How to Setup and Use NordVPN on Linux (Updated for 2023)
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN service providers in the world. It offers an unrivalled service that enables you to enjoy the best internet experience. Even better, it is compatible with several operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Linux, among others. However, if you’re reading this, you probably need help setting up NordVPN on your Linux device. Well, we got you. In this article we discuss in-depth how to enhance the internet security of your Linux device using NordVPN.
How to install NordVPN on Linux
You can set up NordVPN on your Linux, either through OpenVPN or the NordVPN native application. However, using the NordVPN native application is recommended. With it, you’re sure to have one of the easiest installation processes ever.
So, here’s how to set up using NordVPN native application:
Step 1: Download the NordVPN repository package .deb
Step 2: Install the NordVPN repository by opening the Terminal and running this command.
sudo dpkg -i /pathToFile/nordvpn-release_1.0.0_all.deb
Step 3: Change the /pathToFile/ with the location of the NordVPN installer you downloaded in step 1. For instance, if it’s in your Download folder, the command will be
sudo dpkg -i /Download/nordvpn-release_1.0.0_all.deb
Step 4: Input your password and wait till the installation is complete.
Step 5: Update the repository package by running this command.
sudo apt update (or sudo apt-get update)
Step 6: Install NordVPN by running this command.
sudo apt install nordvpn (or sudo apt-get install nordvpn)
Step 7: Log in to your NordVPN account by running this command.
Step 8: Connect to the NordVPN server by running this command.
If you have followed the instructions above, then, NordVPN should be installed and working on your Linux system. However, if you’re interested in setting up through OpenVPN, we’ve still got you covered.
Here’s how to set up using OpenVPN:
Step 1: Open the VPN Terminal (you can use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + T).
Step 2: Install the OpenVPN client by entering the command below. In case a password is requested, enter the password you used to create your Linux account.
sudo apt-get install openvpn
Step 3: Go to the OpenVPN configuration by entering this command.
Step 4: Download the OpenVPN configuration files by entering this command.
sudo wget https://downloads.nordcdn.com/
configs/archives/servers/ovpn.zip
If you get ERROR: The certificate of ‘nordvpn.com’ is not trusted. Then you need to install the ca-certificate package by entering this command.
sudo apt-get install ca-certificates
Step 5: If you don’t have the unzip package installed, you need to download it. To do so, enter this command.
sudo apt-get install unzip
Step 6: Extract ‘ovpn.zip’ by entering this command.
Step 7: Then, remove files that are no longer useful by entering this command.
Step 8: Based on the connection protocol you want, enter this command.
UDP: cd /etc/openvpn/ovpn_udp/
TCP: cd /etc/openvpn/ovpn_tcp/
Step 9: Enter the command below to see the number of available servers
Step 10: Choose a server to connect to, preferably any of NordVPN’s suggested servers. Please note the server hostname under the server title as you’ll need it to complete the setup.
Step 11: Start OpenVPN with your chosen configuration by entering the command below. (Replace [file name] below with your server hostname in step 10 above)
Step12: You’ll be prompted to enter your credentials by OpenVPN. Input your NordVPN account login details.
If you follow these steps, you should have successfully connected to the VPN. However, to disconnect, open the Terminal, and on your keyboard press Ctrl + C.
Other relevant commands
After successfully connecting, you’ll need to execute actions on your device through commands input. Here’s a list of common commands that might prove useful:
- To connect: nordvpn connect
- To disconnect: nordvpn disconnect
- To configure: nordvpn settings
- To determine options in the settings use: nordvpn set
- Listing countries: nordvpn countries
- To refresh the server list: nordvpn refresh
- To connect to a different country: nordvpn connect NameOfCountry
Why you should choose NordVPN
In case you’re wondering why you should choose NordVPN as your VPN service provider. Here are six reasons you should make that choice:
- Online freedom: If you love to stream or download internet content without restrictions, then you should choose NordVPN. It allows you to bypass content restrictions all over the world with its 5000 plus servers across 59 countries.
- Military-grade encryption: NordVPN secures your online activities with its 256-bits Advanced Encryption Standard. Also, if your VPN connection drops, it has the latest Kill Switch feature that blocks your computer from accessing the internet outside the encrypted VPN tunnel. So, with NordVPN, you stay secure at all times.
- Fully private experience: It allows you a fully private experience from the prying eyes of the government, hackers and your ISP. It has a strict no-logs policy coupled with the latest DNS leak protection that allows you to surf the internet incognito.
- Easy to use: One reason why NordVPN and your Linux is a match made in heaven is its ease of use. It comes with several autocomplete widgets that provide suggestions when you type in commands. So, with NordVPN, you enjoy the best VPN experience.
- Fast internet experience: You’re also guaranteed a fast internet experience with NordVPN. It has the TCP/UDP protocols so you can switch between the protocols depending on your need for connection speed and level of security.
- Cost-effective: NordVPN comes at the most amazing rate and allows you to save up to 70% when you subscribe to its 3-year plan at $3.49 per month. You can also purchase the 2-year plan at $4.99/month, or the 1-year plan at $6.99/month. The one-month plan costs $11.95. Even cooler, all plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don’t like what you get.
Final words
Using a VPN allows you to get the best of your internet experience, and no provider does it better than NordVPN. However, this only happens when you have successfully installed and set up the VPN on your device. Follow the stepwise instructions above and be sure of fast and secure internet experience on your Linux device.
Installing NordVPN on Linux distributions
The NordVPN native application is the recommended option for connecting to NordVPN servers on your Linux device. We designed it with your experience in mind, giving easy access to features such as Threat Protection, auto-connect, and automated Kill Switch.
This tutorial explains how to download and install the NordVPN app, log in, and connect to our servers. You can also find an explanation of various settings.
Downloading the VPN app
1. Download the NordVPN Linux client by opening the terminal, writing the command below, and following any on-screen instructions:
Note: If you do not have a curl package, evidenced by the fact that the above does not work, you can alternatively use this command:
sh <(wget -qO— https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh)
Additionally, if you receive the following issue: Whoops! Permission denied accessing /run/nordvpn/nordvpnd.sock, all you need to do is write the following command: sudo usermod -aG nordvpn $USER and then reboot your device.
2. Log in to your NordVPN account:
nordvpn login
3. Connect to a NordVPN server:
nordvpn connect
Settings
To access the NordVPN client settings, type the nordvpn command in Terminal.
Here is the list of available commands:
nordvpn login — Log in.
nordvpn connect or nordvpn c — Connect to VPN. To connect to specific servers, use nordvpn connect country_code server_number> (eg. nordvpn connect uk715)
nordvpn disconnect or nordvpn d — Disconnect from VPN.
nordvpn c double_vpn — Connect to the closest Double VPN server.
nordvpn connect —group double_vpn — Connect to a specific country using DoubleVPN servers.
nordvpn connect —group p2p — Connect to a specific country using P2P servers.
nordvpn connect P2P — connect to a P2P server.
nordvpn connect The_Americas — connect to servers located in the Americas.
nordvpn connect Dedicated_IP — connect to a Dedicated IP server.
nordvpn set or nordvpn s — Set a configuration option.
Possible options:
nordvpn set threatprotectionlite on or off — Enable or disable Threat Protection Lite
nordvpn set killswitch on or off — Enable or disable Kill Switch
nordvpn set autoconnect on or off — Enable or disable auto-connect. You can set a specific server for automatic connection using nordvpn set autoconnect on country_code+server_number. Example: nordvpn set autoconnect on us2435.
nordvpn set notify on or off — Enable or disable notifications
nordvpn set dns 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 — Set custom DNS (you can set up a single DNS or two like shown in this command).
nordvpn set protocol udp or tcp — Switch between UDP and TCP protocols
nordvpn set obfuscate on or off — Enable or disable Obfuscated Servers.
nordvpn set technology — Set connection technology (OpenVPN or NordLynx)
nordvpn set meshnet on — turn on Meshnet on your device.
nordvpn whitelist add port 22 — Add a rule to allowlist a specified incoming port. You can also allowlist multiple ports — just separate their numbers with a space.
nordvpn whitelist remove port 22 — Remove the rule to allowlist a specified port.
nordvpn whitelist add subnet 192.168.0.0/16 — Add a rule to allowlist a specified subnet.
nordvpn whitelist remove subnet 192.168.0.0/16 — Remove the rule to allowlist a specified subnet.
nordvpn account — See account information
nordvpn register — Register a new user account
nordvpn rate — Rate your last connection quality (1-5)
nordvpn settings — See the current settings.
nordvpn status — See the connection status.
nordvpn countries — See the country list.
nordvpn cities— See the city list. E.g.: nordvpn cities united_states
nordvpn groups — See a list of available server groups.
nordvpn logout — Log out.
nordvpn help or nordvpn h — See the list of available commands or help for a specific command.
You can get an extensive explanation of all commands by using the man nordvpn command in Terminal.