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A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a type of network connection that allows users to access computer networks from anywhere globally. This technology is frequently utilized for business or educational purposes, as many VPNs employ encryption methods to ensure secure and private data transmission. Additionally, VPNs can make it appear as though you are in a different country, enabling access to content that may be restricted internationally. As a result, purchasing VPN services from hosts or providers has become increasingly common. To connect to a VPN, the network owner will provide you with specific login credentials. Follow the steps below to connect from any internet-enabled computer.
Steps
Select a VPN Network
Find a usable account. If you are an employee or student, your company or university may offer VPN access. Check with your employer or institution to obtain access to such an account.
Explore options for a new account. Consider factors such as security, privacy, required bandwidth, the need for servers in other countries, necessary platforms, customer service requirements, and your budget. For more details, refer to the “Tips” section at the end of this article.
Sign up and receive your account details. If you purchase a VPN service from a provider, you may need to pay for your new service. After registration and payment (or confirmation that your employer or university provides such a service), the provider will give you the necessary information to access your VPN, such as username, password, and IP address or server name. You can use one of the methods below to connect to your VPN.
Connect to a VPN using Windows Vista and Windows 7
Click the "Start" button.
Select "Control Panel."
In the Control Panel window, click on "Network and Internet."
Then, select "Connect to a network."
Choose "Set up a connection or network."
Under "Choose a connection option," select "Connect to a workplace" and click "Next."
Locate the option on the page titled "How do you want to connect?" Select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)."
A pop-up window will ask, "Do you want to set up an Internet connection before continuing?" Select "I'll set up an Internet connection later."
Enter the server information provided by your VPN owner. Input the IP address in the "Internet address" text box and the server name in the "Destination name" text box. Check the box next to "Don't connect now; just set it up so I can connect later." You must complete the setup before connecting. Click "Next."
Enter the username and password provided by your VPN owner. Check the box to save your credentials if you don’t want to re-enter them each time. Click "Create."
Click "Close" when the window with the message "The connection is ready to use" appears.
Click on "Connect to a network" under the "Network and Sharing Center" heading, then select the VPN connection you created. Click "Connect."
Connect to a VPN using Windows 8
Press the Windows key on your keyboard and search for "VPN."
Click on "Settings" in the right pane and then select "Set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection" from the left pane.
In the "Create a VPN Connection" window, enter the internet address and a description for your VPN. Ensure the checkbox for "Remember my credentials" is selected for faster login. Click "Create."
- Your IP address will be provided by your employer or VPN provider.
Hover over the newly created VPN when the "Networks" panel appears. Click "Connect."
Enter your username and password. This information should be provided by your employer or VPN provider. Click "OK." You will now be connected.
Connect to a VPN using Windows XP
Click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel."
Choose "Network and Internet Connections" and then "Network Connections."
Locate "Create a new connection" under the "Network Tasks" heading. Click on it and then click "Next." Click "Next" again on the page titled "Welcome to the New Connection Wizard."
Click the option next to "Connect to the network at my workplace." Then, click "Next."
Select "Virtual Private Network connection" on the next page and click "Next."
- If you use a dial-up Internet connection, you will see the "Public Network" page next. Choose the option "Automatically dial this initial connection" and click "Next."
- If you use a cable modem or another type of always-on Internet connection, click "Do not dial the initial connection."
Enter a name for your new connection in the text box on the "Connection Name" page and click "Next."
Fill in the DNS hostname or IP address of the VPN server you want to connect to in the text box labeled "Host name or IP address." Click "Next" and then "Finish."
Enter the username and password provided by your VPN owner. Check the box to save the information if you want to use it in the future. Click "Connect" to join the VPN network.
Connect to a VPN using Mac OS X
The "Network Connection" tool on Mac has remained largely unchanged across all versions of Mac OS X. Therefore, these instructions will work for creating basic VPN connections. However, it is recommended to upgrade your system to the latest version to address any security vulnerabilities and access newer advanced options (such as using certificates) for configuring your VPN connection.
Select the Apple menu and choose "System Preferences." Click on the icon labeled "Network."
Locate the list of networks in the sidebar on the left side of the active window. Click the plus icon below the list to add a new connection.
Use the dropdown menu to select "VPN" when a window opens prompting you to choose an interface. Select a connection protocol. Mac OS X Yosemite supports VPN protocols such as "L2TP over IPSec," "PPTP," or "Cisco IPSec." You can read more about these in the "Tips" section at the end of this article. Enter your VPN network name and click "Create."
Return to the Network screen and select your new VPN connection from the list in the left sidebar. Choose "Add Configuration" from the dropdown menu. Enter your VPN network name in the text box that appears and click "Create."
Enter the server address and account name provided by your VPN owner into the two text boxes. Click "Authentication Settings" just below the "Account Name" text box.
Click the "Password" option and enter the password provided by your VPN owner. Select the "Shared Secret" option and input the information you were given. Click "OK."
Click the "Advanced" button and ensure the box next to "Send all traffic over VPN connection" is checked. Click "OK" and then "Apply." Click "Connect" to join your new VPN network.
Connect to a VPN using iOS
Tap on "Settings" and then select "General."
Scroll to the bottom and choose "VPN." Tap on "Add VPN Configuration."
Select a connection protocol. At the top, you will see iOS offers three protocols: L2TP, PPTP, and IPSec. If your VPN is provided by your employer, they will inform you which protocol to use. However, if you are using your own VPN, choose the format supported by your provider.
Enter a description. This description can be anything you prefer. For example, if this is a work-related VPN, you might label it "Work." If you plan to use the VPN to access Netflix from an unsupported country, you could name it "Canadian Netflix."
Enter the server information. This information should be provided by your VPN provider or employer.
Enter your "Account" name. This field refers to your username, which may be created when you purchase a VPN service or provided by your employer.
Enable "RSA SecurID" if you use this format for authentication. To activate this, tap the gray button. When it turns green, the feature is enabled. RSA SecureID includes both hardware and software mechanisms to generate user authentication keys over time. RSA SecurID is typically available only in professional settings.
- To enable RSA SecurID in IPSec, click the "Use Certificate" button until it turns green. After selecting "RSA SecurID," click "Save."
- IPSec also allows you to use CRYPTOCard or any certificate in raw formats like .cer, .crt, .der, .p12, and .pfx.
Enter your "Password." Your password is usually provided along with your username. Consult your employer or VPN provider if you do not have this information.
Enter your shared "Secret" if required.
- A "Secret" is used for additional account authentication. Similar to an RSA SecureID key, a "Secret" is typically a string of letters and numbers provided by your employer or VPN provider. If you were not given this information, you may leave the field blank or contact your provider or employer for details.
Enter the "Group Name" for an IPSec connection if needed. You must be provided this information by your employer or VPN provider. If it has not been shared, you can leave this field blank.
Choose whether to "Send All Traffic" through the VPN network. Tap the button next to this field to ensure it is highlighted in green if you want all your internet traffic to route through the VPN.
Tap the "Save" button in the top-right corner to save your settings. Your VPN connection is now active.
- You can enable or disable the VPN connection from the main "Settings" page by toggling the corresponding button. If the button turns green, you are connected. If it remains gray, you are not connected. This button is located just below "Wi-Fi."
- Additionally, when your phone uses a VPN connection, an icon will appear in the top-left corner of the screen, displaying a box with the letters VPN inside.
Connect to a VPN using Android OS
Go to the "Menu." Navigate to the "Settings" section.
Open the "Wireless & Networks" or "Wireless Controls" section, depending on your Android version.
Select "VPN Settings."
Choose "Add VPN."
Select "Add PPTP VPN" or "Add L2TP/IPsec PSK VPN" depending on the protocol you choose. Refer to the "Tips" section at the end of the article for more information.
Select "VPN Name" and enter a descriptive name for the VPN network. It can be any name you prefer.
Choose "Set VPN Server" and enter the server's IP address.
Set up encryption. Consult your VPN provider to determine if the connection requires encryption.
Open the menu and select "Save."
- You may be prompted to confirm the action with a storage password. This is your Android device password, not the VPN password.
Open the menu and select "Settings." Choose "Wireless and Network" or "Wireless Controls."
Select the VPN configuration you created from the list. Enter your username and password. Check "Remember username" and then click "Connect." You are now connected via VPN. A lock icon will appear in the top bar to indicate that you are connected to your VPN network.
Tips
- When choosing between protocols for connection, consider how you use the VPN. PPTP is faster over Wi-Fi but less secure than L2TP and IPSec. Therefore, if security is a priority, consider using L2TP or IPSec. If you connect to a VPN for work, your employer may have a preferred protocol. If you use a rented VPN, ensure it supports the protocol you need.
- When purchasing a VPN service, consider the level of security you require. If you want to securely send documents, emails, or browse the web, opt for a server offering encryption methods like SSL (also known as TLS) or IPSec. SSL is the most widely used secure encryption method. Encryption hides data from unauthorized viewers. Additionally, choose a server that uses OpenVPN instead of PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) for encryption. PPTP has known security vulnerabilities, while OpenVPN is generally considered more secure.
- When buying a VPN service, think about the level of privacy you need. Some servers log user activity and may share it with authorities if legal issues arise. If you prefer private browsing or data transfer, choose a VPN provider that does not log user activity.
- When selecting a VPN provider, evaluate your bandwidth requirements. Bandwidth determines how much data you can transfer. High-quality audio and video files are larger and require more bandwidth than text or images. If you only need a VPN for internet browsing or transferring personal documents, most servers provide sufficient bandwidth. However, if you plan to stream audio or video, such as watching Netflix or playing online games, choose a VPN server with unlimited bandwidth.
- When purchasing a VPN service, consider whether you need access to content outside your country. Your IP address indicates your location and may restrict access to content in other countries due to legal agreements. To access content from another country, use VPN servers with exit points in that region. Ensure the VPN provider has servers in the country where the content is located.
- When choosing a VPN provider, consider the platforms you will use. Do you need mobile devices or computers? If you travel frequently and rely on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, ensure the VPN supports such connections or offers dedicated mobile apps.
- When selecting a VPN provider, evaluate the customer support they offer. Read reviews and check the type of support provided. Some providers offer phone support, while others may include chat or email assistance. Choose a service with customer support that suits your preferences. You can also use search engines like Google to find reviews and assess the quality of user support.
- When purchasing a VPN service, consider your budget. Some providers, like OpenVPN, offer free services, but these may have limited features. With many VPN services available, compare providers based on cost and the services they offer. You may find a provider that meets all your needs at a lower cost than others.
