Making A Dedicated VPN Home Router Using A Regular Router TP Link WR940N Private Internet Access PIA

Richard Lloyd・2 minutes read

Richard explains how to set up a dedicated VPN router for enhanced privacy and security, emphasizing the importance of VPN accounts. He guides users through configuring the router, changing default settings, and conducting tests to ensure a secure connection.

Insights

  • VPN routers create a secure, encrypted connection between users and the internet, safeguarding privacy and security by preventing ISPs from tracking online activities.
  • Configuring a dedicated VPN router involves changing default settings, setting up a separate VPN network, and ensuring secure connections through L2TP, DNS Watch, and WPA/WPA2 encryption, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing to verify protection against leaks and exposure.

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Recent questions

  • What is a VPN router?

    A VPN router is a device that allows users to create a secure and encrypted connection to the internet through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It ensures privacy and security by masking the user's IP address and encrypting data transmitted over the network.

  • Why is privacy important on the internet?

    Privacy is crucial on the internet to prevent ISPs from tracking and logging users' online activities. Without privacy, sensitive information can be exposed, leading to potential security risks and breaches of personal data.

  • How do public Wi-Fi networks pose security risks?

    Public Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to security risks as they allow others to intercept and snoop on users' data transmissions. Hackers can easily access unencrypted information, compromising the privacy and security of users' sensitive data.

  • What is the purpose of isolating the VPN network from the home network?

    Isolating the VPN network from the home network is essential for maintaining privacy and security. By separating the two networks, users can prevent unauthorized access to their personal devices and data, ensuring a secure connection to the internet through the VPN.

  • Why is it necessary to change the default username and password of the router?

    Changing the default username and password of the router is crucial for enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access. Default credentials are widely known and can be exploited by hackers, so setting a unique username and password adds an extra layer of protection to the network.

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Summary

00:00

Creating a Secure VPN Router at Home

  • Richard explains how to create a dedicated VPN router from a standard router, using examples of Netgear and TP-Link routers.
  • He introduces the concept of VPN, likening an IP address to a phone number that identifies users on the internet.
  • Richard highlights the lack of privacy on the internet, with ISPs tracking and logging users' online activities.
  • He illustrates how public Wi-Fi networks pose security risks, allowing others to snoop on users' data.
  • VPN establishes an encrypted connection between users and the internet, ensuring privacy and security.
  • Richard emphasizes the need for a VPN account, recommending Private Internet Access as a reliable service.
  • Before configuring the VPN router, users must determine their home network's IP address to set up a separate VPN network.
  • He stresses the importance of isolating the VPN network from the home network for privacy and security reasons.
  • Richard guides users on finding their home network's default gateway to configure the VPN router effectively.
  • He provides links for necessary hardware and configuration details, encouraging viewers to leave comments or questions for further assistance.

15:43

Secure VPN Router Setup for Enhanced Security

  • Set up a dedicated VPN router to ensure network security and separation from home network.
  • Change the network portion of the VPN router's IP address to a different network for security.
  • Use LAN cable to physically connect the VPN router to a computer, avoiding home network issues.
  • Obtain VPN account details including username, password, and server IP address.
  • Access the VPN server IP address from the VPN provider's website for configuration.
  • Choose a server location based on desired appearance and run tests for optimal performance.
  • Copy the IP address of the selected VPN server for router setup.
  • Access the router's default gateway IP address to log in and configure settings.
  • Change the default username and password of the router for enhanced security.
  • Backup router configuration before resetting to factory defaults for a clean setup.

31:01

"Secure VPN Setup for Router Connection"

  • Default username for the router is admin, with the default password also being admin, all lowercase.
  • Access system tools on the router to change the password by entering the old username and password (admin) and setting a new username and password for security.
  • Change the default gateway IP address from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.1.1 to avoid conflicts with the primary network.
  • Switch the router from dynamic to static IP and input the server IP address obtained from pinging the Washington DC server.
  • Use L2TP for VPN configuration, inputting a username starting with an X followed by a 7-digit number and a 10-character case-sensitive password.
  • Set the DNS server to DNS Watch for privacy and security, inputting the primary and secondary DNS server IP addresses provided.
  • Configure the wireless network on the router by naming it "VPN router" and setting a secure WPA/WPA2 password for Wi-Fi access.
  • Physically connect the VPN router to the main router using a LAN cable, ensuring the LAN port of the VPN router connects to a LAN port on the main router.
  • Test the VPN connection by inputting the VPN username and password, ensuring a successful connection and obtaining an IP address.
  • Connect to the VPN router through Wi-Fi by selecting the SSID, entering the password, and verifying the connection through network properties.

48:02

"Secure Network Connection: VPN and DNS Protection"

  • To verify connection to the 192.168.1 network, access the home router's web page at 192.168.1.1 and log in with the provided username and password.
  • Confirm connection by noting the presence of a disconnect button instead of a connect button on the web page.
  • Access private Internet access (PIA) VPN service to check connection status, IP address, and ISP details.
  • Conduct a DNS leak test to ensure VPN protection, identifying any potential leaks in DNS server connections.
  • Modify network settings to prevent automatic connection to Google's DNS servers, opting for DNS watch IP addresses for enhanced privacy.
  • Recheck DNS leak test results after adjusting network settings to confirm the use of DNS watch servers and VPN protection.
  • Ensure secure VPN connection by addressing potential web RTC leaks, verifying the absence of IP address exposure through browser settings.
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