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  • Overview
  • Getting started
    • Meshnet explained
    • How to start using Meshnet
      • Using Meshnet on Windows
      • Using Meshnet on Android
      • Using Meshnet on iPhone/iPad
      • Using Meshnet on macOS
      • Using Meshnet on Linux
      • Using Meshnet on Android TV
    • How to use Meshnet securely
  • Features
    • Linking devices in Meshnet
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on Windows
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on Android
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on iPhone/iPad
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on macOS
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on Linux
      • Linking external Meshnet devices on Android TV
    • Explaining permissions
      • Remote access permissions
      • File sharing permissions
      • Traffic routing permissions
      • Local network permissions
    • Renaming devices in Meshnet
      • Renaming devices on Windows
      • Renaming devices on Android
      • Renaming devices on iPhone/iPad
      • Renaming devices on macOS
      • Renaming devices on Linux
    • Sharing files in Meshnet
      • Sharing files on Windows
      • Sharing files on Android
      • Sharing files on iPhone/iPad
      • Sharing files on macOS
      • Sharing files on Linux
      • Sharing files on Android TV
    • Routing traffic in Meshnet
      • Routing traffic from Windows
      • Routing traffic from Android
      • Routing traffic from iPhone/iPad
      • Routing traffic from macOS
      • Routing traffic from Linux
      • Routing traffic from Android TV
  • How-to guides
    • Gaming
      • How to set up a private Minecraft server with Meshnet
      • How to set up a private Stardew Valley server with Meshnet
      • How to play Quake 3 Arena over Meshnet
      • How to set up a private Team Fortress 2 server with Meshnet
      • How to set up a remote game-streaming server for Moonlight
      • How to set up a Palworld dedicated server
      • How to play Fallout: New Vegas multiplayer over Meshnet
      • How to set up a private Factorio server with Meshnet
    • Remote files and media access
      • How to set up and access shared folders
        • Configure and access shared folders on Windows
        • Configure and access shared folders on macOS
        • Configure and access shared folders on Linux
        • Access shared folders from Android
        • Access shared folders from iPhone/iPad
        • Access shared folders from Android TV
      • How to watch videos over Meshnet using Kodi
      • How to configure and access a Jellyfin media server remotely
      • How to set up a Plex media server and access it remotely
      • How to set up a remote NAS using OpenMediaVault and Meshnet
      • How to set up a remote picture library with LibrePhotos and Meshnet
      • How to use Syncthing for remote continuous file synchronization
      • How to set up a remote Airsonic music server
      • How to set up HTTP File Server for remote file access
      • How to set up a remote audiobook server
      • How to host a remote Kavita e-book server
      • How to set up and remotely access Immich using Meshnet
    • Remote device access
      • How to log in to your PC remotely over Meshnet
        • Connect to a Windows device
        • Connect to a macOS device
        • Connect to a Linux device
      • How to access remote systems over Meshnet using SSH
      • How to access your IP camera over Meshnet
      • How to use Home Assistant remotely over Meshnet
      • How to make secure macOS Time Machine backups from anywhere
      • How to use Ansible over Meshnet
      • How to access files in your NAS from anywhere without compromising its security
      • How to set up a phone as a security camera with remote access
      • How to assign custom host names to Meshnet services using Nginx proxy manager
      • How to use Proxmox VE remotely over Meshnet
      • How to set up a remotely controlled 3D printer
      • How to set up and remotely access a CasaOS server
    • Joint projects
      • How to set up an NGINX web server and remotely access it over Meshnet
      • How to use Nextcloud file syncing with Meshnet
      • How to set up pair programming using tmux
      • How to set up a Visual Studio Code server for remote development over Meshnet
      • How to host a Focalboard server for remote project management
      • How to use Meshnet for multi-screen Node.js development
      • How to use the Multi-user editing plugin in Unreal Engine over Meshnet
      • How to set up a private Mumble voice chat server
      • How to host a private Rocket.Chat server
    • Own VPN server setup
      • How to set up a VPN server through self-hosting or with DigitalOcean
      • How to create a VPN server with Microsoft Azure
      • How to create a VPN server with AWS
      • How to create a VPN server with Google Cloud
      • How to create a VPN server with Linode
      • How to create a VPN server with Hetzner
    • Network protection
      • How to set up your network protection with Pi-hole
      • How to set up your own DNS server
      • How to protect your network with AdGuard Home
      • How to use the self-hosted Whoogle search engine remotely
      • How to set up a VPN router using Meshnet
  • Troubleshooting
    • Common issues on Windows
    • Common issues on Android
    • Common issues on iPhone/iPad
    • Common issues on macOS
    • Common issues on Linux
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On this page
  • Introduction
  • You find an unknown device on your Meshnet
  • An unknown device sends an invitation
  • You're unsure about the invitation sender
  • Review access permissions for linked devices
  • Consider traffic routing risks

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  1. Getting started

How to use Meshnet securely

Learn how to avoid security risks while using Meshnet.

PreviousUsing Meshnet on Android TVNextLinking devices in Meshnet

Last updated 10 months ago

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Introduction

When using Meshnet, it's essential to keep in mind the nuances of network security — even if you haven't encountered any issues yet. The purpose of this article is to offer actionable steps to fortify your Meshnet infrastructure against various types of cyber threats.

You find an unknown device on your Meshnet

If you discover an unknown device in your list of Meshnet devices, follow these steps:

1. Unlink the unknown device

Having an unknown device linked to your Meshnet network is a serious security risk. To remove the device you don’t recognize, you can use either the NordVPN app or the website.

In the NordVPN app

  1. Navigate to Meshnet .

  2. Find the device list and unlink the suspicious device.

On the Nord Account website

  1. Log in to your NordVPN account.

  2. Select the Meshnet (by NordVPN) card.

  3. Find the device list and unlink the suspicious device.

For detailed steps, consult the guidelines appropriate for your operating system:

2. Change your account password

Your account may have been compromised. Change your password as a preventive measure.

If you are using a desktop device

  1. Log in to using your current password.

  2. In the upper-right corner, click your account name and choose Account settings.

  3. Under Account details, Select Change password.

If you are using a mobile device

  1. Log in to using your current password.

  2. Tap the three-bar menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.

  3. Select Account settings.

  4. Under Account details, tap Change password.

3. Enable MFA for your Nord account

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security mechanism that verifies user identity by requiring two or more forms of authentication. This could be a combination of a password, PIN, token, USB security key, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

If you are using a desktop device

  1. Log in to .

  2. In the upper-right corner, click your account name and choose Account settings.

  3. Under Multi-factor authentication (MFA), click the Manage MFA button.

  4. An email with a verification code will be sent to you. Enter this code in the designated field.

  5. Click Set up next to your preferred MFA method. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

If you are using a mobile device

  1. Log in to .

  2. Tap the three-bar menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.

  3. Select Account settings.

  4. Navigate to Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and select Manage MFA.

  5. An email with a verification code will be sent to you. Enter this code in the designated field.

  6. Tap Set up under your preferred MFA method. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

You have two options for enabling MFA for your Nord account:

  • Authenticator app If you choose this method, use apps like , Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. These apps generate a code that changes every 30 seconds, which you'll need to enter when accessing your Nord Account.

  • Security key If you prefer this method, use a Bluetooth, NFC, or USB security key that holds a unique PIN. Nord Account is compatible with FIDO2-certified USB keys, including various series like Security Key, Yubikey 5, and others.

An unknown device sends an invitation

If you do not recognize the email account of the sender, do not accept or reject the invitation.

You're unsure about the invitation sender

If you're unsure whether an invitation is from someone you know, directly ask the supposed sender to confirm if they sent the invitation.

Review access permissions for linked devices

Linked devices can access your device resources based on specific permissions you've set.

  1. Check your device's permission settings to see what each linked device can access. For more details, consult these pages:

  2. Change permissions if you want to restrict access to certain resources. Example You can block a device from accessing your local network when it routes traffic through your device, as shown:

Consider traffic routing risks

Traffic routing offers great opportunities but comes with its own set of risks.

Remember that the privacy of your Meshnet network depends on the reliability of its members. By following the security measures outlined above, you can enjoy a safer Meshnet experience.

Public IP exposure If someone routes their traffic through your device, your could be associated with their online activities.

Local network access A threat actor who gains could potentially access other devices on your local area network (LAN) and make unauthorized changes.

Network monitoring A device that you are routing traffic through could maliciously monitor your network activity, including , thereby gaining insights into your online behavior.

Remote access permissions
File sharing permissions
Traffic routing permissions
Local network permissions
public IP address
Local network permissions
DNS queries
Nord Account
Nord Account
Nord Account
Nord Account
Nord Account
Google Authenticator
Unlink devices on Android
Unlink devices on Android TV
Unlink devices on macOS
Unlink devices on Windows
"Access to your local network" toggled turned off in Permissions menu
"Access to your local network" toggled turned off in Permissions menu
Showing the Account settings option selected
Three-bar menu highlighted.
"Account settings" button highlighted.
"Change password" button highlighted.
Showing the Account settings option selected
"Multi-factor authentication (MFA)" tab selected and the "Manage MFA" button highlighted.
"Set up"  buttons highlighted next to both MFA options.
Three-bar menu highlighted.
"Account settings" button highlighted.
"Multi-factor authentication (MFA)" tab selected and the "Manage MFA" button highlighted.
"Set up" buttons highlighted under both MFA options.
Unlink devices on iPhone/iPad
Unlink devices on Linux