Our home’s growing quantity of linked gadgets. In the era of smart homes and the Internet of Things (IoT), gadgets such as televisions, game consoles, streaming devices, alarm systems, and doorbells broadcast data via the internet. All of this data raises serious issues of privacy and security. Your data can be exploited in several ways, ranging from hackers eavesdropping through microphones and cameras to organizations checking your information to selling it to other parties.
Fortunately, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) address these concerns. While you may think of a VPN as a piece of software for desktop computers and mobile devices, many can be set up to secure any device in your house. A VPN connection encrypts and tunnels all traffic to and from any internet-connected device. As a bonus, since this server may be located anywhere, a VPN is ideal for unblocking geo-restricted content.
We’ll uncover the best VPN for routers in this piece, as well as explain why you’d want to use one and how to get started. We’ve suggested the best VPN for routers based on the following criteria:
- Provides a reasonably simple setup process for home routers, including setup tutorials.
- Provides fast connections with the least amount of downtime possible.
- Utilizes robust encryption in addition to a variety of security features.
- Maintains a vast network of servers in a variety of locations.
- Consists of fast and skilled client service.
The advantages of using a VPN router
Setting up a VPN router does not have to be complicated, and it may provide several advantages, including the following:
- Protecting devices for which no native VPN application exists: While most carriers provide applications for desktops, smartphones, and tablets, other internet-connected devices remain insecure. By using a VPN router, you can safeguard any IoT device in your house, including your smart TV, streaming device, gaming console, and any other device that is connected to the internet.
- Protecting numerous devices concurrently: When you subscribe to a VPN service, you are often restricted to a certain number of simultaneous connections per plan. Protecting your home network only requires one connection, leaving the others available to protect devices that you and your family use outside the house, like laptops and cellphones.
- Double protection: If you want to be extra careful and use two VPNs concurrently, you may set up one at the device level and one at the router level. If one fails, you have a backup.
- Aside from protecting all communication to and from any device, a VPN allows you to fake your location. This enables you to unblock streaming services, gaming websites, gambling services, and sports networks, as well as other content that may be geo-restricted.
How to begin using a VPN router
We’ve collected a comprehensive reference on VPN routers, but here’s a quick rundown of your basic configuration options:
- Purchase a router that has been pre-configured.
FlashRouter provides a variety of routers that are pre-configured to connect to the servers of your preferred VPN service. This is the easiest option, but it is also the most costly, since it requires the purchase of a new router, even if you already have one.
- Utilize a VPN-capable router.
If your router has previously been updated with the correct firmware (that supports OpenVPN), you may set up the VPN on the router by following the instructions provided by your chosen VPN service. This should be very basic and is still a possible alternative for those who are not technologically adept.
- Update the firmware on the router.
If your router does not come pre-loaded with OpenVPN-compatible firmware, you may opt to flash it yourself using free and open-source firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWrt. Bear in mind that flashing a router is not the easiest part of operations, and if performed incorrectly, your router may become inoperable.
When determining which path to take, factors such as complexity, cost, flexibility, and features should be considered.
Is it possible to use a free VPN in conjunction with my home router?
While there are several enticing free VPN services available, they are unsuitable for practically every use case. You’d be hard-pressed to find a router that is adjustable with a router and provides the necessary degree of support. Even if it is possible, you may go to great lengths just to discover that you have a sluggish, intermittent connection that is unusable for anything.
Due to the high number of users and the limited number of servers, free VPN services often have slow connections or even lines to connect to a server. Additionally, many free VPN companies may show you intrusive advertisements or introduce tracking cookies to capture your data for sale to third parties while you’re connected.
Apart from providing a subpar user experience and a lack of privacy, free VPNs often fall short on security. In a review of VPN applications, it was discovered that many had malware; the majority spilled data, and others did not encrypt internet traffic at all. Using a premium service is easier, provides far better protection, and costs just a few dollars each month.