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Tunnelblick for Mac

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Tunnelblick for Mac

  -  19.9 MB  -  Open Source
Free Download

Security Status

Tunnelblick for Mac is a program that can be used to securely connect a Mac running OS X or macOS to an OpenVPN server. The server then connects the Mac to a remote network or to the Internet, bypassing untrusted networks, censorship, and eavesdropping.

It does this by creating a "Virtual Private Network", or "VPN" to the OpenVPN server using a program named "OpenVPN", which is included within the Tunnelblick application.

When you connect through a VPN, your computer sends some or all network traffic through a "tunnel" to the VPN server, which then passes on your network traffic to a local network or the Internet.

It is as if you were connecting to the network or Internet through the VPN server instead of your computer. Normally, all traffic between your computer and the VPN server is encrypted.

VPNs are primarily used for three purposes (sometimes all three simultaneously):
  • To securely connect a computer to the Internet, even though it may be connecting through an untrusted network (a wireless network at a hotel or airport, for example);
  • To securely connect a computer to the Internet as if it were located somewhere else (connect a computer in the USA as if it were located in the UK so that BBC content may be accessed, for example); and
  • To securely connect a computer to a company's internal network or some part of it (a branch office, for example).
In addition to Tunnelblick for macOS, you need access to a VPN server. Your company may provide one, or you can obtain VPN service from any of several VPN service providers, or you can use another one of your computers or a router to act as a VPN server.

Downloading and Installing on macOS Mojave and Higher

When an application like Tunnelblick is installed after being downloaded normally, macOS Mojave and later versions send data to Apple ("phone home"). macOS Catalina and newer also perform this action each time an application is launched. Some consider this a privacy concern.

To prevent macOS from "phoning home" during Tunnelblick installation, one can download it using Terminal:
  • Open Terminal (found in /Applications/Utilities/).
  • Enter the following command: curl --output ~/Desktop/Tunnelblick.dmg --location
  • (Ensure there is a space after --location.)
  • In a browser, right-click the download link for Tunnelblick and copy the link address.
  • Paste the copied URL into Terminal after the previous command. The URL should start with https://tunnelblick.net/release/.
  • Press Enter to start the download. Progress bars will appear.
  • Verify the downloaded file.
  • Double-click the Tunnelblick disk image on the Desktop, then double-click the Tunnelblick icon to install it.
This method prevents macOS from flagging the file as "downloaded from the Internet," avoiding Apple's security checks that trigger the "phone home" behavior. However, it also disables macOS security verifications, including notarization and malware checks.

PROS
  • Free and Open-Source – No cost, fully transparent.
  • Mac Exclusive Optimization – Tailored for macOS users.
  • Strong Security Features – Supports OpenVPN encryption.
  • Lightweight and Fast – Minimal system resource usage.
  • Customizable Configurations – Advanced settings available.
CONS
  • Manual Configuration Required – No built-in VPN servers.
  • Lacks Extra Features – No kill switch or split tunneling.
  • Mac-Only Support – No Windows or mobile version.
  • Occasional Compatibility Issues – May need workarounds.
  • No Direct Customer Support – Relies on community help.
Note: Requires 64-bit processor.

Download Tunnelblick for Mac Latest Version

  • Tunnelblick 4.0.1 Build 5971 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Tunnelblick 4.0.1 Build 5971 Screenshot 1
  • Tunnelblick 4.0.1 Build 5971 Screenshot 2

What's new in this version:

Fixed:
- a problem that caused the loss of the local DNS configuration on disconnection
- a problem that caused Tunnelblick to fail to launch automatically at login

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