How to Get a VPN on a School Chromebook

ByAdrian

Encryption is more important now than ever before. Data breaches are on the rise, with the LinkedIn Data Breach Investigations Report finding that 59% of businesses experience security incidents due to lack of encryption protection. While it’s great that businesses are taking the initiative to protect their data, it’s also prompting them to ask questions about what their customers’ data look like when it’s been hacked. Additionally, in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure your personal data is protected. That’s where VPNs come in. Let’s dive into how you can get a VPN on a school Chromebook so you can remotely access your email, stream your favorite TV shows, and keep your personal information safe.

Step one: Get a VPN for your school website

The very first step to getting a VPN is deciding which one you want to get. There are plenty of reputable VPNs out there, each with their perks and quirks. Some are better suited for specific tasks, while others are absolutely free. As a general rule of thumb, the more functionality you want, the more you’ll have to pay for. For the best overall experience, consider one of the following:

  • ExpressVPN
  • NordVPN
  • VyprVPN
  • PureVPN
  • PrivateInternetAccess
  • CyberGhost
  • AVS
  • FREETEL
  • LogicPro VPN

If you decide to go with one of the above, you’ll want to get their Chrome extension so you can easily connect to their servers when you log in. If you don’t already have a Google account, you can create one for free.

Step two: Get a VPN for your school apps

Once you have your VPN setup on your school website, you can easily extend it to your other devices. Your school might already have a Google Apps account, or you can create one for free. Since Chromebooks are basically just laptops with a web browser, installing and using a VPN on one is incredibly easy. Here are the steps:

  1. From the Extensions page, click on the gear icon to bring up the settings page.
  2. Click on the “Extensions” tab at the top.
  3. Look for the green check mark next to “VPN” and click on it to install the extension.
  4. Once it’s installed, you’ll see a “+” icon next to VPN in the list of extensions.
  5. Click on it to open the settings page.
  6. At the bottom of the page, you’ll see a “+” icon next to VPN again, this time with a padlock icon next to it. Click on it to activate your VPN connection.
  7. You’ll now have the option to connect to a single server or to choose from all the servers available to you. If you’re struggling with connections, try choosing one of the latter.
  8. Type in your school’s network key (usually 12-15 characters but can vary) and click on the Connect button.
  9. You’ll be prompted to enter your Google password, which you should know by now.
  10. After you enter your password, you’ll see a spinning wheel of gears with a progress bar above it. When the wheel stops, you’re good to go and can use all the features of the VPN.
  11. You can click on the hamburger icon (three lines) in the top right corner of the screen to bring up a menu.
  12. Choose “About” from the drop-down menu and it’ll display your school’s name, version, and the fact that you have a VPN connected.

Step three: Use your VPN on your school apps

It’s now time to put everything you learned into practice. All the apps and services you use on a daily basis—whether it’s WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram—will benefit from having a VPN connection. Since you’re probably accessing these apps and services from several devices at once (like your phone, tablet, and Chromebook), it’s important to make sure that all of them are protected by a VPN. Otherwise, if you browse the web on one device and then log in to your bank account on another, for example, your bank account can be at risk because there’s no encryption between your web connection and your bank’s network.

Why do I need a VPN for my school apps?

Apps like WhatsApp and Instagram are incredibly useful, but because they’re so popular, it’s easy for hackers to discover your school’s unencrypted network traffic and launch a cyberattack. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, protecting your apps and data from snoopers, hackers, and system errors. Even apps that are not affected by these dangers can still be at risk of being hacked if their creators don’t take the security step.

Additionally, certain apps have the ability to log your location, which can then be tracked by law enforcement. While they don’t always do this, it’s something to be wary of. VPNs protect your personal information and keep you secure by keeping all your data private, regardless of where you go or what you do. This is why you need a VPN for your school.

How can I be sure that my school isn’t blocking the VPN?

Your school might already have a firewall in place or use a VPN-blocking service, like CloudFlare. If you’re worried that your school might be blocking the VPN, try one of the following:

  • Go to your school’s Networking & Security page and click on the Settings button at the top to open up a new window. In the resulting dialog box, you can choose to “Allow VPNs” or “Block VPNs.” If you have “Block VPNs,” you won’t be able to use the VPN you just installed.
  • Go to your school’s Networking & Security page and click on the Settings button at the top to open up a new window. In the resulting dialog box, you can choose to “Allow VPNs” or “Block VPNs.” If you have “Allow VPNs,” you’ll be able to use the VPN you just installed.
  • Go to your school’s Networking & Security page and click on the Settings button at the top to open up a new window. In the resulting dialog box, you can choose to “Allow VPNs” or “Block VPNs.” If you have “Block VPNs,” you won’t be able to use the VPN you just installed.

What if my school tries to block the VPN?

If you decide that you want to use a VPN at your school at least for apps that you know are dangerous (like Facebook), then your best bet is to contact your school’s IT department and have them lift the ban. You don’t want to get in trouble for something you think is helpful to protect yourself and your friends from cyberattack. You might not be doing anything wrong, but the administration doesn’t have the faintest idea that what they be doing is, in fact, wrong. In this case, it’s your right to protect yourself and your friends and family from identity theft and financial fraud, so it’s your duty to use a VPN.

Is it safe to use a VPN while at school?

Yes, as long as you use a reputable VPN service that you deem safe and secure. While it’s not always easy to determine who you can trust, there are plenty of helpful tips that you should follow to keep your personal information safe:

Similar Posts