How to install proton vpn on Kali Linux

Installing Proton VPN on Kali Linux secures traffic, avoids throttling, and keeps reconnaissance sessions private. The process uses Proton’s signed APT repository and the modern CLI, with an optional GUI for desktops. You’ll verify prerequisites, add the repo, install, log in, enable a kill switch, and validate the tunnel with quick checks.

Verify Kali, update packages, and install prerequisites

Confirm the OS, refresh package indexes, and install base tools needed to add a signed repository and support VPN protocols.

cat /etc/os-release | grep PRETTY_NAME
sudo apt update
sudo apt -y upgrade
sudo apt -y install curl wget gpg apt-transport-https ca-certificates wireguard-tools openvpn resolvconf

Optional output check:

PRETTY_NAME="Kali GNU/Linux Rolling"

Add Proton VPN APT repository (signed)

Import Proton’s public key and add the stable repository with a keyring for secure package verification.

sudo mkdir -p /usr/share/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/public_key.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-archive-keyring.gpg] https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn.list
sudo apt update

Install Proton VPN CLI or GUI

Choose the CLI for servers/terminals or the GTK GUI if running a Kali desktop. Both can coexist.

# CLI (recommended on headless or server)
sudo apt -y install proton-vpn-cli

# GUI (optional on desktop environments)
sudo apt -y install proton-vpn-gtk-app

Log in and initialize Proton VPN (CLI)

Authenticate your Proton Account and set up initial configuration. Two-factor prompts are supported if enabled.

protonvpn-cli login your_email_or_username
protonvpn-cli configure

During configure, select default protocol (WireGuard recommended), DNS behavior, and other preferences.

Connect, verify tunnel, and disconnect

Establish a VPN session, confirm the public IP change, and check tunnel status. Disconnect when finished.

# Fastest server automatically
protonvpn-cli c -f

# Verify IP and status
curl -4 ifconfig.co
protonvpn-cli status

# Disconnect
protonvpn-cli d

Example status output:

State: Connected
Server: NL#23
Protocol: WireGuard
IP: 185.XX.XX.XX
Kill Switch: Enabled

Enable kill switch and auto-connect

Prevent leaks if the VPN drops and optionally auto-connect on boot or login.

# Kill switch
protonvpn-cli ks --on

# Optional: auto-connect to the last or fastest server
protonvpn-cli set autoconnect on
protonvpn-cli set default-connection fast

Switch protocol and tune DNS

Toggle between WireGuard and OpenVPN for compatibility and adjust DNS to reduce leaks on Kali.

# Switch protocol
protonvpn-cli set protocol wireguard
# or
protonvpn-cli set protocol openvpn_udp

# Re-run guided setup to tweak DNS and routing
protonvpn-cli configure

# Validate DNS
resolvectl status 2>/dev/null || cat /etc/resolv.conf
dig +short whoami.cloudflare @1.1.1.1

Use the GUI app (optional)

Launch the GTK app, sign in, and connect via a point-and-click interface. This is ideal for Kali rolling desktops.

# Launch from terminal if needed
proton-vpn-gtk

Alternative: OpenVPN configs without the Proton app

Use vanilla OpenVPN if you prefer not to add the Proton repo. Credentials are your Proton OpenVPN username/password from the dashboard.

sudo apt -y install openvpn unzip
wget -O ~/protonvpn-ovpn.zip https://protonvpn.com/download/ProtonVPN_openvpn_configs.zip
unzip -d ~/protonvpn-ovpn ~/protonvpn-ovpn.zip
sudo openvpn --config ~/protonvpn-ovpn/ovpn_udp/US-Free-01.ovpn

Troubleshooting on Kali

Fix common issues such as DNS leaks, routing, or module problems after kernel updates.

# Restart services after updates
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
sudo systemctl restart openvpn

# Reset Proton VPN settings if misconfigured
protonvpn-cli logout
protonvpn-cli configure

# Reinstall WireGuard tools if missing after kernel upgrade
sudo apt -y install wireguard-tools linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Update, remove, and clean up

Keep the app current, or remove it and the repository cleanly.

# Update
sudo apt update
sudo apt -y upgrade proton-vpn-cli proton-vpn-gtk-app

# Remove
sudo apt -y remove --purge proton-vpn-cli proton-vpn-gtk-app
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn.list
sudo rm -f /usr/share/keyrings/protonvpn-archive-keyring.gpg
sudo apt update

Secure, fast, and repeatable installation of Proton VPN on Kali helps protect assessments and daily browsing. For more guides, support, and to buy high-performance servers, visit dropvps.com.