Template:VPN/Setup/VPN Credentials
For this example, for this step, a Riseup account is required. Unfortunately, the former free VPN service is no longer available. [1] This means to create an account you will need an "invite code" from a current Riseup user.
- If you have one:
- 1. Navigate to the account creation page

in Tor Browser.
- 2. Enter the invite code.
- 3. Choose a username unrelated to your real identity.
- 4. Enter a strong password.
- 1. Navigate to the account creation page
- If you do not have an invite code:
- Please do not ask Whonix developers or forums for an invite code because none will be available.
- Instead tailor the instructions in this section to work with any other OpenVPN provider.
1. Open file /etc/openvpn/auth.txt in an editor with administrative ("root") rights.
1 Select your platform.
2 Notes.
- Sudoedit guidance: See Open File with Root Rights
for details on why using sudoeditimproves security and how to use it. - Editor requirement: Close Featherpad (or the chosen text editor) before running the
sudoeditcommand.
3 Open the file with root rights.
sudoedit /etc/openvpn/auth.txt
2 Notes.
- Sudoedit guidance: See Open File with Root Rights
for details on why using sudoeditimproves security and how to use it. - Editor requirement: Close Featherpad (or the chosen text editor) before running the
sudoeditcommand. - Template requirement: When using Qubes-Whonix, this must be done inside the Template.
3 Open the file with root rights.
sudoedit /etc/openvpn/auth.txt
4 Notes.
- Shut down Template: After applying this change, shut down the Template.
- Restart App Qubes: All App Qubes based on the Template need to be restarted if they were already running.
- Qubes persistence: See also Qubes Persistence

- General procedure: This is a general procedure required for Qubes and is unspecific to Qubes-Whonix.
2 Notes.
- Example only: This is just an example. Other tools could achieve the same goal.
- Troubleshooting and alternatives: If this example does not work for you, or if you are not using Whonix, please refer to Open File with Root Rights.
3 Open the file with root rights.
sudoedit /etc/openvpn/auth.txt
2. Add.
Note: Replace riseupusername with the actual Riseup user name and replace vpnsecret with the actual user name and password or just go to account.riseup.net![]()
, log in and click on "VPN".
riseupusername vpnsecret
3 . Save and exit.
- ↑ Previously a VPN secret (VPN password) and username could be registered.