5 Ways to Connect to an OpenVPN Server

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The popularity of virtual private networks (or VPNs, from Virtual Private Networks) is growing, as more and more users seek anonymity on the internet. OpenVPN is one of the most used solutions and is compatible with almost all operating systems. You need a special client to connect to that server, in addition to the configuration files provided by your VPN service provider.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Windows

Step 1. Download the OpenVPN client installation file

You must use a connection program known as a "client". This application manages the communications between your computer and the OpenVPN server. You can download it from here. Click on the "Installer" download link compatible with your version of Windows.

You need to know if your version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit. To find out, press ⊞ Win + Pause and look for "System Type"

Step 2. Run the installer

Run the OpenVPN installation file after downloading it. Confirm the execution, then follow the instructions to continue, leaving all the default settings. All the services necessary for the correct functioning of the program will be installed on your computer.

Step 3. Download the server configuration files

All OpenVPN servers should provide a set of configuration files. One could be a security certificate, while the others contain server information. If your VPN service offers more than one server, you should have multiple configuration files available.

You can find the configuration files on the support page of your VPN service. The files may be contained in a ZIP archive.
If you can't find the configuration files, you may still be able to connect. Read step 9 of this section.

Step 4. Copy the configuration files to the appropriate folder

Copy the OpenVPN key and configuration file to the C: / Program Files / OpenVPN / config folder. If you can't find it, look for it in C: / Program Files (x86) OpenVPN / config.

Step 5. Right click on the OpenVPN shortcut and select "Run as administrator"

This step is necessary.

Make sure OpenVPN isn't already running before running it this way

Step 6. Right click on the OpenVPN icon in the system tray

You will see a list of servers based on the files you copied to the OpenVPN config folder.

Step 7. Select the server you want and click "Connect"

You will be asked to enter your username and password for the server. You received these credentials when you signed up for the VPN service.

Step 8. Make sure you are logged in

You will see a notification appear indicating that you are connected to the VPN server. From now on, your internet traffic will go through that server.

Step 9. Connect to the VPN without a configuration file

Again, you may be able to connect and download the necessary files.

Start OpenVPN and enter the IP address or host name of the server;
Enter your username and password when asked;
Select your profile if necessary;
Select "Always" when asked to accept the certificate.

Method 2 of 5: Mac

Step 1. Download "Tunnelblick"

To connect to a VPN server you need a program known as a "client". The OpenVPN organization doesn't offer a client for Mac, so you'll need to use Tunnelblick, a free OpenVPN client designed for this operating system. You can download it here. Select the "Latest" link to download the latest version of the installer.

Step 2. Double click on the installation file you just downloaded

It will open a new window. Right click on the Tunnelblick.app file and select "Open". Confirm the operation, then enter the administrator credentials to install Tunnelblick.

Step 3. Download your VPN server configuration files

All OpenVPN services should provide configuration files that you can download for free. With them, setting up Tunnelblick becomes much easier. You can download them from your VPN server's support page.

Step 4. Open Tunnelblick

Once the files have been downloaded, start Tunnelblick. You will be prompted to select the new configuration files before running the client. Click on "I have configuration files", then select "OpenVPN Configuration (s)". If the files are specific to Tunnelblick, click on "Tunnelblick VPN Configuration (s)" instead.

Select "Open Private Configurations Folder". This will open a new Finder window.
Drag all configuration files into the folder that opens.

Step 5. Click the Tunnelblick icon in the menu bar

Select a server to connect to it.

You will be asked for your administrator password the first time you connect to the server

Step 6. Enter your credentials

When asked, enter the username and password that was assigned to you by the VPN service. To facilitate access, you can save this information in your Keychain.

Step 7. Download the certificate (if asked)

You may be asked to download a security certificate after connecting to the server. You need this file to connect.

Method 3 of 5: Linux

Step 1. Install the OpenVPN client

You need a client to connect to OpenVPN servers. For almost all Linux distributions a client is available in the repository. The following instructions apply to Ubuntu and other Debian distributions, but the operation is similar for the others as well.

Open Terminal and type sudo apt-get install openvpn. Enter the administrator password to start the operation

Step 2. Download the VPN service configuration files

Almost all VPN services provide configuration files for OpenVPN. These files are required for OpenVPN to complete the connection to the service. You can find them on the support page of the service you have chosen.

The files are usually contained in a ZIP archive. Extract them to an easy-to-access folder

Step 3. Open OpenVPN from the terminal

Go back to the terminal. If you have extracted the files to the Home folder, you shouldn't change the path. If, on the other hand, you have chosen a different folder, reach it with the Terminal. Enter the following command to start OpenVPN:

openvpn --config configFile.ovpn

Step 4. Enter your credentials

You will be asked for your VPN username and password. You received this information when you signed up for the VPN service. The password will not appear as you type it.

Step 5. Wait to be connected

You will see that the Terminal updates the connection status. When you see the message "Initialization sequence completed", you are connected.

Method 4 of 5: Android

Step 1. Download the OpenVPN Connect app

This is the official OpenVPN client for Android. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store. It does not require root access for your device.

Step 2. Download the configuration files and certificates for your VPN

You should find them on the support page of the VPN service you have chosen. You may need a file management app to open the ZIP archive and extract the other files.

Step 3. Press the configuration file you downloaded

Select OpenVPN Connect when asked which application you want to open the file with.

Step 4. Enter your credentials

You have to write your username and password on the login screen. Hit the "Save" box to make it easier to access in the future.

Step 5. Press "Connect" to connect to the VPN

Your Android device will use the configuration file to connect to the VPN server. You can verify the success of the operation by checking your public IP address. It should be that of the VPN instead of the real one.

Method 5 of 5: iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Step 1. Download the OpenVPN Connect app

You can download it for free from the iOS App Store. You don't need to have jailbroken your device to use the app.

Step 2. Download the VPN configuration files to your computer

You will need to email them to use them on your iOS device. Download the files from your VPN service's support page. Extract them if they are in ZIP or RAR format.

Step 3. Email the configuration files yourself

Create a new email message on your computer. Attach the OpenVPN configuration files as attachments, then send them to an address you can receive on your iOS device.