Installing a VPN on Your Router Is Easier Than You Might Have Thought

computer-vpn

In the past, online security was something only businesses burdened themselves with. Private devices were not a target for hackers, and they rarely contained sensitive data. As years passed and people started relying on internet-powered devices for more and more things, online security has become a bigger issue.

These days, as a modern person, you need to think not only about your PC but your phone, your tablet, the devices your family and guests use, and so on. It’s not just the number of devices we use but also the fact that we do more serious things online.

Banking is the first one that comes to mind, followed by shopping, business communication, subscriptions to premium sites, or private data that includes addresses – you name it.

This is why more and more people tend to go for data encryption to keep their data safe. Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the most popular and reliable solution for this. Still, installing a VPN on every device you own can be tedious and complicated. This is why the most hassle-free solution is to install it on your router. Thus, ensuring that every device connected to it is protected through encryption.

We’re going to share with you a step-by-step guide on how to install a VPN on your router and keep your data safe.

Choosing a VPN Provider

Unfortunately, not all VPN providers allow installation on a router. You need to check their terms & conditions and see if this is an option before you sign up. Another important factor to think about is unlimited bandwidth, preferably without any throttling, general or service specific. Also, remember to check if they offer enough exit nodes in the country you intend to connect from.

Adding DD-WRT Router

The only way turn your router into a VPN client is to install DD-WRT firmware. DD-WRT is an open-source firmware that was designed to replace the standard OEM and improve the capabilities of routers it is installed on. It is suitable for a variety of WLAN routers coming from major manufacturers like TP-LINK, Linksys, Asus, and so on.

If your router doesn’t come with preinstalled DD-WRT, you’ll have to take care of it yourself by using the flashing process. This is not too difficult to do, even for a novice. Yet, failing to do it correctly may result in rendering the router useless, so be very careful. Also, changing the firmware on your router may make its warranty invalid.

The easier way is to purchase a router that is already loaded with DD-WRT firmware. Such routers tend to be on the pricey end of the spectrum but you cut down on risky tinkering and avoid speed loss due to the poor processing power of cheap routers which can be overburdened when handling VPN.

Configuring VPN on Your Router

We are going to focus on the GUI method of configuring VPN on your router but you should be aware that there is also a scripted method.

1. Log on and download the VPN setup files.
2. Extract the folder with all available VPN locations.
3. Log on to the router’s administrative interface (type the routers IP address into the search bar).
4. Setup > Basic SetupTLS.key
   • WAN Connection Type > Automatic Configuration – DHCP
   • Network Setup > Give your router a fixed local IP address
   • Network Address Server Settings (DHCP) > Set your VPN DNS addresses
   • Use DNSMasq for DHCP, Use DNSMasq for DNS, DHCP-Authoritative boxes should all be checked.
5. Setup > IPV6 > Disable
6. Service > VPN
   • OpenVPN Client
   • Start OpenVPN client > Enabled
   • Fill out the boxes as proposed by your VPN provider.
7. Go to VPN provider’s website and download the CA and TLS certificates from their download section and extract to your PC.
8. Copy the content of your CA.crt into the CA Cert box located within the above-mentioned Service > VPN menu. Don’t forget to add the —–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—– and —–END CERTIFICATE—– lines to ensure it will be working.
9. Copy the content of your TLS.key into your TLS Auth Key box located within the above-mentioned Service > VPN menu. Add the —–BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1—– and —–END OpenVPN Static key V1—– lines as well.
10. Status > OpenVPN.
    If under “State” it says “CONNECTED SUCCESS” you are protected by VPN.

That’s the whole process. You and anyone connected to your router are now protected by VPN encryption, and you can surf without worrying about anyone stealing your data. Happy surfing!

–EOF (The Ultimate Computing & Technology Blog) —