Every Friday I share one of my favourite finds of the week — a website, tool or an app that has impressed me.
My Friday Favourite this week is TunnelBear – VPN for Chromebooks.
What is it?
TunnelBear is a Virtual Private Networking (VPN) app that helps keep your data secure. It can easily be used on any device — PC, Mac, smartphone, tablet — and uniquely, works especially well on a Google Chromebook.
How can it help me?
A Virtual Private Network service encrypts your Internet traffic to ensure privacy. It is especially important you use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi at cafes, hotels and libraries. If you don’t use a VPN, the traffic you send over the Wi-Fi can be intercepted and used against you.
I’ve written before about Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps such as:-
- ExpressVPN – High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service
- CyberGhost – The All-in-one online privacy app
- Hamachi – Free VPN software
All of these VPN apps are available for multiple devices such as laptop, smartphone and tablet — but as a Google Chromebook user, I’ve not found a VPN that can be easily used on a Chromebook.
TunnelBear is the exception. Because it installs as a fully-contained Google Chrome web-browser extension, it makes it easy to use a VPN when using a Chromebook.
(For fellow geeks, yes, I’m aware there are workarounds to install other VPN services on Chromebooks, but for the casual user and the lazy — of which I count myself — TunnelBear’s Chrome extension, which doesn’t require a separate executable install, wins hands-down)
Once you’ve installed the TunnelBear Chrome extension, it’s simply a case of clicking the Tunnelbear button within your browser and your Chromebook’s Wi-Fi is protected.
You can also choose which country you want your VPN tunnel to be associated with, to enable you to circumvent geographical content locks.
How much does it cost?
TunnelBear is free to use up to 500MB of data each month.
An unlimited TunnelBear account costs $49.99 per year.
How can I get it?
Visit the TunnelBear homepage to set up a new account. You can then download the TunnelBear app for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or Chrome extension.
You can also visit the TunnelBear Facebook page, or follow @TheTunnelBear on Twitter.
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Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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Comments
2 thoughts on TunnelBear – VPN for Chromebooks
CARL
8TH AUGUST 2019 15:07:42
Tunnelbear worked on my chromebook (c100p) for a couple of times before it was obstructed by something in the chrome mafia. Its set up as a legitimate extension in my settings, and given permission to do anything it needs on the computer, but its been knobbled by something. Trying to contact tunnelbear through its own link brings up a little BS message from chrome saying tunnelbear had suddenly broken the connection. I have had the same problem on my iphone. Works for a little while then gets sussed out by the OS and ends up useless.
RICHARD TUBB
15TH AUGUST 2019 07:00:57
Carl -- this is an odd error that I haven't experienced. Have you tried reaching out to TunnelBear support? I've always found them to be very responsive.