Remote working has significantly transformed business operations, reshaping perceptions of productivity and necessitating a complete revamp of enterprise security practices. A VPN is a critical component in ensuring security for remote employees who connect through unknown, shared, and public networks.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows organizations to establish a secure access path to corporate resources, protected by a firewall. This security measure ensures that access to these resources is restricted and cannot be compromised via a public network.
For enterprises utilizing LTE hotspots, understanding how to set up VPN on Android is essential for protecting corporate devices and data from malware and other cyber threats.
This blog will provide a step-by-step guide on how to manually set up a VPN on Android and how to push and configure VPN application on Android devices using Scalefusion MDM.
Why Do You Need a VPN for Your Android?
A VPN for an Android phone is crucial for ensuring security and privacy while using your device. Below are five reasons which highlight the need for VPN on Android devices:
1. Enhanced Privacy
Without a VPN, your internet service provider (ISP), advertisers, and even cybercriminals can track your online activities. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for these entities to monitor your browsing habits and personal information. This encryption ensures that your online activities remain private, protecting you from unwanted surveillance.
2. Increased Security
A VPN not only improves privacy but also boosts your device’s security. It encrypts your data into a secure, unreadable format, preventing cybercriminals from intercepting and accessing sensitive information. This encryption guards against various cyberattacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept data between your device and a server, and packet sniffing, where malicious actors capture data packets to gather information. By securing your data, a VPN helps protect your Android device from potential hacks and breaches.
3. IP Address Masking
Your IP address is like a digital identifier that reveals your location and can be used for various purposes, including targeted advertising and cyberattacks. A VPN masks your real IP address and replaces it with the IP address of the VPN server. This makes it harder for third parties to trace your online activities and pinpoint your location, thus enhancing your anonymity.
4. Public Wi-Fi Protection
Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously insecure and are often targeted by cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. When connected to a public Wi-Fi network, your data can be intercepted by hackers who are monitoring the network. A VPN encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi, preventing snoopers from accessing your data and protecting you from potential threats such as malware.
5. Bypassing Censorship and Restrictions
In some regions, internet access is restricted or censored by government authorities. A VPN can help you bypass these restrictions by allowing you to connect to servers in different countries. This enables you to access websites and content that may be blocked or restricted in your location, ensuring that you can freely access the information you need without geographic limitations.
How to Manually Set Up a VPN on Your Android Phone
To enhance your security and privacy, you can turn on a VPN on your Android device. Here’s how to add a VPN to Android and install it manually:
Step 1 – Open “Settings” on your Android phone. Tap “Wireless & networks” > “More settings” >”VPN” → “Add VPN network.
Step 2 – Under “Edit VPN network,” enter the required information:
- Name: Choose a name for your VPN.
- Type: Select the VPN type (IPSec, PPTP, or L2TP/IPSec).
- Server Address: Enter the IP address of the VPN you want to install. Some VPN providers may require a paid version to access this information.
- Additional Information: Depending on the type, you may need to provide extra details like an L2TP secret, IPSec identifier, or IPSec preshared key.
Step 3 – After entering the details, tap “Save” to complete the setup.
Step 4 – To turn on the VPN, tap the VPN app again, enter your username and password, and tap “Connect.” When the VPN gets connected to your Android phone, you will see “Connected” on the screen.
How to Set Up VPN on Android Device using Scalefusion MDM
Enterprises can leverage Scalefusion MDM to set up VPN for Android devices used by the frontline workforce and field force that works outside of the corporate network perimeters.
The step below will help you setup a VPN on an Android phone:
| Note: The VPN configuration for managed Android devices is available for Afw- Android for Work or Android enterprise devices with Android 7.0 and above only. Ensure that devices are enrolled to the Scalefusion MDM using the Android for Work (AfW) enrollment method. |
Step 1 – Log in to the Scalefusion dashboard.
Step 2 – Navigate to the Application Management tab on the Scalefusion dashboard. Click on the Play for Work apps section. Here, you can see all the Play Store apps that can be installed on your managed Android devices using Scalefusion. Click on the Add from Playstore button.
Step 3 – A Google Play dialog will appear. Search for and then click on the trustworthy VPN application of your choice. You can choose a VPN from Cisco AnyConnect, SonicWall Mobile Connect, Pulse Secure, and Palo Alto apps to configure VPN settings on your managed devices.
Step 4 – Click on Select.
Step 5 – A VPN app window will be displayed on the right side of the device screen. Configure the app and update settings and click on Publish.
Step 6 – Select the device group/device/device profile you want to push the VPN application to. This step is necessary to further enable VPN settings. This app will now be auto-installed on the Android device.
Step 7 – Navigate to the Device Profiles and Policies section of the dashboard. Select the profile on which you have published the VPN application. Click on the edit profile icon to configure VPN settings on Android devices to which this profile is applied.
Step 8 – Click on the Restrictions section of the device profile and select Network & Location Setting from the left menu. Go to the VPN Setting section. Select the app for Always-ON VPN from the drop-down menu. Enable or disable VPN lockdown. Click the Update Profile button on the right corner to update the settings to enable VPN on Android devices managed under the selected device profile.
This deploys the VPN application onto the managed Android devices directly from the dashboard.
Configure VPN for Privacy & Security with Scalefusion MDM
Scalefusion MDM empowers IT admins and employees, to work remotely by connecting to a secure VPN administered and configured via the dashboard. The Always ON VPN configuration ensures that the employee can never turn off the VPN and connect to a public or shared network to access work apps.
Contact our experts to learn more about Android device management. Book a free demo or start your 14-day free trial today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you use a VPN on a Samsung phone?
To use a VPN on a Samsung phone, first, download and install an Android VPN app from the Google Play Store. Open the app, sign in, and select a server. Then, go to “Settings,” tap “Connections,” and select “VPN” to add a new profile if needed. Enter the VPN details and connect. This will secure your internet connection and enhance your privacy.
2. Does Android have a built-in VPN?
Yes, Android includes a built-in VPN feature. This allows you to configure a VPN connection manually by entering the necessary VPN details such as server address, type, and authentication information directly in the device’s settings.
3. How do I set up a VPN on my Samsung Device?
To set up a VPN on your Samsung device, go to *Settings*, then tap *Connections*. Select *VPN* and then *Add VPN*. Enter the VPN configuration details provided by your VPN service, such as server address and authentication credentials. Save the configuration and select the VPN profile to connect.
4. How to turn on VPN on Android?
To configure VPN settings on your Android device, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Network & internet or Connections, then tap VPN.
- Tap Add VPN and enter the required information provided by your VPN service (like server address, username, and password).
- Save the settings and select the VPN to connect.
Alternatively, you can install a VPN app directly from the Google Play Store, which simplifies the setup process. Once connected, your Android device will route all internet traffic through the VPN for enhanced privacy and security.
