How to share a VPN connection?

Using a VPN is the safe way of going about connecting to the Internet. With a secure VPN service, users can protect their online data and privacy, as well as their identity online. They can also open areas of the internet that may be blocked off based on user location. While a VPN is not a license to carry out illegal activities online, it can ensure user data and privacy remain secure. Any responsibility and liability are your own, etc, etc.

To ensure VPN security, users should select the right tool for the job. A safe VPN service connects users to the web securely, blocking others from viewing personal data. A poor VPN, on the other hand, gives a false sense of security: poor VPN services may share data with advertisers or leak the user’s IP address, or something even worse.

Every VPN can be installed on a select number of devices because every VPN subscription covers a limited range. Depending on the VPN provider, a VPN usually covers anywhere between 3 to 10 devices. The best way to not exceed the limit while keeping all devices protected is to learn how to share a VPN connection.

By sharing a VPN connection, a user will only use one free subscription slot, which is the best way to protect web-connected devices at home and still be able to use a VPN natively when traveling. Below, we will look at how to share a VPN connection, both over the WI-Fi and Ethernet, as well as the differences when doing it using Windows or Mac.

How to Share a VPN Connection Over Wi-Fi

When your computer is connected to a VPN, it acts as if it was on the same local network as the VPN. All network traffic will be sent over a secure connection to the VPN. Since the computer behaves as if it was on a local area network, the user is allowed to securely access local network resources even when traveling abroad. Users can also use the Internet as if they were present at the VPN location, which is useful when using public WiFi or accessing geo-blocked websites.

Sharing a virtual private network (VPN) over the Wi-Fi connection automatically protects a user’s Internet privacy and security, while also guaranteeing full internet freedom and immediate access to streaming content.

So, to know how to share a VPN connection over the WIFI using Windows, users can use the following step by step guide:

• Create a Wireless Hosted Network on Windows by entering ‘cmd’ into the search bar and right-clicking
• Select “Run as administrator”
• After the command prompt window opens, write “NETSH WLAN SHOW DRIVERS”
• Click Enter

If the generated output confirms that the hosted network is supported, then the user can continue to follow this guide. If the wireless adapter isn’t supported, the user can try to use a USB wireless adapter that supports the feature. Then close the command prompt and restart again as outlined in the first step.

• In the Command Prompt, enter “netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Your_SSID key=Your_Passphrase”
• SSID – the name the user wants to use to identify the wireless network when connecting a new device
• Passphrase – the 8 character network security key the user or users will use to connect to the network

Once the host network has been created, the user can enter the command “netsh wlan start hostednetwork” to activate it.

To share a VPN connection over WIFI using Mac, users can use the following step by step guide:

• Click on the Apple symbol in the top-left corner of the screen
• Select “System Preferences”
• Select the “Sharing” button in the “Internet & Wireless” section
• Choose the “Internet Sharing” button on the left
• If the button is already ticked, it should be unticked and selected again to enable the next step
• Select “Share VPN connection” from the list
• Select how you want to share your connection
• Choose WIFI to share your VPN

Finally, you can scan for WIFI networks on your device and look for the VPN hotspot you have just created, choose the connection, and continue to connect normally.

How to Share VPN Connection Over Ethernet

Sharing a virtual private network (VPN) over an Ethernet connection allows users to connect to the Internet with different local network devices. The host computer functions as a common component that establishes a VPN connection on one side and communicates with a separate local network on the other side. A second physical network card or wireless stick is needed to connect to the local network. Once activated, the ICS function will turn a Windows PC into a router and enable other devices to properly and securely connect to the Internet.

To share a VPN connection over the Ethernet using Windows, users can use the following step by step guide:

• Click on “Start” – “Control Panel” – “Network and Connection Sharing”
• Click on “Adapter Settings” or “Show Network Connections”, depending on the Windows version
• Search for a “LAN Connection” related to the “TAP-Windows Adapter V9”
• Right-Click the connection
• Choose the entry “Properties”
• Activate the tab “Sharing” and then the option “Allow other users […]”
• Choose the correct “Home Network Connection”
• Click “OK” and write down the IP address shown

Users can now configure their device. The necessary options are usually listed on the menu as “Network” or “Internet”. Once located, users can deactivate the automatic search for networks and enter the IP address that was written down as the gateway.

To share a VPN connection over the Ethernet using Mac, users can use the following step by step guide:

First, you will need the following details:

• Server IP address or fully qualified domain name
• Username and password
• Connection type (L2TP or PPTP)
• Open System Preferences and then select Network
• Click “+” and then select “VPN” under the interface option. Choose either PPTP or L2TP
• Select “Configuration” and then “Add Configuration”. Name it “Server 1”
• Enter the VPN server’s IP address and username
• Select the Authentication Settings and then enter the password
• Select “Show VPN status” in the menu bar
• Click “Apply”

In the menu bar, users will see a new icon that looks like a luggage tag. Click this and select “Connect VPN”. Once connected, a timer will appear. Now that a VPN connection has been established, users can go back to “System Preferences” and see the connection information, including the VPN IP address. System Preferences will also show connection details such as the IP address and connection time.

A VPN can secure an Internet connection while using public Wi-Fi at the airport or other public spaces. By encrypting a user’s traffic, as well as hiding their location and IP address, a VPN can maintain your anonymity while traveling. Users can also bypass geo-location blocks set up by their favorite streaming networks and watch their favorite shows while abroad.