Trying to set up a VPN on your Android device? It’s actually very easy, and we will walk you through the process!
Smartphone security threats are on the rise, including Android devices. Android devices are not as secure as once thought before. Fortunately, with the finest VPNs for Android, you can secure your mobile devices. And, there are multiple ways to set up and use a VPN on your Android phone.
In this digital age, with a rise in cybersecurity threats, VPNs have become a necessity rather than a choice. Did you know, Android mobile phones are the third favorite platform for hackers, according to 2020 statistics – right after websites and APIs. There are multiple threats faced by smartphone users like unsecured Wi-Fi, data leakages, and network spoofing. With a VPN, you can safeguard your devices against such threats and secure your devices.
There are two ways you can set up and use a VPN on your Android phones: set up a VPN manually, or download the VPN app directly from the app store. We have discussed both methods in detail below:
Method 1: Set up VPN on Android Manually
Follow these steps to set up a VPN on your Android device manually:
- Go to Settings of your phone > click Wi-Fi & Internet
- Scroll down and tap on VPN (on some devices, you might need to tap on More to find the VPN option).
- On the top right corner, click plus sign. If you don’t see that sign, you need to open advanced options by clicking on three dots.
- Enter the details of your VPN (you can get the instructions and information from your VPN provider).
- Choose the protocol you want to use
- Click Save.
Method 2: Download VPN app on Android
If you don’t want to set up a VPN on your Android device manually, you can also download the VPN app on your device and simply log in with your credentials to get started. Follow these steps below to download the VPN app on your Android devices:
- Choose a VPN and subscribe
- Go to Google Play Store and search for your VPN provider
- Download the app
- Once the download is complete > log in with your credentials.
- Choose a server location of your choice, and hit the connect button.
- That’s it, and your Android device is secure now!
Why should you use a VPN on your Android Devices?
These days we use our smartphones for daily tasks like online shopping, banking and more as compared to laptops. It is super convenient, but we don’t realize the amount of personal information we are sending out. This unencrypted data can be hacked and abused. This is where a VPN comes in. These online privacy tools are powerful enough to encrypt your data – thus making it untraceable online.
The best VPNs encrypt your data with 256-bit AES encryption that is used by militaries and intelligence agencies to secure data. This way, you can safely use public Wi-Fi hotspots without having to fear hacking and identity theft. VPN helps you mask your IP address so no one can track you online, not even your internet service provider (ISP).
That’s not all a mobile VPN can do for you. With a VPN on your Android phone, you can mask your real IP address and change it to some other location to access geo-restricted content from anywhere in the world. For example, if you are outside the US, you can connect to an American server to get a US IP address and stream geo-blocked platforms like HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix US, and more. It helps you trick websites into thinking that you are trying to access them from somewhere else.
Android Phone Security Threats in 2021
Let’s take a look at some of the top security threats for Android phones and other mobile devices:
- Unsecured Wi-Fi: One of the biggest mobile security threats is connecting your device with an unsecured Wi-Fi network. These networks are a hotspot for hackers as they are easy to compromise and get access to connected devices on the network. However, with a VPN, you can encrypt your data and safely access public Wi-Fi.
- Data Leakages: Mobile apps cause data leakages that you might not be aware of. This is typically in the case of free knockoff apps of premium versions. To avoid these, only allow app permissions to apps that are trustworthy.
- Network Spoofing: Network spoofing is when hackers set up ‘fake public hotspots’ at cafes and more – but in reality, they are traps that encourage you to connect your mobile device to the network. Once you connect, they can access your mobile device and compromise security.
Keep your Android Devices Safe!
Now you know how to set up a VPN on your Android device and the reasons why you should use a VPN. If your smartphone is an indispensable part of your life, then you need a VPN to secure your data and safely access the internet. You can either manually configure the VPN on your Android device or download its app from Google Play Store and simply log in to get started. What’s best is that you can use the mobile VPN on your other devices like laptops, tablets, and even routers to secure all devices on the network.
