How to Set Up a Router with NordVPN

Having a private or public VPN set up on your router is a great way to secure your home network and enjoy a secure and private internet connection anywhere you go. There are several different VPN providers to choose from, each with their own unique twist on the technology, so it’s important to do a little research before purchasing one. Setting up a VPN on a router is not complex, but it does require some time to figure out the best configuration for your needs. In this post, we will discuss the process of setting up a VPN on a router using NordVPN, step by step.

The Need For A VPN

Before we begin, it’s important to note that the need for a VPN is more important than the specific type you should pick. Just because they are the most popular type of VPN out there doesn’t mean they are the only type that should be used. Some people prefer open-source VPNs because they want to avoid having their internet traffic monitored by third parties or the government, while others prefer to use paid VPNs because they want to ensure that their browsing activity is fully encrypted. There are pros and cons to both options, so it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your particular needs.

Open-Source Vs Pro

One of the great things about the internet is that it makes things like VPNs a lot easier to implement. If you are looking for a free VPN that is highly compatible with all popular routers, then you should check out Open-VPN. Its open-source software is available for download at no cost and can be easily configured to connect to numerous servers across the globe. This allows you to access private and secure content whenever you want, even if you are not located in a well-known business or educational institution’s network. As a result of its open nature, VPNs using the Open-VPN protocol are generally better at preserving your privacy than paid VPNs, since there is no centralized log file that can be accessed by third parties. If you want to learn more about Open VPN, check out this informative article from PCWorld.

Setting Up A VPN On Your Router

Now that you have decided to set up a VPN on your router, it’s time to move on to the actual process of doing so. The steps below will walk you through the configuration of your Open-VPN connection so you can begin enjoying the benefits of a VPN connection on your network. Before we begin, make sure that you have the following items gathered:

• Your router’s IP address
• Your computer’s IP address
• The Open-VPN server’s IP address
• Your username and password

The first three items listed above are necessary to connect to the VPN server, while the last two are used to identify you once you are connected. Your OpenVPN server will have your username and password available, so you will not need to input them manually. If you are connecting to a VPN server that is already available on your network, then enter the appropriate information below.

Step one: Make sure your router is up to date

The first thing you want to do before connecting your router to the VPN server is to make sure that it is up to date with the latest patches and firmware. This will ensure that your router is entirely secure and will not have any flaws that an attacker might exploit. To check for firmware updates, visit your router’s homepage and click on the Upgrade button in the top right-hand corner. Alternatively, you can bring up a web interface by pressing the WPS button on your router, which is often accompanied by a little picture of a pinwheel, followed by the words ‘WPS Password:’ If you are using a Mac, hold down the option key while clicking on the WPS button to show the Wi-Fi password entry page. Firmware updates often offer some great improvements to a router’s stability and performance, so it is imperative that you download and install any available patches and updates. If you do not have Wi-Fi coverage or sufficient internet speed throughout your home, then consider purchasing a wireless repeater so that all of your devices have access to the internet connection. Doing so will ensure that you do not experience any glitches or connection errors that could potentially result in security breaches.

Step two: Set up your router to allow VPN access

After you have updated your router to the latest version and have confirmed that it is up to date, it is time to move on to configuring the VPN. Most routers are designed to be very easy to use, so there should be no trouble at all in allowing access to the VPN. To do so, you will need to log into your router’s admin page and visit the Network Settings section. Here you will want to add a new VPN profile (this is the name given to the Open-VPN server that you are connecting to) followed by selecting either the default gateway or the DNS server. You can add both and it will be used in case you are connecting via both IPV4 and IPV6, but it is not necessary.

Step three: Configure your computer or laptop to connect to the VPN

Once you have added the VPN profile to your router, it’s time to move on to configuring your computer or laptop to connect to it. The first step is to ensure that OpenVPN is installed and configured correctly on your computer or laptop. To do so, visit the program’s homepage and download the latest version of OpenVPN, which is generally available for most operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. After you have downloaded the OpenVPN client, launch it, and click on the START button to begin setup, as shown in the following screenshot:

In the next step, you will want to enter your router’s IP address, which can be found by clicking on the Network icon at the top right of your computer’s screen and selecting Information (IP Address).

Enter your computer’s IP address (you can find it by going to Start | Control Panel | System | Network, or by looking at the router’s display when connected to the internet), followed by the colon (:) and then the VPN server’s IP address. For example, if your VPN server is located at 123.45.67.89, then your computer’s IP address would be 123.45.67.90, with the colon indicating a connection through the VPN server. If you are connecting through the default gateway, then the last step is to click on the Save Profile button to save your settings.

Additional Notes

Before we move on, it is important to make a few additional points about configuring your VPN. First, if you are using the default gateway, then you should check to see if your ISP provided it as a part of their contract. Many providers will block certain types of traffic, including VPNs, so ensure that your ISP does not have any restrictions set in place that would cause you to lose internet access if you use a VPN.

Next, it is important to configure your VPN to only connect to trusted networks. This can be done by either connecting to a VPN server that you know and trust, or by configuring your router to only allow connections from specific IP addresses. You can use your personal VPN server or a free one from OpenVPN to connect to trusted networks, ensuring that your internet content is not at risk of being monitored by anyone, including your ISP.

To learn more about VPNs and the process of connecting to them, check out this informative blog post from Richard Blech, aka ‘@robbiet480’ on the topic.