Proton VPN for Ubuntu Linux Setup and Features

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Setting up Proton VPN on Ubuntu Linux is a straightforward process. You can download the Proton VPN client from the official website and install it using the .deb package.

The Proton VPN client is available for Ubuntu 18.04 and later versions. This is great news for Ubuntu users who want to enjoy secure and private browsing.

To get started, you'll need to create a Proton VPN account, which is free and takes just a few minutes. Once you've signed up, you can download the client and follow the installation instructions.

Proton VPN offers a range of features that make it an attractive option for Ubuntu users. These include a no-logs policy, which means your browsing data is never stored or shared.

Additional reading: Vpn Anonymous Browsing

Installation

To install Proton VPN on Ubuntu, you'll need to sign up for a ProtonVPN account first.

ProtonVPN supports IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols, but we'll use OpenVPN for its security and ease of setup.

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You can install the ProtonVPN for Linux client after signing up, and then you'll be required to select a protocol - choose UDP for fast speeds.

To install OpenVPN, run the commands:

Then install ProtonVPN CLI using the pip package manager.

You'll need to select UDP as the protocol again, as it supports both TCP and UDP for fast speeds.

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Features and Security

Proton VPN for Ubuntu is a robust VPN solution that offers top-notch security and features. It utilizes the strongest OpenVPN encryption settings, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure.

With Proton VPN, you can rest assured that your data is protected by full-disk encryption, deployed on all servers. This means that even if your device is compromised, your data will remain encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

One of the standout features of Proton VPN is its Tor over VPN capability, allowing you to route all your traffic through the Tor network and access Onion sites. This adds an extra layer of anonymity to your online activities.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Install PROTONVPN in Ubuntu Linux

Here are some of the key security features of Proton VPN:

  • DNS leak protection
  • IPv6 leak protection
  • VPN kill switch
  • No logging policy

With Proton VPN, you can browse anonymously on multiple devices at the same time, thanks to its multiple login feature. This is especially useful for households or teams that need to share a VPN connection.

Setup and Connection

To set up ProtonVPN on Ubuntu, you'll need to install the OpenVPN packages first.

You can confirm the IP change from your web browser by visiting https://whatismyip.com after completing the setup.

To establish a secure connection, run the command "sudo openvpn --config /etc/openvpn/client.conf" and follow the prompts to select a server location.

You can choose from a variety of countries, and once connected, a secure connection will be established as shown.

It's easy to use ProtonVPN on Ubuntu, with a one-click Quick Connect button and simple installation from DEB packages.

To use the ProtonVPN client on Ubuntu, log into your account with the command "sudo protonvpn login" and follow the prompts to select your plan and transport layer protocol.

You can choose between UDP and TCP, and it's recommended to use UDP first, then try TCP if you encounter any issues.

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Setup

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To set up ProtonVPN on your Linux desktop, you'll need to install the required OpenVPN packages. This will walk you through a few configuration steps.

You'll be required to provide the OpenVPN username and password, which you should have copied and pasted somewhere earlier. Type your username and password and confirm your password.

A summary of the configurations chosen will be displayed for you to review. If everything looks good, hit 'Y' and press ENTER. Otherwise, press 'n' to go back and start all over again.

You can confirm the IP change from your web browser by visiting https://whatismyip.com. The output will confirm that your location has changed to Osaka, Japan, which confirms that your setup was successful.

To make a connection, run the command: You'll need to pick a server location from the country you've selected.

You can log into your ProtonVPN account with the following command: You can find the VPN username and password at https://account.protonvpn.com/account.

It's recommended to disable IPv6 on your Linux device to prevent IPv6 address leak. Edit the /etc/sysctl.conf with a command-line text editor like Nano.

Add the following lines at the bottom of this file: Save and close the file.

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Disconnect

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To disconnect from the VPN service, you can use the command mentioned in the "Disconnect from ProtonVPN" section.

It's a good idea to disconnect from the VPN service when you're done using it to conserve bandwidth and improve overall performance.

You can disconnect from ProtonVPN using the command provided in the "Disconnect from ProtonVPN" section.

This concludes the setup and connection process for ProtonVPN on Linux.

Remove Official App

To remove the official Linux app, you'll need to open a terminal.

Open a terminal and enter the command to identify your system's active connections.

This will show a list of your system's active connections, so take a moment to scan through the list.

Look for any connections that begin with the prefix 'pvpn-', this usually includes 'pvpn-killswitch' and 'pvpn-ipv6leak-protection', and may include 'pvpn-routed-killswitch'.

Delete all these connections using the command 'nmcli connection delete [connection name]'.

For example, if the connection name is 'pvpn-killswitch', you would enter 'nmcli connection delete pvpn-killswitch'.

Re-run the command to check that all Proton VPN connections have been removed.

Try Beta App

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If you're eager to get your hands on the latest features before they're released publicly, try out our beta Linux app. It's still in development, but using it and sharing your feedback can help us squash bugs.

To enable beta access, open the app and go to Settings, then toggle the Beta access switch on. This will give you access to new features before they're available to everyone else.

If you haven't installed the Linux app yet, you can install the beta app directly by opening a terminal window. This is a great option if you want to dive right in.

To do this, download the beta package by running a simple command: wget https://example.com/beta-package.deb.

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Supported Distributions

The Proton VPN app is officially supported on Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora.

If you're using one of these distributions, you're all set to go.

It's also likely to work on many other distributions, especially those based on Debian and Ubuntu.

Just keep in mind that the developers can't guarantee support for non-officially-supported distributions.

Alternative Options

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If you're looking for alternative VPN options to Proton VPN on Ubuntu, there are several choices available.

TunnelBear VPN is a user-friendly option that offers a free version with a limited amount of data.

ExpressVPN is another popular choice that is known for its fast speeds and strong encryption.

Surfshark VPN is a budget-friendly option that offers unlimited devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is a secure option that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a wide range of server locations.

For your interest: Proton Vpn Money Back

Benefits and Uses

Proton VPN on Ubuntu can offer a range of benefits for users. It can encrypt your online traffic, protect your web browsing history from ISP spying, and prevent hackers from intercepting your Internet traffic when using public Wi-Fi.

A VPN can also unblock region-restricted content like Netflix and Hulu if your country isn't supported by the streaming services. It can bypass online censorship and access websites that are blocked in your country or area.

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By using a VPN, you can prevent your ISP from injecting ads on the web pages you browse. This is especially useful when using public Wi-Fi, such as in airport lounges or coffee shops.

Here are some common use cases for a VPN:

  • Encrypt your online traffic
  • Unblock region-restricted content
  • Bypass online censorship
  • Prevent ISP from injecting ads
  • Encrypt your web traffic when using public Wi-Fi
  • Hide your IP and identity when downloading files with BitTorrent client
  • Find the best route to reduce gaming lag
  • Switch your IP address to find the best deal when booking flights or hotels online

Other Uses

If you're using Linux, you have options beyond our official app. We recommend using our official Linux app, but there are cases where a third-party app might be more suitable.

You can manually configure OpenVPN or WireGuard on Linux using NetworkManager or the command line. This is particularly useful on devices that aren't supported by our official app.

For those who need to access our service via the command line, manual configuration is a viable option. It's also a good idea if we retire a server, as you'll need to download new configuration files.

If you're interested in learning more, you can check out our guides on manually configuring OpenVPN or WireGuard on Linux.

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Why Use on Computer and Mobile Devices

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Using a VPN on your computer and mobile devices is a simple yet effective way to protect your online privacy and security. Encrypting your online traffic with a VPN prevents your ISP from spying on your web browsing history.

A VPN also helps you access region-restricted content, such as Netflix and Hulu, if your country isn't supported by these streaming services. This is especially useful when traveling abroad.

You can use a VPN to bypass online censorship and access websites that are blocked in your country or area. For example, you can use a VPN to access Google, YouTube, and Facebook if they're blocked in your region.

A VPN can also prevent your ISP from injecting ads on the web pages you browse. This is a common practice by ISPs to make money from their customers.

If you're using public Wi-Fi, such as in an airport lounge or coffee shop, a VPN encrypts your web traffic and prevents hackers from intercepting your Internet traffic. This is a must-have when using public Wi-Fi, as hackers can easily steal your email address, passwords, and credit card numbers.

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Here are some additional benefits of using a VPN:

  • Hide your IP and identity when downloading files with a BitTorrent client.
  • Use a VPN to find the best route to reduce gaming lag.
  • Switch your IP address to find the best deal on online booking services like Kayak.
  • Bypass a cache layer to access a web resource that's not blocked in your area but still can't be accessed.

Plus for More

Proton VPN Plus offers a range of advanced features that make it a top choice for users who want more from their VPN.

With Proton VPN Plus, you can choose from 15,000 servers in 120 countries, giving you a huge amount of flexibility when it comes to accessing content from around the world.

One of the standout features of Proton VPN Plus is its ability to provide worldwide streaming, so you can access your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are.

You can also enjoy speeds of up to 10 Gbps on some servers, making it ideal for heavy users who need fast and reliable connections.

But speed isn't the only thing that's improved with Proton VPN Plus - you also get access to advanced security features like NetShield Ad-blocker and BitTorrent support.

And with Secure Core VPN, you can be sure that your data is protected at all times.

Here are some of the key features of Proton VPN Plus:

Signing Up and Account

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To sign up for ProtonVPN on Ubuntu, head over to the official ProtonVPN website and click on the ‘Pricing’ tab.

You'll find four pricing models to choose from: Free, Basic, Plus, and Visionary. For our purposes, we'll use the 'Free' plan, which lets you test ProtonVPN for up to 7 days and gives you access to 23 servers in 3 countries.

To create a ProtonVPN account, fill in your details on the Sign-up page and enter the OTP sent to your email account to activate it.

Once you're logged in, navigate to the left sidebar and click on ‘Account’ then ‘OpenVPN / IKEv2 username’. This will display the OpenVPN / IKEv2 username & password details, which you'll need later.

Copy and paste these details somewhere safe because you'll need them during the configuration process.

For Arch-based distributions, you can run the commands shown to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which VPN is best for Ubuntu?

For Ubuntu users, Private Internet Access and Mullvad are top recommendations, offering seamless integration and robust security features. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Does Proton work with Ubuntu?

Yes, Proton works with the latest stable Ubuntu LTS version with GNOME desktop, but support for other Ubuntu-based distributions is not officially guaranteed

Tiffany Kozey

Junior Writer

Tiffany Kozey is a versatile writer with a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and everyday life. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex concepts, she has established herself as a go-to expert on topics like Microsoft Cloud Syncing. Her articles have been widely read and appreciated for their clarity, insight, and practical advice.

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