How to Install NordVPN Linux: A Quick and Easy Guide

Looking to enhance your online privacy on Linux? You’re in the right place. Installing NordVPN on Linux is not only a smart move for safeguarding your data but also remarkably easy. Whether you’re on Debian, Ubuntu, or even a Raspberry Pi, we’ve got you covered with straightforward steps.

Now, we know, the thought of configuring VPN on Linux might seem a tad daunting. But here’s a fun fact: it’s almost easier than setting up your coffee machine! With NordVPN, the process is breezy and doesn’t require you to be a tech guru.

Imagine browsing the internet just like before, but with an invisible blanket of security. Download the NordVPN app, run a few simple commands, and voilà, your connection is encrypted. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, and get that VPN up and running, ensuring your online footprint stays private and secure. Who knew taking control of your digital privacy could be this seamless?

Contents

1 Installing NordVPN on Linux
- 1.1 Preparing for Installation
- 1.2 Downloading and Installing the VPN Client
2 Configuring and Using NordVPN
3 Ensuring Security and Privacy
- 3.1 Understanding NordVPN’s Security Protocols
- 3.2 Managing Network and Connection Security

Installing NordVPN on Linux

Setting up NordVPN on a Linux system involves a few straightforward steps, from preparation to installation. Whether you’re using Debian, Ubuntu, or another Linux distribution, these steps will guide you through the process efficiently.

Preparing for Installation

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of installing NordVPN, let’s make sure your system is prepped and ready. It’s essential to update your package list and ensure that your system has the necessary dependencies.

Update your package sources: Open a terminal and run:
```
sudo apt update
```
Install dependencies: You’ll need wget or curl to download NordVPN packages. To install them, use:
```
sudo apt install wget curl
```
Check system compatibility: Make sure your Linux distribution is compatible. NordVPN supports Debian-based systems like Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Elementary OS, as well as RPM-based systems like Fedora, CentOS, and openSUSE.

Downloading and Installing the VPN Client

With your system prepared, let’s download and install the NordVPN client. This section covers steps for both Debian-based and RPM-based systems.

For Debian-based Systems

Download the NordVPN .deb package: Use wget or curl to get the package:
```
wget https://nordvpn.com/download/nordvpn/deb
```

Install the package: After downloading, install the package using:

sudo dpkg -i nordvpn-release_*.deb
sudo apt update
sudo apt install nordvpn

For RPM-based Systems

Download the NordVPN .rpm package: Use wget or curl as shown:
```
wget https://nordvpn.com/download/nordvpn/rpm
```

Install the package: Once downloaded, install using:

sudo rpm -i nordvpn-release_*.rpm
sudo yum update
sudo yum install nordvpn

Once the installation is complete, you can start using NordVPN by typing nordvpn login in your terminal to log in with your credentials, and nordvpn connect to establish a secure connection. Enjoy secure browsing with NordVPN on your Linux system!

Step	Debian-based Systems	RPM-based Systems
Download	`wget https://nordvpn.com/download/nordvpn/deb`	`wget https://nordvpn.com/download/nordvpn/rpm`
Install	`sudo dpkg -i nordvpn-release_*.deb sudo apt update sudo apt install nordvpn`	`sudo rpm -i nordvpn-release_*.rpm sudo yum update sudo yum install nordvpn`

Configuring and Using NordVPN

Setting up NordVPN on Linux involves logging into your account, connecting to servers, adjusting settings to suit your needs, and leveraging NordVPN’s additional features.

Logging In and Connecting to a Server

First, ensure you’ve installed NordVPN. Open your terminal and use the nordvpn login command. You’ll be prompted to log into your NordVPN account via your browser. Once logged in, return to the terminal.

To connect to a server, use nordvpn connect. You can specify a country with nordvpn connect <country_code> or a specific server with nordvpn connect <server_name>.

To view all available servers, type nordvpn servers. You can list servers by regions using this command:
nordvpn connect [country] e.g., nordvpn connect us. For security, we can use commands to add a Kill Switch or enable Threat Protection.

Adjusting Settings and Preferences

We can fine-tune our VPN connection by adjusting various settings in NordVPN. Use nordvpn set followed by the setting and value to configure options. For instance, nordvpn set autoconnect on ensures we automatically connect to a VPN server upon boot.

To enhance privacy, activate the Kill Switch using nordvpn set killswitch on. If we want to set up a custom DNS, the command is nordvpn set dns <DNS_server_ip>. We can also switch the VPN Protocol with nordvpn set technology NORDLYNX for better speed and security.

We should also tweak settings for server groups, like connecting to P2P servers with nordvpn set p2p on.

Leveraging Additional Features

NordVPN offers advanced features like obfuscated servers for use in restrictive environments. Activate obfuscated servers with nordvpn set obfuscate on.

To ensure we’re always connected to the best server, use the Auto-Connect feature: nordvpn set autoconnect on. This keeps our connection seamless.

Enable Threat Protection to shield against malware and intrusive ads. Activate this with nordvpn set threatprotection on.

For added control, the Logout command is nordvpn logout, ensuring no unauthorized access if we need a break. Always stay secured with empowered configurations via NordVPN on Linux.

Ensuring Security and Privacy

When we install NordVPN on Linux, we want to ensure both our security and privacy. This means understanding the security protocols NordVPN uses and how to manage our network and connection security effectively.

Understanding NordVPN’s Security Protocols

NordVPN employs various security protocols to protect our online activity. One of the noteworthy protocols is OpenVPN, known for its robustness and flexibility. It uses strong encryption standards to keep our data secure from prying eyes.

Apart from OpenVPN, NordVPN offers IKEv2/IPsec, which provides excellent security with top-notch speed. Double VPN is another feature where our internet traffic passes through two servers, adding an extra layer of encryption.

Moreover, NordVPN provides a Kill Switch that prevents data leaks by disconnecting us from the internet if the VPN connection drops. DNS leak protection ensures our DNS queries remain private and secure, while the option to use dedicated IP addresses offers additional privacy by providing a unique IP address for our use only.

Managing Network and Connection Security

Ensuring our network and connection security requires managing various settings in the NordVPN app for Linux. We should regularly check the VPN connection status to ensure we are always connected when needed. The VPN client offers a user-friendly GUI that makes it easy to navigate and adjust settings to fit our needs.

A critical aspect of managing connection security involves configuring settings such as custom DNS servers to avoid third-party DNS tracking. Using features like the NordVPN Kill Switch is crucial, as it ensures our data won’t be exposed if we lose connection to the VPN server.

We should also consider setting up subnets properly to avoid IP address conflicts within our local network. Additionally, enabling Threat Protection can help block dangerous websites and reduce the risk of cyber threats.

These measures collectively ensure our data remains private and secure while enjoying the benefits of NordVPN on our Linux devices.