How to set up ExpressVPN on Kali Linux

This tutorial will show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app on Kali Linux. Before you proceed, make sure you have an active ExpressVPN subscription.

Note: These steps were tested on Kali Linux 2020.4. If you prefer to control the ExpressVPN Linux app with a graphical user interface (GUI), you can do so with the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome or Firefox. Install the browser extension after setting up the app.

1. Download the installer

Go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and click Sign In.

On the right, select Ubuntu 64-bit or Ubuntu 32-bit. These files are also suitable for installing ExpressVPN on Kali Linux. Click Download.

You will also see your activation code below.

Keep this browser window open. You will need it for the setup later.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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2. Install and activate the app

Install the app

Open Terminal Emulator. Run this command:
sudo dpkg -i [file path/file_name]

Activate the app

Run this command:
expressvpn activate

Paste the activation code you found earlier. Note that the code won’t appear on the screen. Press Enter.

You can help improve ExpressVPN by sharing anonymized diagnostic reports. Enter Y to accept or n to decline.

If you want to opt out of sending diagnostics to ExpressVPN in the future, run this command:

expressvpn preferences set send_diagnostics false

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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3. Connect to a VPN server location

In Terminal Emulator, run this command:

expressvpn connect

If you are connecting for the first time, ExpressVPN will use the Smart Location feature to select a server location. The recommended server location is based on factors like speed and proximity.

If this is not your first time connecting, ExpressVPN will connect to the server location you were most recently connected to.

Once you are successfully connected, you will see the “Connected to…” message.

Note: A single ExpressVPN subscription can be used simultaneously on five devices, regardless of platform. If you try to use more than five devices simultaneously with one subscription, you will see a message that says, “You’ve exceeded ExpressVPN’s device usage limit for this subscription.”

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Disconnect from a VPN server location

To disconnect from a server location, run this command:

expressvpn disconnect

You will be notified when the app has been disconnected.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Connect to a different VPN server location

Note: Before connecting to a different server location, you must disconnect from your current server location.

To see a list of recommended locations to connect to, run this command:
expressvpn list

By default, ExpressVPN will suggest the location that provides the most optimal experience for you, called Smart Location, at the top of the list.

Connect to a specific country

To connect to a specific country, run this command:

expressvpn connect [COUNTRY]

For example, to connect to Germany, run this command:

expressvpn connect Germany

ExpressVPN will select a server location in Germany that provides the most optimal experience for you.

Connect to a specific server location

To connect to a specific server location, run this command:
expressvpn connect “[LOCATION]”

or
expressvpn connect [ALIAS]

For example, to connect to the US’s Santa Clara server, run this command:

expressvpn connect "USA - Santa Clara"

or

expressvpn connect ussc

Connect to Smart Location

To connect to the Smart Location:

expressvpn connect smart

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Switch to a different VPN protocol

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. Switching to a different protocol can give you faster connection speeds.

The ExpressVPN Linux client uses the Lightway and OpenVPN protocols. With Lightway and OpenVPN, you can choose between the TCP and UDP protocols. By default, ExpressVPN will automatically pick the optimal protocol for you.

To switch to Lightway – TCP, run the following command:

expressvpn protocol lightway_tcp

To switch to Lightway – UDP, run the following command:

expressvpn protocol lightway_udp

To switch to OpenVPN – TCP, run the following command:

expressvpn protocol tcp

To switch to OpenVPN – UDP, run the following command:

expressvpn protocol udp

You will see the message, “Protocol changed.”

If you want ExpressVPN to automatically select the optimal protocol, run this command:

expressvpn protocol auto

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Open the manual

To view a full list of the ExpressVPN app’s functions, run this command:
man expressvpn

You will see the different commands listed there.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Use the ExpressVPN browser extension

If you prefer to control the ExpressVPN Linux app with a graphical user interface (GUI), you can use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome or Firefox.

Note: To use the browser extension, make sure to download and activate the ExpressVPN Linux app (Version 2.0 or newer) first.

To get the ExpressVPN browser extension, run one of the following commands:
expressvpn install-firefox-extension
expressvpn install-chrome-extension

This will open the page for downloading the ExpressVPN browser extension. Click Get Extension.

Learn more about the ExpressVPN browser extension.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Uninstall your app

To uninstall the ExpressVPN app, run this command:
sudo dpkg -r expressvpn

The ExpressVPN app will be removed from your device.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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