In an era where online privacy and security are paramount, using a virtual private network (VPN) is essential for safeguarding your internet connection. ProtonVPN is a reputable VPN service known for its commitment to privacy and strong encryption. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing and using ProtonVPN on a Linux Ubuntu 18.04 server.
Step 1: Sign Up for ProtonVPN
Before getting started, you need to sign up for a ProtonVPN account. Visit the ProtonVPN website and choose a plan that suits your needs. Create an account and proceed with the subscription process.
Step 2: Install OpenVPN
ProtonVPN uses the OpenVPN protocol to establish secure connections. Begin by installing the OpenVPN client on your Ubuntu 18.04 server:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openvpn
Step 3: Download ProtonVPN Configuration Files
Once OpenVPN is installed, you need to download the ProtonVPN configuration files. These files contain server configurations required for establishing VPN connections.
- Log in to your ProtonVPN account on the official website.
- Navigate to the Downloads section and download the OpenVPN configuration files.
- Extract the downloaded files to a location of your choice.
Step 4: Connect to ProtonVPN Servers
Now that you have the necessary configuration files, you can connect to ProtonVPN servers using OpenVPN.
- Move to the directory containing the extracted ProtonVPN configuration files:
cd /path/to/extracted/files
- Connect to a ProtonVPN server by specifying the desired configuration file and providing your ProtonVPN username and password when prompted:
sudo openvpn [ProtonVPN_Config_File.ovpn]
Replace [ProtonVPN_Config_File.ovpn]
with the name of the configuration file you want to use.
- Once connected, you’ll see log messages indicating a successful connection to the ProtonVPN server.
Step 5: Verify Your Connection
To ensure that your server is now using the ProtonVPN connection, you can verify your public IP address using online services like https://whatismyipaddress.com/
. Your IP address should reflect the location of the ProtonVPN server you connected to.
Step 6: Disconnect from ProtonVPN
When you’re done using the VPN connection, you can disconnect from ProtonVPN by terminating the OpenVPN process. Press Ctrl + C
in the terminal window where the VPN connection is established to stop the OpenVPN process and disconnect from the VPN server.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can easily install and use ProtonVPN on your Linux Ubuntu 18.04 server. ProtonVPN offers a reliable solution for enhancing your online privacy and security, ensuring that your internet connections remain encrypted and protected from prying eyes. Whether you’re browsing the web, accessing sensitive data, or communicating remotely, ProtonVPN provides peace of mind knowing that your online activities are shielded from potential threats.