How to Setup a Windows VPN in a Few Simple Steps

ByAdrian

Having a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your PC (Personal Computer) is very useful when connecting to public WiFis or working from home, as it encrypts all your sensitive data, thus offering you some degree of protection. However, setting up and using a VPN is not exactly practical for everyone. If you’re looking to setup a VPN at home, you need to take into consideration a number of factors, including the type of connection you have, how much you want to spend on hardware and software, what type of security you need, and most importantly, how you intend to use the VPN. In this article, we will discuss how to setup a VPN in Windows, as it’s the most popular operating system for PC’s and laptops, and the one most people are familiar with. However, setting up and using a VPN on a Mac is pretty much the same as on a PC. 

Step 1: Choose A VPN Provider

If you’re new to VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, the first step is to choose a provider. Fortunately, there are many reliable and trustworthy VPN providers, each offering a variety of plans that you can choose from. Before making your selection, however, it is crucial to perform a little research on the company. Perform a quick search on Google or Bing to find out more about the company. You can also click on the provider’s website to learn more about their service. By doing this, you will have saved yourself a lot of trouble later on, when setting up and using the VPN. Remember, the key to a good VPN is a reliable and trustworthy provider. If you’re not sure which provider to choose, try out a few of them and see which one works the best for your needs. Some of the best VPNs available are:

  • IPVanish
  • NordVPN
  • PrivateInternetAccess
  • VyprVPN

Step 2: Install And Use The VPN Client

Once you have chosen a reputable VPN provider, you need to download and install their client software on your computer. The easiest way to do this is by visiting the VPN provider’s website and downloading and installing their software directly from there. (Make sure you’re logged into your account before doing this, as the software will need your authorization to work). Alternatively, you can download and install the software from the provider’s app store, or from the Windows Store if you have Windows 10.

Once the VPN client is installed, you can use it to connect to the VPN and make changes to your settings. One of the most important things to do is to set a strong password for your VPN, as this will protect you from hacking attempts, should your computer be compromised. You should also change the default port that the software uses to connect to the VPN (most VPN clients use port 443 for this, but you can change it to another port if you prefer). In addition, you can use the VPN client to make changes to your firewall settings, so that all traffic is routed through the VPN, thus protecting your computer from potentially harmful outside connections. Finally, you can use the VPN client to modify the DNS settings on your computer, so that any time you try to visit a website, it will be redirected to the virtual equivalent via the VPN. Doing this ensures that all your data is encrypted, should someone attempt to hack into your device.

Step 3: Configure The VPN For The Best Performance

After you connected to the VPN, you will need to configure it to work best for your needs. For this, you can follow these steps:

  • Go to the VPN’s website and log into your account. This will usually take you to a setup page, where you can make changes to the VPN’s settings.
  • Once you’re logged into your account, click on the menu (near the top right corner of the screen) and choose Options. You will see a list of features, followed by a drop-down menu. Choose the security level that works best for you from this list. Most VPNs offer a variety of security settings, from None (disconnects whenever you want) to IPv6 (enables you to access several websites at the same time via IPv6).
  • Finally, you can choose to Automatically reconnect whenever you disconnect (this feature is usually included in the security settings option). To do this, simply check the box next to this option and save your changes.

Once you made these changes, you have effectively set up a VPN for Windows. However, to use the VPN, you will need to repeatedly reconnect to it whenever you disconnect from the internet (this is usually done by default whenever you close your computer’s lid or turn it off). Setting this up can be a pain, as you will have to manually type in your credentials each time you reconnect. If you want to use the VPN without having to manually type in your credentials each time, you can download and install the BitTorrent Bundle, which includes a VPN client and a virtual private network manager. (This software is only available for Windows, as there is no Mac equivalent). With this application, you will not have to manually type in your credentials, as it will remember them for you. When you next connect to the internet via BitTorrent, you will automatically be connected to the VPN.

More Information

If you want to learn more about VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, you can visit the following websites:

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