How do I connect to a VPN on a non-Windows device?

Once it’s been agreed that you can work remotely, your company should provide you with a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which you’ll need to connect to in order to securely access documents and workspaces on your business’s network.

This guide gives a step by step method to securely connect to a VPN on a non-Windows device. Before you begin you will need the necessary login credentials and authorisation supplied from your IT department or administrator.

Connect to a VPN using OS X (Sierra)

1. Click on the Apple menu on the top of the screen, and then select system preferences, then select network.
2. Now a (+) (Plus) button will appear in the list on the left, click the popup menu and select VPN for the interface and select L2TP over IPSec.
3. Then you will go though the setup of adding a VPN to your Mac. The following details required will be provided by your VPN
4. Once you have fully completed the setup, before you close the setup in the menu bar select “Show VPN Status in the menu bar”. This will then show the VPN connection is available and working in the status bar via an icon.

Connect to a VPN using Chrome OS (67.0.3396.102)

1. Click your account photo on the bottom right of your screen and then click the gear icon.
2. The settings page will now appear, there is a network section in the menu near the top of the settings page.
3. Once you find the network section, you can click add connection, then proceed to add your VPN.
4. Then you can fill out all the details provided by your VPN.
5. Once you successfully enter all the details for your VPN connection you can click on the VPN tab in network settings where you can click on your VPN and select connect.

Connect to a VPN using Linux (Ubuntu) (18.04 LTS)

1. On your desktop, go to system settings and then network.
2. On your network settings page, there will be a (+) (Plus).
3. Once you select the Plus (+) a box will appear where you can select VPN from a drop down menu.
4. Once you click create you will go through a setup where you will need to enter the necessary details supplied by your VPN
5. Once you have successfully filled in all the information, you can select your network icon on the desktop; it will open a small box showing active connections and VPN

If you’re using a Windows machine, see our guide for connecting to a VPN using a Windows operating system.