---
title: "Always On VPN | NordLayer help"
slug: "always-on-vpn"
description: "Always On VPN is a security feature that ensures a VPN connection is used to access the internet to prevent any potential leaks."
status: "update"
updated: 2026-09-08T13:24:30Z
published: 2026-09-08T13:24:30Z
canonical: "help.nordlayer.com/always-on-vpn"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.nordlayer.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Always On VPN

## What is Always On VPN?

[Always On VPN](https://nordlayer.com/features/always-on-vpn/) is a security feature that ensures a VPN connection is used to access the internet. If the VPN connection drops, the device is automatically restricted from internet access until a VPN connection is restored.

Always On VPN is a must for [securing remote workers](https://nordlayer.com/hybrid-remote-work-security/) and those employees that travel frequently and connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. The feature prevents any potential leaks and makes sure company ⁠— and personal ⁠— resources are kept safe and secure.

## Who can enable Always On VPN?

Both Organization Admins and Members can enable Always On VPN. On top of that, Organization Admins can enable Always On VPN for specific teams.

## Here is how Organization Admins can deploy Always On VPN:

- Go to **Control** **Panel** → **Settings** → **Security configurations**.
- Switch the toggle next to **Always On VPN** to **enable the feature for the entire organization**.

![NordLayer security settings with Always On VPN toggle and session timeout configurations](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202026-07-15%20at%2017.16.07.png)

Note:

- Upon enabling **Always On VPN** - the **Auto-Connect** feature will be automatically activated.
- If the owner enables **Always On VPN** in the Control Panel – users will not be able to toggle this feature off through the application settings.
- Organization Admins can enable Always On VPN for specific teams.
- The VPN connection will remain active at all times, regardless of whether the network is configured as **trusted** or **untrusted**.
- **Always On VPN** is currently supported only on **Linux**, **Windows** and **macOS** ([downloaded directly from our website](https://nordlayer.com/download/macos/)) applications.

## To configure Windows client for Always On VPN:

1. Go to the NordLayer app → **Settings** → **General**.
2. Tick the box next to **Always On VPN**.

![Windows NordLayer preferences showing Always On VPN toggle with kill switch enabled](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/Windows%20Always%20On%20VPN(1).webp)

## To configure macOS client for Always On VPN:

1. Go to the NordLayer app → **Preferences** → **General**.
2. Tick the box next to **Always On VPN**.

![macOS NordLayer preferences with Always On VPN toggle highlighted in General settings](https://cdn.document360.io/fc1049cd-8f71-4b89-b9b8-dbca9fdcdd16/Images/Documentation/macOS%20Always%20On%20VPN(1).webp)

## To configure Linux client for Always On VPN:

1. Open Terminal and run these commands:

```
$ nordlayer settings set

Select setting to change: 
1: VPN Protocol
2: Auto-connect
3: Always connect to
4: Web Protection
5: Always On

Select [number]: 5

Available values for Always On
1: Disabled
2: Enabled

Select [number]: 2
```

## How to get temporary internet access?

Members might need temporary internet access to log in to the NordLayer app, handle captive portals when connecting to Wi-Fi in places like hotels and airports, and troubleshoot.

To get temporary internet access on **macOS** and **Windows** – click on the “**Get internet access**” button when logging in to the NordLayer application.

- If you are already logged in to the application – “**Get internet access**” access button can be found at the bottom of the gateways section.

To get temporary internet access on **Linux**, use the following command:

```
$ nordlayer alwaysonvpn
Available commands: 
1: Enable Temporary Internet Access

Select [number]: 1

$ nordlayer status
Login: Not logged in
VPN: Disconnected
Current network: wired connection

Temporary internet access active.

Internet connection left: 00:02:56
```

---

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