Boost Mac security with a VPN without installing any software

A VPN (virtual private network) is a great way to increase the security when using the internet. Normally you have to install VPN software, but did you know that VPN is built into macOS?

Who is spying on your internet activities?

When you use a public Wi-Fi hotspot in a cafe, hotel, shopping mal, station, airport and other places, they are not always secure. It is possible for someone on the network at the same time as you or for the hotspot owner to spy on your web activities.

It is not 100% safe to bank, shop, and use any services that require logging in to a website on public Wi-Fi because you never know who might be eavesdropping on your internet traffic. I don't want to scare you because it is actually quite rare but it could happen and there is a solution, so why not take advantage of it?

Recent changes to the laws in some countries allow your ISP to collect information about your internet activities, or the govenrment to spy on you. See US Senate votes to allow ISPs to sell people's data without their consent. In other words, you have little privacy and your personal browsing habits could possibly be collected and sold!

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How can a VPN help?

A VPN secures the internet connection between you and a VPN server. This is a computer on the internet run by a VPN provider. All the internet traffic between your computer and the VPN server is encrypted. This hides your activities and prevents anyone from spying on you or collecting browsing histories. You are mostly hidden on the internet and are very hard to track, should someone want to spy on you.

VPNs are great for security and they are one of the 15 ways to increase the security of your Mac.

On the Mac, macOS supports several VPN technologies and the main reason why VPN companies ask you to download an app to set up the service is convenience. The app configures the macOS settings and connects to the VPN server with a click or two.

I use NordVPN on my Mac because it's great for speed and security. OK, I really got it because it was cheap, but the software is easy to use and it keeps your internet activities private and secure. Deals come and go, so check the prices at NordVPN to see what's on offer right now.

Configure macOS VPN settings

VPN software is partly a convenience, it makes it very easy to enable and disable VPN protection, and partly for extra speed and features. However, it not an essential requirement. You can manually set up a VPN without any software at all and you just need to know the right settings. Also read: 5 ways to browse the web privately.

To set up a VPN in macOS you need to know the VPN server URL, the username and password. That’s it and macOS has everything you need.

Google ‘free VPNs’ and you will find free VPN servers, but if it is not a reputable company running it, it is best to stay away from them. All your internet traffic goes through the VPN server, so you need someone you can trust.

I use Hide.me VPN for this walkthrough for two reasons:

1. You can get a free account. It expires after 30 days, but then you can log in and renew it and get another 30 days, and another and so on.
2. Not all VPNs provide the information to allow you to manually set up the VPN, but this one does.

So basically it cost me nothing and it has the information I need. There are others, but this seems fine. You can create a free account at the hide.me website.

The steps used to set up a VPN are the same for all VPNs and only the server URL, username and password are different.

1 Open System Preferences

Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Click the Network icon.

2 Create a new network connection

All the network connections are listed in the left panel and there may be one or more items. Click the plus button at the bottom to add a new network connection.

3 Configure the VPN settings

Select VPN for the interface. There are several options in the VPN Type list and you need to choose the one that the VPN service provider supports. They might support several, as does hide.me, and IKEv2 is recommended.

The Service Name is whatever you want to call this network connection. It makes sense to name it after the name of the VPN service provider.

4 Add the VPN server URL

One of the conveniences that installing VPN software provides is an easy way to switch from one VPN server to another. VPN providers have hundreds or even thousands of servers all over the world and the one you choose makes it appear like you are at that location, such as in the US, Europe, Australia or wherever.

There are three free hide.me VPNs and these are free-nl.hide.me (Netherlands), free-ca.hide.me (Canada), and free-sg.hide.me (Singapore). Many more are available to paying subscribers.

Add the server Address and Remote ID.

5 Authentication Settings

Click Authentication Settings and enter your username and password (same ones used to log in to your free hide.me account). Click OK.

6 Connect to the VPN

Click Apply to finish off and you can then click the Connect button (see step 4). It becomes Disconnect when you are connected.

7 Add a menu bar item

Tick the box at the bottom of the window, Show VPN status in the menu bar. You can then connect and disconnect from the menu.

Fee VPNs place limits on the amount of data you transfer, so only use it when you need it. You’ll blow your whole month’s data if you watch a video online. Many VPNs give you unlimited data if you subscribe.

You now have a VPN just using macOS features and it didn’t cost a thing. Although I used Hide.Me in this guide, it works with any VPN that provides connection details on its website.

Disadvantages of manual VPNs

The main disadvantage of manually setting up a VPN this way is that it limits the number of VPN servers you can connect to. It is fine it you only want to use one or two VPN servers, but many VPN providers have hundreds or thousands of servers to choose from. They enable you to choose the fastest, the nearest, or one in a specific country if you want to appear to be located elsewhere.

The guide above will get you a free VPN without installing software, but I really recommend paying for VPN software. It doesn't cost that much and it is so much more convenient. I use NordVPN on my Mac, so I know it works. Deals come and go, so check the latest prices at NordVPN and see what's on offer.