The use of wireless internet is on the rise both for professional and personal use. This trend has also increased the demand for routers. In general, routers connect multiple devices in a network. If you have used wireless internet, chances are you are familiar with a router as well. Also, in the current age of the digital revolution, a virtual private network (VPN) is a must for data privacy and security of a device on a network.
But did you know that a router could act as a VPN client? Yes, you have read it right. A router VPN makes it possible by packing the features of a virtual private network. Wondering how much you would need to spend on its installation? You can put all your worries at bay with the knowledge that you can do it for free of cost.
Read on to know more about a router VPN and the steps to install it for free.
What Is A Router VPN?
Some advanced home routers with sophisticated features have the capability of becoming a VPN client. Such routers operate with a simple operational procedure.
First, it connects to a VPN service. Thereafter, it uses this connection to route all data from the device to an intended server and vice-versa.
A VPN router offers many benefits to users. These include the following:
- Protection to multiple devices
- Superb compatibility
- Convenience in terms of the usage of connections
- Ability to unblock several websites at once
- Added security to even those devices that aren’t native
Sure, it costs more than general home routers. But the value it offers in terms of its features makes it the real deal. Whether you wish to use your VPN as a gaming VPN or any other kind of VPN, you will be able to do so by installing a router VPN.
Steps To Install Router VPN For Free
Contrary to how it seems at the outset, setting up a router VPN is simple and easy. Knowing the steps for it makes it a simple procedure. Before you proceed with the steps for installing VPN, make sure that it has the built-in functionality. This way, you can ensure that it can serve as a VPN client.
You can find out more details about the availability of this functionality in your router by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can also consider searching for relevant information on the Internet with the right queries.
Even as your router doesn’t have the built-in functionality, you can still use it to install a VPN if it supports firmware installation from third parties. If your router neither has a built-in VPN nor the support for third-party firmware, you need to use a different router.
Make sure that you choose one of the best VPN services in 2022 to make things simple and easy for setting up a VPN connection.
Here are the steps that you must follow to conclude the task with finesse.
Step 1: Open The Configuration Interface Of Your Router
To begin with, the process for setting up a VPN connection on a router depends on the brand to which the router belongs. So, you can safely conclude that the process for your router will vary from the ones that belong to other brands.
Using a web browser, open the configuration interface of your router. Usually, it is set as either 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1. You will also need to enter the password of your router. Unless you change it, you can find it in the manual. You can refer to routerpasswords.com to find out the password by locating the brand of your router.
Step 2: Check The Option That Corresponds To VPN In The Setting
Check out the different options in settings and look for the one that corresponds to the VPN option. Check if your router needs third-party firmware. If it does, you will need to install it. Also, you might need to install a software update to ensure that it works smoothly.
Step 3: Choose A VPN Client
Your router will need to connect to an independent VPN service, so you must choose a VPN client.
Step 4: Input Correct Settings
Look for the OpenVPN config file that VPN service providers usually provide to upload it. If not, you need to get the right setting options from your VPN provider and enter them manually.
Step 5: Change The Firewall Settings If Necessary
You need to consider the firewall settings of your router. They must be in order so that you connect to your VPN service. You will need to make the changes to the firewall configuration manually. This will depend on the type of router you have or the brand to which it belongs.
Final Thoughts
If you use a VPN, you would know how to select a VPN and set it up. But if you use wireless internet or feel the need for connecting multiple devices in a wireless network, you must also know how to set up a router VPN. Follow the steps listed above to perform this task with finesse.
