Experienced Android users as well as newbies know that virtual private network (VPN) technology can be used to set up a secure and anonymous connection to the global network. However, a significant part of Android owners unreasonably believes that setting up a VPN is a job for a programmer, but not for a layman. This opinion is erroneous: with detailed instructions in front of their eyes, anyone can cope with the setting.
What is VPN and what is it for
VPN is a generic name for a technology that can collect multiple devices into one logical network on top of an existing one (say, the Internet). VPN connection allows the user to:
- protect the file system of your Android from the penetration of malicious programs;
- maintain anonymity (no one will know which sites the user visited and what he wrote about on social networks and messengers);
- bypass censorship and regional bans and get to portals that are inaccessible with a standard connection (for example, casino sites and torrent distributions).
You can set up a VPN using only the built-in tools of the Android OSand without resorting to additional software. VPN connection occurs through protocols such as PPTP, L2TP, IPSec.
How to connect and configure without using additional programs
Before you connect and start setting up a VPN on your device, you need to choose a company that provides such services, decide on a tariff (a list of them can be found on the provider's official website) and pay. There are also free VPN services, which include:
- JustFreeVPN.
- VPNBook.
- VPNIP.
- VPNGate.
- VPNMe.
For example, the latter provider offers a free and unlimited traffic plan FRServer. Rewrite the specified data - server address, username, password.
- Go to the "Settings" of your smartphone (tablet) and go to the "More" submenu in the "Wireless networks" block.
- Select the "VPN" line.
- The next step is to set the pin code and password for the screen lock. In the window that appears, click "Yes" ("OK"). Then enter any 4-digit number in the Pin Code field. It is better to write down the installed pin-code - it will still come in handy.
- Add a new connection - click on the "+" button in the upper right part of the screen, or select the "Add VPN network" line, if there is one.
- In the window that appears, fill in the following fields:
- After filling in all the fields, click "Save". A new connection will appear in the VPN list, and an icon will appear in the "Notification Panel" indicating that the connection is ready to use.
- By clicking on this icon, you can check the status of the current connection.
The first time you try to connect to a VPN, Android will ask you to enter your username and password. After entering the data, check the box next to "Save credentials" - then you will not have to fill in these fields the next time you connect.
Common VPN setup problems and how to fix them
Let's consider the most common errors and how to fix them:
Error 651. Connection Failed
This error occurs most often when trying to connect to a VPN. The reason is trivial: incorrect network operation. To eliminate such an error, you should check the connection to the 3G network or Wi-Fi, as well as the correctness of the entered network parameters. It is recommended to call the operator and request automatic settings, then save them. The connection to the VPN is not made instead of the main one, but on top of it, so 3G coverage also matters.
Connection error 691
This error is caused by incorrect data entry. It is necessary to check the correctness of the specified server address, login, password. If you are convinced that the data has been entered correctly, you should try to deactivate the antivirus (if it is installed on your Android) and try to connect to the VPN again.
If the above measures do not work, you need to call the technical support of the VPN provider - the problem may be on their side as well.
Connection error 619
This error on Android mobile devices appears when the VPN connection is blocked by antivirus software or firewall. You will have to deactivate protection while you connect to the VPN or look for new software, more "tolerant".
How to turn off VPN on Android?
Video: set up a VPN connection on Android
Using a VPN connection gives the Android owner the opportunity to protect the OS of his device from viruses, as well as bypass all kinds of bans on visiting sites. However, you have to pay for a high-quality VPN connection - if the VPN service is offered free of charge, you need to be prepared for pitfalls, for example, the traffic limit.
Before you start setting up a VPN, you need to decide what it is and why it is generally needed:
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a virtual private network through which you can combine several different devices assigned to different local networks into one common one. In simple terms, on top of the regular Internet that we use, another additional network is being created.
Why do you need a VPN?
- First, such a connection has a high level of protection and allows you to protect the user from malware and hacker attacks.
- Secondly, many companies use VPNs to keep their data private. In general, if you are a conspiracy lover, then a VPN is the best choice.
Here are some simple examples of using VPN.
For example, we can, a service or even an application. Let's say some game on Google Play is not available in our country. By using a VPN, we can make Google "think" that we are using the Internet from the USA, Australia, Japan, etc., thereby bypassing the restrictions that hinder us.
For business, a VPN is a necessary valuable tool that allows you to unite remote workers from different parts of the world into a single network, while reliably protecting their data.
When using public networks, for example, free Wi-Fi in public catering or entertainment centers, we run the risk that dishonest users, having some skill, can easily steal our passwords and other confidential information stored on our smartphone. And the use of VPN negates such "unhealthy" encroachments.
In addition, by establishing a secure VPN connection, we can hide our real IP address for the purpose of anonymity. Suppose we want to distribute some material or leave a "hard" comment on any Internet resource: a VPN will allow us to do this without punishment.
VPN has few downsides, but they still exist
- The speed of connection and page loading will noticeably drop
- VPN does not provide 100% protection: you remain vulnerable to attacks and snooping through plugins and extensions and Coockie. We advise you to clear history and not save cookies, or use Orfox (tor browser)
How to set up a VPN
Method one - using built-in tools!
For this method, you do not need to install any additional applications, but you will have to tinker a lot in the settings, so if you want everything "in one click" - go to the next method.
Important!
Before connecting to a private VPN, you must obtain all the required access credentials from the administrator of that network.
Instructions:
1. Go to the settings of your smartphone and click the " More".
2. Here we are interested in the item VPN, click on it.
3. A window will appear in which you must click " OK"and set a PIN or password for the screen lock.
4. We use one of the proposed options. For example, I chose simply " Password".
5. Enter the password and click " continue". Then we duplicate the password again.
6. Then we select the notification mode on the locked device. Do this at your discretion.
7. A window like this will appear. Here you need to click " + "in the upper right corner of the screen and add a new VPN.
8. Enter the name, For example, Legat. Leave the default PPTP type.
9. Enter the server address (we must take it from the network administrator). I have it us.justfreevpn.com, and press the button " save".
10. Now there is a new network in the VPN list. Click on it, enter the username ( justfreevpn) and password (in this case it is 2949 ) that we received from the network administrator. We put a tick in front of the " Save credentials"so that you do not have to enter them again, and press the button" connect".
11. Now in the status of the network there is an inscription "connected", and in the command line at the top of the icon of the key.
That's all. Our real IP address and location are hidden from prying eyes. The rest of the methods are much easier to implement, but for them you will have to download additional applications.
Method two is the simplest
This time we will use Opera VPN app, it allows you to connect to a virtual private network in one click: using both mobile and Wi-fi internet. The app has already become the best tool for bypassing locks and accessing locked apps.
The application is completely in Russian and there is training in it, so problems should not arise.
Method three - full encryption
Do you want to completely get rid of surveillance and be sure that ALL traffic will be encrypted via VPN, as well as it will additionally be encrypted via TOR networks? Orbot will help you with this! is a VPN + Tor client that provides full encryption for Root owners. This is probably the most reliable and safest of all methods, the price of which is not at all high - you need get Root rights .
Method four
This time we will use a third-party application, which is much easier to set up and save us from unnecessary "dancing with a tambourine". This application is called " SuperVPN Free VPN Client", and you can download it from our website by clicking on the link. We only note that the program provides us with a 10-day free period of use, and then we will be able to use the application with some restrictions.
Instructions:
- Then you need to press the "Connect" button and confirm the action by pressing the "ok" button.
- That's all. We are now connected to the VPN.
Method five
The next app we'll be using is called Cloud VPN (Free & Unlimited). You can download it by clicking on the link
Instructions:
- 1. Download, install and run Cloud VPN(Free & Unlimited).
- 2. After starting, press the button Continue.
- 3. Then press the big green round button labeled " Tap to connect".
- 4. Confirm the action by clicking " OK"and now we are connected!
Method six
Another popular good program that will help us stay anonymous online is called Turbo VPN - Unlimited Free VPN. You can download it by clicking on the link
Instructions:
- Download, install and run this application.
- After starting, click on the orange button with the carrot and confirm the action by clicking "ok".
- We watch a funny animation of a bunny jumping and now we have already joined the VPN.
Method seven
The next popular application we'll be using is called Free VPN - Hotspot Shield Basic. You can download it from our website
Instructions:
- 1. Download, install and run Free VPN - Hotspot Shield Basic.
- 2. After starting, press the button " Further".
- 3. Then press the round white button labeled " to protect"and confirm the action by pressing the button" OK".
- 4. Everything. We are connected to a VPN.
Method eight
Another effective and popular VPN tool is called "Free VPN proxy". You can download it by going to link
Note that the "trick" of this application is the ability to choose the country from which we are supposedly going to the world wide web.
Instructions:
- Download, install and run " Free VPN proxy".
- After launching, scroll through the screenshots to the right until we see the " Thank you". We press it.
- After that we press the big round button with the inscription " turn on", confirm the action by pressing the button" OK"and we are waiting" a minute".
- We are all connected to a VPN.
There are a lot of VPN clients and all of them have their own pros and cons, we tried to choose the most reliable and stable of them, moreover, they are completely free. Now you know how to stay anonymous online and reliably protect your confidential information.
Here I will try to talk about setting up a VPN on android devices.
Many users have never heard of VPN, and when they saw this item in the phone settings, they just shrugged their shoulders and moved on. If you know what a VPN is, how it works, then most likely this article will not tell you anything new, I wrote it for beginners who want to protect their online security, bypass censorship and regional bans, and maintain their anonymity.
So what exactly is a VPN?
VPN- (English Virtual Private Network - virtual private network) is a generalized name for technologies that allow one or more network connections (logical network) to be provided over another network (for example, the Internet).
PPTP VPN- PPTP (English Point-to-point tunneling protocol) is a point-to-point tunneling protocol that allows a computer to establish a secure connection with a server by creating a special tunnel in a standard, unsecured network. PPTP encapsulates (encapsulates) PPP frames in IP packets for transmission over a global IP network such as the Internet. PPTP can also be used to establish a tunnel between two local area networks. PPTP uses an additional TCP connection to service the tunnel. PPTP traffic can be encrypted using MPPE. Various mechanisms can be used to authenticate clients, the most secure of which are MSCHAP-v2 and EAP-TLS.
My task in this article is not a detailed story about VPN (what it is, how it works, where it came from), you yourself can take information here: ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/VPN
We go directly to the phone settings, I did everything on my Samsung Galaxy GT N-7100 Galaxy Note2, MIUI firmware, android 4.1.1 settings on other devices are similar. To begin with, we need to choose a provider that will provide us with VPN Service, for myself I chose russianproxy.ru, I chose the "Upload" tariff suitable for myself, after payment you will be sent to your personal account and by e-mail your personal settings (login, password, name server) they look like this:
VPN server address: pptp-l2tp-vpn-russia-1.atomintersoft.com
User: v1111-111111
Password: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Access end date: 2013-01-26 00:00:00
Opening the phone settings
-> WIRELESS NETWORKS
-> More ...
-> VPN
-> CONFIGURATION
-> Add VPN network
Next, enter the appropriate data in the fields listed below:
"Network name" - enter any name
"Type" - select PPTP
"VPN server address" - the name of the server for connection (check in the Client Cabinet in the section My subscriptions)
"Enable Encryption (MPPE)" - check the box
Confirm the creation of the connection by clicking the Save button in the lower right corner.
Click on the VPN connection you just created and enter the following details:
"Username" - your subscription login
"Password" - the password of your subscription
"Save credentials" - check the box
Click Connect to establish a connection.
If the connection is successful, the key icon will appear in the upper status bar, by clicking on which you have the following options: view the connection statistics (time, traffic)
disconnect a subscription using the "Disconnect" button
I also want to tell you about several VPN programs that I found in the market.
VpnRoot- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.did.vpnroot is a conditionally free VPN client, donate via PayPal is required to unblock all functions, unlike a regular VPN in Android, it can reconnect after disconnecting the connection, has a widget with with which you can activate a VPN session in one click on the desktop, while it does not have autorun, the author promised to add in the next versions.
DroidVPN- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aed.droidvpn requires registration on the program's website to work, after creating a personal account they give 100MB of VPN traffic for a month, then you have to pay, a penny in general, something like 150 rubles for three months, I do not understand users who left negative comments on the program ... There are several VPN servers in different countries to choose from, for some reason I liked more Italian, you can make the servers change randomly every time, your ip will correspond to the country whose server is you have chosen the settings, which makes it easy to bypass regional bans. The program has autorun, can reconnect when the connection is broken.
Orbot: Tor for Android- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.torproject.android Tor is open source, cross-platform software designed to protect against eavesdropping and ensure the confidentiality of personal and business data transmitted to global network. The product provides complete anonymity for customers when visiting websites, posting materials, sending messages and working with applications using the TCP protocol. Android users have already been provided with the ability to use Tor proxy networks to surf anonymously. Some time ago, a group of researchers from the University of Cambridge released a product called Shadow. The new Orbot app is the official version of the Tor client from the platform's creators. Tor on wikipedia
The development of mobile Internet technologies has made it possible to fully use phones and tablets for surfing the Web. Mobile gadgets are used not only to find the necessary information, with their help: they communicate in social communities, make purchases, conduct financial transactions, and work in corporate networks.
But how about a reliable, secure, anonymous internet connection? The answer is simple - use a VPN, for example https://colander.pro/servers.
What is VPN and why you need it on your phone
Technologies that allow creating a logical network with one or many connections are collectively called Virtual Private Network (abbreviated VPN). Literally translated, this expression sounds like a virtual private network.
Its essence is to create a secure connection (a kind of tunnel) over or inside another network, through which, thanks to the application installed on the gadget, the client can access the VPN server. Within such a connection, change, encryption and protection of all transmitted data is carried out.
Why have services that provide the opportunity to use such virtual networks have become so popular and is it really necessary to have them on a tablet or smartphone?
On tourist and business trips, it is often necessary to use the Internet: to enter a mobile office, business correspondence, order and pay for tickets and communicate via Skype, etc. It is convenient to check mail, analyze quotes, study news with the help of a device at hand. But for this you have to resort to Wi-Fi services, which is now free in many train stations, airports, cafes and hotels.
Of course, the ability to access the Internet anywhere is a useful and convenient thing, but how safe is it. Information security experts argue that through an unsecured Wi-Fi connection, you can easily and without much difficulty gain access to all the data on the gadget.
In this case, the choice of VPN services will be the best way to protect the user from theft of his confidential information. However, these virtual networks can be used for more than just security. Their use allows you to get the opportunity to go to a web resource that is not available in a certain region, bypass the restriction of the corporate network, and so on.
Features of mobile technologies
In order for the owners of mobile gadgets to take advantage of these cloud technologies, many VPN servers have been adapted to work with such devices. The communication channels used by smartphones and tablets to access the Network often change, it can be Wi-Fi, and then a 3G or 4G connection. This greatly complicates the ability of a conventional VPN server to maintain a stable connection on a dedicated channel.
This is due to the fact that he sees gadgets accessing him from different subnets and IP addresses, which leads to the loss of active connection by applications installed on the devices. To avoid this on specially adapted servers equipped with VPN technology, they began to use special authorization methods. Which make it possible to carry out two-way data transfer from the server to wearable gadgets, where the device periodically changes the network settings.
How to properly use VPN features on your phone
There are paid VPN server services and their free counterparts. What is better to choose is up to each user individually. If you manage to decide on the choice of a service and a server, you need to proceed to setting up. Now the most popular mobile gadgets are iPhone and Android devices.
Activating VPN on iPhone
There are two ways you can configure your iPhone to use these technologies. The first is to choose the most suitable application from the App Store and install it. Then perform the following actions:
- Visit the settings section.
- Open the VPN tab and activate it with the slider.
- Then select the installed service.
The second is to manually configure the VPN. To do this, you need to carry out the following manipulations:
- After entering the settings section of the device, activate VPN and click on the "add configuration" icon.
- Then select the type of protection: L2TP, IPSec or IKEv2 and activate the required configuration.
- After that, you should fill in the information about the settings of the private network: a description of the remote identifier, server and fill in the information required for registration - nickname, password.
- If you have a proxy server, you should choose based on your preferences, its use: auto or manual.
- By clicking the "Finish" button and switching the state slider to the desired position, you can start surfing the Internet.
Now all traffic from the iPhone will go through the VPN.
VPN setup on Android
Here it is much easier to connect the selected VPN service for this you need:
- Activate the section "Settings", where in the line "Wireless networks" click on the inscription: "Advanced".
- After that, after opening the "VPN" subsection and clicking on the + sign, data on the available connection protocols for such services will be provided.
- Having selected and saved the required connection, all that remains is to enter and create the necessary credentials for work: login and password.
Of course, the construction site of different smartphones may differ, but the basic steps are very similar.
Conclusion
It is hard to argue that the use of VPN on mobile devices is becoming an increasingly popular service. Thanks to such services, a lot of opportunities open up for users: when going on a trip, they have the opportunity not to break away from the work process, knowing that all his data are constantly protected, being in a different region to get access to the necessary resources and other preferences.
VPN - what is it on a phone? Anyone who first saw this icon in the curtain in their gadget for the first time or by finding the corresponding item in the settings of their phone or tablet asks themselves such a question. Other users are faced with the advice “ use VPN on your phone»Looking on the Internet for ways to open sites blocked by Roskomnadzor. Also, this advice is relevant in light of the recent massive blocking of the ip addresses of the popular Telegram messenger by this organization, for the normal operation of which, in this case, many had to use a VPN connection in their phone. Let's take a look at what a VPN is in general terms, why you need it, and how to set up and enable it on Android.
This abbreviation comes from the English Virtual Private Network, which literally translates as a virtual private (or private) network. This technology allows you to download sites and use any Internet services (mail, instant messengers, etc.) over an encrypted bypass channel, the key link in which is an intermediary server, the so-called VPN server or VPN service. When a VPN connection is created on the user's device, all data flow (traffic), both receiving and sending, occurs via an encrypted channel to the intermediary server, which processes requests from the device, addresses the required resource in the network and sends the requested data back to the device user.
Another advantage of a VPN is its high user privacy. Even the user's Internet provider cannot view the encrypted traffic: all that the curious will see is the data flow between the user's device and the VPN server, meaningless for them.
In addition to encrypting the data stream, the VPN server replaces the user's ip address with its own, thus allowing access to sites and services, access to which is blocked on a territorial basis. For example, some Western video and audio services restrict access to their collections to users with Russian IP addresses. When visiting such resources, you may come across the message "Content is not available in your country." Having established an Internet connection, for example, through a German VPN server, a Russian user will easily get access to such resources.
Where use a VPN connection
An encrypted connection is usually used where it is necessary to ensure maximum protection of the transmitted information from unauthorized viewing. Here are the 3 main areas of using a VPN channel:
- Corporate networks with Internet connection of remote branches or remote employees.
- A VPN on a phone, tablet or laptop must be used when connecting to the Internet via public hotspots. Public WI-FI is insecure because the administrator of such a network can easily view your traffic (including transmitted passwords) using special software tools.
- VPN connection is used to bypass restrictions on access to websites and Internet services. For example, a VPN on your phone will help you work with the blocked Telegram application without any problems.
Now let's take a look at how to use a VPN on your phone.
VPN in the phone: where to get it, how to set it up and enable it?
First of all, you need to have access to the reseller's server. After all, the phone only has tools for setting up and connecting to a VPN, and you need to get access to the server somehow. Where can I get it? Now there are a large number of both paid and free services offering to use their services. If earlier the use of a VPN server for the Internet was the lot of the "elite" and presupposed the presence of certain qualifications for working with it, and also entailed additional financial costs for using the service, at the moment even a novice user can get access data and easily set up a secure connection for your device.
For novice users, it is recommended to use the services of free VPN services, although they cut the connection speed or limit the total traffic, they are quite suitable for learning how to set up a secure connection on the phone, as well as for bypassing locks or connecting to the network through public WI-FI access points.
To search for free VPN services, you can use Google by typing "free VPN" into the search box.
Tip: Choose those services that have an Android app. In such cases, connecting a VPN on the phone will be as easy as shelling pears - you just need to install proprietary software from the Google Play catalog on the device and you can use the services of the service right away, without delving into technical details, as when creating a secure connection with manual settings in the phone settings.
Consider creating a secure connection on your phone using the popular Hide.me service, whose tariff line also includes a free plan, with a traffic limit of 2 GB per month. This resource has its own client application called hide.me VPN. It is enough to install it on your phone, launch it, log into your account in the application and press the button " Enable VPN"For your gadget to work over a secure channel.
To start using Hide.me services, you must first create an account with them in order to have a username and password to connect to the server. This can be done directly in the application when it is first launched, but in this case, a trial account with a time limit will be created. It is best to create an account through a browser on a computer or smartphone, choosing the tariff plan " Free". Registration is extremely simple - follow the step-by-step instructions, do not forget to write down your username and password, which you have invented in the process of creating an account. you will need to enter this information the first time you launch the hide.me VPN App.
After creating a personal account, you need to set up a connection in the service by clicking the button " Start installation"In the panel" Establish VPN connection", During which you must follow the instructions of the installation wizard. After completing the setup, you can already use the application on your phone or tablet.
When you start the program for the first time, be careful, the button to open the login / password fields is “ LOGIN WITH YOUR ACCOUNT»(Log in to your account) is dimly highlighted and located below the bright blue button for registering a trial account. The cunning owners of the service in this manner are clearly pushing the user to register a temporary account, in the hope that at the end of its validity period he will pay for its renewal.
Enabling and disabling a secure channel through the client application occurs by pressing the button " Enable VPN"(To include) and" Disable VPN"(Disable).
If desired, the Russian language can be enabled in the program settings by tapping 3 vertical dots in the upper right corner and selecting the appropriate settings item. You can also see the rest of the traffic limit there.
The fact that your device is working through a VPN will be signaled by the key icon in the Android status bar at the top.
Now let's look at how to manually set up a VPN connection in the phone settings. This method is suitable in cases where the selected service does not provide a branded client application.
Manual VPN setup on Android
To manually configure VPN in Android, you need to do the following:
The settings have been saved and now to access the Internet via a secure channel, you just need to slide the switch to the right. The reverse position is off. In some Android shells, the VPN on / off icon is located in the shutter, which is undoubtedly more convenient.
Basically that's all. We hope that we have answered the question "VPN: what is it on the phone?" If something is not clear, then ask questions in the comments to this topic.
