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3 Easy Ways You Can Use VPN for Work

By GabrielleOctober 10, 2022October 18th, 2022No Comments

VPN has a wide variety of different use cases which will enable you to work more productively using apps, tools and resources you most likely already have.

In this guide, we're sharing 3 easy ways you can use VPN to simplify your everyday workflows and make the most out of your Mac, iPhone or iPad - whether you're new to VPN or have been using it to connect to your company network for years.

Jump to:

What is a VPN?

A VPN (virtual private network) securely connects a user to a remote network via the internet by creating an encrypted tunnel to transfer data back and forth. When connected to VPN, your device is assigned a new IP address, making it appear as though it's part of an external network (i.e. your company's internal network) - regardless of your physical location.

If you work from home or travel between different offices regularly, you likely already use a VPN to access internal services like intranet and file servers. However, did you know there are also many free or low-cost apps and services which make it possible for you simplify many of your everyday workflows?

Access company intranet remotely

Perhaps the most common of VPN use cases for remote workers: Get access to your company intranet from home or on the go.
Whether you’re out of the office and need access to intranet resources like shared calendars, HR forms, payslips, etc., or need to manage staff resources for another location (i.e. a branch office), you can use VPN to get direct access as if you were right there.
Simply connect to your company VPN on Mac, iPhone or iPad, and enter your intranet address in Safari.

Connect to internal web pages and intranet resources

Get one-click intranet access on your Mac with Shortcuts

Want quick, one-click access to a  company landing page or intranet resource? Easy! Set up Shortcuts in VPN Tracker for Mac and click to launch your connection and open a specific URL.
Tip: Set up pre-made Shortcuts collections for new remote staff members and securely share via TeamCloud so they can find all essential company resources in one place.
vpn shortcuts collection

Set up VPN Shortcuts to intranet, internal web pages, and other important internal resources

Connect on demand on iOS (NEW)

Here’s another life-hack for iOS users: Open your company intranet in Safari and VPN Tracker will automatically connect to the relevant VPN on demand, giving you quick and easy access on iPhone & iPad.
How it works: Open VPN Tracker, go to Settings > Connection Settings and tap the slider next to On Demand for Search Domains. Next time you try to access internal services, VPN Tracker will connect you automatically.

Activate connect on demand to automatically start your VPN when accessing company resources

Important: For this feature to work, you or your admin will need to have configured DNS search domains for your connection.

Get secure remote access to another computer

Need to access a computer in another location? Set up remote desktop access for secure, direct access and perform remote updates, use native apps or open and edit locally-saved files from another device.

Get remote access to a Mac

Get access to your work Mac on another macOS device, e.g. your MacBook, and carry out updates or Terminal commands remotely.

Step one: Allow remote access

  1. Go to System Preferences / System Settings > Sharing on the Mac you wish to access (i.e. your office Mac) and check to allow Remote Management or Screen Sharing
  2. In this view you will also find your Mac's network address (i.e. grace-mueller.greenhaven.net) Make a note of this, as you will need it to access your Mac remotely later
    Allow remote management for your Mac

    Allow remote management for your Mac

  3. Click the + icon to select the registered users who are allowed remote access to the Mac (i.e. your work user account)
  4. Restart your Mac

Step two: Connect remotely via Screen Sharing

  1. In a new network, connect to your office VPN (e.g. in VPN Tracker)
  2. Go to /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications/Screen Sharing and launch the Screen Sharing app
    macOS screen sharing app

    Open the Screen Sharing app

  3. Connect using your office computer's network address (i.e. grace-mueller.greenhaven.net)
  4. Click Connect - you will now be prompted to log in with your username and password:
  5. You can now remotely access your office Mac from a different network (i.e. your home network) via VPN

Launch Screen Sharing in one click

As demonstrated, the native Screen Sharing app is pretty well hidden on macOS, making it a bit of a hassle for those times when you want to get connected quickly - for example, when a critical issue needs dealing with.

VPN Tracker Shortcuts can also be used to set up one click access to another Mac via Screen Sharing. All you need? The IP address of the Mac you want to connect to:

Set up a VPN Shortcut to another Mac via Screen Sharing

Don't know your IP address? VPN Tracker Pro, VIP and Consultant users can use the Network Scanner on Mac to find available Macs on their network and connect via Screen Sharing.

Remote access for Windows

Get easy remote access to your work or home office PC on your iMac or MacBook and run system updates on the go, or access Windows-specific tools and programs.

Important: This guide applies to Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2016

  1. Set up your PC for remote access
  2. Install the free Microsoft Remote Desktop client on your Mac
  3. Add PC connection: Enter the IP address or host name of your Windows PC and give your PC a Friendly name so you can identify it later on

    Add a new PC connection to configure remote access

  4. Click Add to complete the configuration

Read the full guide from Microsoft here.

Get remote access on iOS

Accessing your office computer on your Mac or MacBook is one thing, but being able to connect and carry out essential tasks on your iPhone or iPad gives you ultimate flexibility.

For Windows:

Microsoft Remote Desktop is also available as a free iOS app and works just the same as it does on the Mac. Easily configure remote access to a Windows PC on iPhone or iPad - perfect for completing critical work on the go.

Microsoft offers Remote Desktop Mobile as a solution for iOS users

For Mac:

While Apple Remote Desktop isn't available as an iOS app, there are plenty of free or low-cost VNC (Virtual Network Computing) client alternatives out there which you can use to get remote access to both Windows and macOS computers from iPhone and iPad.

Search "VNC app" in the App Store to find a suitable option for your needs.

We particularly like Screens ($19.99). It's a slightly more expensive option, but great for those looking for bonus features such as curtain mode, Touch ID, multiple display support, and groups.

Access remote file servers

One of the main use cases of a VPN is getting quick and convenient access to file shares, wherever you are.

Connect to a file server on macOS

Important deadline looming? Away on a business trip? Connect to remote smb or afp file servers on your MacBook and open and edit proposals, presentations, project status reports, and more.

  1. Connect to your company VPN in VPN Tracker for Mac
  2. Open Finder and hit cmd + k
  3. Enter your server address and log in to start browsing available files

Connect to remote file servers on your Mac using Finder

Connect to a file server on iOS

Having direct access to file shares on iPad and iPhone is also super practical. Especially in the event of an emergency or an impromptu meeting. Quickly pull up files on your phone or note down ideas on the go using your iPad - your office is no longer confined to four walls!

Did you know, you can use the Files app on iOS to get access to remote file servers?

  1. Open VPN Tracker for iOS and connect to your work VPN
  2. Open the Files app and tap the ‘…' icon
  3. Select Connect to Server, enter your Server Address, and tap Connect to log in

 

connect to a file server on ios

Connect to a file server using the iOS Files app and get work done on iPhone & iPad

In a rush? Mount remote file servers in one tap on iOS

Switching between apps on your iPhone can be super annoying when you're in a rush and trying to get things done.

Here's another awesome productivity hack for you: The VPN on Demand feature in VPN Tracker for iOS also works with file servers! Open the Files app, tap to mount your office file server and VPN Tracker will automatically connect to your company VPN. Available in VIP & Consultant plans. See all plan options.

Share your VPN productivity tips with us!

Those were the VPN Tracker team's top 3 tips on using VPN for work. Now we'd love to hear some of your handy VPN life-hacks! Leave a comment below and share with us how you use VPN to streamline your work routine.

Stay productive!

Your VPN Tracker Team

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