In this guide I will show you how to connect your Apple MAC to any VPN service that’s using the L2TP/IPSec protocol. L2TP over IPSec is a relatively common and secure protocol and most VPN service providers and workplaces will support it.

Before we start the connection setup process, you will need to find out the following details (best have them written down or printed). If you are connecting to a paid VPN service, just login and your details and settings will be there. If you are connecting via a workplace, please contact your Network Administrator and ask them for the following details:

Required Info

• Your VPN username
• Your VPN password
• The server name or IP address (ie. contoso.com or 102.562.243.12)
• The pre-shared key (PSK)
  (PSK will be a series of characters like a password)

Once you have this info you can then watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Connect via L2TP/IPSec to VPN on MAC OS X

1. Open System Preferences from your menu bar
2. Click on Network Settings
3. On the left pane, click on the plus + icon to add a new connection
4. In the dropdown box, for Interface choose VPN
5. For VPN Type choose L2TP over IPSec
6. For Service Name enter a descriptive name ie HomeVPN or WorkVPN
7. Now click the Create button, then select the new connection in the left pane
8. Leave the Configuration option to Default
9. Enter the server name or IP address into the Server Address field
10. For Account Name, enter your VPN username
11. Now click the Authetication Settings button
12. For User Authentication enter your VPN password
13. For Shared Secret, enter your Pre Shared Key or PSK, then click OK
14. Check the Show VPN status in menu bar checkbox
15. Now click the Advanced… button, then make sure Options item is selected
16. Check the Send all traffic over VPN connection checkbox, then click OK
17. Finally click Apply then close the Network Settings window
18. You can now connect/disconnect from your VPN connection via the icon in the menu bar (top-right) as shown below…

• macOS Sierra: Set up a connection to a virtual private network
• Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol at Wikipedia
• Search Google for L2TP/IPSec