How to Allow Your Router to Use a VPN
Many network professionals will argue that a virtual private network (VPN) is the best way to protect your personal information while browsing the web or using other online applications. A VPN provides secure and private connections between your devices, including your web browser, tablet, or smartphone, and an enterprise network or the Internet.
In order to use a VPN you will need to install a VPN app on one or more of your devices. You can download the OpenVPN app from the Apple app store or the Android app store. Once you have the app installed you can connect to a VPN server (usually provided by the vendor of the VPN) to keep your personal data secure while online. Many free VPN services are also available to download and use.
Why Should You Allow Your Router to Use a VPN?
If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you’re either considering allowing your router to use a VPN or you already have one installed and are looking for ways to improve your experience. If you have a router, you can use it to connect to the Internet via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. You may also have one that acts as a wireless access point for other devices, like wireless printers or tablets and smartphones.
When you connect a device to your router, the device will connect to the Internet via the router. This means all the data that passes between your device and the Internet will travel through your router. If you have more than one device connected to the router, they will all be able to access the Internet via it. If you want to ensure that your personal information stays private, preventing outsiders from accessing your data, you should consider limiting the Internet access that your router provides for external connections. Doing this will require you to either use a VPN or configure your router to only allow specific and trusted devices to connect to the Internet through it.
How to Limit Internet Access on Your Router
If you’re already using a VPN or you’re considering using one, the first thing you should do is configure your router to limit Internet access for all connected devices. Some VPNs will block all incoming connections from unidentified or unapproved devices. This makes it easier to keep your personal data private while still being able to use networking applications like the Internet. For most people, this already happens automatically when they connect their router to the Internet via cable or Wi-Fi. However, if this is not the case for you, you can always configure your router to block all web traffic except through the VPN.
To do this, follow the instructions that your router’s documentation provides. Once you’ve configured your router to only allow connections through the VPN, you can use the Internet freely without any fears of your personal data being accessible by others. You can also use public Wi-Fi cautiously and with privacy in mind, as the data you transmit through it will be encrypted when it reaches its destination.
One disadvantage to this approach is that it prevents your router from functioning as a standalone device. If you want to use it as a wireless access point, you’ll need to purchase a separate wireless router to do this. In most cases, this won’t be feasible, as most people already have a wireless router connected to their Internet service provider. In these cases, you can still configure your original router to only allow specific and trusted devices to connect to the Internet.
How to Use a VPN Without Limiting Internet Access on Your Router
While it’s good to have a dedicated router to limit Internet access to the connected devices, this is not always possible. This is why you should always have a way to allow your VPN to reach its full potential without inconveniencing you or your Internet connection. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll find a router that doesn’t come with some form of Internet access, so if you use one that does, you won’t have this issue. In order to use a VPN without limitations, you will need to use a VPN client on one or more of your devices. Once you have the app installed, you can connect to a VPN server, which will give you secured and privately access to the Internet.
VPNs will often come with tutorials that walk you step-by-step through the setup process. These will guide you through connecting to the VPN server and setting up your chosen destination network. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, as this is very important if you want to be able to use the VPN without limitations. Once you’ve followed the instructions and set everything up correctly, you can use the Internet privately through the VPN. You can configure your VPN client to ensure that all your Internet traffic is encrypted, so that even your Internet service provider cannot see what you’re doing online. This is especially important if you use public Wi-Fi, as many hotspots will not allow unencrypted traffic.
One disadvantage to this approach is that you’ll need to download and install a VPN app on each of your devices. This can be a hassle, as many people are busy enough without having to think about installing additional software on their phones, tablets, or laptops. If possible, it’s preferable to have a dedicated router for Internet connections, so that you don’t have to think about installing additional apps on other devices.
VPNs and Your Credit Card
If you’re still using a dial-up connection or you have DSL service, you might be familiar with the concept of ‘digital subscriber line’ or ‘DSL’. What is DSL and why should you care? Let’s say you have a DSL provider, they will usually give you a special offer if you become a digital subscriber. Essentially, this means you’ll be providing your credit card information to the DSL provider so that they can give you Internet access. In most cases, this will be an inexpensive option and, in some instances, it might even be free.
What is a VPN and why do you need one? Say you have a DSL provider and you want to use their service to connect to the Internet. In this case, you will have to connect to the VPN server, which will encrypt all your Internet traffic. When you’re connected to the VPN server, all your Internet traffic will be encrypted, making it more difficult for anyone to eavesdrop. In some instances, it is also possible to hide your IP address, providing you with a new IP address from the VPN that will hide who you are while online. You’ll need to have DNS servers set up on your router so that your device can automatically look up domain names and resolve them to IP addresses. Finally, some VPNs will allow you to access content that is restricted to certain geographical locations or IP addresses. If you live in the United Kingdom and you try to visit a website that is restricted to American users, you might encounter difficulty.
In some cases, the limited functionality of a VPN will not be enough for certain individuals or businesses. In these cases, it might be preferable to have a dedicated router for Internet connections, as they provide additional security and privacy controls. In most situations, a VPN will be sufficient, but it’s always best to be on the safe side.
Setting up a VPN With Your Mobile Phone
If you’re using a mobile device (like a smartphone or tablet) to access the Internet, you can also set up a VPN to protect your personal information on the web. Doing this is quite simple and you can use a VPN app that is already on your mobile device. Some of the more popular and well-known apps for this include:
- Safari on the iPhone
- Chrome on the Android
- Windows Phone
Once you have the app installed, you can connect to a VPN server and set up a secure connection. Your mobile phone will act as a secure pass-through for all your Internet traffic, protecting your personal data while you’re online. If you choose, you can also use the VPN settings on your mobile device to encrypt all your Internet traffic when you’re connected to a secure network. The great thing about this approach is that it requires very little effort from your side. For most people, this will already happen automatically when they connect their mobile device to the Internet.
How to Use Your Smart Phone As a Wi-Fi Hotspot
If you have a 4G LTE connection on your mobile phone, you can also use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide Internet access to other devices. Doing this is quite simple and you can use a dedicated app or the Internet to search for ‘WiFi hotspot’ on your mobile phone. Once you have the app or the webpage, all you need to do is tap the button to start the Wi-Fi hotspot. Your device will then act as a router for other devices that want to connect to the Internet via it.