How To Set VPN On Mac

Choose Your VPN Service Provider

[FREE] How To Setup a VPN On Your Mac [EASY]

To get started, you will need to select your preferred VPN service provider based on your needs. Some VPN service providers are free, though most require a paid monthly subscription.

VPN service providers vary in features and the types of platforms they accommodate.

The most popular paid VPNs for circumventing web blocks to enable torrenting, gaming, and watching streaming services such as Hulu include CyberGhost, ExpressVPN.

In todays tutorial, we will use ExpressVPN as the selected VPN because of its consistently high ratings.

How To Set Up A VPN With Viscosity On Macos

Viscosity is a paid VPN client for macOS that works well with the OpenVPN protocol. A 30-day free trial is available, after which the software costs $9. You can download the client here. Install it by clicking on the .dmg file and then dragging the app to your Applications folder. You may need to confirm and enter your Mac login credentials.

To set up OpenVPN with Viscosity, youll need an OpenVPN configuration file for each server you wish to connect to, and possibly your VPN account username and password.

Click the Viscosity icon in the top right corner of your screen and choose Preferences

Click the + sign in the bottom left corner of the window that appears and choose Import connection > From file

Navigate to and select the .ovpn file you downloaded from your VPN provider

Connect To A VPN On Mac: Step

In this section, well walk you through everything thats involved in getting started with your new VPN, whether youre planning to use a preconfigured service or configure your own setup. While setting up a VPN manually might sound complicated, you can get it done in less than an hour by following the steps below.

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Two Main Ways To Install A VPN On Macos

When it comes to VPNs, you have a choice: either do it manually or allow a pre-configured VPN service to do most of the job for you.

with a built-in VPN client, thousands of servers, and smooth functionality. VPN providers work hard to make their apps as user-friendly as possible.

Set up a VPN manually using Apples built-in VPN support. While downloading and setting up a VPN app is intuitive and takes just several clicks, configuring a VPN manually is a lengthier process.

Both methods get similar results, but theyre not the same. Whats the difference then?

Lets get into the next section.

Entering VPN Settings Manually

1 Once you enter the VPN settings into the Network panel of System Preferences, itll be easy to connect to the VPN. These settings are provided by your admin or service provider.

As of macOS Sierra, the native VPN app no longer supports PPTP VPN.XResearch source If you have Sierra and your service requires PPTP, see Using Shimo on macOS Sierra.

2Select System Preferences.

4Click the + beneath the left panel.

5 The button is blue and has two arrows, and will expand a brief menu.

6Select VPN.

8Select the type of VPN. Your VPN provider should specify this in their instructions.XResearch source

If you havent yet signed up for VPN service, see Getting a VPN for tips on selecting a provider.

9Type a name for this VPN. Type it into the Service Name field. This will be the nickname for this connection.

10Click Create. Now youll see the VPN settings for this new connection in the right panel.

11Enter the IP address for the server. Type this into the Server Address field.

12Enter your VPN account user name. This goes into the Account Name field.

13Place a check next to Show VPN status in the menu bar.

14Click Authentication Settings.

15Select an authentication method. Use the instructions from your VPN provider to determine the correct choice.XResearch source

If you connect with a regular username and password, try selecting Password and then enter your password into the blank.

16Click OK.

17Click Advanced.

19Click OK.

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Set Up A VPN Connection On Mac

To connect to a virtual private network , you need to enter configuration settings in Network preferences. These settings include the VPN server address, account name, and any authentication settings, such as a password or a certificate you received from the network administrator.

If you received a VPN settings file from your network administrator, you can import it to set up your connection. If you didnt, you can enter the settings manually.

L2tp VPN Configuration On Mac Os X

08/19/2021 53847

DESCRIPTION:

SonicWall has the functionality to allow remote users to connect to the network behind the SonicWall using L2TP inbuilt client on MAC OS X using IPSEC VPN protocol. This article focuses on configuration of L2TP VPN on MAC OS X clients to connect to SonicWall UTM appliances.

RESOLUTION:

Configure WAN group VPN on the SonicWall appliance.
Configure L2TP Server.
Configure L2TP client ;on MAC OS X.

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant;user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

Configure WAN group VPN on the SonicWall appliance

Login to the SonicWall management Interface, click on;Network, navigate to;IPSec VPN |Rules and Settings.
Make sure that the;Enable VPN;and;WAN Group VPN;check boxes are enabled.

In the;General;tab, IKE using Preshared Secret is the default setting for Authentication Method. Enter a shared secret in the;.;;

Click the;Proposals;tab, use the default settings or choose the desired;Encryption;and;Authentication;options.

Click the;Client;tab, select the following settings.Cache XAUTH User Name and Password on Client;:;Single sessionVirtual Adapter Settings;:;DHCP LeaseAllow Connections to;:Split TunnelsSet Default Route as this Gateway;:;DisableUse Default Key for Simple Client Provisioning;;:;Disable;.

Configure;L2TP Server

Configure User Accounts

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

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Does A VPN Make Sense For Mac

In any case. As with Windows, VPN software on macOS should be part of the standard software to ensure maximum security and anonymity. Since macOS is a very secure operating system, criminals are increasingly trying to find security holes and are targeting Apple products directly. In order to surf the Internet safely, you should definitely use VPN software. Especially if you want to surf in a public WLAN, you should definitely use a VPN.

How To Test Mac VPNs

How to Setup a VPN on Mac OS X

Aside from researching how they work, we perform three major tests on VPNs: a speed test, a DNS leak test, and a WebRTC leak test. Heres how to do each:

Speed:

Use the speed test from Ookla.

Test your VPNs download speed, upload speed, and latency, while connected to the internet.

Test your VPNs download speed, upload speed, and latency, while not connected.

Compare the speeds to see exactly how much your VPN slows you down.

We use a free speed test from Ookla, but there are tons of free options online.

DNS leaks: To make sure our domain names arent being leaked outside of our VPNs encrypted tunnel:

Use a test from DNSLeakTest.com.

Check if there is any change in IP address, when the VPN is connected.

If there is a change in the IP address, then you will know that there is no leak.

WebRTC leaks: WebRTC is the default on our preferred web browser, Chrome, and it allows for faster connections while streaming, downloading files, and video chatting. How? By letting browsers know each others private IP address, which we do not want to get out. Here is how we check for WebRTC leaks:

Use the WebRTC leak test on ExpressVPNs website.

Note a change in IP address with VPN connected and not connected.

You can be sure there is no leak if there is a change in the IP address.

Read Also: How Do I Hide My VPN

How To Install A VPN For Mac

Now it is time to learn how to install a VPN for Mac. Since specific software setups can vary, these steps are just in general. Be sure to follow any setup steps recommended by the software.

You will also want to ensure that your macOS is up to date or that your VPN app is compatible with the macOS your system is operating.

Get the Mac-specific VPN software.

Install the Mac app. Usually, this is as simple as double-clicking on the .dmg file and following the on-screen prompts.

Run the VPN app. Be sure to have your account details ready for the first run. Usually, you need to have administrative privileges for this.

Once the app has launched, be sure to review the preferences and settings carefully. Sometimes, important settings are automatically disabled. In multiple VPNs, you must manually enable options like firewall-based kill switches and DNS leak protection.;

Also, you want to make sure that your chosen VPN uses the OpenVPN protocol. This protocol ensures that your app does not default to a less secure VPN.;

When you finish reviewing the settings, select the VPN server you need and select “Connect.”

Shimo;is an app for Mac that lets you both connect to and configure a VPN, or manage your VPN. Setting up a VPN in Shimo is roughly the same process as it is via your Macs settings, but it makes managing your VPN connection much simpler.

How To Set Up An L2tp VPN Connection On Macos

L2TP/IPSec is a VPN protocol with built-in support on Macs that offers comparable speed and security to OpenVPN. To set up a VPN connection that uses the L2TP protocol, youll need the following information from your VPN provider:

Your VPN provider account credentials
The VPN server addresses for each location you want to connect to
VPN providers shared secret OR certificate

With that information in hand, follow these instructions:

Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Network icon

Click + in the bottom left corner to create a new network interface

Click the Interface drop-down list and choose VPN

Click the VPN Type drop-down list and choose L2TP over IPSec

In the Service Name field, type a name for this VPN connection

Click Create and the VPN settings will appear

Using the default configuration, in the Server Address field, type the VPN server address

In the Account Name field, type your VPN account username

Click Authentication Settings

In the Password field, type your VPN account password

If using a shared secret, select and type the pre-shared key

If using a certificate, select Certificate, then Select and find the VPN providers certificate

The VPN is now set up, you just need to connect. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Network icon

Choose the VPN connection you created in the Network box

Click Connect

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Why You Should Avoid Free VPN Services On Your Mac

All VPN companies need a way to make money, even ‘free’ ones. So, if a VPN pitches itself as fast and free, you can bet it’s probably monetized by the collection user data which is tracked and sold to third parties.

Some free VPNs may even surreptitiously install adware on your Mac. If you think about it, this completely goes against what a VPN is designed to do, i.e. keep your data and identity protected. That said, if you really can’t afford a paid VPN service, you should read over the terms of service so you fully understand what kind of data you might be giving up in exchange for the freebie.

Why Use A VPN On Macos

There are many reasons why people might . Here are the most common ones:

Your data is encrypted, providing extra protection against hackers and cybercriminals ;
You can bypass censorship in certain countries;
Speed limits put up by your ISP will no longer apply to you;
You might be able to get access to services that can normally only be used within the network of a company or institution. This is especially useful when working from home.

In short, setting up a VPN on your Mac is always a good idea. You probably use this device for most of your daily internet activities. With a VPN, your online privacy and freedom will instantly be enhanced.

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How To Select The Best VPN For Mac

If youre going to use a VPN provided by a third-party firm, this will be a critical first step. Considering the large number of VPNs on the market today, identifying the best VPN for your Mac device can be tricky. Although most VPN providers promise similar offerings, theres a clear difference in features and performance for the top VPN providers.

Some of the top features and considerations to have in mind during your selection phase include:

Based on all of the above criteria, our top VPN for Mac is NordVPN. However, you can go ahead and check out this piece on the best VPNs for Mac so you increase your options.

Set Up Openvpn Connection On Your Mac

To set up OpenVPN on macOS, youll need to download Tunnelblick. Its a free program that functions as a bridge connecting you to the VPN servers using OpenVPN. The application is supported by macOS 10.4+.

Strap in, and lets get into the setup guide.

1. Download Tunnelblick from their website.2. Get the OpenVPN configuration files from your VPN provider. For Surfshark, youll find them here. Scroll down to Other configuration files and click on OpenVPN.

3. Now, back to Tunnelblick. Find the file in your Downloads folder and start the installation by clicking on it.4. Double-click on Tunnelblick when you get this pop-up window.

5. Click Open when another window pops up asking if you want to open it.6. Install the program by following installation instructions.7. Unzip the Surfshark_Config.zip file. Theres now a folder called Surfshark_Config.

This is a list of all the server locations. The first two letters indicate the country.

8. Ive chosen a server in New York. Double-click on it and select Only me.

9. Click the Tunnelblick icon in the menu bar on the top right side of the screen and tap the Configuration youve just installed.

10. Youll have to type in your service credentials from the Manual connection guide. .Scroll down to the bottom of the page and collect your credentials.

11. Copy and paste the Username and Password. It should look like this:

Tick Save in Keychainif you want your computer to remember these credentials. Click OK to finish.

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Verify Your VPN Works On Mac

This step should involve a quick check of your chosen VPN service providers website.

Most VPN service providers are now available to run on Mac, but there are still a few that havent yet made this option available. Once you have chosen the VPN service provider you prefer, make sure you verify that it is available for your software.

Fortunately, and perhaps predictably, all four of the top four VPN service providers offer their services for Mac users.

What Is Pptp And What Are Its Advantages

How to Connect to VPN on Mac

PPTP or Point-to-Point Tunnelling Protocol is a VPN protocol introduced in 1999 by Microsoft and adopted on other operating systems as well, including macOS.

The PPTP protocol became popular due to its speed and simplicity. By the way, PPTP is recommended for increasing your VPN speed. However, several security vulnerabilities were discovered , and PPTP was no longer seen as safe.

Nevertheless, PPTP is still used to set up VPN connections on Windows, on Linux, and create encrypted PPTP tunnels on Android.

Also Check: How To Change Your Ip Without VPN

Manually Set Up An L2tp VPN Connection

macOS allows you to create a new VPN connection with L2TP by setting up the built-in VPN module. The setup consists of the following steps:

Open;System Preferences and click on the Network icon.

For the Interface, select VPN.

Further, choose L2TP over IPSec as the VPN Type.

Enter the connection name and click on the Create button.

Start the VPN configuration: enter the VPN server address to the;Server Address;textbox and the VPN user name to the;Account Name;field. Keep the checkbox;Show VPN status in the menu bar checked.

Next, click the;Authentication Settings;button.

Select the authentication method for both the user and the machine . You have to enter the pre-shared key for machine authentication and fill in the password field for user authentication most of the time.

Optionally, you may change the DNS server;settings by clicking the;Advanced;button.

Finally, click the;Apply;button and then;Connect.

To disable the VPN on Mac, open the VPN connection properties and click on the Disconnect button.

Enter VPN Settings Manually

On your Mac, choose Apple menu ;>;System Preferences, then click Network.

L2TP is an extension of the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol used by internet service providers to enable a VPN over the internet.

IPSec is a set of security protocols.

IKEv2 is a protocol that sets up a security association in IPSec.

Enter the server address and the account name for the VPN connection.

If specified by your network administrator, click Advanced to enter additional information such as session options, TCP/IP settings, DNS servers, and proxies.

The additional information you can enter depends on the type of VPN connection youre setting up.

Select Show VPN status in menu bar to use the VPN status icon to connect to the network and switch between VPN services.

To remove the VPN configuration, select the VPN network connection service in the list and click the Remove button .

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Configure The Macos Server VPN Service

Launch the Server app from your applications.

Log into your macOS Server.

Select VPN under the Services listings.

Under VPN Host Name, enter either your static IP address or dynamic hostname depending on the method you used when finding out your IP address above.

Click Edit Permissions and select the users you want to be able to connect to your VPN.

Create a new . The more complicated and random, the better.

Optionally click Client Addresses if you want to change the number of VPN clients that can simultaneously connect to your VPN server.

Optionally click DNS Settings if you want to change the default DNS server your VPN clients will use when connected to your VPN server.

Optionally click Routes if you need special networking routes you need to configure.

Optionally click Save Profile if you wish to create a configuration file so that clients can simply load your server’s connection information for easier client setup.

Select your macOS Server computer name.

Select the Access tab.

Click the Add button and select VPN.

Select Allow Connections From only some users.

Enter the users you wish to have VPN access.

Click OK.