Windscribe is a popular VPN service that enhances your online privacy by encrypting your internet connection. It is available for various platforms, including Linux-based operating systems like Ubuntu. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to install and configure Windscribe on Ubuntu.
What is Windscribe?
Windscribe is a VPN service that allows you to browse the internet securely and privately. It masks your IP address, encrypts your internet traffic, and helps you access content that may be restricted in your region. Windscribe offers both free and paid plans, with the free plan providing a limited amount of data each month.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
- An active Windscribe account.
- A computer running Ubuntu.
- Internet access.
1. Using the Windscribe Desktop Application
Windscribe provides a native Linux application that simplifies the VPN setup process. Follow these steps to install it:
Step 1: Download the Windscribe Linux Application
Visit the official Windscribe download page:
windscribe website
Choose the appropriate version for Ubuntu (usually the .deb package). Download the file to your computer.
Step 2: Install the Application
Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where the .deb file was downloaded. Use the following command to install the application:
- sudo dpkg -i windscribe-cli_amd64.deb
Replace windscribe-cli_amd64.deb with the actual filename if it’s different.
If you encounter any dependency issues, run:
- sudo apt-get install -f
Step 3: Launch Windscribe
After installation, you can launch Windscribe by typing:
- windscribe
This will start the Windscribe command-line interface (CLI).
Step 4: Log In to Your Account
In the terminal, type:
- windscribe login
Enter your Windscribe username and password when prompted.
Step 5: Connect to a VPN Server
To connect to a VPN server, type:
- windscribe connect
You can also specify a particular server location:
- windscribe connect “United States”
To disconnect, type:
- windscribe disconnect
2. Manual Setup Using OpenVPN
If you prefer to use OpenVPN with Windscribe, follow these steps:
Step 1: Install Required Packages
Open a terminal and install the necessary packages:
- sudo apt-get update
- sudo apt-get install openvpn network-manager-openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome
Step 2: Obtain Configuration Files
Log in to your Windscribe account and download the OpenVPN configuration files. You will need the .ovpn files, CA certificate (ca.crt), and TLS authentication key (ta.key).
Step 3: Configure VPN Connection
- Click on the network icon in the system tray and select “VPN Connections” > “Configure VPN”.
- Click “Add” and choose “Import a saved VPN configuration”.
- Select the .ovpn file you downloaded.
- In the “Authentication” tab, set the authentication type to “Password” and enter your Windscribe username and password.
- In the “CA Certificate” field, select the ca.crt file.
- In the “TLS Authentication” tab, check “Use additional TLS authentication” and select the ta.key file.
- Click “Save” to apply the settings.
Step 4: Connect to the VPN
Click on the network icon again, select “VPN Connections”, and choose the Windscribe connection you just created. You should now be connected to the VPN.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Connection Issues: If you experience connectivity problems, try switching to a different server location or protocol.
- DNS Leaks: To prevent DNS leaks, ensure that your DNS settings are configured to use Windscribe’s DNS servers.
- Firewall Restrictions: If you’re behind a restrictive firewall, consider using the “Stealth” or “WSTunnel” protocols available in Windscribe’s settings.
Conclusion
Installing Windscribe on Ubuntu is straightforward, whether you choose the desktop application or manual OpenVPN setup. By following this guide, you can enhance your online privacy and security while using Ubuntu. Remember to keep your Windscribe application updated to benefit from the latest features and security improvements.
