedicates an unchanging IP address to you and you alone. Usually, when you access a VPN, you share a random IP address with an unknown amount of other VPN users. If one of those users acts nefariously on a certain website, it can lead to that IP address being blacklisted, affecting the entire pool of people using it. Having your own dedicated IP eliminates this possibility, making it a great investment if you plan to use the VPN for work and business purposes.
What can I access with a VPN?
VPNs can allow you to access georestricted content in other countries. Many customers use them to access international content on streaming services that are not available in their home country. They can also be used to bypass any government restrictions you may have in your region.
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Contributor
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. She enjoys writing about a variety of health and personal finance topics. When she’s away from her laptop, she can be found working out, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family. Connect to her on LinkedIn.
Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she manages a column at Inc. Magazine.
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How to Install a VPN Connection
Online privacy and security have become more essential with the rise of internet dependency. Business owners now understand that their private information is exposed to many trackers and third parties. To help ensure that their information is secure, many businesses are installing a virtual private network (VPN).
A VPN allows you to create a secure, encrypted private network from a public internet connection. Whether you’re working on a public Wi-Fi network and want to keep your activity anonymous or you’re concerned about data breaches within your business, installing a VPN client offers numerous safety features, including two-factor authentication and access to password managers. Setting up a VPN can protect your business for years to come.
What is a VPN?
A VPN provides an additional layer of privacy that allows safe internet access by routing your connection through an encrypted server. This type of connection allows you to use a public network like a Wi-Fi hotspot securely, according to Jon Lucas, co-director of Hyve Managed Hosting.
“The VPN connects to the internet on your behalf so that your private information is not exposed to potential risks or other people watching the network,” said Lucas. “The destination site sees the VPN as the traffic origin and not the individual user. This means that no one can identify you or your computer as the source of data, which websites you are visiting, or what kinds of information you are sharing.”
For many businesses, VPN connections are crucial for personal data privacy, as well as protection on public networks, because it can eliminate bandwidth throttling and provide access to sensitive information without restriction.
Without a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through your internet service provider’s server. This means that if you are hacked, your information and online activity can be tracked, sold to advertisers, or even stolen and used elsewhere. [Read related article: Privacy on Social Media Guards Against Identity Theft]
Did You Know? Did you know
For businesses, VPNs help protect personal data privacy and offer protection on public networks.
Why should you use a VPN?
Since many businesses are shifting their employees to remote work, it’s more important than ever to invest in VPNs to ensure data security.
Working remotely requires employees to access sensitive data through potentially unsecured network connections. Using a VPN service for your workforce can help protect your business from these exposed risks and vulnerabilities. [Read related article: Free Remote Working Tools to Help Your Team Stay Connected]
Using a VPN should be a top concern – and practice – for both businesses and individual internet users, especially when using public internet connections such as Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport, according to Caleb Chen, editor of Privacy News Online for Private Internet Access.
“Even if you’re not on a public Wi-Fi network and just using the internet via a LAN cable at your home or office, your internet activity is still being snooped on and sold to third parties,” Chen said. “This is because internet service providers in the United States successfully lobbied the government to pass a law getting rid of internet privacy protections for internet users in 2017.”
Browsing the web or accessing private company information on an unsecured network means you could be placing yourself and your data at risk by inadvertently revealing browsing habits and important data. Nidhi Joshi, a business consultant for iFour Technolab Pvt. Ltd., says that using a VPN can:
- Protect your online activities, such as sending emails, shopping online or paying bills
- Keep your web browsing anonymous
- Allow you to avoid geographic regulations on websites or streaming audio and video
- Guard you against anyone snooping on Wi-Fi hotspots
- Provide anonymity online by hiding your true location
- Secure yourself from being tracked while torrenting (peer-to-peer file sharing)
What are the potential drawbacks of using a VPN?
While VPNs are essential to internet security, there are four downsides that merit discussion.
Connection speeds
With some VPNs, you may notice that your connection speeds are negatively impacted. If the server is far away or has any issues, internet performance may be significantly slowed.
Dropped tunnels
Ironically, VPNs can create a false sense of security. For example, if a VPN tunnel is dropped without warning, users can be exposed to security risks without realizing it. This risk can be mitigated with automated connection termination, preventing users from being online if the VPN connection is unavailable.
Downtime
VPN servers sometimes need maintenance, and the associated downtime can prevent any internet-related work until the VPN service is restored.
Blocked services
Some internet services require IP information to work. A VPN masks this and, as a result, can disrupt the reliability of these services. Location services are the easiest example. If you route your VPN through another city, state, or country, any internet-based location services are going to be affected and will provide incorrect information or adjustments.
How do you choose the right VPN?
Choosing the right VPN largely depends on the needs of your business. There are generally two types of VPN: client-to-site and site-to-site.
The difference between the two is that client-to-site refers to single-user connections, while site-to-site refers to remote access connections between entire networks.
A client-to-site VPN is a service provider you can connect to from your PC or laptop to access files and data, or simply browse the internet. This type of VPN is best for anyone who needs to securely connect to their business network remotely or from a public environment. Some examples of client-to-site VPN software are NordVPN, OneLogin and OpenVPN.
A site-to-site VPN provides an encrypted server between your office network and its stored data and information. This serves as a connection between your PC and the VPN server, which creates a private tunnel that protects the data being funneled through it. Some examples of site-to-site VPN software are Palo Alto Networks, Barracuda and OpenVPN.
When you are evaluating a VPN, there are three questions to keep in mind:
- Is it a paid or free VPN? Free VPNs are slow, their policy on how they handle your data tends to be shifty, and they are under no obligation to protect your online traffic 100%. It is safer to stick with a paid VPN.
- Does the VPN keep a log of your digital traffic? When using a VPN, your traffic goes through the VPN’s servers. Unscrupulous VPN providers can hold onto logs of your activities. That makes it unsafe, because a determined person can access those logs, or the government can compel the VPN provider to release them. Read the fine print to make sure the VPN provider gets rid of the logs.
- Does the VPN use the highest level of encryption? Some levels of encryption are breakable, and some aren’t. For instance, AES-256 is more reliable and less prone to vulnerabilities than AES-128.
Key Takeaway Key takeaway
There are two types of VPNs: site-to-site and client-to-site. Site-to-site refers to remote access connections between networks and client-to-site refers to a single-user connection.
How do you set up a VPN server?
Installing a secure VPN server begins with identifying the operating system your business uses and then carefully following key steps to ensure the connection is live and stable.
Here are Yonatan’s step-by-step instructions for setting up a VPN server for the most common operating systems.
Setting up a VPN server on Windows 10 PC
- Search for VPN on Cortana.
- Select VPN settings and click on the + sign beside Add a VPN Connection.
- Select the dropdown menu in the first field. Choose Windows built-in. That automatically sets your VPN Type to Automatic, but you can select the desired protocol (PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, or IKEv2).
- Populate the rest of the fields with information from your VPN provider. (Note that the VPN provider could be a third party such as ExpressVPN or your employer).
- Save the details. Next, click on your Wi-Fi connection. Select the VPN connection you’ve just created. It tends to be the first option. Once connected, it is done.
Setting up a VPN server on Mac
- Click Network on the System Preferences setting.
- Select the + sign on the left and choose VPN.
- Fill in the required details in the popup interface. These details, which include VPN type, server address and authentication settings, will come from your VPN provider.
- In some situations, you might have to add additional information such as proxies, TCP/IP settings or DNS servers. However, the VPN provider or network admin will let you know this beforehand.
- Finally, click Apply then OK, and you will be ready to connect.
Setting up a VPN server on Android
- Open Settings in your Android device.
- Find Wireless and Networks and click More.
- Select VPN and follow it up by tapping the + sign.
- Choose the preferred protocol under VPN Type (PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, IKEv2) and then fill in the details provided by your VPN provider or network admin.
- Click Save, and you will be ready to connect to your VPN.
Setting up a VPN server on iOS
- Open Settings, navigate to General, followed by VPN.
- Click Add VPN Configuration, followed by Type.
- Choose the preferred VPN Type.
- Click Back to return to the previous screen.
- Enter the details from VPN provider such as server, remote ID, description and authentication login details.
- Tap Done and switch status to On.
How to understand VPN protocols
Traditionally, there are five VPN protocols. Here’s more about each protocol:
- OpenVPN is an open-source protocol. This makes it easier to adapt to a wide range of configurations and purposes. It is not the fastest connection, but it is one of the most versatile, especially when incorporating third-party resources.
- L2TP/IPSec is the most common VPN protocol of all. It is an older protocol but still plenty secure and is ideal for creating specific secure tunnels. It is fairly fast, universally applicable and has no documented vulnerabilities.
- PPTP is another widely used protocol. It was designed for dial-up networks. There are, unfortunately, a number of known security flaws with PPTP.
- SSTP is also known as secure socket tunneling. It was designed for Windows and is not widely used because of its restricted design. Despite that, it ranks competitively in terms of security and speed.
- IKEv2 is designed for mobile devices. Technically speaking, it is not a VPN, but it serves a similar role in mobile spaces.
Joshua Stowers
Staff Writer at businessnewsdaily.com
Joshua Stowers is a business.com and Business News Daily writer who knows firsthand the ups and downs of running a small business. An entrepreneur himself, Joshua founded the fashion and art publication Elusive Magazine. He writes about the strategic operations entrepreneurs need to launch and grow their small businesses. Joshua writes about choosing the choosing and building business legal structures, implementing human-resources services, and recruiting and managing talent.
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