How to set up a VPN: A quick guide (2024)

A virtual private network (VPN) is an important tool for your internet security toolbox. That’s especially true when your business has sensitive internal data or customer information to worry about. The questions are: How do you set one up, and will it benefit your business?

In this guide, we’ll dig into VPNs and what they’re used for. Then, we’ll walk you through how to set up a VPN across devices. Plus, we’ll show you some of our team’s recommendations for the top VPN services.

What is a VPN used for?

A VPN can improve the online experience in many ways. “A VPN establishes a secure encrypted connection between two endpoints. Both endpoints share a secret key. It encrypts data that’s sent over the internet and decrypts information that’s received,” explained Taimur Aslam, co-founder and CTO of cybersecurity firm Cytex Inc. That means your internet traffic travels securely to a private server the VPN company owns before going to the website or service you want to access.

About half of all VPN users rely on this technology for work or business applications. Why might organizations encourage the use of a service like this or set up a VPN platform for employees? Here are some of the key benefits that can come with using a virtual private network:

Remote access

Professionals use VPNs to establish secure connections to their corporate networks. In fact, the primary purpose of VPNs for 84% of organizations is to enable access for remote employees, according to Cybersecurity Insiders.

The growth of the distributed workforce has created an increasing need to protect the online business environment. Thanks to VPNs, business owners and their teams can work from home or any other location without compromising information. This helps to maintain the confidentiality of company data.

Security

All sorts of activities are done online, from ordering supplies to managing transactions. VPNs encrypt traffic so your data stays secure during its transmission. This is important when using a public network, and can prevent hackers from getting your data.

“You can use VPNs to keep your sensitive activities private. Using a VPN while on the go is especially important, as the public Wi-Fi available in coffee shops, airports, hotels and restaurants can easily be used by criminals to snoop on your activity,” said Maria-Kristina Hayden, CEO and founder of cyber consulting firm OUTFOXM.

That said, before deciding on a VPN service, any business dealing with sensitive customer data, healthcare records, financial information or intellectual property should fully read and understand the provider’s privacy and security policies. Relevant compliance and certifications may be required for your industry. For example, any company handling protected health information must use a VPN that meets specific encryption requirements.

Avoiding location restrictions

Because internet traffic is routed through your VPN provider’s server, VPNs make it look like you’re browsing the internet from a different location. A VPN hides your original IP address, which can be useful if you or members of your team need to access blocked websites or tools.

For example, some businesses may need to access specialized software that’s only available in a certain location, conduct competitor analysis in a specific region, or research pricing trends in local currencies. Many VPN providers offer servers across the globe so you can choose where your internet traffic appears to originate from.

Anonymous browsing

VPNs offer a meaningful layer of anonymity that makes directly linking you to browsing behaviors or real-world locations more difficult. This extra privacy helps keep sensitive activities like transactions and contract negotiations more confidential when on public networks.

However, there are other sophisticated techniques sites employ to identify users, such as browser fingerprinting, cookies or logged-in account activity. Consider pairing a VPN with your browser’s private mode and installing an ad blocker for better protection.

Preventing throttling

Some internet providers limit the total amount of bandwidth you can consume during certain online activities to encourage you to use their proprietary services or to sell internet plans with more bandwidth. VPNs can bypass bandwidth throttling and slow internet speeds that some providers enforce. Using a VPN lessens disruptions that could delay urgent work.

Setting up a VPN on Windows

The first step is picking a reliable VPN service. Now, let’s go over that and the basics of getting a VPN connection set up:

1. Pick a VPN and visit its website to understand the service
2. If required by the VPN service, choose a plan option to register and complete payment.
3. Download the app for Windows (this will usually be an .exe file)
4. Double-click on the downloaded file; follow all the installation pop-ups and prompts until it’s set up on your computer
5. Launch the VPN app (you may need to enter your account details and other authentication)
6. After logging in, you’ll see a list of available servers; choose one that works best for what you want to do (like accessing certain sites)
7. Click on the location, then select the option to connect

Setting up a VPN on Mac

Setting up a VPN on your Mac is simple. Check out this overview of the process:

1. Visit the website of a VPN provider and sign up for a plan if it’s necessary to do so
2. Download the VPN (often a .dmg file for Mac)
3. Drag the downloaded app to applications and install it on your computer
4. Launch the VPN app and log in
5. Select a server location
6. Click to connect

Setting up a VPN on your Android device

Ready to do more secure browsing on the go? Do this to set up a VPN on Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store app
2. Search for your VPN or choose a new app to install
3. Open the installed app and log in
4. Choose a server location
5. Tap connect to start the VPN connection; a key icon will appear in your notification bar, indicating that the connection is secure

Setting up a VPN on iOS

Do you have an Apple device? Follow these instructions to set up your VPN.

1. Open the Apple App Store
2. Search for VPN apps or the provider you’d like to use
3. Download the VPN app and let the installer run
4. Open the app, then sign up or sign in to your account
5. Look at the server location options and decide which you’d like to use
6. Tap the connect option to start using the VPN

Setting up a VPN on a router

While it can be appealing to explore installing a VPN on your router, it’s important to first make sure your router is compatible with the VPN you’re trying to install. If your internet service provider (ISP) provided your router, installing firmware that supports a VPN can void your warranty or damage your router.

A better route for small businesses is purchasing a new or different router that supports setting up a VPN or comes preconfigured for VPN connectivity out of the box. A router designed to automatically connect to a VPN can encrypt — and therefore protect — your entire network, and any devices that connect to it, giving your business a blanket layer of security.

How to use a VPN on a gaming system

Do you have gaming devices on location? Don’t neglect these connected devices. This is how to set up a VPN on a console.

1. Pick a VPN service
2. Create an account and subscribe or sign up
3. Set up the VPN service on your router (see previous section for our advice on this)
4. Consider what you’ll be playing and choose a server location
5. Turn on your console
6. Connect to the same network that your router is using

Editors’ picks: Best VPNs

Each provider and platform is different, which can make choosing between them overwhelming. Our editors put in the work so you don’t have to. Here are three of the best VPNs that our team has researched, tested and ranked:

NordVPN

NordVPN has a server network covering 61 countries and over 6,000 servers. It has apps across major platforms and offer the ability to secure internet access and add to anonymity online. With the combination of multi-platform availability and simplicity, NordVPN is one of our top recommendations. Prices for the standard offering start at $3.39 per user, per month.

NordLayer is a business-specific product. It can be managed by network administrators for remote access via dedicated servers and IP whitelisting. This service can help organizations establish a bring-your-own-device policy without sacrificing security and compliance. Prices start at $8 per user, per month.

PureVPN

PureVPN has options for platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux, plus mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. The setup process is quick; we were able to download and install PureVPN’s Mac desktop app in less than 30 seconds. Moments later, we were able to successfully establish a connection. Prices for PureVPN start at $3.85 per user, per month.

PureVPN’s business VPN option, PureDome, is a corporate VPN solution. It provides robust defense against cyberthreats, controls access to company resources and networks, and provides split tunneling for programs and apps that require VPN protection while enabling access to local services for others. Prices start at $6.76 per user per month when paid annually. The minimum subscription is five users.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN makes this list because the brand is so transparent. It claims to be the first VPN provider to open source its apps on all platforms. It also has a no-logs policy, validated by an external audit. This means the company doesn’t log your online activity. A free version of Proton VPN is available. It can be used on one device at a time but it only includes access to servers in three countries. Paid plans start at $4.99 per month when purchasing a two-year plan and include protection for 10 devices and access to over 3,000 servers across more than 70 countries.

Proton VPN Business gives users additional security features, including private gateways with dedicated servers and IPs, access segmentation and advanced organization management options. Prices start at $5.99 per user per month when purchasing a two-year plan.

Interested in a free VPN? Check out our guide to the best free VPNs for 2024