How to connect to a VPN on your Mac

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How do I use a VPN on my Mac? Let's go over the basics.

You've gone ahead and have decided to get a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service and have chosen a VPN provider that suits your needs. Now what? You connect to it, that's what! And here's how you do it on your Mac.

How does your VPN provider require you to connect to their servers?

There are two main ways of connecting to your VPN service provider. Either by using the macOS built-in networking framework or by using the VPN provider's connection application.

How to Connect to the VPN when no third party app is provided

Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
Click on System Preferences.
Click Network.
Click "+".
Select VPN from the interface drop-down list.
Select the VPN Type provided by your VPN service provider. In our example, we are using L2TP over IPSec.
Type in a Service Name that is easy for you to recognize when you want to connect.
Click Create.
Type in the Server Address that the VPN service provides you. It may be in the form of an IP address or a Hostname.
Type in your Account Name (also provided by your VPN).
Click Authentication Settings. The type of VPN encryption being used by your VPN provider will determine what sort of authentication settings you will need to enter.
Select the User Authentication method you have been given by your VPN provider and enter the pertinent details. In our example, we will be using Password.
Select the Machine Authentication required by your VPN provider and enter the pertinent details. In our example, we are using a Shared Secret.
Click OK.
Optionally, you can check Show VPN status in the menu bar if you want to be able to enable and disable your VPN connection from the desktop quickly.
Click Advanced.
Check Send all traffic over VPN connection to be able to encrypt all of your internet access through the VPN provider. You can check out the pros and cons here.
Click OK.
Click Apply.
Click Connect to start your VPN Connection.

How to connect to the VPN with your VPN provider's App

Many VPN service providers like NordVPN, IPVanish, TunnelBear, ExpressVPN, and more, offer applications you can install, which will automatically setup your VPN settings and give you easy access to start/stop your VPN connection. In most instance, you'll be simply required to install the application and enter your account credentials, and then you're up and running. In our screenshots below, we're showing the efficacy in selecting a VPN server in various parts of the world using the privateinternetaccess.com service App.