Internet privacy and security are paramount concerns in today’s digital age. It is a constant challenge to navigate the complicated online landscape, carrying out financial transactions, sharing personal information, and accessing entertainment, all the while hoping personal information and confidential data remain protected.
It is this pressing need for online security and privacy that has propelled the popularity and use of VPN (virtual private network). But what if we told you the protection can be extended to every device in your home with a single solution? This is where the VPN router completely changes the game. In this guide, we delve into the intricacies of a VPN router and learn its benefits.
What is a VPN router?
A VPN router is like a normal router you would use in your home. The only difference is the router will have a VPN installed on it. This encrypts the data of all the devices connected to the network.
How to set up a VPN on a router?
The first step to setup VPN router is purchasing a VPN subscription from a reputed, reliable VPN service provider like Surfshark. Once you have got a subscription for VPN, it is time to start the technical setup.
Open the router configuration panel by entering your router’s IP address in your web browser. Then, under advanced settings, check for the VPN client tab. If you cannot find this option, it might be that the router is not compatible with VPN. After this, follow the guidelines on your chosen VPN provider’s page. Usually, VPN providers offer detailed step-by-step instructions on how to set up a VPN on a router.
The benefits of using a VPN router
Multiple device protection
A VPN router offers multiple device protection. It allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously, protecting them all with an encrypted, secure connection. You don’t need to install separate VPN apps on your devices. Network-wide encryption is enjoyed, and this is highly convenient for homes and offices.
With a VPN router, every member of your household or in the office will enjoy safer Internet browsing.
The power of automation
Thanks to a VPN router, you can easily connect to your chosen VPN service automatically. You don’t need to assign each device a separate password because once the devices are connected to the router, they can all access the VPN connection.
Convenience
It is highly convenient to set up a VPN on your router as it ensures that all the devices connected to the router enjoy the same level of encryption and protection. It also saves you the hassle of installing separate VPN services on different devices. Moreover, there is no need to remember to sign in to your VPN when you wish to browse the web. All you have to do is enter the login credentials one time, and then all the devices connected to the router will enjoy safe browsing.
Security of non-native devices
There are so many different types of devices used in a household today. While all of the devices are popular and important, all of them don’t support VPN use. If you have such non-native devices in your home and wish to protect them from snoopers and cyber attackers, the solution is a VPN router.
Examples of such non-native devices that might not be compatible with VPN use are Roku, PlayStation, Xbox One, Apple TV, etc. When these devices are connected to a VPN router, they become more secure and offer users anonymous Internet connections so they can enjoy their entertainment without any worry.
Overcoming geographical restrictions
Do you need to access content and applications from other countries? Are you unable to access them because of geographical restrictions? Don’t worry because a VPN router is exactly what you need to overcome geographical restrictions. You can easily choose a different IP address from an approved location and freely access content, websites, games, etc.
Simply put, a VPN router offers all the advantages and convenience that a VPN service but in a much bigger way. A VPN router not only safeguards one device, but multiple devices in your household or office. With a single subscription, you can protect all your devices, including the non-native devices that typically don’t support VPN use.
Helpful tips to get more out of your VPN router
Are you convinced you need to set up a VPN router? Good decision! After you have checked the VPN-router compatibility, went through the guidelines offered by your chosen VPN provider, and finished setting it up, keep in mind the following tips to ensure you are getting the most out of your VPN router:
● Do you want speed? Everyone does! The trick is to connect to the nearest VPN server that is closest to your physical location. So, it is obviously good to analyze the VPN providers and opt for one offering a wide server network.
● If you already have a VPN-protected router, you don’t need to run a VPN separately on your device. Running a VPN twice on the same device impacts connection speed.
● Beware of free VPN services! These services might be tempting because they are free but they don’t offer the same level of protection as the paid ones. Using free VPN services may make you experience slow connections and they might also be logging your online activities and selling them to third parties without your knowledge.
Are there any cons to setting up a VPN on your router?
Unfortunately, yes. There are a few cons to consider:
● The capability of the VPN is dependent on your router.
● The installation process is lengthy, and the settings are much harder to control than when using a VPN on your device.
● The connection between the router and the device is not secured.
Summing up
Carefully weigh the pros and cons before taking a VPN router out for a spin. While the installation process might be slightly lengthy, a VPN router offers advantages that cannot be ignored. It offers protection to all the devices in a household, including non-native devices that generally don’t support VPN.
Now that you have an idea about a VPN router, try it out for yourself.
