One thing is for sure; using a VPN opens the door for greater privacy as well as access to a free and open internet. When you have a VPN, you can be assured of several benefits online; for instance, you’ll be able to bypass censorship, hide your internet activities from Big Brother and your ISP, access material that’s restricted in your region or country, and you can be assured of anonymous internet browsing.
Therefore, in this era of online privacy concerns, a VPN looks like your only best option. Unfortunately, for the uninitiated, using a VPN might look like some other kind of complicated technology. However, the good news is that you’ve come to the right place. Once you read through our guide on how to set up a VPN on your device, it’ll become very clear that it’s a breeze to set up and use a VPN.
So, are you ready to learn and enjoy a better online experience?
Perhaps, you can set up your VPN manually or you can choose to use a VPN app (which is arguably the easiest option, especially for first-time VPN users).
So, let’s start with the VPN app option.
How to Set Up a VPN App
The first step is always choosing your best VPN provider; you need to choose a VPN service that takes care of all your needs. ExtremeVPN is a solid choice if you want to try a truly no-log VPN. Other options include NordVPN and ExpressVPN, older players in the market.
Once you have your VPN, setting it app via this approach is more like downloading a piece of software and then installing it. Once that’s done, your device automatically recognizes it and then sets up all the networking configurations required to connect to the VPN infrastructure.
Here are the simple steps to follow:
- Sign up to your preferred VPN service
- Create an account
- Download the specific software or app for your VPN on all your devices
- Log in
- Depending on the service that you choose, you can be required to enter an authentication code or a security key
- Once you’re in the app, you connect to your chosen VPN server
- You can run a VPN speed test and once that’s done, that’s it; you can browse the internet without fear
Operating System/Manual Approach
Now, when it comes to setting up a VPN manually, it can be daunting but once you familiarize yourself, it becomes a simple task. The first thing when it comes to VPN configuration is to get the certificate for your device as well as your OS. Once that’s done, then you can move on to set up your VPN with them.
Here’s how you can set up a VPN on any device:
Windows
Ideally, most VPN services offer a Windows VPN app, which is perhaps the easiest method to set up any VPN configuration. However, if your VPN provider hasn’t provided the VPN app, you can set it up with a few steps:
- The first thing is to look up for the VPN protocol as well as the VPN address used
- Click on the start icon
- Proceed to settings
- Click on “Network & Internet”
- Click VPN
- Then click “Add VPN”
- Now fill in the fields for “Server Name,” “VPN Type,” and the account info, which will be shared by your VPN provider that you’ll choose
- Save your VPN
- Once that’s done, go back into “VPN,” click on the account that you’ve created, and press “Connect”
- If prompted, you can enter your sign-in info and then connect
- Your VPN profile should say “Connected” right underneath its name
- You can check your VPN status as you perform various online tasks to ensure that your VPN is working
Mac
Always you need to check whether your VPN provider has offered a Mac app that will help you set it up automatically. Once you’ve confirmed that your provider hasn’t provided an app, you can proceed to set it up manually.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Click on the Apple menu icon
- Tap on System Settings
- Click Network and on the … toggle box (lower right-hand corner) click Add VPN Configuration
- Now choose a VPN type and then select the protocol that your VPN uses
- Enter the VPN service name and click Create
- Fill the server address as well as the account name for the VPN connection
- Click on Authentication Settings and fill in the correct authentication information (the same information that created the VPN account)
- Click Advanced for additional information like DNS servers, proxies, and TCP/IP settings if desired
- Click Apply and then OK – that’s it!
Android
To set up a VPN on Android manually follow these steps:
- Get the VPN provider’s WireGuard configuration files
- Down the WireGuard app from the Google Play Store
- Open the menu and click “Import from file or archive”
- Then connect by simply toggling the switch
iOS
Here’s how to go about it:
- On the Settings icon, tap General
- Click Add VPN Configuration
- Select the VPN protocol depending on the VPN service
- Fill in the details of the VPN
- For certificate files of the VPN, you’ll be required to import them. In such a case, you can easily download them via the Mail app when attached to the email.
- Turn on the VPN by simply tapping on the “Settings icon and then the slider for VPN to the ON position”
Apple TV
Perhaps you need to be aware that Apple has made it hard to modify literally anything on its products. Therefore, you’ll be required to have smart DNS for you to use a VPN on Apple TV – you should verify that the VPN provider has enabled DNS and that they have provided you with the IP address required before you can proceed with the following steps:
- Get to Settings>Network
- Select the connection that your Apple TV is using – usually you’ll select Wi-Fi
- On the next screen, select the network that you’re connected to
- Click on Configure DNS and then select Manual that’s under Configure DNS
- Now enter the IP address that your VPN provider offered for smart DNS use
- That’s it!
Router
One thing about setting up a VPN on the router is that you’ll be able to easily connect all your devices. Perhaps, it’s an excellent way to protect your entire network at home instead of just one device.
There’s no denying that every router is unique, but the following are some general directions that you should follow:
- First, it starts with typing the router’s IP address as well as password to log into your admin panel
- After that, you need to find the VPN option in the settings
- Then select the VPN client option and not the VPN server
- You now need to fill in the correct settings (the VPN provider offers that information). With an OpenVPN configuration file, you can upload the details easily without having to manually type them
- Once that’s done, you can complete any other additional steps that your router might request; and that’s it.
Check Your VPN
Let’s say you’ve gone through all the steps to set up your VPN, and wondering whether it’s working, don’t worry, you can check whether it’s in place. All you need to do is go to Google and then type “What’s my IP” – you’ll get your IP and then jot it down. Now, connect to the VPN server and ensure that the IP address is different from the one you saw earlier. If that’s the case, congratulations, your VPN is set up correctly.
Conclusion
You can easily set up a VPN depending on your needs, no matter your level of tech know-how. In fact, how to set up and install a VPN is no different from installing any other app on your device. Some VPN providers have made work easier with VPN apps that eliminate the manual setup, but for some, you’ll have to do it manually. Therefore, you can choose a good VPN service provider like Extreme VPN that has got your back with apps for arguably every operating system, browser, and platform and easy access to the VPN settings – there’s also 24/7 customer care support to assist you.