Online security and privacy are top priorities these days . One of the most effective tools to ensure an extra level of protection is the use of a virtual private network (VPN).
Setting up a VPN directly on your Wi-Fi router offers a convenient and efficient solution to securing all your network-connected devices. Today, you’ll see the benefits of this handy setup, which goes beyond protecting individual devices and provides a comprehensive layer of security for your entire home network.
Installing a VPN on your Wi-Fi router automatically extends protection to all connected devices, from computers and phones to smart TVs and Internet-connected appliances. Setting up a VPN on your router not only improves security, but also expands your access to a freer and more complete online experience. In this article, you will see the steps to carry out this setup and take full advantage of the benefits of a VPN for all your devices.
Advantages of setting up a VPN on your WiFi router
Setting up a VPN on your Wi-Fi router offers several advantages, as it affects all devices connected to the network.
Some of the advantages of setting up a VPN on your WiFi router are:
- Security – By using a VPN on your router, all devices connected to the network, including phones , computers, smart TVs, etc., benefit from the security provided by the encrypted connection.
- Privacy – A VPN on your router hides the individual IP addresses of connected devices, providing an additional level of privacy when browsing the Internet .
- Content : If you use servers located in different regions, you can access geo-restricted content from any device connected to your WiFi network.
- Protection : Connecting a VPN for all your devices directly to your Wi-Fi router adds an extra layer of security against online threats like malware and other cyber risks.
- Management : Setting up a VPN on your router makes management easier, as you don’t need to do it individually on each device. All devices connected to the network automatically benefit from the VPN without any additional configurations.
How to set up a VPN on your WiFi router
Before starting with the configuration, it must be made clear that this system works with a contracted VPN , because with a free one, there are more possibilities of security, privacy and slowness failures.
The first thing you need to do is go into your router’s settings. To do this, go to your browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in the address bar. The vast majority of routers allow you to log in this way. If this doesn’t work, check the instructions or call your operator.
You will now be asked to log in with a username and password , which is usually preset at the factory with user/user , admin/admin , admin/1234 or admin/0000 . If none of these credentials work, you can look at the sticker on your router to see if there is any information there, search the Internet, read the instructions or, as before, call your operator to get the information.
Although not all routers have the same interface, the options can be found in a more or less similar way.
You must enter Advanced Options, where you will have to enter the server data. That is, these must be the username and password, which you will have when you sign up for the VPN.
In some cases, in addition to performing this step, they also provide you with a program to install on your computer, which helps with this entire process.
You may also need to configure your router’s DNS to tell it to use a VPN, which usually comes with a checkbox to activate.DNS is something that will also have to be provided to you by the VPN service you have contracted, although it is not always necessary to install it.
All that remains is to activate the VPN within the router . If you don’t have a specific section, then you would have to install some firmware like DD-WRT or Open WRT/LEDE , which are responsible for replacing the router’s settings page with another one with more options.