@linux

Hello all! I recently got an old Dell laptop that had been repurposed as a Linux Mint machine. I was setting it up and fell at the first hurdle.

I tried to install ExpressVPN. The install package downloaded fine, but took two hours to extract and failed for “bad characters”. I fiddled with it for a while and couldn’t do better.

First, it’s the VPN software for Linux desktop, since they didn’t have one for laptops. Could this be the problem?

Second, do I really need a VPN if I don’t torrent stuff? I just think of a VPN as a basic part of my security, but I don’t really know.

And, third, speaking of basic security: do I need an antivirus on this?

Thanks for any help!

  • N.E.P.T.R@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    1·
    2 hours ago

    @Uair@autistics.life

    Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu Linux. Make sure you are using a .deb which is meant for Ubuntu (or Debian). Laptop is Desktop, as in they are the same OS.

    Either double-click the .deb file and click the install button.

    Alternatively you might be able to right-click to get a context menu and click install from there.

    Last option, you could install the .deb from the terminal app. Open the terminal, type cd ~/Downloads (if the file is in your Downloads folder), then type sudo dpkg -i ./EXPRESSVPN.deb (replace EXPRESSVPN with the exact file name), press enter and type your password.

    All these install options do the same thing.

    Don’t worry about CPU architectures. If you dont know what that is, then ypu dont need to worry. If the .deb has x86, x64, or amd64, that is tbe right file. If it doesnt say anything then just choose the normal .deb.