How to set up a VPN on your router

If your router is powerful enough, it is a good idea to install a VPN on it to protect all your internet-connected devices at once. With a hardware-based VPN, i.e. a VPN router, you´ll be able to browse the web anonymously, and fast, since the router does all the heavy lifting instead of your phone, PC, or tablet.

How to install a VPN on your router

A VPN compatible router

If you own a somewhat modern router, you will be able to install the VPN via the router interface. All you must do is to log in to the main menu of the tour router and look for the VPN menu. Once there, you need to upload the specialized configuration files that your VPN provider has provided in order for your VPN connection to work. You’ll most likely also set up custom IP traffic rules to ensure that no leaks occur.

It´s quite bothersome to install a VPN the manual way, to say the least.

A router with custom hardware

If you own a router with custom hardware, like DD-WRT or Tomato, you will be able to install a VPN quite easily. It´s still a bothersome process, but a little faster compared to the setup processes that is needed when installing a VPN on a standard router from for example Asus or Netgear.

A dedicated VPN router

Vilfo’s VPN router has specialized VPN hardware and software that’ll enable you to install a VPN in seconds instead of minutes and possibly hours. Since Vilfos quick install process works with all major VPN providers including Surfshark, OVPN, and IPVanish, the install process could not be easier. It’s also possible to install Vilfo’s operating system on your own hardware since it’s a great alternative to pfSense.

4 steps to use your VPN router the right way

1. Connect to the closest VPN server, to maximize your connection speed.
2. Do not use a double VPN (Multi-Hop) if you do not have to. A VPN connection that is encrypted via two or more data centers is more secure, but also quite a bit slower than normal.
3. Use a lightweight VPN protocol like WireGuard or OpenVPN. WireGuard should be your top pick if you are after a fast VPN experience.
4. Use a VPN provider with fast servers. There are strong and weak VPNs, just like there are strong and weak VPN routers. Do your own research, and pick a VPN provider with a fast server network?

Pros and cons of using a VPN router

Pros

1. All your devices can be protected at once.
2. A VPN router saves time. Mostly since you do not have to bother with VPN applications.
3. All your devices are protected all the time. But only when the router is active.
4. You can unlock geo-locked content with all your devices. 
5. Your guests’ devices are protected automatically. Once they connect to your VPN router.
6. You can protect devices that are not compatible with a software VPN. Like your gaming console and your smart TV.

Cons

1. The install process can be bothersome.
2. If you use a weak router, your connection speed will suffer.