How To Add VPN To Google Chrome

What Is A VPN Browser Extension

For the purpose of this setup guide, we cover how to use a VPN browser extension. However, if you want to protect all of your web traffic, including non-browser internet connections, its best to install a full VPN application onto your smartphone or computer. For device-specific VPNs, we offer recommendations for the most preferred platforms:

• Windows

As you might have guessed by its name, a VPN browser extension is a lightweight version of a VPN service that encrypts all of your internet traffic going to and from your web browser. This effectively hides your IP address and anonymizes your browser-based activities. There are various VPN extensions for browsers like Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Firefox. Setup is similar for all, but today, we focus on Chrome specifically.

Using our step-by-step instructions below, you can install a VPN extension from the Chrome Web Store in less than five minutes.

The Best Chrome VPN Extension In 2022

Chrome VPN extensions are offered by just about every one of the best VPN providers. They’re usually pared-down versions of the desktop app, and while they might not offer every feature, they’re a convenient way of changing your location or accessing blocked websites and streaming content.

Not all are created equal, either. A dedicated Chrome VPN extension will sometimes allow you to you control the desktop app from within Chrome, which is excellent in terms of functionality and power. However, others offer totally in-browser extensions, which can be very useful if you’re on a computer that doesn’t have or allow VPN clients to be installed.

What Is A VPN Browser Extension For Chrome

Many VPN services provide browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and other web browsers, but what are they exactly?

Well, a browser extension generally creates a proxy connection. Its not actually a VPN.

While some VPN browser extensions encrypt browser traffic, not all do, so watch out for those as they dont offer full protection.

Even the browser extensions that encrypt browser traffic do not encrypt traffic outside the browser, so other apps are left unprotected.

You can read more about the difference between proxies and VPNs in our dedicated guide.

Its a different story for ExpressVPN, though, as the browser extension works alongside the desktop app to provide full coverage for not only your Chrome traffic but also all other internet traffic on your device.

You can think of ExpressVPNs Chrome browser extension as a remote control for the main app. It allows you to change the VPN servers without exiting or minimizing your web browser.

Don’t Miss: Nordvpn For Samsung TV

Why Do Users Utilize The Google Chrome Sync Feature

There are times when most of us save certain tabs for work or even for fun. It gets really annoying when you have to re-enter or look for those pages on other devices. The same applies to when we hate saving some social media passwords over and over again. Even though the Google Chrome sync feature comes with a lot of benefits, its not always safe for your online privacy and security.

This is because, when you use the Google sync button, you might accidentally sync all your activities, passwords, search history, personal tabs, and more on other devices. Why is it a problem? Well, there are two reasons.

Sometimes we use the same Google ID on multiple devices including your work PCs. If youve got something personal saved, and forget to sign out of your account, others using the same device will have access to it and more.

Other than that, the Google Chrome sync feature links and saves up bank details, credit card information, personal bookmarks, and much more sometimes without you knowing.

Theres never a line drawn when it comes to Google logging your data. Now, keeping this in mind, what happens when someone steals your device? They can easily have access to everything.

Of course, using Google Chrome has its perks, but if youre more than worried about data collection and privacy, there are some other secure browser alternatives you can use.

Does Chrome Have A VPN

While Chrome is very well-featured, it doesn’t offer a built-in VPN. However, that’s not a problem as there are a huge number of browser VPNs to pick from not least the top five above.

Thankfully, Chrome is also the perfect environment for a browser VPN to work in it’s stable, simple, easy to use and incredibly customisable, so there are some great Chrome VPNs that will work just as reliably as their standalone counterparts.

Don’t Miss: How To Install VPN On Samsung Smart TV

Supported Device Platforms For Network Configurations

What Should The Best Chrome VPN Extension Do

A good Chrome VPN extension is one that’s not only simple to install and use but also, ideally, offers some in-depth features too. While there are basic proxy versions which simply turn on and off within Chrome and that’s useful we prefer more feature-rich options.

The option to pick the location you want to connect from is a really basic but helpful feature perfect if you’re looking to watch geo-restricted content in a tab and need a certain location selected.

Security features are also really helpful with blocking your location from websites, and blocking camera or microphone access are basic necessities. Extras we like to keep an eye out for are third-party cookie blocking, Flash blocking or disabling, WebRTC leak protection, hyperlink auditing and credit card auto-filling. Being able to use Netflix VPN unblocking is also useful.

Whichever option you go for, a VPN Chrome extension is only ever as good as the VPN behind it so going for a fully fledged and feature-rich standalone VPN is always a good idea.

Got all you need to know? Now make sure that you’re getting the very best VPN service with our expertly assembled top 10.

Also Check: How To Use 911 VPN On Macbook

Set Up VPN On Chrome Os

You can set up VPN in your Chromebook, which can take some time and patience since the VPN applications for Chrome OS doesnt exist. So follow the steps below to set it up:

Then you can connect to your VPN in your Chromebook. Enjoy your secure online activities, including web surfing and video streaming!

How To Add Trusted Sites To Google Chrome

• Device Missing?

Google Chrome analyzes websites for your safety and warns you if the connection isnt secure. However, occasionally this feature may restrict access to websites that you want to visit regardless of the security status. If you are wondering how to add a website to the trusted sites list, were here to help.

In this guide, we will explain how to add trusted sites in Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and with GPO. Additionally, we will answer some of the most common questions related to trusted sites in Chrome.

Also Check: Does Avast VPN Work In China

How To Set Up A VPN On Macos

To set up a VPN on macOS, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Network, and click the + icon. The next step is to choose VPN from the drop-down menu, select what kind of VPN connection you want to set up, give the VPN service a name, and click Create. Youll then have to type in the account name and the server address, which you can get by contacting your VPN provider. Once thats done, click Authentication Settings, fill out all the required fields, and click OK followed by Connect to finish the process.

Step-by-step instructions:

Can I Get A VPN Browser Extension For Free

Yes. There are a lot of free VPN browser extensions available, but we dont really recommend it. Free VPNs often log your personal data, track your web traffic, and sell your information with third parties. The most effective VPNs for Chrome usually come with a price tag, but you get what you pay for in this case.

Check out these best VPNs for Chrome to see what fits your needs.

Read Also: Spectrum App VPN

How To Unsync Google Accounts On Windows And Mac Pc

In this first step, were going to show you how to unsync your Google Chrome accounts on Windows and Mac PCs:

Unsync Google account on Windows

• Open the Google Chrome browser, and click the three vertical dots on the top-right corner of the screen.
• Click on Settings.

• Now, on the next window, click on Turn off right next to your gmail ID.

• When asked to confirm, click on Turn off or Clear and continue.

To manage the Google sync settings on Windows

Now, just in case there are certain things that you dont want to unsync, click on the Sync and Google services under the You and Google page. Click on Customize sync and then select or deselect anything that you would like to keep with the sync feature across all your devices.

Turn off Google account sync on Mac

• Open the Google Chrome app on your Mac PC.
• Now click on Sync is on.
• Click on the Turn off button.
• To confirm your decision, click on Turn off again.

To manage the Google sync settings on Mac

Just like the Windows tutorial above, if youre planning on leaving certain bookmarks, pages or passwords synced across all devices, click on Manage what you sync and then select or deselect whatever you like.

NOTE: Just in case youd like to unsync Google Chrome accounts on Linux or turn off sync Google account feature on Chrome OS, the steps are mostly the same as the tutorials shown above for Windows and PC.

How Can I Use A Browser VPN On Google

With over 2500 servers in 50 locations worldwide, VeePN allows you to change your IP address and hide your current location. Also, it helps prevent scammers, providers, and advertisers from following your activities. VPN extension on Google Chrome protects your data, so you can feel safe while shopping online even while using public Wi-Fi.

You May Like: Configure Uverse Router For VPN

How To Unsync Google Accounts On Android And Ios Mobiles

For those of you who use an Android or iOS smartphone and dont plan on syncing that data across other devices signed in with your Google account, heres how to remove the sync feature:

Unsync Google account on Android smartphone

• On your Android smartphone, open the Google Chrome app.

• Click on Settings.

• Now, click on Sync.

• Next to Sync everything slide the blue button. The button color has to be gray to know that youve successfully unsynced your Google account on Android.

To manage the Google sync settings on Android mobile

Again, if there are certain tabs, pages, or passwords that youd like to keep synced on Google to link your phone to other devices, you can manage the settings accordingly. Heres how: once you click on Settings click on Sync and Google services and then on Manage sync. now, deselect the Sync everything option and add or deselect anything that you dont want synced.

Turn off Google Chrome account sync on iOS smartphone

• On your iOS smartphone, open the Google Chrome app.
• Click on Settings.
• Now click on Sync and Google Services.
• Slide the blue switch next to Sync your Chrome data. The color of the switch should be white.
• Lastly, click on Done to successfully unsync your Google Chrome account on iOS mobile.

To manage the Google sync settings on iOS mobile

Alternatively, if there are certain tabs and passwords that youd like to keep synced across other devices, simply click on Manage Sync and select or deselect anything youd like.

Are Any Chrome Extensions Unsafe

You can easily enhance the functionality of your favorite browser with browser extensions. Chrome extensions that cause harm are much worse than they are helpful for many reasons. It doesnt matter how many resources they use, how much data they collect, how they install adware, how they redirect your searches to spammy sites, or what they do, you should not allow them to be on your system.

Don’t Miss: Can I Use A VPN On My Smart TV

How Do I Set Trusted Sites In Edge

To change site security settings in Microsoft Edge, you have to use Windows Control Panel.

1. Open the start menu, type Control Panel, and then click on the app.

2. Then, navigate to Internet Options, you might need to change the View by option to Small icons.

3. Now, select the Security tab from the top of the menu.

4. Click on Trusted sites, then double-click on the Sites button.

5. Type the website address into the Add this website to the zone textbox, click Add, and then click OK.

How To Set Up A VPN On Chrome Os

To set up a VPN on Chrome OS, the first thing you have to do is import a CA certificate to your Chromebook if your VPN uses it. After you get the certificate from your provider and store it on your computer, type chrome://settings/certificates into the address bar of the Chrome browser. Click the Authorities tab at the top of the page, press Import, choose the CA certificate, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Step-by-step instructions:

Once thats done, its time to enter the VPN network settings. Click on your account photo in the bottom-right corner of the screen and open the settings. The next step is to select the Add connection option and click Add OpenVPN/L2TP.

Type the info required into the form that pops up, select Connect, and youre good to go. If youre an ExpressVPN customer, you can find the required info here. If you use a different VPN, youll have to contact your provider or dig through its website to find it.

Step-by-step instructions:

Don’t Miss: Does Opera VPN Log

Are There VPN Browser Extensions For Mozilla Firefox Opera Or Apple Safari

Yes, there are VPN browser extensions available for those web browsers too.

The majority of VPN browser extensions are available for either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox you can read about our top recommendations for Mozilla Firefox here but there are some VPN providers that have extensions for Opera and Safari too.

TunnelBear and Private Internet Access are examples of VPN services that come with a browser extension for Opera. These are better than the browsers in-built Opera VPN service, which we dont recommend as safe to use.

There are currently no VPN browser extensions for Safari that we would recommend in our testing theyve all fallen short of our standards.

What To Do If Your VPN Doesnt Have A Chrome Browser Extension

Dont worry!

If your VPN service doesnt come with a browser extension for Google Chrome isnt not the end of the world.

As long as you are using a quality, safe VPN service, once you connect to a VPN server all of your internet traffic will be funneled through the encrypted VPN tunnel.

Browser extensions are handy extras, but are by no means essential.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take To Get Unbanned From Omegle

Setting Up The Proxy Server

After you install the extension it will automatically open the configuration page.

Picture 4

Step 3: Setting up the extension.

This is the last step of the setup. Follow the steps in the picture and you are done.

How To Use Your VPN Browser Extension

Select your preferred location from the “Selected location” drop-down menu, then click on the giant Power button to connect.

And that’s about it. Now you can securely browse and unblock online content while using Chrome. Of course, we always recommend using the full app when possible, especially while using public Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you risk having your data harvested by hackers or greedy ISPs looking to profit off your browsing habits.

Having trouble installing your VPN extension in Chrome? If updating your system and browser doesn’t solve the issue, let us know which provider you use in the comments. We’ll be glad to help out with the process.

Read Also: What Does VPN On Iphone Mean