How to Get a VPN on a Chromebook?

How to Get a VPN on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are excellent budget laptops that run on Google’s Chrome OS. It’s a Linux-based operating system that uses the Chrome browser as its primary user interface.

Since Chromebooks are primarily used for browsing the web, using a VPN is highly recommended to increase privacy and establish secure connections. Our article will guide you through how to get a VPN on a Chromebook.

What Is a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

A VPN is an excellent tool for improving privacy on the web. It hides your IP address and redirects it to a remote server that the VPN service hosts, enabling you to access the internet as if you were actually there. As a result, a VPN can help you unblock content that is otherwise unavailable to you due to geo-restrictions because your device will display an IP address in that server’s location.

A VPN does more than bypassing geo-blocks, though. It encrypts your data and prevents trackers from profiling you. This feature is extremely helpful, especially when you’re connected to someone else’s or public WiFi at a coffee shop or an airport.

Ultimately, virtual private networks add an extra layer of security and allow you to browse the web without worry.

4 Ways to Get VPN on a Chromebook

There isn’t just one way to set up a VPN on a Chromebook. You can download a VPN app, install a Chrome extension, or use your Chromebook’s built-in features to set it up manually. Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation of how to do these to establish a secure VPN connection.

Install a VPN Application

Perhaps the most convenient way to get a VPN on a Chromebook is by installing a VPN app. You can browse countless VPN apps on the Play Store, but don’t rush to download any – especially the free ones.

Free VPN providers make up for the lack of paid users by selling your data, which pretty much goes against the purpose of a VPN. In fact, FOX found that free VPNs aren’t worth the risk because there’s a higher chance of a data breach due to bad encryption.

Instead, look for a reliable solution, such as NordVPN’s VPN for Chromebook. Nord uses a 256-bit encryption that’s recommended by the NSA and other government agencies.

Install a VPN Extension

Another simple way to get a VPN on your Chromebook is by installing an extension from the Google Web Store. However, apps and extensions aren’t the same. Extensions only work within the browser, not entirely on the Chromebook. It won’t do the trick if you plan to use a VPN to watch a movie on the Netflix app unavailable in your location.

Nonetheless, a VPN extension will work and secure your connection when you’re using Chrome. Again, avoid free VPNs and get the extension of a reputable VPN provider, such as NordVPN (it has both an app and an extension for Chromebooks).

Install From an External Drive

Some Chromebooks, particularly school-issued ones, come with restricted features that don’t allow downloading apps or extensions. With these devices, you can download the application or extension file, transfer it to an external drive, and connect it to your Chromebook to install.

This method may or may not work, depending on the restrictions on the device. Still, it’s worth the try if the above methods don’t work.

Manually Set Up a VPN

Chromebooks support the Internet Key Exchange v2 (IKEv2) protocol that enables setting up VPN connections manually. You can access this feature by following these steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Network.
  2. Select “Add connection” from the Network settings.
  3. Choose “Add built-in VPN” and hit the plus icon.

On the opened menu, you’ll need to enter your virtual private network provider’s instructions to configure the VPN. Every VPN provider has a step-by-step guide on manually setting up a VPN connection.

These instructions usually include the server hostname, user or server certificate, and username and password, or pre-shared key – depending on the authentication type. Although a lengthy and more complicated way of getting a VPN on a Chromebook, you’ll need to do this if you’ve exhausted all the other options.

Best Way to Get a VPN on a Chromebook

While there are multiple ways to set up a VPN on a Chromebook, the best way is simply to install an app. You can take our recommendation and install NordVPN to secure the connections on your Chromebook.

Alternatively, you can get the NordVPN Chrome extension and only use it on the web – or install both to take advantage of a secure VPN to the fullest!

 

An original article about How to Get a VPN on a Chromebook? by Kokou Adzo · Published in Resources

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