How to Get a VPN to Your Home and Work Locations – Step By Step Guide
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, allows you to securely connect to a network (e.g. the internet) while staying anonymous. This can be useful if you want to make sure your personal data are not being monitored while browsing the web or if you want to access restricted content in a company network (e.g. Google docs).
VPNs are fairly easy to set up and use, and, thanks to the abundance of free providers like VPN.ac and Ivacy, it is now possible to get a premium-quality VPN for free.
You can download and install the software on your computer or mobile device, connect to a VPN server, and then proceed to use the internet as usual. From there, you can navigate to websites, download files, and connect to other VPN servers as needed.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to get a VPN to your home and work locations so you can use the internet and devices as needed without worrying about where you are or whether or not you are violating any security rules.
Step 1: Install and Configure VPN Software On Your Computing Device
Before you begin, it is essential that you have a VPN client installed on your computer or mobile device. There are a number of VPN apps available for download from the Google Play Store and the App Store, so it is not necessary to mention them all here. Installing the app is as simple as clicking the button, and, when the installation is done, you will see a brief tutorial (if needed) and then be able to use the app.
Before you start configuring the app, however, it is important to note that some apps may need access to certain system resources in order to function (e.g. the device’s network configuration file). If this is the case, make sure that you grant access when asked during setup.
Step 2: Connect to a VPN Server
Once you have the VPN software installed, you can connect to a VPN server to ensure that your personal data is always kept private when surfing the web. If you are unsure how to connect to a VPN server, refer to the instruction manual or read the online help for your VPN app.
To connect to a VPN server, simply choose the location near you from the list, and then click the Connect button.
Some VPN apps, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and LiquidVPN, offer servers in nearly every country. This way, you can always choose a server that is near you (or at least offers the services you are looking for) in case you are unable to connect to the one you have chosen.
Step 3: Log In to Your Account
Once you have connected to a VPN server, you will see a pop-up indicating that you have successfully connected to a VPN. If you are using a desktop computer, you can now either click the Log In button to automatically log in to your account or type in your login information manually if you are already logged in.
Using a VPN is simple once you have connected. You can browse the web anonymously, access restricted content, and prevent others from viewing your browsing history if you are using a public Wi-Fi connection.
To ensure your data is always private when using public Wi-Fi, ensure that you connect to a VPN first. If you are worried about your personal data being monitored when using a public Wi-Fi hotspot at work, you can also use your employer’s computer to get a VPN (e.g. via their internet connection). Many companies, such as Cloudflare, offer free VPNs for their employees.
Step 4: Check Your Email For Account Activation
An email will arrive soon from VPN. To ensure that you get it, check your junk email folder. If you haven’t received it after a while, you can also try sending another email. Sometimes, it can take a while for an email to be delivered, so don’t panic if you don’t receive it right away.
Once you have activated your account through an email sent from VPN, you can log in to your account and check your email as needed. You will also see a small blue button at the top right of your screen when you log in.
From there, you can manage your account, check the status of your orders, and change your password if you forget it.
If you are purchasing a VPN to be used at home, work, or both, make sure that you activate the router or modem’s firewall so that it does not block the VPN’s incoming connections. Otherwise, you will not be able to connect to the VPN when you need to (e.g. if you are using a public Wi-Fi connection at work).
Step 5: Use the VPN For As Long As Necessary
Use the VPN as needed to access the internet or a company network (e.g. intranet) while staying anonymous. If you want to use a VPN at home, it is advisable to unplug your computer or mobile device from the internet and then connect to the VPN when you want to use it (e.g. before you log in to a public Wi-Fi network). This ensures that your data is secured while also allowing you to use the internet when you want to.
To prevent yourself from being tracked when using public Wi-Fi, ensure that you always connect to a VPN server before you use the internet. Many VPNs do not maintain any logs of your activity (except for a very minimal amount of information needed to generate your key), so you should not have to worry about your personal data being monitored.
Once you have used the VPN for a while, you can always download the latest version to ensure that you are always using the latest and most efficient software.