You’ve done a lot of research on VPNs, and you’re now armed with knowledge on what a VPN is and why you should use one. But for some reason, you’re still doubtful. You wonder whether getting a VPN unlimited lifetime subscription makes that much of a difference and whether a VPN is compatible with your hardware.
Well, with the domain of the Internet of Things continuing to expand, chances are your device can be used with a VPN. In this article, we look at ten devices on which you can set up a VPN.
VPNs for Every Purpose
Users set up a VPN for a variety of reasons. They may want to be secure while they’re on their public Wi-Fi or when they are engaging in online gaming. They might want to ensure their Kodi media center is secure when it’s connected to the Internet, or their work is secure when they are working from home.
Whatever your reasons, there is no doubt that using a VPN is necessary. The question is, which one?
The good news is that most VPN providers, such as those listed in our reviews, are compatible with the OpenVPN standard. Therefore, you can still set up a VPN fairly and easily because of OpenVPN—even if the VPN provider you use does not have a dedicated app for your smartphone, laptop, desktop, etc.
Below are 10 devices with which you can use a VPN.
Computers: Laptops and Desktops
All major computer operating systems support the setup of a VPN client or manual configuration of a connection using OpenVPN.
Windows
All VPN providers have a client for Windows because it’s the most widely used computer operating system. All you need to do is download the VPN client, install it, input the login credentials of your account, and finally, activate the VPN whenever needed. It’s that simple.
To set up a VPN connection manually, go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Obtain the configuration details from your VPN provider. PPTP protocol is used in many cases. It is, however, no longer maintained and thus has numerous vulnerabilities.
MacOS
All the leading VPN providers offer a client for users of MacOS, even though the operating system is not as widely used as Windows. Just like Windows, you need to download the client from the VPN provider, install it on your Mac computer and log in to use it.
Linux
Some top VPN providers offer a client for Linux. However, support for this platform is not as widespread as that of Windows and macOS. Providers who don’t offer a Linux client still support OpenVPN, though, which you can set up on a majority of Linux operating systems.
Browser Extensions
VPN browser extensions are useful in cases where you may not be able to install a VPN client or when you want quick access and control of a VPN. Some providers offer a browser extension to their users. ExpressVPN, for example, offers one that you can only use if you have installed the provider’s full VPN on your computer.
Having a full VPN client installed on your computer is in most cases more advantageous than having only a browser extension because a full VPN offers far more features. For instance, the double-hop feature, which allows you to use a VPN router behind another router, can only be available on a full client.
For extensions, all you need to do is add it to your browser and log in to start using it. Connecting and disconnecting from the VPN is easy. Find out whether the VPN provider you’re considering offers extensions for the major browsers, namely, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.
Mobile Devices
Laptop and desktop computers are not the only devices on which you can enjoy the privacy and security of a VPN. All well-established VPN providers offer apps for mobile devices. And if your provider doesn’t offer a mobile, you can still set up a VPN on your phone using OpenVPN apps.
Android
Most VPN providers offer dedicated Android apps which enable you to use their service on your phone or tablet. Beyond standard Android devices, some VPN providers offer apps for Amazon devices such as TV sticks and Fire tablets. Where dedicated apps are unavailable, you can connect these devices to your VPN using an OpenVPN app.
iOS
As with Android, iPhone, and iPad, users enjoy widespread support by VPN providers, so your VPN provider is likely to offer a dedicated client for your phone. However, in case they don’t, or your app has issues, you can use anyone from a number of OpenVPN apps. These apps give you access to any servers maintained by your VPN provider using the OpenVPN protocol.
Windows Phone 8 and Windows 10 Mobile
There are few VPN clients for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile. Therefore, to use a VPN on these devices, you need to manually configure the connection.
If you’re on Windows 10 Mobile, go to Settings > Network & wireless > VPN. Once you’re there, select Add a VPN connection and enter the required server name and login credentials. Use the same menu to open a VPN. Meanwhile, on Windows Phone 8.1, go to Settings > VPN, toggle On, and then tap the “+” to create a new profile. Here, enter the required server name and credentials.
Blackberry
Blackberry is struggling to continue its existence. Even so, some VPN providers still offer a client for Blackberries. As might be expected, these clients are supported only by later models of the device. This means that if you have an old Blackberry device, you need to look for alternative arrangements.
The good news is that the Blackberry phone is the original secure smartphone and has supported VPNs for a long time now.
If you’re using a more recent model, such as the Blackberry Torch, go to Options > Security and select Add New to create a profile. You’ll be required to enter your credentials and the server name you want to use.
In case you experience difficulties in manually setting up a VPN on your Windows phone or Blackberry, you can obtain all the details from the website of your VPN providers. Also, check support pages and user forums.
Gaming Console
Gaming technology has come a long way, and you can now set up a VPN on your gaming device. You can probably use your VPN provided that you’re running an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4. You need to get the details from your VPN provider.
9-10. Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Some VPN providers make tools available for their users tailored for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, it is important to note that these tools are usually aimed at optimizing media streaming activities rather than privacy and security.
For example, if you’re located outside of the US but want to access US Netflix, you can either use a VPN that works with Netflix free or make use of these DNS tricks to get around Geo-restrictions. For full details, consult your VPN provider.