How can I connect to NordVPN using Linux Terminal?

If you are looking for instructions on how to set up the NordVPN application for Linux, check this article.

Please note that since Linux has a lot of different distributions, the configuration interfaces may vary.

1. Open Terminal (keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Disable IPV6.  Click here to learn how. 
3. Only after disabling IPV6, install the OpenVPN client by entering:
    
   • sudo apt-get install openvpn
     
     You may be asked to enter your user password to confirm your identity.
      
4. Navigate to the OpenVPN configuration directory with the command:
    
   • cd /etc/openvpn
      
5. Download the OpenVPN configuration files with the command:
    
   • sudo wget https/downloads.nordcdn.com/configs/archives/servers/ovpn.html
     
     In case you get ERROR: The certificate of `nordvpn.com’ is not trusted., install the ca-certificates package with the command:
      
   • sudo apt-get install ca-certificates
      
6. If you do not have the unzip package installed, download it by typing:
    
   • sudo apt-get install unzip
      
7. Extract ovpn.html with the command:
    
   • sudounzipovpn.html
      
8. Remove the files you will no longer use:
    
   • sudormovpn.html
      
9. Enter the directory where the server configurations are located. These folders are named either ovpn_udp or ovpn_tcp:
    
   • cd /etc/openvpn/ovpn_udp/
   • cd /etc/openvpn/ovpn_tcp/
      
10. To see the list of all available servers, enter the following command:
     
    • ls -al
       
11. Choose a server to connect to.
    
    For this tutorial, we used us2957.nordvpn.com, but you should connect to the server suggested to you at  /servers/tools/. You can find the server hostname right under the server title.
    
    
12. Start OpenVPN with a chosen configuration by entering:
     
    • sudo openvpn [file name]
    • sudo openvpn us2957.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn
    • sudo openvpn /etc/openvpn/ovpn_udp/us2957.nordvpn.com.udp.ovpn
       
13. OpenVPN will ask you for your credentials. Enter your NordVPN service credentials.
    
    You can find your NordVPN service credentials in the Nord Account dashboard. Copy the credentials using the Copy buttons on the right.
    
    
     

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    Tip: Your VPN connection safety depends on your account password too. Don't forget to use a strong password on your account, as it will help you to avoid credential stuffing attacks and will keep your connections safe and uninterrupted.
    
    As generating and remembering strong and secure passwords is not an easy task, we recommend downloading our free password manager — NordPass. It generates secure passwords for you and stores them safely, letting you avoid time-wasting password resets in the future.

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14. You have successfully connected to VPN. To disconnect, open Terminal and press Ctrl + C on your keyboard.