How to install a VPN on your router
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One way to set up a VPN is to install the client software on one computer. This is the most popular method, especially for novice users, with the main advantage that it is a nice and simple way to set everything up.
However, more advanced users may want to install the VPN not on one computer, but on their router. Remember that the router oversees the entire network, so installing a VPN at this level means that all data is encrypted as it leaves the local network. This way, every device on the network is using the VPN by default, and you don’t have to worry about devices that the VPN provider doesn’t support.
Configuring a VPN in this way is described as using a VPN router. However, you still have to make some adjustments every time you want to change VPN server locations.
If you’d like a more user-friendly approach to a VPN router, check out ExpressVPN for Routers, a dedicated VPN router firmware. We reviewed the Linksys version a couple of years ago, but it’s now also available on select Asus and Netgear models.
While some people may be willing to pay the price for the convenience of a VPN router, this is not necessary, as some standard routers can be configured to work with a VPN by the end user.
Routers that work well with a VPN router include those that support DD-WRT, an open source firmware on Linux. Another option is Asus routers that support VPN router settings with manufacturer firmware – that’s what we’ll look at in this article. In this step-by-step tutorial, we will be using the Asus RT-AC1900P router with stock firmware.
The first step in this process is to get to the login page of the router. For our Asus RT-AC1900P router (and with most routers), this can be done by entering 192.168.1.1 into the browser’s URL bar, then logging in with your username and password. (If you forgot your login details, do a factory reset and use the default credentials as specified in the user manual).
Once logged in, we now have a list of choices in the left column. While it’s tempting to head straight to a VPN, the next step is to switch to a WAN. Here we need to set the background settings as per the screenshot above. Use the following settings:
- WAN Connection Type: Auto IP
- WAN Enabled: Yes
- Enable NAT: Yes
- UPnP Enabled: Yes
- Connect to DNS server automatically: No
- DNS Server 1: 208.67.222.222
- DNS Server 2: 8.8.8.8
- DHCP Query Frequency: Aggressive Mode
Remember to hit “Apply” to secure these settings before proceeding.
Ok, now we click on the “VPN” menu. Note that when you do this, there are two options for VPN settings: “VPN Server” and “VPN Client”, and we need to select “VPN Client”.
With the VPN client selected, we have an empty VPN server list. Select the “Add Profile” option.
We now see a window to add VPN server credentials. Note that at the top we have three options for different types of VPN security. OpenVPN is the most secure, but it can be the slowest due to the higher level of security – and it’s also a good choice when trying to bypass firewall restrictions. PPTP has the lowest level of security, but is generally faster with less coding overhead. Finally, L2TP is a good compromise between the two other encryption protocols, providing an excellent balance between speed and security. Select the encryption protocol you wish to use before entering the credentials.
Here is an example of how to set things up with PPTP. First, you have to enter a description, but this can be anything that shows the user what this service is. It then requires the URL of the VPN server, along with the username and password, which are all provided by the VPN server. Additionally, PPTP Options must be set to MPPE 128, which indicates Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption with a 128-bit key. When entering the credentials, be sure to save them by pressing OK.
Above we have an example setup for an OpenVPN server. Here we also enter an initial description, along with the username and password. In addition, there is a small OVPN file provided by the VPN server, which is imported into the setup credentials. After entering this, press the OK button.
After entering the credentials, then press “Activate” under “Connect” to the service to get started. You can have multiple credentials saved for each VPN server, but only one is active at a time. The router will then access the internet, create a VPN tunnel, and when it is done, the connection status will display a blue check mark, to verify that the connection is active.
This step is the same for OpenVPN server or PPTP server.
With a VPN tunnel it is a good practice to check that it works. Run an IP leak test to verify that the location has been changed i.e. it should show the default location, not your actual location. You can take this test on ipleak.net. And that’s it – you’re all set to browse more securely and privately across all the devices connected to your router.
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