TunnelBear VPN Chromebook split tunnel
TunnelBear VPN Chromebook split tunnel
Split tunneling on a Chromebook with TunnelBear VPN lets you choose which apps or websites use the VPN connection, and which ones use your regular internet connection. It offers a way to customize your VPN usage for specific needs.
Normally, when you connect to a VPN, all of your internet traffic is routed through the VPN server. With TunnelBear's split tunnel feature, you can exclude certain apps or websites from using the VPN. This means only the traffic you specify goes through the encrypted tunnel, while everything else uses your normal internet connection.
There are several scenarios where split tunneling with TunnelBear on your Chromebook can be useful:
Faster Speeds for Some Activities: If you're using a bandwidth-intensive application like streaming video, excluding it from the VPN can improve speeds.
Accessing Local Content: Some websites or services are only available in your geographic region. By excluding them from the VPN, you can access them without disconnecting from the VPN entirely.
Gaming: Some online games may experience lag or connection issues when using a VPN. Split tunneling allows you to exclude the game from the VPN while still protecting other traffic.
Setting up split tunneling in the TunnelBear Chromebook app is fairly straightforward:
Open the TunnelBear app.
Go to the "Settings" menu (usually a gear icon).
Look for "Split Tunneling" or a similar option.
Toggle the split tunnel feature to "On" or "Enabled."
You'll then see a list of apps installed on your Chromebook.
Select the apps you want to exclude from the VPN connection. This means the selected apps will use your regular internet connection.
Once split tunneling is enabled, explore these settings:
App Exclusion List: This is where you manage which apps bypass the VPN. Review this list periodically to ensure it's configured correctly.
"Always-On" VPN (Optional): If TunnelBear has an "Always-On" feature, consider using it in combination with split tunneling. This ensures that all traffic except your excluded apps is always protected by the VPN.
Keep these points in mind when using split tunneling:
Privacy Considerations: Remember that any app or website excluded from the VPN is not protected by TunnelBear's encryption. Your ISP and those services can see your activity.
App Updates: After an app updates, double-check that it's still correctly configured in the split tunnel settings.
Performance: While split tunneling can improve speeds for some apps, it might slightly decrease security. Weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Troubleshooting: If you experience issues with an app, try toggling it on or off the split tunnel to see if that resolves the problem.