How to Use NordVPN to Secure a Router

Encryption is becoming a necessity for all of us. In the current world, privacy is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. This is especially true for those who use the internet for business or for everyday social activities. Unfortunately, the internet is a dangerous place and one never knows what kinds of threats they may receive. While there are plenty of free encryption apps available for smartphones, some people may still be hesitant to use them in fear of getting “tricked” by government agencies.

To help those who use the internet for everyday activities feel a little more comfortable, NordVPN has created a special solution called VPN Router. This is a VPN service that is specifically designed to be used with a router. When connected to a VPN Router, your internet connection becomes fully encrypted, which makes it impossible for anyone, including third parties, to view or monitor your activity. All of this is accomplished without the need to modify your desktop or router software in any way.

Installing NordVPN on a Router

If you decide that you would like to use the VPN Router solution, it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure you connect the device successfully to your internet connection. Inside your router, you’ll find 4 broadband ports, labeled “1”,”2″,”3″,”4″. These correspond to the different internet connections you have available, such as a DSL or cable modem. If you’re unsure which one to use, Google your neighborhood name and the word “ISPs” to find the provider that offers the best service for your area.

To get started, you’ll need to enter your username and password when prompted, then click “Login” to confirm. You’ll see a listing of all the different connections available, as well as the status of each one (i.e. active or inactive).

In the example above, we have an active Ethernet connection (the fifth icon) plugged into Port 5, and an inactive WiFi connection (the sixth icon) plugged into Port 6. If you click on either one of these connections, you’ll see a gear symbol with a number next to it. This is the VPN software version that can be found on the site.

NordVPN currently offers two different versions of their VPN software, which can be downloaded and installed directly from their site. The first is their Lite version, which is free. This version is extremely limited in functionality and is only capable of connecting to a single server (at a time). The second and paid for version, which is called Pro, can connect to multiple servers simultaneously and is highly recommended for those who want to keep their online activity private. You can learn more about the differences between the two versions at this link:

Setting Up the Router to Work with NordVPN

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the NordVPN software on your router, you’ll need to set it up to work with your device. This can be accomplished by following the instructions found here:

Full Setup Guide for VPN Router

There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to successfully connect your router to the VPN server, which is located in Germany. First, make sure that your device and router are compatible in terms of being on the same network. Second, configure the internal network settings of your router to accept VPN connections. Third, you’ll need to forward the correct ports to your router, so that it can connect to the VPN service. Fourth, you’ll need to create a username and password for the VPN account, as well as confirm it by clicking “Login” after setting it up.

To create a username and password for your VPN account, you’ll need to access https://account.nordvpn.com and click “Create Account” in the upper right-hand corner. A popup box will appear with your new username and password. To confirm this information, click “Login” when finished.

Once you’ve followed the step-by-step instructions to create a VPN account and login, you’ll see a page full of menu options. You’ll need to select “Settings” from the main menu, then choose “IP Settings” from the settings sub-menu. A new window will appear with your IP Address (the IP addresses are different depending on whether you use DHCP or IP Address Verification). To configure your DHCP settings, click “Ignore” under Dynamic IP Address and leave the rest as they are. Your internal IP address will be retrieved from your router automatically.

Next, click “Proxies” under Gateway Proxies, then choose “Add a Proxy” from the contextual menu. A popup window will appear with your current settings. You’ll need to enter your Proxy’s IP address, port, and protocol (i.e. HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS).

To test your proxy settings, try connecting to a different server (i.e. Google, Github, or Twitter). You’ll see a green lock, indicating that your connection is now encrypted. If you want to change your IP address, click “Reset Settings” in the upper right-hand corner.

Using the VPN Router

Once your router is setup correctly with NordVPN, you’ll need to visit the site again and login, then select “Connect” from the main menu to begin using the service. You can now connect to any of the websites and services you normally use with confidence through the encrypted connection provided by NordVPN!

To learn more, visit the NordVPN Help Center using this link:

NordVPN Help Center

Or you can read their FAQ section for answers to the most common questions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

With just a few clicks, you can create a secure private connection to any website or services you choose, using NordVPN.

There’s no need to install special apps on your mobile device, since everything can be accomplished through the web browser. NordVPN makes it easy to create a secure connection even if you’re on the move. Simply download the VPN Router plugin to your computer or device, login, and you’re ready to go. All of this can be done without having to modify a single setting on your mobile or desktop device.

Many people may think that using a VPN to secure their router is not necessary, since most routers are already protected by the device itself. However, this is not the case. There are numerous situations where a VPN may be a requirement, especially if your router does not offer adequate security measures. For example, if you use a public WiFi connection at a coffee shop or airport, you may not want to leave your device unprotected. A VPN can be a good solution in these situations, especially if you’re connecting through a public WiFi connection at a coffee shop or airport that does not provide end-to-end encryption.

Similarly, if you use public computing resources, like a library or university computer, you may not want your activity on those devices to be monitored by security agencies or snoopers. Many public computing devices do not offer security, since they are not meant for individual use. However, with a VPN installed, you may be able to secure your device and activity on these computing resources.

If you decide that you would like to use the VPN solution, it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure you connect the device successfully to your internet connection. Inside your router, you’ll find 4 broadband ports, labeled “1”,”2″,”3″,”4″. These correspond to the different internet connections you have available, such as a DSL or cable modem. If you’re unsure which one to use, Google your neighborhood name and the word “ISPs” to find the provider that offers the best service for your area.

To get started, you’ll need to enter your username and password when prompted, then click “Login” to confirm. You’ll see a listing of all the different connections available, as well as the status of each one (i.e. active or inactive).

In the example above, we have an active Ethernet connection (the fifth icon) plugged into Port 5, and an inactive WiFi connection (the sixth icon) plugged into Port 6. If you click on either one of these connections, you’ll see a gear symbol with a number next to it. This is the VPN software version that can be found on the site.