How to Exclude a Terminal from a VPN
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are becoming more and more popular every day. Being able to connect to a server and access your data privately, regardless of which device you are using, is a great way to stay safe while on the internet.
Unfortunately, a VPN can be used for more than just private data protection, as anyone who has ever tried to use a VPN for gaming will tell you. Being able to play certain games (like Steam) can be very frustrating if you are unable to connect to a server, or if the connection is very unstable. This is where exclusions come in.
Why Should You Exclude Your Terminal from Your VPN?
There are many reasons why you might want to exclude your terminal from your VPN, but here are a few of the most common reasons.
- To keep your gaming experience stable and enjoyable
- To keep your personal data secure
- To reduce data consumption
How To Exclude Your Terminal From Your VPN
The following steps will show you how to exclude your terminal (e.g. a PC, MAC, or Linux server) from your VPN so that it cannot access the internet or any other network resources:
- Make a backup of your /etc/networks/interfaces file
- Open it in a text editor
- Locate the line that begins with auto eth0
- Replace it with the following line
- iface eth0 inet static
- Add the following line at the end of the file:
- address 192.168.0.1
- Substitute 192.168.0.1 with the IP address or domain name of your VPN server.
- Save the file and close it
Test That It Works
Now that your VPN configuration is correctly set up, you can test it by restarting your network services (e.g. if you’re using Linux, you’ll need to restart the network service called NetworkManager). After doing this, you can use your PC or Mac to connect to the VPN and access resources normally reserved for only those connected to the internet (e.g. your bank account, email, etc.). You should only be able to access these resources if your VPN is configured correctly.
If you’re experiencing any difficulties, you can refer to the instructions provided by the VPN server to fix any problems.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, this article was able to show you how to exclude your terminal from your VPN so that it cannot access the internet or any other network resources. While it is certainly possible to use a VPN for gaming, it’s generally not advisable. Excluding your terminal will help ensure that your gaming experience is stable and enjoyable.