A vpnA vpn connection is an encrypted connection to another server.  The accronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Networking.  When you connect to a vpn server and type in a web address, the request is sent on an encrypted signal to the vpn server which then sends you back the web page.   Establishing a vpn connection will keep your ISP or government from recording your browsing history.  It can also be used to visit sites that your network administrator has blocked (in some countries youtube is blocked).  An OpenVPN connection is the most secure type of VPN because not only is the connection encrypted by a password, but also by three certificates.  There many places online that sell vpn services.  In my tutorial today, I will use vpnbook.com's service because it is completely free, and runs entirely off of donations.

 

A VPN connection is an encrypted connection to another server.  The acronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Networking.  When you connect to a VPN server and type in a web address, the request is sent on an encrypted signal to the vpn server which then sends you back the web page.   Establishing a VPNconnection will keep your ISP or government from recording your browsing history.  It can also be used to visit sites that your network administrator has blocked (in some countries youtube is blocked).  An OpenVPN connection is the most secure type of VPN because not only is the connection encrypted by a password, but also by three certificates.  There many places online that sell VPN services.  In my tutorial today, I will use vpnbook.com's service because it is completely free, and runs entirely off of donations.

 

First, you will need to install a few packages to get going.  Open a terminal and type in:

 

sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn

 

Then,

 

sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn-gnome

 

Once these are all installed, open up a browser and go to vpnbook.com

 

Scroll down and click on the tab that says OpenVPN.

 

Download one of the certificate bundles.

Create 3 new empty text files in the folder with the Certificates. Call them 

ca.cert

certificate.cert

key.key

 

Next, open up one of the .ovpn files with the text editor. All of the files are the same, but with different configurations.  One by one copy everything between the tags (for example <ca><ca>,<cert><cert>,etc...), , and .  Place each one of the selections in the new files: ca.cert, certificate.cert, and key.key.

Now, that you're connected, be sure to follow vpnbook.com on facebook or twitter in order to recieve the password updates, which are changed weekly.  And don't forget to to donate to them, so they can keep providing their free service. connection is an encrypted connection to another server.  The accronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Networking.  When you connect to a vpn server and type in a web address, the request is sent on an encrypted signal to the vpn server which then sends you back the web page.   Establishing a vpn connection will keep your ISP or government from recording your browsing history.  It can also be used to visit sites that your network administrator has blocked (in some countries youtube is blocked).  An OpenVPN connection is the most secure type of VPN because not only is the connection encrypted by a password, but also by three certificates.  There many places online that sell vpn services.  In my tutorial today, I will use vpnbook.com's service because it is completely free, and runs entirely off of donations.

First, you will need to install a few packages to get going.  Open a terminal and type in:

sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn

Then,

sudo apt-get install network-manager-openvpn-gnome

Once these are installed, open up a browser and go to vpnbook.com

 

Scroll down and click on the tab that says OpenVPN.

 

Download one of the certificate bundles.

Create 3 new empty text files in the folder with the Certificates. Call them 

ca.cert

certificate.cert

key.key

 

Next, open up one of the .ovpn files with the text editor. All of the files are the same, but with different configurations.  One by one copy everything between the tags , , and .  Place each one of the selections in the new files: ca.cert, certificate.cert, and key.key.

 

Go to Network Manager and add an OpenVPN connection.  Change 'type:' to 'Password with Certificates (TLS)'.

Fill in the username and password and upload the appropriate certificates that are requested.  In the text area that says 'Gateway:', copy and paste the ip address that is found at the top of the .ovpn file.

Finally, click the 'Advanced...' button and change the settings under the 'General' tab to match those of the .ovpn file.  Then click the 'Security' tab and change the type of cipher to match the one suggested in the .ovpn file.  Although these steps are a little tricky, if you hover your cursor over one of the options, then it will tell you which text to look for in the .ovpn file.  Save your changes.

Now, you're ready to establish the connection. 

When connecting, you will see:

 

When connected the icon will look like this:

 

Now, that you're connected, be sure to follow vpnbook.com on facebook or twitter in order to recieve the password updates, which are changed weekly.  And don't forget to to donate to them, so they can keep providing their free service.