Linux

VPN · OpenVPN · Updated May 8, 2026

Linux / Unix — OpenVPN Setup

Follow the steps below to install OpenVPN from source and connect to BTGuard on any Linux or Unix system.

Step 1 — Build and install OpenVPN

Download the latest OpenVPN source from openvpn.net, then run the commands below. Replace the version placeholder with the version number you downloaded.

  1. tar xfz openvpn-x.x.x.tar.gz
  2. cd openvpn-x.x.x
  3. ./configure
  4. make
  5. sudo make install

Step 2 — Download the BTGuard certificate

This certificate authenticates BTGuard's VPN servers. Run:

sudo wget -O /etc/openvpn/btguard.ca.crt https://btguard.com/btguard.ca.crt

Step 3 — Download the BTGuard configuration file

Run:

sudo wget -O /etc/openvpn/btguard.conf https://btguard.com/uploads/btguard.conf

Optional — choose a server location

To manually select a server, edit the remote hostname in the configuration file at /etc/openvpn/btguard.conf to one of the following:

  • Canada — ca.vpn.btguard.com
  • Europe — eu.vpn.btguard.com
  • Singapore — sg.vpn.btguard.com

Setup complete — how to connect

  1. Start OpenVPN with the BTGuard configuration: sudo openvpn /etc/openvpn/btguard.conf
  2. Enter your BTGuard username and password when prompted.
  3. You're now connected.

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