How to set up a VPN router [+Video]
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What is a VPN router?
A VPN router works just like a regular VPN. Your traffic is redirected through VPN servers, allowing you to surf the internet completely unobstructed. All your activities will be hidden from anyone trying to spy on you, be it petty thieves for data storage companies.
The reason why you would want a VPN on your router is to provide online security at the network level. Once you configure a router to download the VPN firmware, all connected devices will be granted VPN protection benefits. This includes devices that might not normally have the ability to use VPN software to the fullest, such as many smart home devices. Here is a video that explains exactly how a VPN router works.
How does a VPN router work?
A VPN creates an encrypted and secure connection between the device on which it is installed and the Internet. It collects all of this device’s requests to access the Internet and routes them through the encrypted tunnel and VPN server so that they cannot be read or forwarded.
This is easy to understand when you are on a device with a user interface. Want to visit a website? You go through the tunnel. Want to make your BFF video call? through the tunnel. But what happens on a device without a user interface, like a router?
Once you set up the VPN for the router, the traffic of every device connected to your router will be sent through the encrypted tunnel. Your PC, laptop, home entertainment system, and even an IoT smart toaster.
VPN on your router: the pros and cons
| Positives | cons |
|---|---|
| Protect your entire network | Managing your VPN settings is harder |
| Securing devices that do not support VPN | The encryption and available protocols depend on your router |
| Connect multiple devices | Traffic between the device and the router is not encrypted |
Positives
Always security and privacy
With a VPN router, you will always be connected to the VPN server. You will never forget to secure yourself because you will be a part of VPN protection as long as your router is working. If any of your devices initiate any automatic communications, such as account balance updates for a personal finance app, they will be secured even if you are asleep.
Comprehensive home security
The always working VPN server connection will be applied to every device connected to your home router VPN. It will cover new devices you get without any additional setup, and it will even cover your guests when they visit and ask for your WiFi password.
Covers devices that do not support VPNs
There are plenty of WiFi connected devices that don’t support VPN coverage on their own but can definitely take advantage of it. Security is always essential, no matter what device you are using.
Connect more devices
NordVPN allows you to connect up to 6 devices, which is already more than enough for most users. But did you know that NordVPN supports only one router? If your laptop, smartphone, and desktop computer are connected via the VPN-enabled router, this is still technically still only connected to one device. It’s not a good idea to abuse this feature as your connection speed and stability may be affected, but it’s an easy way to expand the number of devices your NordVPN subscription covers.
cons
Managing your VPN settings is harder
Since your router does not have its own user interface (other than a few simple buttons), you will have to access it through another device to adjust your VPN settings. Turning the VPN tunnel on and off or changing the country you are connecting to is much more convenient using the NordVPN app. It’s still possible on your router, but it’s not convenient.
Configuration and encryption strength depends on your router
Most routers lack the ability to run anything more than the simplest encryption or tunneling protocols. You may want to upgrade to a VPN router that supports more secure protocols or simply research what your chosen protocol does and does not protect you from.
Some incoming communications are prohibited
By its very nature, a VPN is designed to block unauthorized incoming connections. You will have an easier time starting connections with your laptop, computer or smartphone to get around this limitation because they have user interfaces. Your hard-to-reach devices, such as your router, will likely remain unreachable from the outside because they cannot initiate connections. This does not apply to automated processes on user devices, however – your computer will continue to receive emails and notifications.
Traffic between devices and the router is not secured
Because encryption has taken place on the router, the traffic between the device and the router will not be encrypted yet. If you have a secure home WiFi setup and your mobile devices are not set to automatically connect to other networks, this won’t be a big deal. This only becomes a serious security issue if random strangers are able to connect to your network.
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Different types of VPN routers
- Routers that support VPN client.
- Routers whose firmware needs to be upgraded in order to install the VPN client.
- Routers that come with a particular VPN service pre-installed.
- VPN router boxes designed to connect to your own router.
As you can see, there are different types of VPN routers, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. Pre-installing a VPN service is the easiest way to secure your network, as you don’t need to do any additional configuration. But if you need to upgrade your firmware to use a VPN, it will take more time and require some technical skills.
If your router supports VPN client, it will take no more than 2 minutes to set up the VPN.
How do I know if my router is VPN compatible?
Before you go any further, it is important to make sure that you have a supported router that is compatible with the VPN. Not all routers.
To learn more about compatibility, check out the manual that may have come with your router. If you haven’t received any evidence, or if you’ve lost it, you should be able to find the information you need online. Just search for your router name and “VPN compatibility”. If you’re buying a new router, it’s also a good idea to make sure it’s VPN-compatible before you buy it. There are a lot of excellent home VPN routers on the market.
It should be noted that most ISP routers and modems do not support a VPN connection. However, you can combine your ISP modem with a VPN-enabled router in order for the VPN to work.
If you are looking for a VPN-enabled router, here are some suggestions that will benefit home users and small and medium businesses:
- Linksys WRT 3200 ACM
- Asus RT-AC86U
- Teltonika RUTX11
- Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200
How to set up a VPN on your router
The first thing you need to do is choose a VPN that supports router connections, and if you want the best VPN on the market, NordVPN is a safe choice.
Next, you will have to see if your router supports the VPN function. To see if your router can run NordVPN, check out our tutorial page and search for your router’s make and model. Some routers there will also include NordVPN router setup instructions. It is possible to find a preconfigured VPN router if you look hard enough.
NordVPN router installation details will vary between brands and models, but the general steps will be as follows:
1. Log in to your router
If you want to learn how to use a VPN, start by logging into your router and adjusting its settings. You will have to access using your product or service provider manual to be able to make the changes you need to install the VPN on your router.
For most routers, you should start by entering its IP address in the search bar and logging in (here’s how to find a router’s IP address if you don’t know it). If you’ve never logged into your router, this is a great opportunity to change your password too (here’s how to create a secure one) because many are shipped with factory default passwords that are easy to crack!
2. Configure your router
The steps you take to configure your router will depend entirely on your router’s firmware. Some routers, like many of those offered by Asus, have VPN functionality built in. For others, you will have to reconfigure their settings to redirect their traffic to the VPN server. Again, the best place to find specific instructions for your router would be on your comprehensive tutorial page, manufacturer’s manual, or your own website.
3. Test it!
Once you have completed the configuration process for your router, test it to see if the connection is working. You’ll be able to log into your router at any time (from home) to adjust your settings, but it will still be less convenient than using a NordVPN app. Remember that you don’t need a particularly special router, most of them will be able to integrate VPN protection.
Still don’t know how to install a VPN on your router?
If you’re having issues and don’t know how to install a VPN, no problem. Owns NordVPN Award-winning 24/7 live customer support In multiple languages. If these tips didn’t help you and you’re still lost, our support experts will help you find a way to put NordVPN on your router. Contact them at support@nordvpn.com or through live chat or other means available here.
Tips for using your own VPN router
Avoid unnecessary double coverage
With NordVPN running on your router and out of sight, you might forget it’s on. If you use NordVPN on another device while at home, the NordVPN encrypted tunnel will still be sent through the encrypted tunnel set up on your router. This can be a powerful and useful feature when using our Double VPN setup, but NordVPN was not designed to work this way through your VPN router. To avoid significant drop in speed or instability, use one method or another to connect to NordVPN servers.
Bookmark your router settings page
Connecting to your router to change the settings can be inconvenient, but you can bookmark the address to make this part a little easier.
To avoid double coverage, set up a separate router
Most of the devices you carry around with you throughout the day (phones, laptops, tablets) will be able to support the VPN app. This will keep you safe while you are away from home, but if you forget to turn the app off in your home, the two interfering VPN connections may cause your internet speed to drop.
If you have two routers, you can connect your phone or tablet to the one that is not configured with a VPN. Meanwhile, any devices that don’t support the VPN app (some smart TVs and game consoles, for example) can run on your VPN router. All your devices will be protected, without risking any speed reduction.
Check out NordVPN reviews to learn more about the NordVPN experience. Whether you use your own router or other devices, NordVPN will keep you safe and private on the internet. Get started today and use this NordVPN coupon to find the best possible deal.
Take your privacy in your own hands.
Protect your router with a VPN
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