Linux Guide
OrbVPN for Linux
Run OrbVPN on your Linux workstation or server. A lightweight GUI client paired with powerful terminal commands gives you full control over your VPN connection.
Linux Features Overview
OrbVPN for Linux provides both a graphical desktop client and a command-line interface. Whether you prefer clicking through a GUI or typing commands in a terminal, OrbVPN has you covered.
GUI Client
A clean, lightweight graphical interface for managing your VPN connection. Built with GTK for native integration with popular desktop environments.
Terminal Commands
Full CLI support for connecting, disconnecting, switching servers, and configuring settings. Perfect for headless servers and terminal workflows.
Distribution Support
Available as DEB and RPM packages for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and other popular Linux distributions.
Installation
Ubuntu / Debian
Download the DEB Package
Download the OrbVPN .deb package from the OrbVPN website. Choose the package matching your system architecture (amd64 or arm64).
Install with Package Manager
Open a terminal and run: sudo dpkg -i orbvpn_latest_amd64.deb followed by sudo apt-get install -f to resolve any dependencies.
Launch OrbVPN
Find OrbVPN in your application menu or launch it from the terminal with the orbvpn command. The GUI client opens automatically.
Sign In
Enter your OrbVPN account credentials in the login screen. Your subscription and settings sync from the server.
Fedora / CentOS
Download the RPM Package
Download the OrbVPN .rpm package from the OrbVPN website. Choose the package matching your system architecture.
Install with DNF
Open a terminal and run: sudo dnf install orbvpn_latest_x86_64.rpm. DNF will handle dependencies automatically.
Launch and Authenticate
Start OrbVPN from your desktop environment's application launcher or type orbvpn in the terminal. Sign in with your credentials.
Root Privileges
The initial installation requires root or sudo access to install the VPN components. After installation, the GUI client runs under your user account, but VPN connections use a privileged helper service.
GUI Client
The graphical client provides an accessible interface for managing your VPN connection on Linux desktops.
Connection Dashboard
The main window shows your connection status, current IP, selected server, and protocol. A large connect button sits at the center.
Server Browser
Browse all available servers with real-time latency and load information. Filter by country, sort by speed, and save favorites.
Settings Panel
Configure protocols, kill switch, auto-connect, DNS settings, and split tunneling through the graphical settings interface.
System Tray
On desktop environments that support it, OrbVPN places an icon in the system tray for quick access to connection controls.
Terminal Commands
For advanced users and headless server setups, OrbVPN provides a comprehensive CLI.
Common Commands
Connect
orbvpn connect - Connects to the last used server. orbvpn connect --server us-east-1 to connect to a specific server.
Disconnect
orbvpn disconnect - Terminates the active VPN connection and restores your original network configuration.
Status
orbvpn status - Shows your current connection state, server, IP address, protocol, uptime, and data transferred.
Server List
orbvpn servers - Lists all available servers with their location, load percentage, and ping latency from your location.
Configuration
Set Protocol
orbvpn config set protocol wireguard - Sets your preferred VPN protocol. Options include wireguard, vless, and orbconnect.
Auto-Connect
orbvpn config set autoconnect true - Enables automatic VPN connection on system startup. Useful for always-on server deployments.
Scripting
The OrbVPN CLI is designed for scripting. Use it in bash scripts, cron jobs, and system services to automate your VPN connections based on network conditions or schedules.
System Tray Integration
On Linux desktop environments that support system tray icons (GNOME with extensions, KDE Plasma, XFCE, Cinnamon), OrbVPN places an icon in the system tray for quick VPN control.
Tray Icon Status
The tray icon reflects your connection state: colored when connected, gray when disconnected, and animated during connection. Click to open the OrbVPN window.
Right-Click Menu
Right-click the tray icon for quick actions: Connect, Disconnect, Switch Server, Open Settings, and Quit. Manage your VPN without opening the full application.
GNOME Users
GNOME does not natively support system tray icons. Install the AppIndicator or KStatusNotifierItem extension from GNOME Extensions to enable the OrbVPN tray icon.
Firewall Rules Management
OrbVPN for Linux includes firewall rules management as part of the desktop security suite. Monitor and control iptables or nftables rules directly from the OrbVPN interface.
Firewall Rule Viewer
View active iptables and nftables rules from within OrbVPN. See which rules are protecting your VPN tunnel and which are applied by OrbVPN's kill switch.
Automatic Rule Management
OrbVPN automatically creates firewall rules for the VPN tunnel interface (tun0), kill switch enforcement, and DNS leak prevention. Rules are cleaned up on disconnection.
Persistence Scanner
The Persistence Scanner is a desktop-only security feature that detects suspicious programs configured to start automatically on your Linux system.
Systemd Service Scan
Scans systemd unit files for unauthorized or suspicious services. Detects unknown services configured to start at boot that may indicate malicious activity.
Kernel Module Detection
Identifies loaded kernel modules and compares them against known-good lists. Flags potentially malicious modules that may be intercepting network traffic or system calls.
Network Monitor
The Network Monitor provides real-time visibility into all network connections on your Linux system, helping you identify unauthorized or suspicious network activity.
Active Connection Viewer
View all active TCP and UDP connections on your system in real time. See process names, remote addresses, ports, and connection states at a glance.
Per-Process Bandwidth
Monitor bandwidth usage per process. Identify applications making unexpected connections or consuming excessive bandwidth.
CLI Access
The OrbVPN CLI provides full control over VPN connections from the terminal, ideal for headless servers, scripting, and automation workflows.
Daemon Mode
Run OrbVPN as a system daemon with orbvpn-service for headless server deployments. The daemon manages connections, auto-reconnect, and kill switch independently.
Scripting Support
The CLI returns structured output suitable for parsing in bash scripts, cron jobs, and monitoring tools. Use orbvpn status --json for machine-readable output.
Package Manager Installation
OrbVPN is available through multiple package formats and installation methods for Linux.
APT (DEB)
Install via apt with the OrbVPN repository. Run sudo apt install orbvpn for automatic dependency resolution and updates on Ubuntu and Debian.
Snap Package
Install from the Snap Store with snap install orbvpn. Snap provides automatic updates, sandboxing, and works across most Linux distributions.
AppImage
Download the portable AppImage for any Linux distribution. No installation required. Make it executable and run. Ideal for trying OrbVPN without system modifications.
Supported Distributions
Ubuntu
Fully supported on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and later. DEB package with APT repository available for automatic updates.
Debian
Compatible with Debian 11 (Bullseye) and later. Uses the same DEB package format as Ubuntu.
Fedora
Supported on Fedora 36 and later. RPM package available with DNF repository support for seamless updates.
Troubleshooting
Permission Denied
Ensure the OrbVPN helper service is running: sudo systemctl status orbvpn-helper. Restart it with sudo systemctl restart orbvpn-helper.
DNS Leak
If DNS queries bypass the VPN, check your resolv.conf. OrbVPN should manage DNS automatically, but NetworkManager may override settings.
GUI Not Launching
Check if all GTK dependencies are installed. Run orbvpn from a terminal to see error messages. Install missing libraries with your package manager.
Firewall Conflicts
If using iptables or nftables, ensure OrbVPN's tunnel interface (tun0) is allowed. The installer adds rules automatically, but custom configurations may override them.
VPN Protection for Linux - Coming Soon
OrbVPN for Linux is under development. It will offer both GUI and CLI interfaces with SystemD integration. Check back soon!