
ProtonVPN is a popular VPN service that offers robust security and anonymity features. It's a great choice for Arch Linux users who want to protect their online activities.
To install ProtonVPN on Arch Linux, you'll need to use the AUR (Arch User Repository) package manager. This is because ProtonVPN is not available in the official Arch Linux repositories.
The first step is to install the protonvpn package from the AUR. You can do this by running the command `yay -S protonvpn` in your terminal.
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Installation and Setup
To install ProtonVPN on Arch Linux, you'll first need to install the necessary packages. This includes installing OpenVPN if needed, which can help prevent DNS leakage.
You'll also need to download the WireGuard configuration files by signing into your ProtonVPN account and going to Downloads β WireGuard configuration. Move the .conf files into /etc/wireguard, being mindful of file names that might be too long.
After installing the necessary packages, you can proceed with the setup process, which will guide you through the rest of the installation.
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Install Packages
To install the necessary packages, start by installing openvpn if you don't already have it. This will ensure you have the required software for a secure connection.
You'll also need an additional package to prevent DNS leakage, for more information see the Arch Linux Wiki. This is an important step to maintain your online security.
After installing the required packages, you can proceed with setting up your VPN. This includes installing the ProtonVPN for Linux client after signing up with the service.
Installing on Desktop Linux
To install ProtonVPN on desktop Linux, you'll need to download the OpenVPN configuration files. This can be done by signing into your ProtonVPN account and navigating to Downloads β WireGuard configuration.
ProtonVPN supports IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols, and we'll be using OpenVPN on desktop Linux due to its high security and ease of setup.
After signing up, you'll need to install the ProtonVPN for Linux client, which is a straightforward process.
You can find your ProtonVPN username and password at https://account.protonvpn.com/account, so make sure to save those credentials securely.
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Using ProtonVPN
To use ProtonVPN on Arch Linux, start by finding your VPN username and password at https://account.protonvpn.com/account.
You'll then need to choose your ProtonVPN plan and select either UDP or TCP as the transport layer protocol, with UDP being the recommended first choice.
Note that the ProtonVPN Linux client doesn't support IPv6, so it's essential to disable IPv6 on your Linux device to prevent IPv6 address leaks.
To do this, edit the /etc/sysctl.conf file using a command-line text editor like Nano, and add the necessary lines at the bottom of the file.
Save and close the file by pressing Ctrl+O and then Enter to confirm, and Ctrl+X to exit.
Now you can establish a VPN connection to a ProtonVPN server, which will ask you to choose a country.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting can be a challenge, especially when working with a complex system like ProtonVPN on Arch Linux.
First, make sure you've installed the correct package, protonvpn-cli, as mentioned in the installation section.
If you're experiencing issues with connectivity, check your network configuration, specifically the DNS settings, as mentioned in the configuration section.
ProtonVPN's kill switch might be the culprit if you're having trouble with internet connectivity.
To resolve this, try disabling the kill switch or adjusting its settings, as described in the features section.
If you're still having trouble, check the system logs for any error messages related to ProtonVPN, as mentioned in the troubleshooting section.
ProtonVPN's support team is also available to help resolve any issues you might be facing.
Configuring and Managing
To configure and manage ProtonVPN on Arch Linux, you'll need to download the OpenVPN configuration file from the ProtonVPN downloads page, choosing the correct platform, protocol, server type, and country.
First, create a systemd service unit to auto-start ProtonVPN at system boot time. You can do this using the Nano command-line text editor by creating a new file and adding the following lines.
You can then switch to the root user account and start ProtonVPN with systemd, and enable auto-start at boot time with the following command. If you don't want ProtonVPN to auto-start, you can run the following command instead.
To establish a VPN connection, choose a country and server, and select TCP or UDP as the transport layer protocol, with UDP recommended as the first choice.
Get Configs
To get started with configuring ProtonVPN, you'll need to obtain the config files. You can download these files from the ProtonVPN downloads page, specifically from the OpenVPN configuration section.
Choose your platform, protocol, server type, and country, and download the corresponding config file. For example, if you're using Linux, you can select the Linux platform and the default protocol.
To download the config file, you can create an account or log in to account.protonvpn.com, go to the download menu, and select the config file you need. Note that if you're using a free account, you'll only have access to a restricted number of countries and servers.
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The OpenVPN credentials can be found in the account menu, and you may need to initialize the OpenVPN password. You can also use the same number for the connection mark, firewall mark, and routing table, but it's recommended to use distinct numbers for clarity.
Here's a summary of the steps to get the config files:
- Create an account or log in to account.protonvpn.com
- Go to the download menu and select the config file you need
- Choose your platform, protocol, server type, and country
- Download the config file
- Find your OpenVPN credentials in the account menu and initialize the OpenVPN password if necessary
Once you have the config files, you can proceed with configuring and managing your ProtonVPN connection.
Auto-Start
Auto-Start is a convenient feature that allows ProtonVPN to start automatically when your system boots up. This can be achieved by creating a systemd service unit.
To create the file, use the Nano command-line text editor. You'll need to switch to the root user account by running the command `sudo su` or `sudo -i`.
Add the following lines to the file to start ProtonVPN with systemd. This will enable you to manage ProtonVPN as a system service.
To enable auto-start at boot time, simply run `systemctl enable protonvpn`. This will ensure that ProtonVPN starts automatically every time your system boots up.
If you change your mind and no longer want ProtonVPN to auto-start, you can run the command `systemctl disable protonvpn` to disable the auto-start feature.
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Features and Security
ProtonVPN offers a robust set of features to ensure your online security and anonymity.
ProtonVPN supports multiple secure protocols, including IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN, while disabling weaker protocols like PPTP and L2TP/IPSec.
A graphical VPN client is available for various platforms, including Android, iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows.
The VPN kill switch is a game-changer, cutting your internet connection altogether when the VPN connection drops, preventing your web traffic from being exposed to hackers and snoopers.
ProtonVPN's no-logging policy means they don't collect, log, or store any browsing activity, data, or IP addresses.
Here are some key security features at a glance:
- Full-disk encryption deployed on all servers
- DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection
- Tor over VPN for added anonymity
Features
ProtonVPN offers a range of features that make it a top choice for those seeking online security and anonymity.
One of the standout features is full-disk encryption on all servers, ensuring that your data is protected at all times.
All client apps are open-source, allowing for transparency and community involvement in the development process.
The VPN supports Tor over VPN, enabling you to route all your traffic through the Tor network and access Onion sites.
You can also pay with Bitcoin, adding an extra layer of anonymity to your transactions.
ProtonVPN supports secure IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols, while disabling the weaker PPTP and L2TP/IPSec protocols.
The VPN also includes DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection to prevent IP address exposure.
A graphical VPN client is available for Android, iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows devices.
Multiple logins are supported, allowing you to browse anonymously on multiple devices at the same time.
With over 1076 servers in 54 countries, you can switch servers as often as you like to find the best connection.
ProtonVPN has a strict no-logging policy, collecting, logging, or storing any browsing activity, data, or IP addresses.
Torrenting is supported, making it a great option for those who enjoy file-sharing.
A VPN kill switch is also included, cutting your connection to the internet altogether when the VPN connection fails.
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IPv6, DNS, WebRTC Leak Test
If you want to ensure your VPN is working correctly, you should run an IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak test. This test checks for any leaks in your connection that could compromise your anonymity.
To run the test, go to ipleak.net and see if everything is working correctly. You should see that your computer has got a new IP address, so the Internet can't see your original public IP address.
A good VPN should also hide your IPv6 address, so if you see no IPv6 address in the test result, that's a good sign.
The test also checks for WebRTC and DNS leaks. If you see no IP address in the WebRTC detection section and no IP address in the DNS address section, you're good to go.
However, if your ISP's DNS server shows up on the test results, you have a DNS leak. This means your ISP knows which websites you're visiting, even if your connection is encrypted by VPN.
Here's what to look for in the test results:
- Your computer has got a new IP address.
- No IPv6 address in the test result.
- No IP address in the WebRTC detection section.
- No IP address in the DNS address section.
Disconnecting and Quitting
Disconnecting and Quitting ProtonVPN on Arch Linux is a straightforward process.
To disconnect ProtonVPN, you can simply use the command `protonvpn disconnect` in your terminal.
Initializing a user configuration file is also a good idea, especially if you plan on using ProtonVPN frequently.
To do this, you'll need to run the command `protonvpn init` and follow the prompts to set up your configuration file.
Once you've disconnected and initialized your configuration file, you can quit ProtonVPN by running the command `protonvpn quit`.
Arch Linux Specific
To set up ProtonVPN on Arch Linux, you need to enter your username and password, choose your plan, and default protocol. This is the same process as on other systems.
For OpenVPN setup, download the configuration files from the ProtonVPN Downloads page and copy them into /etc/openvpn/client/. Make a backup of the original files and follow the steps to update systemd-resolved.
You can also connect using the command line interface (CLI) by launching openvpn with privileges and using the additional arguments you specified during installation. For example, you might use openvpn --setenv PATH '/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin' --up /etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf --/etc/openvpn/update-resolv-conf --down-pre --config nl-07.protonvpn.com.udp1194.ovpn.
Get OpenVPN Config
To get started with OpenVPN on Arch Linux, you'll need to download the configuration files from the ProtonVPN downloads page.
The ProtonVPN downloads page is where you'll find the OpenVPN configuration files you need.
You can choose the platform, protocol, server type, and country you prefer, but for this example, we'll stick with the default settings.
To download the OpenVPN configuration file, follow these steps:
- Platform: Linux
- Protocol: Default
- Server type: Free
- Country: Japan
Once you've downloaded the configuration file, you can open it with your favorite text editor.
The configuration file is a text file with a .ovpn extension, which can be opened with any text editor.
For example, you can use VS Code to open and review the configuration file.
The configuration file contains the necessary settings for your OpenVPN connection, including the server address and port number.
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WireGuard Setup
To set up WireGuard on Arch Linux, download the configuration files by signing into ProtonVPN and going to Downloads β WireGuard configuration.
The configuration files will be in the form of .conf files, which you'll need to move into the /etc/wireguard directory. Consider renaming the .conf files if necessary to avoid any issues with long file names.
Run Select Apps via VPN with Namespaces
To run select apps via VPN with namespaces, you need to edit the config file, adding the script right before the tokens section. This allows you to automatically configure ProtonVPN.
vopono supports automatic configuration file generation for ProtonVPN, enabling you to run applications inside temporary network namespaces. This means only those applications will run through the VPN.
To utilize this feature, you'll need to have vopono installed and configured.
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Community Scripts
ProtonVPN supports IKEv2/IPSec and OpenVPN protocols on desktop Linux, and we'll use OpenVPN since it's very secure and easy to set up.
To get started, you'll need to download the ProtonVPN config files, which you can find on account.protonvpn.com. Create an account or log in if you already have one.
You'll need to choose a country and protocol, and note that if you're using a free account, you'll have limited options for country and server selection.
To find your OpenVPN credentials, go to the account menu and look for the init option to set up your OpenVPN password. This will be important for setting up your connection.
You can use the same number for the connection mark, firewall mark, and routing table, but it's a good idea to use distinct numbers to keep things organized.
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Arch Linux
If you're using Arch Linux, you can connect to ProtonVPN by entering your username and password, choosing your plan, and selecting the default protocol.
To switch to a different VPN connection, simply disconnect the current one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN for Arch Linux?
For Arch Linux users, NordVPN and Mullvad VPN are top recommendations for their strong focus on privacy, while ExpressVPN offers the best speed and global server coverage.
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