How to set up OpenVPN 3 Linux

In this tutorial we will show you how to set up OpenVPN 3 Linux, but first let’s see what are our requirements.

Set up OpenVPN 3

1. Open the terminal by hitting CTRL + ALT + T

   To become a root user, run:

   sudo su 

   and input your password.

2. Ensure that your apt supports the https transport:

   apt install apt-transport-https -y

   

3. Install the OpenVPN repository key used by the OpenVPN 3 Linux packages:

   wget https://swupdate.openvpn.net/repos/openvpn-repo-pkg-key.pub
   apt-key add openvpn-repo-pkg-key.pub

   

4. Now you need to install the proper repository. Replace $DISTRO with the release name depending on your Debian/Ubuntu distribution.

   

   In my case it is “focal”:

   wget -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/openvpn3.list https://swupdate.openvpn.net/community/openvpn3/repos/openvpn3-$DISTRO.list

   

   then run:

   apt update

   

5. Install the OpenVPN 3 package:

   apt install openvpn3 -y

   

6. Download the OpenVPN configuration files:

   wget -O /etc/openvpn3/CactusVPN-OpenVPN-Config.zip https://billing.cactusvpn.com/downloads/openvpn-configs/CactusVPN-OpenVPN-Config.zip

   

7. Unzip the OpenVPN configuration files:

   unzip /etc/openvpn3/CactusVPN-OpenVPN-Config.zip

   

8. Go to /etc/resolv.conf by running:

   nano /etc/resolv.conf 

   and add this line:

   nameserver 8.8.8.8 

   at the top.

9. Hit CTRL + o to save the changes and CTRL + x to exit the file.

Connect to VPN

1. To connect to a VPN server, we need to know the name of its corresponding configuration file. For example, Nuremberg TCP configuration file name is DE-Nuremberg-CactusVPN-TCP.ovpn.

   To connect to Nuremberg TCP, run:

   openvpn3 session-start --config DE-Nuremberg-CactusVPN-TCP.ovpn

   

2. Type the VPN username and password.

   
   You can find them in your account on our website, by going to Settings. Make sure you use your VPN username and password and NOT the client area credentials (What is the difference?).

   
   After providing the correct credentials you will get the Connected message.

   

   To check if your IP address was changed, run:

   curl ifconfig.so

3. To display any active VPN connection, run:

   openvpn3 sessions-list

   

4. To close the Nuremberg TCP VPN connection run:

   openvpn3 session-manage --config DE-Nuremberg-CactusVPN-TCP.ovpn --disconnect