The use of VPN networks is nothing new, but in the last decade it has become very popular thanks to the need for a private network for the use of a particular computer, separated from a local network.
VPN are the initials of Virtual Private Network and, in essence, it allows creating a virtual private network to connect a computer to the internet independently of the network provided by the router.
Practically all Linux distributions are compatible with VPN tools, and in this article you will learn everything you need to know about Virtual Private Networks, so you can perform in them as an expert.
Is it really necessary to use a VPN on Linux? Reasons to do it
While it is not required, the use of VPN networks in Linux operating systems is highly recommended and encouraged, since the connection configurations of almost all distributions have a VPN connection access.
Among the main benefits of these networks we can mention:
- VPN networks offer strong protection in conjunction with firewalls, since all data traffic is encrypted.
- Most organizations protect the security of their data by offering remote access to their networks. exclusively via VPN.
- The VPN network guarantees anonymity of your data providing encryption from ISP (Internet Service Provider), keeping your data encrypted and preventing even your Internet provider from reading it.
- Allows access to sites with regional blocks, thus circumventing the censorship of web pages.
- Allows the user change IP address, which allows the user to browse the internet safely and anonymously.
- VPN networks can bypass bandwidth restriction that some internet providers impose.
For users more versed in the use of VPNs, It is even possible to increase the security of monetary transactions through encryption, so it is a widely used tool in banking.
Learn step by step how to configure OpenVPN on your Linux computer to improve your privacy on the Internet
OpenVPN is the default tool in Linux for create and access VPN networks. This barrier it will allow you fast, secure and anonymous access to the internet from any Linux terminal. To activate OpenVPN on your computer, you must ensure that you have “sudo” privileges or “root” access, not have OpenVPN installedor, and configure the firewall to allow traffic TCP and UDP.
Then just follow these steps:
-
Update the system using the command terminal, with the line:
sudo apt update.
-
Install the package of net-tools, which contains “ifcfg”, which we will need to install OpenVPN. Use the command
sudo apt install net-tools -
Enters to the website
openvpn.netand download the OpenVPN client compatible with your version. -
Get the download link and run it with the command “Curl”. The command line will look like this:
curl -O http://swupdate.openvpn.org/as/openvpn-as-2.5.2-Ubuntu.amd_64.deb. -
Validate the download of the correct installation using the following command:
sha256sum openvpn-as-*. -
The checksum will be printed as follows:
6354ac41be811829e60b028d3a7a527e839232d7f782c1d29bb4d8bd32bf24d5 openvpn-as-2.7.3-Ubuntu.x86_64.deb.
- If the number you got matches the one seen on the website, you can proceed with the installation.
-
Enter the command in the terminal
sudo dpkg -i openvpn-as-*.deb, as soon as you run the command the installation will begin. - By default, it will be set “Openvpn” as username and password, if you want to modify it, you just have to execute the command “Passwd openvpn”. This will change the password to one of your choice that you will need to remember to log in.
List of the best VPNs to use on Linux operating system as alternatives to OpenVPN
Even with the versatility of OpenVPN, the number of private network clients available for Linux is immense, so you have a large number of options, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
We present you the best VPN clients you can find for Linux:
ExpressVPN.com
It was created by Express VPN International Ltd., and works as a virtual security tool that hides the IP address of users and encrypts their network traffic data. It is available for almost all operating systems and has servers located in more than 94 countries which allows you to maintain over 3,000 private web servers.
IPVanish.com
It is a strong competitor in the field of private networks in Linux, since offers a download speed above average, without neglecting its solid privacy policy, keeping your IP address hidden automatically. Although it does not have a graphical interface, its installation and use process is not greatly difficult, since it has an installation guide with clear and easy-to-understand instructions.
CyberGhostVPN.com
Has a zero logs policy, which protects your data and your privacy, while gives you access to the highest level of encryption for network traffic, protection for unknown Wi-Fi networks and full protection of private conversations and financial information. It also has the ability to encrypt data traffic, mask the IP address and connect to servers in more than 70 countries to circumvent the regional blocking of any page.
PrivateInternetAccess.com
It is open source software that works as one of the VPN servers safest available. Its developers have a policy of total transparency, so the source code of the Prívate Internet Access client is completely public. It has the advantage of acting as a malware and ad blocker, it has one of the highest levels of encryption, and provides a unique IP address.
ProtonVPN.com
It is operated by the Swiss company Proton Technologies AG, it is developed by the same team of programmers who created the ProtonMail email application. It is available for Linux, Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. It has encryption protocols that encrypts all data traffic, does not require registration to enter the VPN service and has a tool for total connection closure in case the link to the VPN server is lost.
TunnelBear.com
It is a freeware VPN client designed as a mobile phone application that has a desktop version available for Linux, was designed with the aim of evading region restrictions on certain web pages, in response to the censorship imposed in many countries. Despite having servers in only 25 countries, performs well above average. In addition, it has a simple and concise privacy policy, in which it expresses exactly what information it collects and which it does not.