How to Create a Private VPN at Home with a Router and a Few Steps

There comes a time in every home cook’s life where they want to try out a new recipe and need some help. Whether you love to bake or you’re an incredible galapase (can’t spell it either), this blog post is for you. We’ll teach you how to create a private VPN at home with a router and a few steps. It only takes a few minutes to set up, and it’ll be worth it.

The Basics

For those of you looking to create a VPN at home for yourself or a family member, the first thing you’ll need to do is decide whether you want to go the easy route and buy a ready-made VPN or the more sophisticated route and build one from scratch. The choice is yours, but we recommend the former. There are several reasons why:

• Precision: One of the most valuable things about a pre-made VPN is its precision. Most providers offer up to four decimal places of precision, which makes a huge difference when you’re trying to stream a movie or use a private network to access corporate resources. If you’re going the DIY route, you can get away with less precision, but it’ll be a battle of wits to get the same level of performance.
• Speed: Ready-made VPNs are usually quite fast. The best ones will even beat a wired connection in speed tests. And remember: speed is one of the most important factors in your decision to go the DIY route. If you want to stream video or download large files without interruptions, go the easy route.
• Features: Another important consideration when choosing a VPN is the features it offers. Does the VPN have a kill-switch to ensure your security in case something happens to the device? Is there server redundancy so that you can always reach the service when needed? Are there dedicated numbers for technical support available around the clock?
• Service: Another crucial point to make is that you should always choose a VPN that already has a good reputation and is well-reviewed. This way, you’ll be sure to enjoy fast, secure, and reliable service without any hitches. Remember: reliability is what you’ll get when you choose a tried-and-tested VPN. The more stars a VPN has, the more reliability it is likely to offer.
• Value for Money: The last but not least, you should also consider value for money when choosing a VPN. In most instances, you’ll get a good trade-off between price and feature-set. You should do your research and discover the best possible pricing scheme for the features you need.

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

All of this being said, now that you’ve decided to go the easy route and purchase a ready-made VPN, let’s move ahead and examine its pros and cons. There are numerous reasons why you might choose this option, but before you do, take a quick moment to consider all the bad that comes along with it.

• No Maintenance: With a ready-made VPN, you won’t have to worry about keeping it updated or configuring it to work with your particular router. All you have to do is purchase it and plug it in. Once that’s done, you’re good to go. This could be a real plus if you’re not tech-savvy or if you don’t have the time to sit and maintain a VPN. In this instance, the lack of maintenance might be a good thing. Keep in mind though that you’ll be giving up some degree of security if you choose this option.
• Unregulated: As the name suggests, a ready-made VPN isn’t really regulated by any governing body or entity. This is generally a good thing, as it means that there’s no one governing how you use it or what you can do with it. Some VPNs are completely free while others cost money. There’s also the option to choose a pay-as-you-go plan, which is ideal for those looking to use the service on an as-needed basis. With a VPN that is not regulated, you are completely free to do as you please with it, as long as you abide by the terms of use.
• Poor Customer Support: When you decide to go the DIY route, the last thing you need is a headache when trying to figure out how to set up your VPN. This is why it’s vital that you choose a provider that has excellent customer support available via live chat, phone support, or both. Without good customer support, you’ll be sending frustrated text messages and clicking red buttons for hours on end, all in the name of setting up your VPN. This isn’t something you want to experience. Investing in good customer support means you’ll be able to connect to a VPN and get the functionality you need without worry.
• Limited Features: One of the primary things you’ll need to do if you decide to go the DIY route is to find a VPN that has all the features you need and are willing to pay for. For instance, are you trying to access a corporate network or just want to make sure your personal data is always secure when browsing online? Find out what all the fuss is about and whether or not this is the right fit for your needs by checking out the features the VPN offers. Some providers go the extra mile and give you everything you need in one place, which is great if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution. In this instance, going the DIY route might not be for you as everything you need is likely to be included in the plan.
• Overly Complex Setup: As previously stated, setting up a VPN is a fairly straightforward process. You’ll simply need to log on to your router and follow the on-screen instructions. This might be easier said than done if you’re not tech-savvy or aren’t familiar with the inner workings of a router. In some instances, you might have to consult with a technical support person by live chat to get things settled. Going the DIY route and having to call someone to help you set up your VPN might not be the most convenient option if you’re looking for something quick and easy.

Now that you know the good, the bad, and the ugly of a ready-made VPN, let’s move on to the good stuff. Once you have your VPN set up and connected, you’ll need to do a bit of research to find out how to properly utilize it. This is where the rubber hits the road, so to speak, as you’ll be depending on the service to keep your sensitive data secure while you browse the web or stream TV shows online.

Setting Up Properly

There are several things you need to consider if you want to use a VPN for the first time or are simply looking to upgrade your security online. Regardless of the reason, once you have your VPN connected and up and running, you’ll need to do the following: