Connect to a VPN
OpenVPN Connect can also be used to connect to any server or service compatible with OpenVPN protocol or running the open source Community edition.
OpenVPN Connect – OpenVPN App
The OpenVPN Connect app does NOT independently provide a VPN service. It is a client application that establishes and transports data over an encrypted secure tunnel via the internet, using the OpenVPN protocol, to a VPN server.
WHICH VPN SERVICES CAN BE USED WITH OPENVPN CONNECT?
OpenVPN Connect is the only VPN client created, developed, and maintained by OpenVPN Inc. Our customers use it with our business solutions, listed below, for secure remote access, enforcing zero trust network access (ZTNA), protecting access to SaaS apps, securing IoT communications, and in many other scenarios.
⇨ OpenVPN Cloud: This cloud-delivered service integrates virtual networking with essential secure access service edge (SASE) capabilities such as firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS), DNS-based content filtering, and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). Using OpenVPN Cloud, businesses can quickly deploy and manage a secure overlay network that connects all of their applications, private networks, workforce, and IoT/IIoT devices without owning and operating a multitude of complex, hard-to-scale security and data networking gear. OpenVPN Cloud can be accessed from more than 30 worldwide locations and uses patent-pending technologies to create a full-mesh network topology for improved performance and routing to private applications—hosted on multiple connected networks—simply by using the application name (for example, app.mycompany.com).
⇨ OpenVPN Access Server: This self-hosted VPN solution for remote access and site-to-site networking provides granular access control and supports SAML, RADIUS, LDAP, and PAM for user authentication. It can be deployed as a cluster to provide active/active redundancy and for operating at high scale.
OpenVPN Connect can also be used to connect to any server or service compatible with OpenVPN protocol or running the open source Community edition.
HOW TO USE OPENVPN CONNECT?
OpenVPN Connect receives configuration information for the VPN server using a “connection profile” file. It can be imported into the app using a file with a .ovpn file extension or a website URL. The file or website URL and user credentials are provided by the VPN service administrator.
Connect to a VPN
A VPN (or Virtual Private Network ) is a way of connecting to a local network over the internet. For example, say you want to connect to the local network at your workplace while you’re on a business trip. You would find an internet connection somewhere (like at a hotel) and then connect to your workplace’s VPN. It would be as if you were directly connected to the network at work, but the actual network connection would be through the hotel’s internet connection. VPN connections are usually encrypted to prevent people from accessing the local network you’re connecting to without logging in.
There are a number of different types of VPN. You may have to install some extra software depending on what type of VPN you’re connecting to. Find out the connection details from whoever is in charge of the VPN and see which VPN client you need to use. Then, go to the software installer application and search for the NetworkManager package which works with your VPN (if there is one) and install it.
If there isn’t a NetworkManager package for your type of VPN, you will probably have to download and install some client software from the company that provides the VPN software. You’ll probably have to follow some different instructions to get that working.
To set up the VPN connection:
- Open the Activities overview and start typing Network .
- Click on Network to open the panel.
- At the bottom of the list on the left, click the + button to add a new connection.
- Choose VPN in the interface list.
- Choose which kind of VPN connection you have.
- Fill in the VPN connection details, then press Add once you are finished.
- When you have finished setting up the VPN, open the system menu from the right side of the top bar, click VPN off and select Connect . You may need to enter a password for the connection before it is established. Once the connection is made, you will see a lock shaped icon in the top bar.
- Hopefully you will successfully connect to the VPN. If not, you may need to double-check the VPN settings you entered. You can do this from the Network panel that you used to create the connection. Select the VPN connection from the list, then press the button to review the settings.
- To disconnect from the VPN, click the system menu on the top bar and click Turn Off under the name of your VPN connection.
What Is a VPN and Why Do You Need One in 2023?
A VPN is a service that creates a secure connection between your device and the internet. It does this by changing your real IP and encrypting your internet traffic, thereby making it difficult for others to track your online activities or identify your location.
Additionally, a VPN allows you to bypass censorship and geo-restrictions by connecting to servers in different locations, giving you access to blocked content.
We recommend the industry-leading NordVPN as the best VPN for beginners and experienced users. It’s easy to use, offers cutting-edge encryption, it’s super fast, and bypasses restrictions on Netflix, and other popular streaming platforms.
NordVPN
You can find out how to set up a VPN connection and what a VPN can do for you in the full article below.
A VPN is like a private tunnel that safeguards your online activities and keeps your sensitive data secure. Using a VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your information from others who may try to snoop on you or track your online behavior.
In this article, you’ll learn more about what a VPN is, how to use it to protect your online activities, and how to bypass geo-restrictions enforced by online services when using a virtual private network.
What Is a VPN?
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. When you’re using the internet, your device is constantly exchanging data with other parties on the web.
Without even realizing it, you’re often giving websites access to your real IP address (which gives away your true location), browsing history, operating system info, device identifiers, and plenty more.
A VPN service like NordVPN assigns you a new, anonymous IP address, reroutes your internet connection through a web server in its network, and encrypts your data.
VPNs create a secure tunnel between your device (like your smartphone or laptop) and the internet. They also mask your identity and online traffic from your internet service provider (ISP), government authorities, and hackers.
Here’s a video we put together as a visual explainer.
There are major advantages to using a VPN. While some VPNs are more security and privacy-geared, others are just generally useful and can help you pull off cool tricks like unblocking a streaming service’s entire international catalog or accessing discounts on international shopping sites.
Below, we’ve listed a few of the main benefits of using a VPN.
1. Have complete anonymity online
Without a VPN, your location and identity can be easily traced using your IP address. Your IP address is unique to your internet connection and can pinpoint your exact location. It’s like a digital address. So, websites, ISPs, trackers, and hackers can determine whether you’re at home or elsewhere. Your IP also connects your online behavior and activity back to you.
A VPN hides your IP address and, therefore, your real location. When you use a virtual private network, your internet traffic is rerouted through an encrypted virtual tunnel, and your online activities can only be traced back to the IP of the VPN server, but no longer to you and your real IP address.
Reliable VPN providers have strict no-log policies, meaning they don’t keep any record of your activity or browsing history, so it’s like your session never existed.
By using a good virtual private network like NordVPN, you ensure that websites, marketers, streaming services, governments, and cybercriminals can no longer identify you or know your real location. Connect to a VPN server in the Bahamas, and for all they know, that’s where you’d be.
2. Prevent companies from tracking you
Advertising networks are constantly gathering information about you through your online traffic. You might be shocked to find out what Facebook knows about you, not to mention Google and Twitter. With this data, they can show you tailored ads, but more importantly, they are free to sell this information to a third party.
By encrypting your data using a VPN, these networks will have a harder time collecting information on you. Which means they will also have less influence on what you see online.
3. Protect yourself against hackers and governments
A virtual private network scrambles your data traffic through strong encryption protocols, which make intercepting and reading your information almost impossible.
There are many different parties that are interested in your internet traffic. Among them are governments, advertisers, and cyber criminals.
The security offered by a virtual private network makes it a lot harder for them to look at your data. However, we must mention that a VPN isn’t the ultimate solution to all things cybercrime.
We always recommend combining a VPN with a good antivirus solution so that you’re covered on all bases. A VPN can’t protect your device against malware-injecting malicious links, for example.
4. Browse securely on public networks
Using a public Wi-Fi network, like at an airport, hotel, or cafe, can be risky. Other users on the same network (for example, those hackers and cyber criminals we mentioned) can easily tap into your data and personal information.
Since you don’t want others to have access to, for instance, your email login, images and files, or credit card information, it’s wise to use a VPN connection on these hotspots.
A virtual private network like NordVPN, our highest-ranked provider, encrypts all of your data while you use a public Wi-Fi network. A hacker will only see encrypted matter and won’t be able to see or use your personal information.
5. Get secure access to your company’s network
We’ve seen more and more companies giving people the opportunity to work from home or wherever they like. In such instances, a remote access virtual private network can be very beneficial, as it lets employees connect to a company’s internal network from anywhere, safely and efficiently.
There are many VPNs, especially for business use. While they might not serve to unblock streaming services abroad, they are certainly useful in protecting private and sensitive company data.
Of course, some people may work for smaller companies that don’t operate under strong cybersecurity protocols. Connecting to their company’s internal system with a VPN would offer the layer of protection needed to protect sensitive company data from malicious actors.
6. Overcome online censorship
Governments heavily censor the internet in many countries. For example, there is strict online censorship in China and Russia.
Countries that impose heavy censorship block access to certain internet services and websites. Examples of apps and websites that are often banned are WhatsApp, Google, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Skype, Spotify, and Facebook.
Moreover, news websites and journalist platforms are frequently blocked because they are seen as a threat to the sitting government. In these countries, this censorship heavily impacts the freedom of speech of their citizens.
NordVPN, a top VPN provider, can help you bypass censorship and restrictions by allowing you to connect to a server in a different country. By doing this, you can go online as if you were there. This way, you can gain access to websites, services, and apps that are not available in your own country.
7. Bypass geographical restrictions
It’s not just countries that impose restrictions on the internet. Some online services also restrict access to their content in certain regions. This happens with streaming services like Netflix or Peacock TV that have broadcasting or licensing rights in certain countries and not others.
If you are on holiday or you moved to a different country, you might be unable to view your usual streams. A VPN will enable you to connect to the internet via its servers in your home country, so you can watch your favorite show or access blocked websites like you never left.
It also works the other way around: if you want to gain access to websites or streaming services from a different country (for example, to watch a different version of Netflix), you can do so with a virtual private network.
8. Download torrents anonymously
Downloading torrents is illegal in some countries, and downloaders are tracked down and sometimes even prosecuted.
Of course, we are not advocating any illegal actions. However, we do understand people want online privacy and anonymity, not just when browsing the internet but also when uploading and downloading files.
You can use a virtual private network, such as NordVPN, to make sure nobody knows what you are downloading. Because of the encrypted traffic and the rerouted IP address, NordVPN will help you download the files you want to access anonymously.
How Does a VPN Work?
VPNs create a secure encrypted connection, also known as a VPN tunnel, between your device and the remote server that you connect to. This ensures the safe and secure transfer of data.
Once the VPN connection has been established, here’s how your data is transmitted through an encrypted tunnel:
- The VPN software on your computer encrypts your data traffic and sends it to the VPN server through a secure connection.
- The encrypted data from your computer is decrypted by the virtual private network server.
- Your data is then sent to the internet and receive a reply based on your query.
- This reply is encrypted again by the VPN server and sent back to you.
- The VPN software on your device will decrypt the data so you can actually understand and use it.
Which VPN Should You Choose?
We’ve already tested dozens of virtual private networks to find the best VPN providers for you. Below, we’ll give a brief summary of our top three picks.
1. NordVPN: Best overall VPN
Features:
- Super easy to use
- 5,000+ servers in 60+ countries
- Solid security features
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and more
- Compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux, iPhone, Android, and more
NordVPN is our highest-ranked virtual private network. During our tests, we discovered that it offers great security and privacy without compromising on speed. It allows up to six simultaneous connections on a single subscription. This means you can protect up to six devices and also share the subscription with family and friends.
We found its apps are incredibly user-friendly; it only took us one click to connect to a server. We were also very pleased to see that NordVPN offers advanced options like dedicated IP addresses that are only used by you and obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. These features made it easier for us to circumvent geo-restrictions.
On top of that, NordVPN offers a free trial in the form of a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can try out the service and get a refund if you’re not satisfied.
NordVPN currently has a 56% discount on all subscriptions, so it is definitely worth trying it out.