How to Setup a DD-WRT Router with NordVPN
For those of you who use VPNs frequently, you will know how beneficial they can be. A VPN keeps your personal information secure when you’re using public Wi-Fi, and it also allows you to access content that you wouldn’t normally be able to reach. With all of the different VPN services out there, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. That’s why we’ve decided to put together this detailed guide on how to setup a DD-WRT router with NordVPN. We’ll cover everything from installing the VPN software to configuring it so you can easily connect your devices to the internet through the WLAN router.
Why NordVPN?
NordVPN is one of the most popular, award-winning VPNs available today. They’ve been around for almost a decade and have over 1 million servers in over 200 countries. Because of this, they are highly compatible with various devices and platforms. In addition, their no-logging policy keeps your personal information secure and prevents third-party monitoring. Finally, their strong focus on privacy means they will never collect or sell your personal data. All of this adds up to make NordVPN the clear choice for those looking to secure their personal data while online.
Step one: Download and install the NordVPN client software
The first step in setting up your DD-WRT router with NordVPN is to download and install the client software. This software gives you the ability to connect to the VPN and access resources through your device’s web browser. To download the file you’ll need to visit the NordVPN site and click on the Download button. When the button changes to a green check, this indicates that the file has been downloaded successfully.
Now that you have the client software downloaded, you need to open it and click on the Run button to start the setup wizard. When the setup wizard opens, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the installation process.
Step two: Configure your device’s Ethernet connection to connect to the VPN
The next step is to configure your device’s Ethernet connection to connect to the VPN. You will need to either connect a cable from your modem to the back of the router or use wireless networking for the connection. It is recommended that you use a wired connection whenever possible, as it is more secure and has less of a chance of being compromised. If you choose wireless networking, be sure to use a strong password that is at least 8 characters long and contains numbers and special characters.
Once you have the Ethernet connection configured, you can move on to the next step.
Step three: Configure your device’s Wi-Fi connection to connect to the VPN
The last step in setting up your DD-WRT router with NordVPN is to configure your device’s Wi-Fi connection to connect to the VPN. This is done through the WiFi settings on the client machine. You will need to either connect a cable from your modem to the back of the router or use wireless networking for the connection. If you choose wireless networking, be sure to use a strong password that is at least 8 characters long and contains numbers and special characters.
If you have configured your Ethernet connection as described above, the next step is to select VPN as the network option in the WiFi settings.
Once you have done that, click on the Connect button to connect to the VPN.
Step four: Test your connection
Once you have connected to the VPN you can test to see if it’s working. To do that, you will need to open a web browser on your computer or mobile device and navigate to the NordVPN site. If you’re connecting through a mobile device, you will need to tap the Menu button to bring up the screen’s Settings app, then navigate to the VPN and tap the Connect button to connect.
If everything is configured correctly, you will see the VPN’s login page. Enter your username and password, then click on the OK button to continue.
You can now test to see if the VPN is working by navigating to a site that is protected by the service. If you visit a site that is not safe, you will see a warning page that reads “This site may be dangerous because it is protected by the VPN.”
You can also test the connection through the device’s Settings app. Just navigate to the network settings and select VPN to see the status of the connection. You can toggle the connection on or off through the app’s Settings menu to quickly test if it is working or not.
If everything is configured correctly, you will see a green check mark next to the VPN’s name in the list of available networks. Now you can safely access the internet through the WLAN router.
Why DD-WRT?
DD-WRT is an open-source, based on the well-known Broadcom/WiFi chip. This means it is completely customizable through a suite of different software packages that provide various features and functionalities. What’s more, DD-WRT can run on a wide range of devices, from tiny IoT devices to large-scale networks. This versatility makes it the perfect choice for anyone who wants a hassle-free route to the internet.
Step one: Install DD-WRT
Once you have purchased and installed the WiFi adapter for your device, you can proceed to the next step. If not, you will need to return the item and purchase one that is suitable for your needs.
As a first step, you will need to confirm your device is compatible with the DD-WRT operating system. To do that, you will need to enter your device’s make and model into the search box on the DD-WRT site. Alternatively, you can look up your device’s specifications on the web and compare them to what is available on the site. Either way, you should see a list of compatible devices.
Once you have found the appropriate device, click on the download link to start the installation process. When the file downloads, you will need to disconnect from the internet and then follow the on-screen prompts to finish the installation process.
Step two: Configure the DNS settings on your device
The next step in configuring your device to work with NordVPN is to configure the DNS settings. You will need to enter your device’s DNS addresses into the DNS Settings menu in the client software. To find out what DNS servers are available, you can either look them up on the internet or enter them manually in the field (IPv4 format). If you choose the latter option, you will need to use the correct format (IPv4 only). For example, if you are setting up the DNS on a desktop computer, you will need to use this format:
DNS servers
192.168.1.1
192.168.1.2
192.168.1.3
whereas on a mobile device, you would use:
DNS servers
173.194.88.4
173.194.88.5
173.194.88.6
Once you have entered these DNS servers, click on the Save icon to save the settings. You can now disconnect from the internet and continue with the next step.
Step three: Install the VPN client software on your network device
The last step in setting up your network to work with NordVPN is to install the VPN client software on your network device. This is most easily done through a USB stick, as the software is about 10MB in size. You will need to either plug the stick into a port on your device or run the software directly from the stick. To do the latter, you will need to visit the VPN site and download the file to your hard drive.
Once you have downloaded the file to your hard drive, you can start the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software and enter your VPN credentials when prompted.
Once installed, you can now test to see if the VPN is working by connecting to the internet through your device’s web browser or mobile app. You can also use the app’s Settings app to toggle the connection on or off.