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The Different Ways To Share Your VPN Connection

The Different Ways To Share Your VPN Connection

Last updated on May 9, 2021

VPNs are becoming an increasingly used online tool for providing security, protecting personal data, and encrypting internet connections by a growing number of users online.

They are used to mask the IP address of a user, making it appear as though they are located in a completely different location from where they actually are.

These benefits are particularly useful when attempting to access geo-restricted content such as streaming services. Widely popular streaming platforms such as Netflix ensure that only certain content is available to those in specific regions. Consequently, it means that many living outside those areas are unable to access the content.

A VPN helps in unblocking such content, however not every device supports VPNs, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and media streaming devices that don’t have the ability to use a VPN.

Learn more about how to share your VPN connection below.

Why You Need a Virtual Router to Share your VPN Connection

Your virtual router is made from software rather than hardware.

To share a VPN connection on Windows, you will need to first share your wifi connection from the VPN-enabled device. Sharing your wifi connection, the software on your device like your PC computer will imitate your traditional hardware router. This means that your device will then be a virtual router. It will be capable of broadcasting a wifi network so that other devices can connect to it and use it.

Due to the fact that this network uses software, it is referred to as a virtual router and not a physical router that carries out the same functions using hardware instead.

Why You Need a Shared VPN Connection

As we mentioned earlier, some gaming consoles and a lot of smart TVs are unable to support VPN connections. This means that if you want to stream your favorite geo-restricted TV show, you will need to share your VPN connection using a virtual router. Sometimes VPNs will have physical router compatibility. It will allow you to manually install your chosen VPN on your router and cover all devices that connect to it. The only downside is that it can include a complicated technical setup.

The great news is that sharing your VPN connection using wifi is much easier. On top of that, as soon as you’ve shared your VPN connection with another device, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the VPN on that device.

For instance, if you’re looking to subscribe to a popular streaming platform such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, but are currently located outside of the US, you will want to use a VPN to unlock different regional libraries.

Prime VPN services will route all (or part) of your online data through one of their many servers. This will help you camouflage your IP address to one from your VPN service provider. Any content including streaming sites will see the IP address from your VPN provider rather than yours. Connecting your VPN to a particular country and logging into your streaming account will allow you access to all streaming content available to people from that country.

Additionally, you will be able to protect your device using the security and privacy features. Third parties such as your ISP, government agencies, and hackers will be unable to see what you’re doing online, as a result.

How to Share Your VPN Connection Using a Router

If you aren’t at all phased by technical connections, sharing your VPN connection using a router might be the right path to take. This will mean that each device that is connected to your home router is covered by your VPN.

Most VPNs will limit your simultaneous connections, but your router counts as one device when it comes to your subscription limit. This is what you need to install a VPN on your router as well as to share your VPN connection with the other VPN-compatible devices in your home. If your router is a bit older or doesn’t have a VPN client built-in, you will still be able to install a VPN on it. In order to do this, you will need to flash the router with a new firmware that will support your VPN installation.

The best and safest router firmware that will allow this is DD-WRT. It’s wise to remember that it is possible to brick your router when you’re flashing it with a new firmware. You will need to follow the entire process exactly in order to avoid this.

If you aren’t comfortable with this prospect you can always buy a router that already has VPN compatibility. Also, you should know that you don’t have to purchase your router from your VPN provider as there are many DD-WRT options available online and in stores, possibly saving you money at the same time.

Make sure that your VPN is based on the OpenVPN protocol as this means that you will be able to install it on a router. It is also one of the safest VPN protocols available at the moment.

Install the VPN on your router. You can do so by following our step-by-step guide here.

How to Share Your VPN Connection on Windows 10 Using Wifi

If you have an updated version of Windows 10 installed on your computer, it should have the ability to easily create a new wifi hotspot. These are compatible with many wifi adapters as well as wifi-enabled devices.

Download MyPublicWiFi and install it on your computer (don’t launch it yet though)
Open your VPN application
Make sure you’re using the OpenVPN protocol
Connect to a remote server
Open MyPublicWiFi but only by using admin privileges
Right-click on the application’s icon
Select Run as Administrator
Ensure that Automatic Hotspot Configuration is selected
Change the name of the network (optional) and enter a network key which will be your wifi password
Click on Enable Internet Sharing. You will have to select your VPN connection from the list
Click on Set up and Start Hotspot
Wait until the application starts and then select your created network
Enter your password

How to Share Your VPN Connection Using Ethernet

Launch your VPN
Connect to a remote server
Connect your other device to your PC using a crossover Ethernet cable
Open the Control Panel on your computer
Find Network and Internet and select Network and Sharing Center
On the left-hand side of the window select Change Adapter Settings
Find your VPN connection. This should be labeled as Local Area Connection and then TAP-Win32 Adapter
Choose Properties
Open up the Sharing tab and ensure that the first option checked
Find the drop-down menu and choose the network that you identified with your VPN active
Click OK
Your Windows PC is now able to share your VPN connection with any devices using Ethernet

How to Share Your VPN Connection With MacOS

You will need to create a custom VPN in order to share your VPN from your macOS. To do so your VPN needs to have either PPTP or IKEv2 security options, so make sure this is possible with your VPN first.

Click on the Apple logo
Choose System Preferences and then select Network
On the bottom left-hand side click on the +
Select Interface > VPN
Click VPN Type
Choose either PPTP or IKEv2
Select Service name and enter whatever you like
Click Create
Manually configure your VPN by signing into your account and clicking on Manual Config
Minimize your web browser and find System Preferences
Enter the information for Server Address, Remote ID, and Local ID (the information is found on the VPN’s official website)
Click on Authentication settings
When a new window appears, enter the password you got from your VPN’s website
Click OK
Open System Preferences, click on Sharing
Ensure that Internet Sharing is enabled
Click on the drop-down menu found next to Share your connection from
Select wifi on the bottom right-hand side
You’re all set and can now share your VPN connection

Conclusion

Using a VPN is a great way of keeping safe online. However, not all devices are compatible with VPNs. Luckily you can use a number of ways to share your VPN connection such as the ones above. With this option enabled you will be able to enjoy the benefits of your VPN on devices that do not normally support this fantastic online tool.