How to Install a VPN on your Netgear Router: A VPN or Virtual Private Network is a very simplified tool that can help you be secure and private over the web. VPN or Virtual Private Network has a lot of features that help augment your online experience. It’s easy to enable a VPN on your PC; your smartphone, and your tablet because most VPN providers offer native apps for those devices. What if you need to extend that security to your PS4, Xbox, or Smart TV? You would want to install a VPN on your router to do that. Routers don’t have local VPN apps; they require configurations to set up a functional VPN connection. In this tutorial, I’ll explain to you how to set up a VPN on Netgear router.
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How to Install a VPN on your Netgear Router
Why You Need A VPN for Netgear Router?
A VPN is a very user-friendly cybersecurity tool; that encrypts your internet data and re-routes your internet traffic through a secure connection. In other words, a VPN is your safeguard against government surveillance and cyber-attacks. For that purpose, you surely want a VPN connection on all your devices. The unfortunate thing is that most VPN providers only offer a limited number of simultaneous connections. Setting up a VPN on your router allows you to circumvent that; and protect all of the devices that connect to your internet connection.
If you use so many devices in general or live with a family you need to extend the internet protection of a VPN to; installing a VPN on the Netgear router is the best choice you have.
Business persons can also get benefited from installing a VPN on their company’s routers. This way, you can ensure that all of your company’s data is safe; and that your business isn’t jeopardizing a possible attack, such as a DDoS attack.
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How to Install VPN on Netgear Router -Step By Step Guide
In order to install a VPN on Netgear router; you need to go through two main steps. The first is to flash your router with DD-WRT.
That implies that you will have to replace the original operating system of your router with DD-WRT. Why? It’s because DD-WRT is compatible with a VPN; your router’s original OS isn’t.
Secondly, you need to install your VPN client on the router. Note that the process will be the same for all the VPNs.
Step1 -Flash Your Router With DD-WRT
As I stated above, the first step is flashing your Netgear router with DD-WRT. Not every router will be compatible with DD-WRT; but Netgear has a long list of models that are.
Warning: This process is a little technical; so you should be careful. Installing DD-WRT is rather straightforward, but you need to ensure that you download the correct firmware to use.
Take your time when you’re setting up for this step. Don’t be hesitant to ask for help if you feel like you’re stuck figuring out the firmware you should get.
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Step 2 -Installing a VPN Client On Your Netgear Router
- Log into NordVPN. Go to Setup NordVPN.
- Go to Manual Config and pick OpenVPN
- Download the .ovpn file.
- Go to your Netgear Router’s configuration. You can do that by typing in your router’s IP into your browser’s address bar. You can find the IP on the back of the router.
- You’ll find the DD-WRT control panel. Go to Services then click on VPN.
- Enable the Start OpenVPN Client option.
- After you’ve done that, you’ll notice that there’s a list of fields you need to fill. You should fill the Server IP/Name, Port, TLS Auth Key, CA Cert, Public Client Cert, and Private Client Key.
Don’t worry; you have all of the information you need in the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier.
- You need to open the file in a text editor application; can simply use your PC’s notepad to do so.
- To find the Server IP/Name, look for the word “remote.” The line with an address followed by four letters is what you want. The address will follow this pattern:
XXXX.copythisaddress.com - Copy the address in the middle.
- On the same line, you’ll find four numbers right after the address. That is your Port.
- After that, you want the information for the TLS Auth Key field. In the same file, look for <tls-auth>.
- Scroll down a little and find </tls-auth>
- Copy the text between <tls-auth> and </tls-auth>. Start copying where it says “BEGIN OpenVPN Static Key” and stop after “END OpenVPN Static Key.“ After you copy that, just paste it into the field on your router’s configuration page.
See how easy that was? This is the same process you need to do with the rest of the fields, but you’ll be looking for different tags.
- CA Cert field: Look for <ca> and </ca>
- Public Client Cert: Look for <cert> and </cert>
- Private Client: Look for <key> and </key>
After you’ve put all of the copied information into the appropriate fields, click on Save then click on Apply Settings.
Congratulations! You’ve installed a VPN on Netgear Router!
To verify that your VPN is working properly, go to Statu then click on OpenVPN. You should see “Client: CONNECTED STATUS” in the status field.
1. NordVPN
- Double encryption for added security
- Automatic kill switch
- A variety of platform support
- Six simultaneous connections
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3-Day free trial
2. ExpressVPN
- Unlimited Bandwidth with Ultra Speed
- Provides all VPN protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP
- Dedicated VPN Apps for Android & iOS
- High-End Security with OpenVPN 256-bits
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 3 simultaneous connections
3. Surfshark
- AES 256-Bit Network Encryption
- Chrome Extension Available
- Kill-Switch functionality
- A variety of platform support
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
4. CyberGhost
- Uses AES 256 Encryption
- Supports OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP
- DNS & IP Leak Protection
- Uses 2048 Key & MD5 Authentication
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- Up to 7 Simultaneous Connections
5. Private Internet Access
- Offers all Protocols PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec including SOCKS5 Proxy
- IPv6 Leak Protection & DNS Leak Protection
- Kill-Switch functionality
- Encrypted Wi-Fi Protection
- Zero log keeping policy of internet activities
- 10 simultaneous connections
Conclusion -Install a VPN on your Netgear Router
The fact is, installing a VPN on a DD-WRT Netgear Router isn’t tricky, but it does require your complete attention. If you follow this guide and read up on the resources I’ve linked to; you’ll be able to set up your VPN in 20 minutes! Don’t forget to do your homework before flashing your router, and make sure to follow your installation guides step-by-step.
