How I set up my VPN on every device I own (And why you should too)
Nobody wants to be spied on. A VPN is a piece of the cybersecurity puzzle to help protect your personal information and you should have it installed on all your devices.
Why should you install VPNs on every device?
In a very simple sense, VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow you to encrypt your Internet browsing data and spoof an IP address from a different location. This has several advantages, the most notable of which is the ability to bypass geoblocks and watch movies and shows from other countries.
What is geofencing?
Learn how geofencing works with your location data.
But VPNs aren’t just about bypassing regional restrictions. VPNs hide your data from your ISP, so if you’re the torrent type or just don’t want your internet history tracked, a VPN service can encrypt this information. Using a VPN also allows you to avoid receiving annoying targeted ads: since your data is encrypted, advertisers won’t have any information to draw on to try to sell you something.
This is also why you want a VPN on every device you use. Using a VPN on your PC and laptop is all well and good, but if you don’t use one on your smartphone, your information won’t be protected every time you browse it.
It seems like it can be a pain to download an app on multiple devices, but the good news is that, for the most part, that’s not the case. VPN services tend to make the process quite simple.
Always double-check that the VPN you want will cover the platforms you use before signing up for a subscription.
How to install a VPN on Windows, macOS or Linux
All the VPNs we reviewed are available on Windows and macOS without issue. You just need to go to the service website and download the application. It really is that simple. Most consumer VPN services are also available as Linux apps. There are a few exceptions (ExpressVPN, for example, only received a dedicated Linux app this year), but for the most part, if you use Linux, you’ll be able to use the same VPN you choose for your other devices.
However, it’s important to note that just because a VPN service offers apps on all three operating systems, doesn’t mean they’re all created the same. This is where the typical 30-day money-back guarantees come in, allowing you to try the VPN on all your devices and make sure it works for you.
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No-logging policy
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30 day money back guarantee
Surfshark allows you to install and use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices, making it perfect if you want to protect a lot of hardware.
Are there VPN browser extensions?
There are, although the range of supported browsers varies from service to service. Most will provide extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. From there, be sure to check if your browser is supported.
How to install a VPN on Android, iOS or iPadOS
Typically, all you have to do is go to your smartphone or tablet’s app store and search for the app, and you can install it from there. Some VPN services, like Surfshark, also allow you to download the APK file directly, allowing you to bypass the Google Play Store.
Unfortunately, you can’t bypass the iOS and iPadOS app stores, so you’ll have to download your VPN app of choice there. Just make sure you don’t choose a free VPN randomly from the App Store.
This is why I stopped using free VPNs
It’s not worth a few dollars.
How to install a VPN on your smart TV
It’s surprisingly easy to install a VPN on your smart TV or streaming device. When I set up my TV with a VPN, I imagined it was a lot more complicated. Most popular VPN services will simply have an app that you can download and you can connect that way.
However, you may need to change some settings on your smart TV before the service will work completely properly. I had to go into my Google TV’s developer settings to make sure Surfshark could run in the background, for example. However, the situation will vary depending on the smart TV you have and its operating system.
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How to install a VPN on your router
If you really don’t want to install a VPN on your devices one by one, or if you have a device where you can’t easily install an app, you can install a VPN on your router. This will allow you to encrypt and protect all of your devices on your home network, including your smart devices.
This process is more involved than most other methods (which amount to “download the app”), since you need to go to your router’s admin settings and add the VPN from there. This requires a little more technical knowledge, but it allows you to protect everything in your home, whether the device has an app or not. It’s best to weigh the pros and cons of installing a VPN on your route and see if it works for you.
If you’re looking for privacy and security, it’s a good idea to install a VPN on all your devices. Don’t know which one to buy? Our roundup of the best VPNs has you covered.
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No-logging policy
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Android and iOS
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN options available. It’s also easy to use and compatible with a variety of devices. For Black Friday, you can get the Basic plan for just $2.99/month if you sign up for two years, plus you get three additional months free.
This article was produced in partnership with NordVPN and Surfshark.
