How to set up a VPN

Surfing the internet involves certain risks, especially if we access portals of doubtful credibility. In addition to recommending not to access suspicious pages, there are other techniques to add security. One of the easiest options is to access the internet through VPN systems. Here we will explain how to configure a VPN depending on the operating system.

What is a VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network system that allows our computer to connect to a private network and from there to the Internet.

These VPN networks help us to achieve privacy, especially since we connect to the internet anonymously. But they also add security, since the data is encrypted.

Its popularity has grown especially to avoid blocking content on the internet. YouTube or Netflix have content discrimination by geographic area. Through a VPN, you could connect to the internet as if we were from the United States and watch Netflix content there, while in Spain.

What VPN networks do is channel internet traffic. Our connection no longer goes to the systems of our internet provider, it goes to the contracted VPN servers. From there they connect to the internet.

As the information is encrypted, the internet provider or government agencies that control the network will not know where we want to access. Countries like China, with limited internet connection, use this type of system to access portals that would otherwise be blocked.

Aspects to consider

Getting more security and privacy when browsing or bypassing geographical restrictions is the good thing about this system. But, there are some aspects that we must take into account before acquiring these services.

• Price: Free VPN services have their drawbacks. They usually offer significant limitations on connection speed and amount of data, something like data in mobile telephony. But be careful, because some free VPN services they may be false and data may be stolen. You have to use proven services, even if they are free.
• Speed: Leaving aside the limitations of free VPN services, we must bear in mind that latency increases. If we want to access streaming content or web portals, we will hardly notice a difference in loading times. If we want to play, it will be a big problem, since if it affects us a lot.
• There is no infinite security: Although we add a layer of security, this does not mean that it is totally secure. Even using a VPN we are still vulnerable to Phishing and other information theft practices.
• Difficult to hide location: It is not always possible to falsify the location. In smartphone this is more complicated, since there is the triangulation of the terminal. So geolocation doesn't just depend on IP.
• They do not offer anonymity: It is common to confuse privacy with anonymity. It simply adds protection to browse more privately, not anonymously. We must bear in mind that paid VPNs require registration. Edward Snowden indicates that to achieve anonymity you have to use a VPN and the Tor network, and even so ...

How to set up a VPN

Set up a VPN in Windows 10

1. Click on the windows icon down left
2. Let Configuration
3. We access Network and Internet
4. Let's enter the section VPN
5. Now click on Add a VPN connection
6. We now introduce the server details, VPN type and user credentials

Configure a VPN on MAC

1. Let System preferences
2. We click on Red
3. We go to the bottom of the list of network servers and click Add (+)
4. Within the drop-down menu we select VPN
5. We enter the connection data and authentication settings

Set up a VPN on Linux

1. Install the package network-manager-vpnc (if we don't have it installed)
2. Access the software manager of the distribution we use
3. Enter the following command: $ sudo apt-get install network-manager-vpnc
4. We click on the network icon
5. select VPN connection - Configure VPN within the drop-down menu
6. Click on add
7. We are adding the information and credentials as requested

Set up a VPN on Android

1. Let's go to Settings
2. Within the section of Wireless Networks, we must find network connections or something similar (you can switch between Android versions depending on the smartphone manufacturer)
3. Typically VPN connections are within Others or More Networks
4. We enter the section VPN and click on the button More (+) to create the connection
5. We enter the name, type of VPN, server address and encryption

Set up a VPN on iOS

• We have to go to Settings
• Let's go to the section General
• We go down until we find the section VPN
• Now we say Add VPN configuration
• The next step is to enter the data of the VPN connection