Manual VPN Setup Instructions for Mac. Uses your Mac’s built-in VPN client and/or third party software. Select your desired VPN protocol below for instructions. OpenVPN is most secure with good speed.
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VPN/ The Best Mac VPNs for 2019. This is far easier to set up and maintain than manual configuration, and gives you easy access to all the features you're paying for in a VPN service.
VPN Software - Mac OS (iMac & MacBook) Manual VPN - Windows 8, 8.1 and 10; Manual VPN - Windows Vista; Manual VPN - iOS (iPhone and iPad) VPN Software - Windows; Manual VPN - Android (Phone or Tablet) VPN Software - iOS (iPhone and iPad).
To connect to a virtual private network (VPN), you need to enter configuration settings in Network preferences. These settings include the VPN server address, account name, and any authentication settings, such as a password or a certificate you received from the network administrator.
If you received a VPN settings file from your network administrator, you can import it to set up your connection. If you didn’t, you can enter the settings manually.
Import a VPN settings file
On your Mac, do one of the following:
Double-click the file to open Network preferences and automatically import the settings.
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Network, click the Action pop-up menu , then choose Import Configurations. Select the file, then click Import.
Enter VPN settings manually
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Network.
Click the Add button in the list at the left, click the Interface pop-up menu, then choose VPN.
Click the VPN Type pop-up menu, then choose what kind of VPN connection you want to set up, depending on the network you are connecting to. Give the VPN service a name, then click Create.
L2TP is an extension of the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol used by Internet service providers to enable a VPN over the Internet.
IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a set of security protocols.
IKEv2 is a protocol that sets up a security association in IPSec.
Enter the server address and the account name for the VPN connection.
Click Authentication Settings, then enter the information you received from the network administrator.
If specified by your network administrator, click Advanced to enter additional information such as session options, TCP/IP settings, DNS servers, and proxies.
The additional information you can enter depends on the type of VPN connection you’re setting up.
Click Apply, then click OK.
Select “Show VPN status in menu bar” to use the VPN status icon to connect to the network and switch between VPN services.
To remove the VPN configuration, select the VPN network connection service in the list and click the Remove button .
See alsoChange options for L2TP over IPSec VPN connections on MacImport and export network connection settings on MacConnect your Mac to a VPN
You Need a Mac VPN
There's a dangerous belief out there that macOS is somehow immune to attacks, that Apple's computers need no antivirus, and that Macs are intrinsically protected against spies and hackers. While it's true that Windows machines see more attacks, perpetrators of mass surveillance and online data thieves aren't discerning. That's why virtual private networks, or VPNs, are so important, even for Mac users.
Manual Vpn For Mac Windows 7
The problem isn't your Mac, per se. It's the fundamental structure of the internet. The first bricks of the web were laid by government and university academics who were interested in making information sharing faster and easier. Privacy and security were secondary concerns. Fast-forward a few decades into the future, and things are quite different.
Today, we use the web for far more than just trading academic papers. We transmit important documents filled with personal information; we file our taxes; we send money to our friends and request money from our enemies; we even exchange incriminating emails and compromising photos. And we do it all over a system that makes finding your location and intercepting your information very easy.
Editors' Note: IPVanish is owned by j2 Global, the parent company of PCMag's publisher, Ziff Davis.
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Who Wants Your Data?
In short, just about everyone wants your data. Your personal information is valuable to hackers because it can be sold and resold on Dark Web marketplaces. Scammers and other criminals can then buy that information in order to commit fraud, which is not something people usually enjoy having done in their name.
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Stay Safe and Private on Your Mac
Apple has polished macOS to a shine, and the company has always paid careful attention to stability and security. But out on the web, anything goes. That's why you need a VPN to provide a critical layer of security and privacy. It's a simple but powerful tool, and you'll be grateful for taking better control of your online experience.
While you're thinking about privacy for your Mac, you should also consider security. If you're not protected yet, you ought to read our roundup of Mac antivirus software.
Best Mac VPN Services Featured in This Roundup:
NordVPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $11.95
Pros: Largest collection of servers. Specialized servers. Six simultaneous connections. Well designed, consistent user interface. Ad blocking and web protection.
Cons: Expensive. Lackluster speed test scores.
Bottom Line: NordVPN provides Mac users excellent network security, impressive features, specialized servers, and the largest network of VPN servers on the market, making it one of the best VPNs for macOS.
Read Review
Private Internet Access VPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $6.95
Pros: Thousands of servers across dozens of locations. Good speed test scores. Excellent, advanced tools. No logging. Works with Netflix.
Cons: Minimal interface. No free version.
Bottom Line: The perfect choice for a security wonk, Private Internet Access is a no-frills macOS VPN with the most robust network we've yet seen, at a very reasonable price. Don't expect much hand-holding from the interface, however.
Read Review
TunnelBear VPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $9.99
Pros: The best overall speed test scores for macOS. Friendly, charming interface. Blocks ads. Excellent privacy policies. Unique features specifically for macOS. Plays nice with Netflix. Bears.
Cons: Few server locations. No P2P or BitTorrent allowed.
Bottom Line: TunnelBear has always offered a great experience and excellent protection with its VPN software, and it shines on macOS. With a robust network of servers, a killer interface, strong speed test scores, and unique features for macOS, it's an Editor's Choice.
Read Review
PureVPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $10.95
Pros: Excellent geographic diversity of servers. Specialized servers. Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Excellent privacy policy. Works with Netflix.
Cons: Few servers. IKEv2 and OpenVPN not supported in client. Unfriendly interface.
Bottom Line: PureVPN offers robust protection for your web data with an excellent collection of servers and strong privacy protections, but it isn't the fastest Mac VPN we've tested.
Read Review
Golden Frog VyprVPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $12.95
Pros: Robust features, including split tunneling. Supports multiple protocols. Allows P2P and Bittorrent. Direct control of servers. Geographically diverse server options. Some stand-out speed test scores.
Cons: Lacks ad-blocking. Small number of servers.
Bottom Line: Golden Frog VyprVPN not only provides the secure encryption of a virtual private network, but it also packs a host of advanced features into a slick macOS app.
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TorGuard VPN (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $9.99
Pros: Numerous advanced settings. Very robust network of some 3,000 servers. Five simultaneous connections.
Cons: Unfriendly interface. Does not automatically select best server. Fewer options than Windows version.
Bottom Line: TorGuard is meant to be the VPN for BitTorrent acolytes, and it delivers a raft of advanced features confident users will appreciate, but it's not for networking newbies.
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KeepSolid VPN Unlimited (for Mac) Review
MSRP: $9.99
Pros: Affordable, flexible pricing structure. Nifty Touch Bar integration. P2P and BitTorrent allowed. Supports OpenVPN. Specialized servers. Information-dense client.
Cons: Lackluster overall speed performance. App Store and downloadable versions offer different features. Small number of servers.
Bottom Line: KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a solid service with unparalleled flexible pricing, and robust security technology, but its interface feels clunky for a Mac app, and its speed tests results were only fair.