This article shows you how to set up a connection to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) using a computer or mobile device. To be able to configure a VPN connection, you can use the application distributed by the service provider or use the configuration settings of the operating system of the device in use and the information that has been given to you by the VPN network operator. Most of the VPN services on the web are not free and require a paid subscription to connect to their network.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Configure the Application for a VPN Service
Step 1. Make sure you have subscribed to a VPN service
Most of these services are not free, and many of those that make an application available to users require the payment of a monthly fee in order to connect to their network.
Step 2. Download the software needed to connect to the VPN network
Access the "Download" page or tab of the website of the service you have chosen, select the operating system installed on the device you will use to connect to the VPN (if necessary) and click the link Download.
Step 3. Install and launch the newly downloaded application
Double-click the installation file icon, then follow the instructions that appear on the screen. At the end of the installation procedure, you can start the program by double clicking on its icon.
Step 4. Log into your account
Enter the username (or email address you used to register) and the security password.
Step 5. Select the geographic location if needed
If the VPN service you have chosen allows you to select the server to connect to based on your country of residence, access the tab Map or Server to be able to select the access point to the VPN network.
Step 6. Connect to the VPN network
Press the "Connect" (or "Connect") button in the VPN app window. The program will try to establish a connection with the server you have chosen to use (if you have not selected a specific access point, the program will automatically choose the best settings based on your internet connection).
The process of connecting to the VPN service may take a few minutes, so please be patient
Step 7. Try using the mobile app of the VPN service of your choice
Most popular and used VPN services, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, have an application for iOS and Android devices:
- Download the program using the App Store (on iOS platforms) or the Play Store (on Android devices);
- Once the download is complete, launch the app, then log in to your VPN account;
- If requested, authorize the application to use any device resource;
- If possible, select the server you want to connect to, then press the "Connect" button.
Method 2 of 5: Create a VPN Connection on Windows
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the "Network and Internet" icon
It is positioned in the center of the appeared window.
Step 4. Go to the VPN tab
It is located in the central part of the left sidebar of the "Network and Internet" page.
Step 5. Press the button ＋ Add VPN Connection
It is located at the top of the right pane of the page. The "Add VPN Connection" pop-up window will appear.
If you need to change the configuration settings of an existing VPN connection, select its name with the mouse, press the button Advanced options, then press the button Edit placed in the central left part of the page that will appear.
Step 6. Enter the information provided to you by the VPN service provider you have subscribed to
Type or change the following configuration settings:
- VPN Provider - access the relevant drop-down menu and select the name of the VPN service provider you want to use (normally the default choice is "Windows");
- Connection name - enter the name you want to assign to the VPN connection you are creating;
- Server name or address - enter or change the address of the VPN server you will connect to;
- VPN type - choose the type of protocol to use to establish the connection;
- Login info type - choose the type of authentication you will use (for example Username and password or Smart Card);
- Username (optional) - if necessary, provide or change the username to use to access the VPN network;
- Password (optional) - also in this case, if necessary, enter or change the security password to access the VPN network;
Step 7. Press the Save button
It is located at the bottom of the page. The new VPN connection will be created based on the provided settings or, in the event of a change, all changes will be saved.
Method 3 of 5: Create a VPN Connection on Mac
Step 1. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 2. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 3. Click the Network icon
It is purple in color and features a globe. It is located in the center of the "System Preferences" window.
Step 4. Press the ＋ button
It is located below the box on the left side of the "Network" window. A drop-down menu will appear.
If you need to edit an existing VPN connection, select its name listed in the left pane of the "Network" window and skip this step
Step 5. Choose the VPN option
It is one of the items listed in the drop-down menu that appeared. In the right part of the "Network" window, the pop-up window will be displayed that you can use to configure the VPN connection settings.
Step 6. Configure the VPN connection
Enter or edit the following information:
- Configuration - access the drop-down menu at the top of the pop-up window that appeared and choose one of the available items (for example Default);
- Server address - enter the address of the server to connect to or modify the existing one;
- Account name - enter the account name you need to use to access the VPN or edit the existing one. This is usually the email address you used to subscribe to the VPN service.
Step 7. Press the Authentication Settings… button
It's located below the text field you used to enter your username.
Step 8. Configure the authentication settings
Edit the following information:
- User authentication - select the radio button on the left of the authentication method you have chosen to use (for example Password), then enter the requested data;
- Machine authentication - select the authentication method that the computer will use.
Step 9. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the "Authentication Settings" window.
Step 10. Press the Apply button
This way the VPN connection configuration will be saved and applied.
Method 4 of 5: Create a VPN Connection on the iPhone
Step 1. Launch the iPhone Settings app by tapping the icon
It is characterized by a gray colored gear.
Step 2. Scroll down the menu that appeared and choose the "General" option, characterized by the following icon
It is located at the top of the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Scroll through the list that appeared to be able to select the VPN entry
It is located at the bottom of the "General" menu.
Step 4. Tap Add VPN configuration…
It is located at the bottom of the "VPN" menu.
- If you haven't created any VPN connections yet, the "Add VPN Configuration" option will be placed at the top of the page.
- If you need to edit an existing VPN connection, tap the button ⓘ on the right of the name, then press the button Edit appeared in the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 5. Configure the VPN connection
Enter the information relating to the configuration of a new connection or modify that of an existing connection. Remember that, based on the type of network protocol you will use, the information to be entered will vary accordingly:
- Type - select the protocol type to use for the VPN connection (for example IPsec);
- Server - enter the address of the VPN server you will need to connect to or change the existing one;
- User authentication - select the type of authentication you will use between Username or Certificate;
- Username or Certificate - enter or change the username or certificate you will use to log into the VPN network;
- Password - enter the security password of your VPN account. This is the password you will need to use in order to access the network.
Step 6. Press the Finish button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. All the information entered will be stored and the VPN connection will be created or updated based on it.
Method 5 of 5: Create a VPN Connection on Android
Step 1. Enter the "Settings" menu of your Android device by clicking the icon
It is characterized by a gear and is located within the "Applications" panel or in one of the pages that make up the Home of the device. Alternatively, you can access the notification bar by sliding your finger down the screen, starting from the top, and tap the gear icon in the upper right corner.
Using some Android devices to make the "Settings" icon visible, you need to use two fingers to open the notification bar
Step 2. Tap Network and internet
It is located at the top of the "Settings" menu.
- Using some Android devices, you will need to select the item first Other located in the "Wireless and networks" section.
- If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will need to choose the option Connections located at the top of the "Settings" menu.
Step 3. Choose the VPN option
It is one of the items listed in the "Network and Internet" menu.
If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will need to choose the option first Other network settings to be able to select the item VPN.
Step 4. Press the ＋ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. The VPN connection setup menu will be displayed.
- If you are using a Samsung Galaxy, you will need to press the button Add VPN located in the upper right corner of the screen.
- If you need to edit an existing VPN connection, tap the gear icon to the right of the name.
Step 5. Configure the parameters of the VPN connection
Enter the following information or edit the existing values:
- Name - assign a name to the new VPN connection;
- Type - choose the protocol to use to create the VPN connection (for example PPTP);
- Server address - enter the address of the VPN server to connect to or modify the existing one;
- Username - enter your VPN account username or edit your existing one. This is the name you use to log in to the VPN service you selected;
- Password - enter your account security password or change the existing one. It is the password you use to log in to the VPN service;
Step 6. Press the Save button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. All the information entered will be saved on the device and applied to the VPN connection.
