Download a VPN for Linux

Yes, a Virtual Private Network is an online security staple for all devices and operating systems, Linux included. Sure, the danger of being hacked may be a bit lower than for your average Windows user. But areas where a Linux VPN can help you are still massive:

• A VPN obscures your traffic from your ISP or anyone else who’d like to spy on it. Instead of knowing what websites you’re visiting or that you’re streaming/gaming/sharing files, they’ll only see VPN traffic. 
• Censorship and firewalls don’t care about your operating system and can affect even something as simple as your access to news or social media sites.

In fact, most of the reasons you should use a VPN apply to Linux users as well.

The Surfshark app for Ubuntu supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN (TCP and UDP).

Many Linux distros have a built-in VPN capability via the Network Manager, but it’s not the same as having a VPN. It just means that you can potentially set up a VPN without a specific application.

However, you’ll:

1. Have to do it yourself.
2. Still need to find a VPN server provider. 
3. Not have the quality-of-life and usability features of a commercial VPN. 

Most users don’t have a spare VPN server laying around, especially one that would allow them to route their traffic via a different country. So the potential capability exists, but it’s not a full Linux VPN client package.

Just like every operating system under the sun, Ubuntu has a built-in VPN capability. However, you still need to have access to a VPN server to make it work.

For Surfshark VPN users on Ubuntu who would like to use the GUI app, you can follow the short guides above.

For users of the legacy app, we have an entire support guide dedicated to enabling a VPN on your Linux machine. However, the legacy app is now purely in maintenance mode, and any new features will be coming to the GUI app.

Good free VPNs don’t exist for Linux – or any other platform. Here’s why:

• Free VPNs have way fewer servers and countries they operate in.
• Free VPNs are slower than paid VPNs – usually as a way to make you buy the paid version. 
• Free VPNs will bombard you with ads or sell your data for profit.
• Free VPNs don’t have the money or resources to keep their platforms up to security standards.
• Free VPNs usually leak data, don’t provide encryption, and often contain malware. 

So you see, you’ll likely be paying for a free VPN one way or another, including by handing over your data

The best VPN for Linux is not going to be one of the free (as in beer) ones. Here’s what else to look out for:

1. Linux support: make sure the OSs on all your devices are supported.
2. Features: like a native app, a kill switch, and split tunnelling, all working on Linux.
3. Company history: especially data breaches, shady practices, and suspect allegiances.
4. Servers: the more, the better—pay attention to server location, too.
5. Free trial / money-back guarantee: don’t lock yourself in without trying the VPN first.

VPN use is legal in nearly every country in the world. Only a few oppressive regimes limit its use.

However, if you use a VPN to partake in illegal activities – like pirating copyrighted material – the law may still come after you.

Surfshark does not encourage using a VPN in any way that would potentially violate the law or the Terms of Service of other service providers.

Surfshark VPN can be setup on a Raspberry Pi by carrying out a manual OpenVPN setup. You can find the guide for it here.