How to Use a VPN: A Guide for All Devices and Needs

Back in the 1990s, a virtual private network (VPN) was a brand new solution for some rare privacy-concerned businesses and computer nerds. But that is not the case anymore. The increasing number of cybersecurity issues and Internet limitations make us look for effective ways to protect our data and digital identities – and that’s where a VPN comes to the rescue. Today, roughly a third of active Internet users have adopted this tool to make their online activities safer and access the content they need.

Why you should use a VPN

According to the latest surveys, people use VPNs for numerous reasons. The most common motives are to gain better entertainment content (50%), access social networks and news resources (34%), boost Internet privacy and security (31%), and browse freely while at work (30%).

And that is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are even more potential use cases of virtual private networks. So let’s explore some of the best ways to use a VPN and the purposes this solution will cover.

Enhance your Internet privacy 

Online privacy has become one of the greatest concerns these days. A Pew Research Center survey reports that 79% of users are very or somewhat worried about companies and services collecting their private information. Fortunately, a reliable VPN helps solve this issue. This tool encrypts your data (including your IP, browsing history, Google search requests, files you download, and so on), making it invisible to third parties. You can also block unwanted ads, cookies, and trackers to make your digital footprint untraceable. 

Protect yourself from cyber threats and scams 

The number of cyber threats is growing tremendously and hackers constantly come up with new advanced types of viruses, scams, and social engineering tricks. A VPN can protect you from many of those risks. Thanks to robust security features, it helps you avoid shady websites, spoofed links, infected pop-ups, and phishing emails. Besides, a VPN prevents different forms of malware and is an effective weapon against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.  

Securely use public networks 

When you connect your device to a public network at a hotel, airport, gym, or nearby cafe, your cybersecurity is at enormous risk. Hackers often use unprotected hotspots to compromise users’ connections and steal their data. For instance, a cybercriminal can interfere with your traffic and access your credentials through a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. But if your data is encrypted with the help of a VPN, threat actors won’t be able to put themselves between your device and the network you’re connected to.

Get the best shopping deals 

That’s right, a VPN is not only just a powerful cybersecurity solution, but it also allows you to save costs and get better deals online. How is that possible? Well, the price of many services, including hotel booking and airline tickets, vary depending on your location. And that is not always due to fair reasons. But you can switch to another VPN server to avoid price spikes and save your money.

Access content when traveling 

When going on a vacation or work trip, you may find it challenging to access the content you need. For instance, your favorite Netflix shows may appear to be unavailable in your current location. A VPN helps overcome geographical limitations and access the desired streaming platform or library, as well as any other websites and platforms, wherever you are. Besides, a VPN is a powerful anti-censorship solution that can help you get around firewalls, deep packet inspection (DPI), and other techniques ISPs impose in countries with limited Internet freedom.

Now that you know the most compelling reasons to set up a VPN on your device, let’s get straight to the point and reveal how to use it with the most popular devices and operating systems.

How to use a VPN service on different devices and platforms

According to the statistics provided by a Global Web Index study, most users set up VPNs on their desktop devices (17%), smartphones (15%), and tablets (7%). Besides, a reliable virtual private network should provide solutions for different platforms, browsers, and operating systems. Luckily, a multi-platform VPN service like VeePN will get you covered. Here is how to set up and run VeePN on macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android.

How to use a VPN on a PC

First, let’s explore how to use VeePN on your desktop device, whether macOS or Windows.

macOS

1. Sign up for VeePN and pick the preferable pricing plan for your needs.
2. Download and install the VeePN app on your macOS device from the App Store or the official VeePN website.

3. Open the VeePN app. 

4. Select a VPN server in the desired location. You can also use the Optimal Location option. It will automatically connect you to the fastest VPN server. 

5. Turn your VPN on.

Windows

1. Create a VeePN account and choose the most appropriate pricing plan.
2. Download the app from the official website and install it on your PC.

3. Enter the VeePN application and pick the desired server location or use the Optimal Location option. 

4. Turn your VPN on.

How to use a VPN on a smartphone or tablet

Now, let’s see how to set up and run VeePN on your mobile phone or tablet (iOS or Android).

iOS

Note that you can use VeePN on iOS 10 or higher.

1. Open Safari or another preferred browser and enter the VeePN website.

2. Sign up for VeePN.
3. Install the VeePN app from the App Store.

4. Open your VeePN app. 

5. Select the most suitable server location.

6. Allow the VeePN app to add VPN configurations to your iPhone or iPad.
7. Turn your VPN on. 

For more information, read our detailed guide on how to set up a VPN on your iPhone.

Android

Note that you can use VeePN on Android 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo & Nougat.

1. Open your preferred browser and visit the official VeePN website.
2. Create a new account and select an appropriate subscription plan.
3. You can download the installation file from the Play Store or get an .apk file directly from the website.

4. Install and open the app. Next, log in to your account.

5. Select the optimal serval location.

6. Allow the VeePN app to add VPN configurations to your device.
7. Turn your VPN on.

For more details, check out our guide on how to set up a VPN on your Android.

How to set up a VPN browser extension

Note that the VeePN browser extension is available for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge web browsers. It’s a lightweight version of the client app that works only within a single browser and provides access to a limited number of servers. For more information, read our article about the difference between a full VPN app and an extension. 

1. Open the preferred web browser. Here, we will show you how to set up the VeePN extension on Chrome. You can take similar steps to set it up on Firefox or Edge.
2. On the top right corner of your screen, find the VeePN extension for Chrome in the Extensions settings or use this link to add it to your browser.

3. Select Add to Chrome > Add extension.

4. Go back to your Extensions settings and select VeePN.

5. Choose the preferred server.

6. Turn your VPN on.

How to use a VPN for specific needs

The guides provided above cover the most common user requirements. Moreover, a VPN application has a convenient interface, which makes it easy to install and use. Still, in some specific cases, you may need to set up a VPN on an alternative device, such as a Wi-Fi router or game console, or even use it on several devices simultaneously.

Luckily, all those options are also possible with VeePN. 

Multiple devices

This option is suitable if you want to protect more than one device. For instance, you can securely use your desktop computer when at home and your smartphone or tablet while traveling – all covered with reliable VPN encryption. Also, this option makes VeePN a perfect choice for both personal and family use.

VeePN allows you to use VPN apps on up to ten devices within a single subscription. All you need to do is sign up for VeePN and pick a pricing plan. Then, you can download the VeePN app on any device of your choice.

Game console

VPN can be a great solution for gaming due to several reasons. First, you may use it to achieve a lag-free connection and quickly access the game’s servers. Also, a VPN allows you to stop Internet throttling – a technique many ISPs impose to limit users’ connection speed and bandwidth. And finally, a VPN protects you from DDoS attacks that are often targeted against gamers. As for your video game console, a VPN will protect you from IP and DNS leaks and prevent any potential PlayStation or Xbox account scams.

VeePN offers solutions for PlayStation 4 and 5 and Xbox One and Series X|S. Here is how to set it up.

1. Open the VeePN website. 
2. Select your subscription and sign up for VeePN.
3. Click Downloads and select an app for your game console (PS or Xbox).
4. Download and install the VeePN application on your device.

Streaming device

A VPN for Smart TV or another streaming device will let you seamlessly watch any desired content without compromising the connection security and the amount of bandwidth.

With VeePN, you can use a VPN on Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Android TV. Here is how.

1. Enter the official VeePN website.
2. Choose a subscription plan and create an account.
3. Click downloads and select your streaming TV device.
4. Download a VPN app and install it.

Note that some devices, including Apple TV, do not support native VPN applications. So to add an extra security layer to your streaming device, you can install a VPN on your Wi-Fi router. 

Wi-Fi router

If you want to protect your entire home network and all the devices connected to it, using a VPN for your router is your best bet. This solution will allow you to encrypt traffic even on devices that don’t support VPN apps (such as smart home systems, IoT devices, security cameras, and so on). But note that the setup process is a bit more complicated and requires some extra steps. 

Here is how to use a VPN on a router. 

1. Sign up for VeePN.
2. Open your router’s configuration settings by entering your IP address in your browser’s search bar.
3. Look for the VPN setting. Their name and location varies depending on your router’s firmware.
4. Test if your VPN connection works properly.

For more details, read our guide on installing a VPN on a Wi-Fi router. 

What will you get with a VPN subscription?

Now that you’re aware of how to use a VPN on different devices and operating systems, let’s discuss what exactly you’ll get with this solution. Here are the key VPN features you can benefit from with a VeePN subscription. 

VPN servers

VeePN provides access to over 2,500 servers across 89 locations in 60 countries. You can connect to the most suitable server location and switch to another one whenever needed. For instance, if you’re used to watching the American Netflix library, you can stream your favorite movies and series while traveling to another country where they’re unavailable. All you have to do is connect to the US-based VPN server, log in to your Netflix account, and enjoy the desired content. 

NetGuard

NetGuard is an essential cybersecurity feature that blocks unwanted ads, keeps you away from malicious links, protects you from malware-infected websites, and prevents third-party monitoring. Moreover, NetGuard is an effective tool against phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, DDoS attacks, and other threats. With its help, you can boost your Internet privacy and achieve peace of mind when surfing the web. 

Kill Switch

The main purpose of Kill Switch is to save your data when your VPN connection suddenly fails. It switches off your Internet connection for a few moments when your traffic isn’t encrypted. This doesn’t allow online snoopers to compromise your privacy when your device is the most vulnerable to their interference.

Double VPN

Normally, connecting to a single VPN server is enough to defend yourself from cyber threats and access the content you need. However, some activities require an extra security layer. That is where Double VPN can help. It allows you to connect your device to two VPN servers simultaneously. For instance, your data will travel from your current location to a VPN server in the UK, then it will move to another server in the Netherlands, and only after that reach its final destination.

DNS and IP leak protection

DNS and IP leakage may reveal some of your private data to your ISP. This often happens to free VPN users since such services lack extra security measures. Luckily, this is not the case with VeePN. It prevents potential IP and DNS exposure and keeps your personal information protected at all times. 

We won’t list all the VPN features you can access with VeePN in this article – after all, you can test them on your own. Whatever the purpose for using a VPN and the device you prefer, our trustworthy service got you covered. Try VeePN now and take advantage of a thirty-day money-back guarantee!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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