Protect your online privacy and access geo-blocked content with a VPN by encrypting your internet connection. Follow easy steps to set up and use a VPN across different devices and platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and more.
By Brad Nakase, Attorney
Email | Call (888) 600-8654
Have a quick question? I answered nearly 1500 FAQs.
Your IP address is hidden via a virtual private network, which encrypts the connection to the internet and makes it appear to applications and websites that your online traffic is coming from a different place—such as a new city, state, or nation. VPNs are multifunctional tools that give you an additional layer of anonymity, enable you to access content that is geo-blocked, and get around your internet service provider’s throttling limitations.
More than ten years ago, I started using VPNs for video streaming, and ever since, I’ve found them useful for travel and for work. However, you must first learn how to utilize a VPN in order to make use of all of its many advantages. In this article, you will learn important aspects about VPN including ‘How to use a VPN?’
Installing a VPN application and connecting to the server constitute the basic steps of using a virtual private network (VPN).
Now you have broadly understood ‘How to use a VPN?’ let’s know the situations when using it is useful. VPNs are fantastic for travel, entertainment, and privacy, to name a few benefits.
As an outstanding VPN overall, ExpressVPN is our Editors’ Choice. It has cutting-edge capabilities, unrivaled privacy, and an intuitive design.
Having evaluated VPNs for gaming and streaming, NordVPN is the fastest one we found, with an industry-best 11% average reduction in internet download speeds.
With its massive server network, user-friendly interface, and lightning-fast internet speeds, Surfshark is an amazing VPN service that is affordable and does not break the bank.
We exclusively suggest Proton as the finest free VPN available. With its free plan, there are no advertisements on your screen or data collection and sale. Proton’s premium package, however, is well worth the investment because of its wide network of servers and excellent geo-unblocking for viewing.
Although utilizing a VPN is generally straightforward, how you do it differs according to the gadget or devices you’re using. This article will discuss how to install a VPN on different operating systems, such as MacOS, Windows Android, and iPad or iPhone.
Android phones, tablets, and TV boxes (like the NVIDIA Shield TV and Chromecast with Google TV) may all be used to download VPN apps through the Google Play Store.
On iOS or iPadOS, configuring a VPN is simple:
Unblocking foreign Netflix libraries is made simple by using a VPN on the Amazon Fire TV streaming device.
The native VPN capability offered by Apple TV streaming boxes with TVOS 17 makes TV streaming easy.
Although a VPN application is simple to install for privacy all over your device, you can instantly increase your privacy with browser extensions. However, most VPN browser extensions from companies like NordVPN and Surfshark solely encrypt communication within that particular online browser, such as Firefox or Chrome. However, there are other businesses that provide browser plug-ins that function on your whole device, such as DuckDuckGo. Check the add-ons for your web browser, install the VPN software, log in, and select a server.
Although most platforms have very simple VPN installations, Linux has a slightly more involved process.
Linux applications can be downloaded from some VPN providers—typically .deb files, which are packages of software installers for Linux operating systems based on the Debian Linux distribution (such as Ubuntu), or run scripts (shell scripts). Here’s how to utilize downloaded installers to connect to a VPN on Linux:
Command line installations are used by several VPN companies, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark:
You must utilize the proper settings after installing your VPN. These are the primary configuration options that can be adjusted.
A rapid connect option is often present, which allows you to pass through the quickest server or one that is located nearby. This is an excellent alternative if all you want is privacy immediately. However, if you have needs specific to a certain region, such as wanting to stream content from BBC iPlayer from the United Kingdom or continuing to binge-watch White Lotus on Max when away from the US, choose a server in your desired nation.
How your device interacts with the VPN server is determined by the VPN protocol. The highest speeds with reliable security are often provided by WireGuard. Despite having less speed than WireGuard, OpenVPN provides the highest level of security owing to its proven track record. As with using a VPN on a smartphone or tablet, IKEv2 functions well while hopping between WiFi networks and mobile data.
A lot of VPN service providers use exclusive protocols. As an illustration, ExpressVPN’s LightWay protocol promises lightning-fast internet download rates and post-quantum protection against a range of security risks, including attacks known as man-in-the-middle, which have the ability to intercept private information like passwords. Double NAT is used by NordVPN’s WireGuard-based NordLynx to provide a secure connection without storing IP addresses.
The most effective VPN protocol to utilize for most people who want the strongest possible internet connection is WireGuard. Its ChaCha20 encryption is practically equivalent to OpenVPN’s AES 256-bit cryptography. People with serious privacy demands should give OpenVPN serious consideration, as it is a more established and secure protocol, even though its bigger and less effective codebase contributes to its slightly slower speeds.
You may establish a VPN connection on your gadget for certain applications but not for others by using split tunneling. For example, to access foreign streaming material on your phone via the Disney Plus application, you utilize a VPN, but not your smartphone’s banking app, thus you skip the security CAPTCHA. In order to prevent my internet bandwidth from crashing, I frequently use split tunneling for my gaming computer to stream foreign Netflix libraries while downloading big video game downloads via the Steam games client.
Installing a VPN program on each device—think of it as downloading an application for your MacBook Pro, Apple TV, and iPhone—is the simplest method to use a VPN across many devices. There’s usually a limit on the number of concurrent connections, but the majority of VPN companies allow you to install VPN programs on as many different devices as you like. You could install NordVPN on thirty or more devices, for example, but just have a VPN open on ten of them. However, a few companies, like as PIA, IPVanish, and Surfshark, enable an unlimited number of simultaneous connections.
If you want coverage across the entirety of your home, you can also set up a VPN over your router. All devices linked to your router will, therefore, establish an encrypted connection. A virtual private network (VPN) can be used with gaming consoles including the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, as well as streaming boxes like the Roku, by setting up a VPN on your router. Intuitive routers having VPNs pre-installed include ExpressVPN’s Aircove & Aircove Go.
To use a VPN, all you have to do is install the software on your device, run it, log in with your account, and choose a server. Selecting a VPN server in your target nation will allow you to view region-specific content, although, for the fastest connections, you should generally go for a server that is physically close by.
Most nations allow the use of VPNs, but you should confirm with your local government to be sure.
Your web traffic is first routed through an encrypted server by a VPN before reaching applications, websites, or ISPs. The internet services that you use see your traffic as originating from an IP address that is different from your IP addresses; you can make it appear as though you are in another city, state, or nation.
Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.
See all blogs: Business | Corporate | Employment Law
Most recent blogs:
Contact our attorney.