How to Make Your Own VPN on Windows 7
There is absolutely no question that using a VPN is a very good idea. It can protect your privacy, keep your data secure, and even speed up your browsing experience. VPNs are thus always a good option whenever you’re on the move, be it at home, in a coffee shop, or even while you’re on public Wi-Fi.
But putting one together isn’t easy. You need to pick a service provider, install their software, configure it to work with your Windows environment, and then ensure that your VPN connection is always kept secure. In this article, we’ll discuss how to make your own VPN on Windows 7. We’ll discuss what you need, the process of setting one up, and the benefits you can enjoy once you have a VPN connection up and running on your system.
What You Need
Before you begin, you’ll need to make sure that you have everything. You need a VPN server, of course. You’ll also need a PC or a device with Windows 7 on it. Or, if you’re really an enthusiast, you can even build a miniature VPN server from scratch using some off-the-shelf components and free software.
As for the VPN client, you can use almost any standard device. Most modern smartphones and tablets come with a VPN client already installed. You could also grab a cheap netbook or laptop to serve as your client.
Why You Need a VPN
Using a VPN can protect your personal data when you’re on public Wi-Fi. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can easily see what web sites you visit, your IP address, your email address, and anything else they can correlate. Without a VPN, all of this information is fully exposed whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network.
Additionally, a VPN can encrypt all of your data whenever you send it over the internet. This means that no one but the receiver can see what you’re sending, and no one can use information learned about you to blackmail you or otherwise harm you. It also keeps your personal data out of the hands of government organisations, which you may think is a worrying prospect given the increasing number of people concerned about privacy and security issues.
As we mentioned above, a VPN can be very helpful when using public Wi-Fi. But why would you want to limit its benefits to just browsing the web? A VPN can do much more than that. It can keep your device’s data secure and private, even when you’re on untrusted Wi-Fi networks. This is particularly useful for logging into cloud-based accounts, like Google or Dropbox.
A VPN can also speed up your internet connection, though this is somewhat dependent on the service you use. Some providers even offer free services, in which case there’s little to no benefit to be had from using a VPN. But if money is no object to you, you could always opt for a paid-for VPN and enjoy the benefits that one can provide.
Setting Up VPN On Your Computer Or Device
With a VPN, the process of setting it up is actually pretty simple. You just need to follow a few steps. As we mentioned above, you’ll need a server. For this example, we’ll use NordVPN, one of the most popular VPN providers out there. To get started, visit their website and click the button that says “Get a Free Trial.” This will take you to a web page where you can download and install their software.
Once you’ve downloaded and installed the VPN software, you’ll need to open it and click the button that says “Create a new profile.” You’ll then need to provide the software with a name and a password. Optionally, you can leave the “Save password” checkbox checked and the software will remember your password for you. After you’ve created the profile, you’ll see the main screen of the software. On this screen, you can either search or browse to find the server that you’d like to connect to. In this case, we’ll use the IP address 82.211.181.13. Once you’ve found the server you want to connect to, click the button that says “Connect.”
You’ll then be taken to a new screen where you can enter your username and password. You should then see a dot next to your IP address, indicating that your internet connection is now encrypted and that you’re now connected to the VPN. If you’ve followed these instructions correctly, you’ll see the following message:
“You’re connected!”
If all went well, you’ll now be able to browse the web safely with your VPN connection intact, no matter where you are. If you click the lock icon in the system tray, you’ll see that the connection is now encrypted and that browsing the web via HTTPS is also possible.
From here, you can continue to use your VPN connection as you normally would, watching online videos, reading websites, and so on. When you’re finished, simply disconnect from the VPN by clicking the button that says “Disconnect” and your device will automatically reconnect to your regular internet connection. While this might sound complicated, setting up a VPN is actually a very straightforward procedure.
Using Your VPN On Public Wi-Fi
Once you have your VPN connection set up, you can use it on any public Wi-Fi network that uses the Hotspot shield authentication method. This process is fairly straightforward and, as we mentioned above, ensures that your data is always protected whenever you’re on a public network. To use it, simply connect to a public network, ensure that your hotspot is open to the general public, and then log into your VPN client.
If you’re on a public network, you’ll need to ensure that your VPN connection is always kept secure. For this reason, you should never login to your VPN client with your username and password. Instead, you can use a VPN app that supports 2-factor authentication, like Google Authenticator or Authy. After you’ve logged in with your 2-factor authentication, simply disconnect from the VPN and log back in when you need to access your data again.
When you’re using a VPN, your data is always protected. This means that no one can read your emails, listen to your phone calls, or otherwise intercept your data as it flies by over a public connection. This level of protection is often priceless, especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi on the move.
The Downsides Of Using A VPN
There are a few downsides to using a VPN, however. For one, downloading and installing the software for a VPN can be slightly complicated. It also doesn’t guarentee that your data will be completely secure, especially if you’re using a public Wi-Fi connection. Finally, many VPNs have data caps, which means that you’ll soon reach your monthly limit, and then be forced to pay additional fees. These are generally quite high, especially if you use a lot of bandwidth.
On the other hand, using a VPN does have many advantages. Your personal data is always protected whenever you’re on the move. This means that no one can snoop on your emails or listen in on your phone calls. Your data is also secured when you’re on public Wi-Fi, preventing any potential snooping by your ISP. And, to top it all off, many VPNs offer useful additional features, like allowing you to make calls or access restricted content while keeping your private data secure.
In short, if you’re looking for a simple way to ensure that your data is always private and secure, then using a VPN is the way to go. If you’d like to know more, then continue reading. Otherwise, thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you understand what a VPN is and how to make one for yourself on the move. If you have any other questions about VPNs or would like to know more about any specific subject matter, then feel free to leave us a comment below. We’re always willing to help with useful information.