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What is a VPN?
A VPN can allow you to build a secure connection between your computer to a different network through the internet. You can use VPNs for many reasons. These include shielding activity on public Wi-Fi, accessing region-restricted content, and possibly connecting to a business network to work from home.
People choose to use a VPN for many reasons. Perhaps the biggest goal is to help protect themselves from cybercriminals. Paired with an antivirus program, this can help keep you and your Mac safe while browsing online.
This security is even more critical if you tend to access the internet on unsecured connections, such as at your local library, favorite coffee shop, or the airport. These connections make it incredibly easy for hackers to gain access to your information, including passwords to your banks and social media accounts.
A VPN may also speed up your WiFi connection. It’s also worth noting much like its Microsoft counterpart, MacOS doesn’t have a dedicated Mac VPN service in the way you might be expecting, but it does have a built-in client, so you’ll need your own. Most cost money – and be wary of free VPN services; you’re often just giving them your information, which they may be selling to advertisers.
Keep in mind that while VPNs offer an increased level of security, they can’t help someone with unsafe browsing habits. Just remember to protect yourself by not downloading suspicious files, clicking on potentially spoofed websites, or other risky browsing behaviors.
How Does a VPN Work?
When you connect your computer (or another device, such as a smartphone or tablet) to a VPN, the computer acts as if it’s on the same local network as the VPN. All your network traffic is sent over a secure connection to the VPN. Because your computer behaves as if it’s on the network, this allows you to securely access local network resources even when you’re on the other side of the world. You’ll also be able to use the Internet as if you were present at the VPN’s location, which has some benefits if you’re using public Wi-Fi or want to access geo-blocked websites.
When you browse the web while connected to a VPN, your computer contacts the website through the encrypted VPN connection. The VPN forwards the request for you and forwards the response from the website back through the secure connection. If you’re using a USA-based VPN to access Netflix, Netflix will see your connection as coming from within the USA
Choose a VPN service for your Mac
A VPN remains one of the best ways to protect your data from being viewed or stolen by hackers if you’re looking to add an additional layer of security and privacy to your online presence.
A few reasons you might want to install a VPN are:
- Connecting to a work network remotely to create a secure environment when working outside the office.
- Anonymous online browsing to secure web traffic on public Wi-Fi connections.
- Accessing sites available in other countries to unlock content restricted in your home country.
Of course, VPNs are useful for a whole host of other reasons than the ones we’ve covered above, including:
- Helping reduces buffering time while streaming audio or video.
- Saving you money, especially when using comparison sites to shop for airline tickets, hotels, and car rentals.
- Access your home network while you’re away.
- Downloading files faster.
Connecting your Mac to a VPN
You can usually get a VPN connection either through any of the common third-party VPN software other there, you can also connect by using Apple’s built-in VPN client.
We’ve got you covered below with everything you need to know about how to set up and use a VPN on your Mac. Then, we’ll go over how you can configure VPN access on your iPhone or iPad too.
Once you initially set up your VPN, connecting to it in the future is a breeze!
- Click on the Apple menu and then on System Preferences.
- Select the Network icon.
- Select your VPN service on the list at the left-hand side of the box.
- If a Configuration pop-up menu appears, choose the appropriate configuration.
- Click the Connect button.
That’s it! You now know how to install a VPN for Mac! Once you connect to your selected VPN, you can start browsing the internet with privacy and security. Learning how to install a VPN for Mac is just that easy!
