A VPN connection allows you to securely connect to an otherwise private network over the Internet. Your Mac has built-in support for managing VPN connections and in this guide we’ll go through how to setup, manage and connect using a VPN. Check the line “Show VPN status in menu bar” to use the VPN status icon to connect to the network and switch between VPN services. Go back in “System Preferences” and press “Advanced“. Check an option to “Send all traffic over VPN connection“. Saving the changes will mean your MAC will get all network traffic over the VPN.
Setting up a VPN on MacOS is very easy, as this tutorial will walk you through the steps to accomplish a manual VPN configuration on the Mac. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and VPN services are often used by businesses, enterprises, agencies, and individuals for a wide variety of purposes. On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, then click Network. Open Network preferences for me. Select your VPN service in the list at the left. If there’s a Configuration pop-up menu, click it, then choose a configuration. There may be only one configuration available. Set up a VPN connection on Mac. To connect to a virtual private network (VPN), 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.
These instructions may seem arcane and complex but they’re really easy if you just follow along step by step. Donald Burr of Otaku No Podcast (otakunopodcast.com) created all of these instructions in text form, Allison just created the ScreenSteps tutorial! I’ll be focusing on using a Mac on your home network using an Airport Extreme Router (of course any router will work but the screenshots will be for the Airport). If you have a router capable of installing the Tomato Router Firmware, you should look at Donald’s full instructions because you may not need to use a Mac at all for this, your router can do it all. See Donald’s notes for other options.
Read Donald’s instructions > here.
If you’d rather download this manual for easy off line reference, click here.
If you’ve installed the VPN Server but would like to UNinstall it, click here for instructions.
If you can connect to your VPN server but can’t get outside your network, click here.
If you can connect to your VPN server but can’t get outside your network, click here.
Let’s get started already!
SECTION 1 – Setting Up a Static IP for the Server on the LAN Side
These instructions should be completed on the machine that will become the VPN server.
Open Network Preferences
Select Advanced
Copy the Mac Address
Open AirPort Utility
Click on your router, in my case it’s called White Dart.
Select Enter Router Password
Enter your password when prompted and click OK.
Select Edit
Select the Network Tab and Click the + Button
Paste in the Mac Address You Copied Earlier
Select Update
Select Continue
Quit Airport Utility when this operation completes.
SECTION 2 – Creating Account at No-IP.com
Navigate to http://www.noip.com and select Sign Up.
Create a Username and Password
Enter your Email address. Note the host name shown which is free, but if you want to pay you can get more options. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Select Sign Up
Email Confirmation Will be Sent
Click the Link in the Email
Download the Update Client
This client will run in the background and check to see if your IP address has changed, and if it has, will send it to no-ip.com
Download and Install the Client
Enter Your No-iP.com Account Info You Just Created
This menu should pop up automatically.
Click OK
Click on Hosts and Check the Box Next to the Host Name You Chose
It may take a few moments for the host name you selected at no-ip.com to show up. Make sure you note this name, you’ll need it later.
Select Update Now
Turn on the Daemon
Configure Vpn Macos Server
I chose this rather than running the application in the background all the time.
SECTION 3 – Installing Xcode and Running Command Line Tools
Install Xcode
Install Java
Xcode only installs the standalone Java, and it does NOT include the Java Web plugin that has been the subject of so many security vulnerabilities lately.
Select Install Next to Command Line Tools
Wait till the installation finishes and quit X-Code
Type xcodebuild -license to Open the License Agreement
Start Hitting the Space Bar to Scroll Through the EULA – A LOT of Times
Type Agree
Type agree
Joy of Agreement
SECTION 4 – Installing MacPorts
Navigate to https://distfiles.macports.org/MacPorts/ and scroll to the bottom to download the installer file for your OS.
Install MacPorts
Enter These Commands in the Terminal
To run the self update to Macports enter:and enter your administrator password
Success
Open the VPN Software
Enterand watch a lot of glop go by…
SECTION 5 – Installing Tuntap Drivers
Download tuntap drivers from http://tuntaposx.sourceforge.net/download.xhtml
Open the Package File (in the folder after tuntap expands)
Gatekeeper won’t let you just double click on the installer package (it will complain that it is from an unknown source), you have to right click on the installer package and choose “open”.
SECTION 6 – Donald’s Nifty Scripts of Doom
Download Donald’s scripts from: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4yhc5oimze9zzij/openvpn-mac.tar.bz2?dl=0
Type These Commands to Unarchive the Scripts
Setting Up OpenVPN Server
We’re now going to run Donald’s scripts. Enter this command:Name your Server (I’ve entered kyles-mac-vpn)
Enter the dynamic dns host name you noted back on no-ip.com (you DID note it, right?)
Enter the dynamic dns host name you noted back on no-ip.com (you DID note it, right?)
Keep Answering Questions
The first time through you need to answer these. These steps will be duplicated MANY times, but after this the answers will be there and you can simply hit Enter for each questions.
Hit Enter for All These Questions for an RSA Key
And Again for Some Reason
Keep Answering…
And Again
And Again…
Whew!
Enter passphrase and password as many times as they ask for it!
Finder Window Opens Showing config-files
Copy this file to Dropbox. It will be the first connection file you test. It would be good to name it something associated with the device on which you’ll use it (you’ll be creating one of these for each of your devices).
Create a New VPN Connection Document for Each Device You Have
In Terminal, enter:where connection-name means something to you for each different device you’ll want to connect to the VPN server. Move each of these files to Dropbox to be picked up on your devices.
SECTION 7 – Opening up UDP Port 1194
Open Airport Utility again, select your Airport again, Select Edit again. Select the Network tab, and select the + under Port Settings
Enter Information As Shown
Select Update
Wait until your Airport updates.
SECTION 8 – Install VPN Software on iOS
Download OpenVPN Connect from the iTunes App Store.
Open Dropbox
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/1/8/9/118913719/875537011.png)
Find the file you created and moved into Dropbox and tap on it.
Select the Open In Button in the Bottom Right
Select Open in OpenVPN
Click the Green Plus Button to Import the File
Enter the Password
Enter the Password you created in the creation of the file, and tap the Save switch to turn it on. Finally tap the Off Switch to Connect to the VPN.
Connected!
SECTION 9 – Install VPN Software on OSX
Two options for a VPN application on the Mac. Donald recommended Viscosity from http://www.sparklabs.com/viscosity/download/ which is $9 per Mac.After the show Dr. Matt suggested the free TunnelBlick from http://code.google.com/p/tunnelblick. I installed both and they both work well. This tutorial will be for Viscosity, but if you try Tunnelblick you have to do one thing to make it work. In the Settings, Configuration tab, select Advanced and then uncheck the box to use TunnelBlick’s tun/tap drivers.
Let’s keep going with Viscosity as our example.
Install Viscosity
Click on the icon for Viscosity in the menubar and choose Preferences.
In the Connection Tab Click on the Plus Button at the Bottom
Select Import Connection From File…
Navigate to the File You Created for This Device
In my case I called it alsmac so I could tell which one to open
Connection Imported
Connect Using Menu Bar App
Enter the Password You Created
No clue which one of the 198 I entered, luckily I typed the same one over and over again.
Fleeting Notification of Connection
To test mine at home I used a Mifi so I was on a different network.
Use the Menubar Icon to Disconnect When You’re Through
If you want to prove to yourself that you’re on VPN – go to http://ipchicken.com before and after you VPN and you’ll find that your IP changes to your home IP. Congratulations!
With a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can achieve security and privacy online. However, the process to install a VPN for Mac can seem tricky or daunting if you are not familiar with it.
In this article we'll show you:
Actually, the process is quite easy, regardless if you are a beginner or an advanced Mac user. Let us show you how to install a VPN for your Mac!
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What is a VPN?
A VPN can allow you to build a secure connection between your computer to a different network through the internet. You can use VPNs for many reasons. These include shielding activity on public Wi-Fi, accessing region-restricted content, and possibly connecting to a business network to work from home.
VPNs work by forwarding your traffic directly to the network you have created a secure connection with. Essentially, you are connecting your PC, tablet, or another device to a server on the internet. This connection allows you to use the internet or a private network using that server's connection.
People choose to use a VPN for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest goal is to help protect themselves from cybercriminals. Paired with an antivirus program, this can help keep you and your Mac safe while browsing online.
This security is even more critical if you tend to access the internet on unsecured connections, such as at your local library, favorite coffee shop, or the airport. These connections make it incredibly easy for hackers to gain access to your information, including passwords to your banks and social media accounts.
A VPN may also speed up your WiFi connection. It’s also worth noting your Mac doesn’t have a VPN or ‘create VPN’ feature built-in, nor is there Mac VPN server associated with your machine, so you’ll need your own. Most cost money – and be wary of free VPN services; you’re often just giving them your information, which they may be selling to advertisers.
Keep in mind that while VPNs offer an increased level of security, they can't help someone with unsafe browsing habits. Just remember to protect yourself by not downloading suspicious files, clicking on potentially spoofed websites, or other risky browsing behaviors.
How to Choose a VPN for Mac?
First, you need to ensure that the software you choose is has a macOS version. Some VPNs offer dedicated Mac software, though it is not always as supported as Windows is when it comes to custom VPN clients.
You also want to ensure that the VPN service can do what you need it to do. While most providers offer similar features in encryption, performance, and server locations, they can differ in other areas.
- Privacy: While all VPNs hide your IP address and location, they may not offer complete privacy. For instance, they may have different data logging policies, limit the number of connections and browser extensions, and have limited security features.
- Streaming support: Most VPNs claim that they unlock content streaming sites, not all actually do. If this is why you are looking into a VPN, you may want to spend more time looking at reviews or try to find one with a free trial.
- Amount of available servers: Some VPNs have limited servers in even more limited locations. First, this could slow down your browsing and streaming speed as more people connect to fewer servers. Second, having fewer server locations means you are severely limited to where you can appear to be browsing. If you want to browse region-restricted content, having more server locations is a must for you!
- Protection across all devices: Some VPN services do not provide support to protect each device you have. The better ones will provide licenses across multiple devices. This means you can hopefully protect everything from your desktop to a laptop to a smartphone!
If you choose to use a VPN service that has its own app, you want to research it before downloading it.
Configure Vpn For Mac Windows 10
Some VPN apps flaunt themself as being free. However, they have to make money somehow! Usually, they sell user data to third parties, still putting your privacy at risk.
Some third-party VPN apps may also install adware on your system, completely undetected! So, be sure you know what you are getting into before you download a third-party VPN app.
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.
- Register with a VPN. This process usually involves payment.
- 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 Mac’s settings, but it makes managing your VPN connection(s) much simpler.
If you want to use a VPN for Mac, the options seem endless. Choosing a VPN client for Mac is only one step in the process – there’s still the matter of setting it up, and possibly syncing settings across Macs! Let's show you how to configure a VPN on macOS.
Importing a Settings File
For some network connections for businesses, your administrator may supply a VPN settings file. You can import this file for easy setup. There are two ways to go about this:
- Double-click the settings file to open the Network preferences. This allows the settings to import automatically.
- Click the Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner of your screen and click on System Preferences. Click the Network icon. Click on the Action pop-up menu and click on Import Configurations. Then, select the VPN settings file and click on Import.
Living in your menu bar, this VPN client allows quick-glance access to your connection, and tells you which VPNs you use may be connected; especially handy if you have multiple VPN providers. Shimо also shows connection data in real-time so you know how long you’ve been using your VPN, and the incoming/outgoing traffic.
Manually Configure a VPN for Mac
Perhaps you want to use the built-in VPN client that comes with macOS. This client supports the PPTP, IKEv2, and L2TIP/IPsec VPN protocols.
Apple doesn’t make it hard to set up a VPN on Mac, but it also doesn’t make it easy. Keep in mind these steps require you to choose your VPN first. The main advantage of these connections is that you can set them up without having to download a separate VPN app to use them.
To manually configure the built-in VPN client:
- Click on the Apple icon on the upper left corner of your display and click on System Preferences.
- Click the Network icon.
- Click the + (plus) button on the lower left-hand corner of the box.
- Click on Interface and then VPN from the dropdown menu in the dialog box.
- In VPN Type, select the VPN protocol you want to use.
- Choose a name for the VPN connection and enter that into Service Name. It does not have to be anything specific.
- Click Create.
- Using the settings provided by your VPN service, fill in the server details, including the Server Address and Account Name. Check the option to Show VPN status in the menu bar. Then, click Authentication Settings.
- Enter the Password (or other user authentication supplied by your VPN Service) and Shared Secret, then select OK.
- Usually, you won't have to change any other settings. However, you should still click on the Advanced button. Check the option to Send all traffic over VPN connection. Then, click on OK to save your changes.
- Click Apply in the lower right-hand corner, then click on the Connect button.
- Your VPN should now connect. When done, select the Disconnect button.
There you go! You’ve just linked a VPN to your Mac, and it’s connected. Pretty simple, but is that all there is to do? Yes and no.
When using the built-in macOS VPN client, be aware that it does not have WebRTC leak protection. Be sure not to use a vulnerable browser. If you are, you need to disable WebRTC manually. If you are using Safari, this is not a worry as it is not susceptible to WebRTC leaks.
Also, check with your VPN service to make sure that there are no unique settings that you need to enable/disable to log in from the built-in macOS client.
Testing a VPN for Mac
Regardless of the VPN, you end up using; the testing process is the same.
In the notification bar, macOS displays an icon when you connect to the VPN. This icon lets you know that you are connected. If you want additional access to details and options, you can click on the icon.
Toggle across networks easily
You can connect to as many private networks as you like with Shimo, a dedicated VPN client for Mac. Stay on the safe side!
Perhaps best of all, Shimo allows you to set up triggers easily. If you use a VPN for public WiFi networks, you can choose to trigger them to activate when you connect to a chosen network. This feature is especially handy for setting a VPN to activate geographically; travelers may want to hide their location, or your work network may require a specific VPN to access files.
A VPN is only as good as your WiFi connection, and there are also smart ways to manage that. WiFi Explorer provides deep analysis of your WiFi connection, and offers up advice on why your connection may be troubled, even monitoring 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands of the same connection.
NetSpot is another great app which can use a map of your home to isolate poor coverage areas as well as provide per-connection troubleshooting. It’s a great app to have for homes with guest WiFi networks, and especially nice for those with VPN connections used at home.
How to Sync VPN Settings Across Macs
Have multiple Macs? You’ll probably want to sync your VPN settings across devices. Apple’s settings can be synced across machines, but it doesn’t work seamlessly all the time, and there are plenty of times you don’t want all of your settings synced!
To sync VPN data, Shimo is your best bet. Doing it Apple’s way means you have to reconfigure on each Mac you have, and that’s time-consuming.
Shimo allows you to use it across any Mac you own as it’s license-based. Best of all, it syncs your settings outside Apple’s scope, so activating Shimo on a new Mac activates all your settings. It’s as simple as it gets!
Connecting Your Mac to Your VPN
Once you initially set up your VPN, connect to it in the future is a breeze!
- Click on the Apple menu and then on System Preferences.
- Select the Network icon.
- Select your VPN service on the list at the left-hand side of the box.
- If a Configuration pop-up menu appears, choose the appropriate configuration.
- Click the Connect button.
That's it! You now know how to install a VPN for Mac! Once you connect to your selected VPN, you can start browsing the internet with privacy and security. Learning how to install a VPN for Mac is just that easy!
Conclusion
VPNs can speed up your WiFi connection speeds, hide your location from service providers, and help keep your browsing anonymous from websites. It’s a handy tool to have for the privacy-minded, and worth the spend.
Shimo is a better, more user-friendly option for managing your VPN connections. It makes all the fine-tuning much simpler, which can make your VPN feel much more like a powerful tool than something to hide behind.
We also like NetSpot and WiFi Explorer for managing your WiFi connection. The two apps are similar, feature-wise, so choose whichever is right for you.
Want to install all of your apps in one easy go? Check out a free trial of our app to get everything you need.
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