How to download a VPN effectively?
Bogdan LashchenkoIf you are interested in VPNs, you probably know that it is possible to install them on a very large number of devices. Each of them has a different installation program, making the process a bit complex at times. Read the following paragraphs if you wish to install the VPN you recently purchased properly. Let's see it all together.
Requirements for setting up a VPN
Before starting the installation process, you will need a few tools, starting with hardware that is compatible with VPN implementation. Luckily, all modern OSes do. Even ISP boxes are getting more and more into it. If you have an Android or iOS smartphone running on a recent version, you do not need to worry. The same goes for a PC or hybrid running Windows. Setting up a VPN manually with mac OS is also possible. Let's not forget GNU(Linux), the most used free system in the world.
Before that, there is one last prerequisite, that is, the credentials. Usually, when you subscribe to a VPN provider, you will receive an email containing your credentials, as well as the settings to manually set up your VPN client. If this is not the case, you will have to request it by email from your provider.
Once you have your device and the client settings, all you need to do is start the installation. Don't worry if you are not very good in IT, setting up a VPN manually is not complicated. Modern OSes all have a VPN client that is just waiting for some settings to work. Here's how to do it.
VPN installation on all devices
Follow the following steps for each type of device.
Computer (mac OS and Windows)
Let's start this VPN installation tutorial with computers. From your account, you will click on Install. Then you will have a page with all the available apps. If you are on Mac, click on Mac and if you are on Windows, click on Windows. Until then, it is very simple. From there, you can download the latest version of the application.
Then, you just need to follow the different steps of the installation. It will take you about 30 seconds at most. The image below shows you the VPN installation on Mac but it is really very similar on Windows . So, you will have a 6-step installation with introduction, selection of the installation folder, type of installation, choice between a new account or using an existing one, installation and then confirmation.
Once the process is finished, you will get a message and you will be able to open the application, log in with either the activation code or with your email and password. And that's it! You know how to install a VPN on a Mac or Windows computer!
Smartphone and tablet (iOS and Android)
With more than half of the internet traffic nowadays being done on cell phones and tablets, it is imperative to protect these devices as well. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most excellent VPNs have developed dedicated apps for tablets and smartphones, whether they are running on Android or iOS. Surfshark is one of the best VPN for Android devices. Its installation process is very straight-forward. In fact, installing this VPN is just like doing so for any other app.
Although you have the option to go through the VPN provider's website, the easiest way is to simply go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). From there, find your provider's app, then the VPN download can be done before you install it.
With these things done, all you will have to do is log in. This time, only the email and password works, as the activation code is usually not available for mobile devices. You can now use your VPN and hide your IP address by connecting to a lot of servers.
If you wish to install a VPN on a router
Installing a VPN on a router has a lot of advantages since it allows you to protect all the devices in your home that are connected to it.
The installation process here becomes a bit more complex than what we have seen so far with computers, tablets, and mobiles. It is also important to note that not all routers allow you to install a VPN directly. First, you need to download the firmware corresponding to your router from your customer area. This will allow you to install the firmware directly on the router.
The second step consists of going to the administrator interface of your router. For that, log in with your administrator credentials. Then, place your VPN directly on the router from the VPN tab. Once the application is uploaded on your router, you must install it. Normally, the redirection is done automatically. You just need to use the activation code that you will find in the customer area.
Now that everything is set up, all you must do is connect to the VPN by choosing a country/server. Please note that it is possible to exclude some of the devices connected to the router so that they can access the Internet without going through the secure tunnel of your VPN. It is up to you and everything can be set directly from the administrator space of your VPN software for your router.
Bogdan Lashchenko – content manager at EgamersWorld.Bogdan has been working at EGamersWorld since 2023. Joining the company, he began fillin the site with information, news and events.