A Mac VPN connection can maximize the freedom and security of your online experience on your Mac by using a VPN for Mac and sharing a Mac to Mac VPN connection.
Using a VPN is the best way to protect your online privacy and access the blocked content in your region. Plenty of VPN for Mac services help you remain anonymous online and do all kinds of entertainment or business activities securely on your Mac.
In addition, the modern VPN for macOS solutions allows you to share a Mac VPN connection between two Apple computers. Read on to know more about the VPN connection on Mac and how to share VPN settings on Mac.
When you are visiting a website, watching a movie on Netflix, or socializing on Facebook, the data you send and receive on a Mac computer is routed with a public IP address of your network. All data is exposed to your internet service provider surveillance agencies or other trackers.
A Mac VPN connection is a network setting or VPN software on your Mac that creates a private and secure network connection by encrypting your data and using another IP address offered by a VPN server. In this way, all data trackers and identity thieves won't know where you are and what you are doing on the internet.
Even though the Mac computer is renowned for security, it is necessary to add an extra layer of security to the online experience on your Mac device.
If your internet service provider, either the local internet service or the internet administrator in your corporation, can give you the VPN setup file, it will be easy to set up a VPN on Mac. Using a standalone Mac VPN app is another way to gain a VPN connection on Mac without manual configuration.
You May Like: Is VPN Safe? The Safest Free iTop VPN for You in 2023 >>
Some VPN for Mac software or the VPN provided by ISP allows you to share VPN connections between Macs. It is different from simply sharing Wi-Fi or hotspot between Macs because all data the other Mac sends and receives will be protected by the same VPN network as well.
If you want to share a Mac to Mac VPN connection, you have to make sure you are using an L2TP/IPSec protocol. As L2TP or IPSec protocol is less secure than IKEv2 or OpenVPN protocol, many Mac VPNs have dropped these two connection protocols.
Follow the below steps to create a Mac to Mac connection on Mac:
Step 1: Get the VPN configuration file from your ISP or VPN provider that contains everything you will need to share a VPN connection on Mac.
Step 2: Go to the Apple logo > System Preferences > Network on your Apple computer.
Step 3: Click "+" to create a new network connection.
Step 4: Enter the following data and then click Create.
Interface: VPN
VPN Type: L2TP over IPSec
Service Name: Use the default VPN(L2TP) or input a name that helps you recognize this VPN connection
Step 5: Enter the following data and check the box to enable "Show VPN status in menu bar".
Configuration: Default
Server Address: enter the selected server domain name found in the configuration file
Account Name: enter your login username found in the configuration file
Step 6: In the same network windows, click Authentication Settings and enter the following information and click OK, then Apply.
Password: Enter the password found in the configuration file
Share Secret: Use the numbers found in the psk section of the VPN configuration file
Step 7: In the network window, click Advanced, tick the box next to Send all traffic over VPN connection, and click OK.
Step 8: Click Connect to have a protected VPN network connection on your Mac.
Step 9: Go to System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing. Do not check the box to enable it yet.
Step 10: Use these options:
Share your connection from: choose the VPN connection just created on your Mac
To computers using: Wi-Fi
Step 11: Click the "Wi-Fi Options" button to set up the Wi-Fi network for sharing and click OK.
Network Name: input a name for easy recognition
Channel: leave as default
Security: Select WAP2 Personal
Password: Create a password
Verify: Re-enter your password
Step 12: Click "Turn Wi-Fi On" if your Wi-Fi network is not turned on, or Click "Start" to enable Internet Sharing.
If another Mac or other device wants to use the VPN connection and shared Wi-Fi, it will need to use the same Wi-Fi and enter the password you created.
Also Read: PPTP VPN Mac Setup - How to Connect to PPTP VPN on macOS El Capitan, Sierra, and Above >>
To create a Mac to Mac VPN connection takes a configuration file from your internet provider and many steps. If you are looking for an easier way to be able to establish VPN protection on multiple Macs, a standalone VPN app is the best alternative.
iTop VPN allows you to freely download a dedicated app on all different Mac models and other devices including iPhones, Android phones, and Windows PC. You don't need to set up a VPN-protected shared network but log in iTop VPN free with the same user credentials on 5 devices simultaneously.
This free Mac VPN offers more than 1800 servers worldwide to help you bypass geographical restrictions and enjoy fast internet speed. With military-grade encryption methods and other security features, it ensures you a secure and private connection for streaming, gaming, socializing, and banking.
Step 1: Free download iTop VPN free software on your iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air running macOS 10.15/11/12.
Step 2: Select the closest server or a server location where you want to access its entertainment or business services.
Step 3: Click Connect to connect to the remote server for safe browsing.
There are scattered reports on the Apple community and other tech forums that people keep getting a popup asking for a password for Mac VPN connection when the computer is connected to Wi-Fi.
The main reason why this Mac VPN connection authentication message shows up is that you enabled Keychain Access on your Mac to store passwords and account information of the Mac VPN connection for easier login. Therefore, every time you use the Wi-Fi, you will get a prompt to enter your keychain password (not the password you created for the VPN connection).
How to stop the Mac VPN connection popup? The best way to remove the VPN connection password in the Keychain Access.
Open Launchpad > Other > Keychain Access.
Search for the VPN connection name, either the Mac VPN provider name or the name of the VPN connection on Mac you created.
Right-click it and delete it.
Close Keychain Access and restart the VPN application.
You May Like: 5 Free P2P VPN Providers for Safe and Fast Torrenting in 2023 >>
Configuring a VPN connection on Mac or using a free VPN for Mac service lets you protect all traffic going through your Mac computer. This article also tells you how to create a Mac to Mac VPN connection and share VPN-protected Wi-Fi with other devices.
iTop VPN can get all traffic of your phone, tablets and other devices encrypted and private by allowing you to use the service at the same time. Free download the VPN for macOS to enjoy anonymity and freedom on the web.