Private Internet Access (PIA) provides multiple OpenVPN configuration files. These files differ by connection method, port, and encryption strength.
Select a configuration file name below to download it.
Jump To…
Configuration Files Before Connecting With OpenVPN Files
Connecting With OpenVPN
When you use OpenVPN with PIA, you can connect with either UDP or TCP:
- UDP: Faster and preferred for most connections.
- TCP: More reliable on restricted networks, such as universities or workplaces.
In some cases, using an IP address instead of a server name (for example: us-california.privacy.network) may help if DNS is blocked or modified by your network.
Configuration Files before Connecting With OpenVPN Files
These configuration files use the latest server infrastructure. Differences between each set are outlined below.
OpenVPN Configuration Files (Default)
- Protocol: UDP
- Port: 1198
- Encryption: AES-128-CBC + SHA1
- Uses server name for connection
OpenVPN Configuration Files (Recommended Default – Windows only with block-outside-dns)
- Protocol: UDP
- Port: 1198
- Encryption: AES-128-CBC + SHA1
- Uses server name for connection
OpenVPN Configuration Files (Strong)
- Protocol: UDP
- Port: 1197
- Encryption: AES-256-CBC + SHA256
- Uses server name for connection
OpenVPN Configuration Files (TCP)
- Protocol: TCP
- Port: 502
- Encryption: AES-128-CBC + SHA1
- Uses server name for connection
OpenVPN Configuration Files (Strong TCP)
- Protocol: TCP
- Port: 501
- Encryption: AES-256-CBC + SHA256
- Uses server name for connection
DNS Configuration
For more information about using PIA DNS in custom configurations, refer to the DNS configuration guide.