How to Identify If Your Router Has VPN Enabled

Время чтения: 7 мин.

How to install a VPN on your router

Installing a VPN app on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet is a great way to enhance your security and privacy. However, if you want to protect your whole network and especially devices that don’t support VPN functionality, you can install a VPN on your router. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of a VPN router and explain how to set it up at home.

Jun 28, 2022
Время чтения: 1 мин.

• What is a VPN router?
• How does a VPN router work?
• VPN on your router: pros and cons
• Different types of VPN routers
• How do I know if my router is VPN compatible?
• How to set up a VPN on your router
• • 1. Log into your router
  • 2. Configure your router
  • 3. Test it!

  What is a VPN router?

  A VPN router works exactly like a normal VPN. Your traffic is redirected through a VPN’s servers, allowing you to browse online completely undisturbed. All your activity will be hidden from anyone trying to spy on you, whether it’s petty thieves to data-hoarding corporations.

  The reason you’d want a VPN on your router is to provide network-wide online security. Once you set up a VPN on your router, all connected devices will be granted the benefits of VPN protection. That includes devices that may normally not have the ability to utilize VPN software to its fullest, like a lot of smart home devices. Here’s a video explaining exactly how a router VPN works.

  How does a VPN router work?

  A VPN creates an encrypted connection between a device and the internet, protecting your browsing activity from prying eyes. You can use a VPN for home network security by configuring one on your router.

  Once you’ve set up a router VPN, every single device connected to your router will have its traffic sent through the encrypted tunnel. Your PC, your laptop, your home entertainment system, and even your smart IoT toaster.

  VPN on your router: pros and cons

  Pros	Cons
  Protecting your whole network	Managing your VPN settings is harder
  Securing devices that don’t support VPN	Encryption and available protocols depend on your router
  Connecting multiple devices	Traffic between a device and router is not encrypted

  Pros

  Always-on security and privacy

  With a router VPN, you’ll always be connected to the VPN server. You’ll never forget to secure yourself because you’ll be part of the VPN protection as long as your router is working. If any of your devices initiate any automatic connections, like account balance updates for a personal finance app, they will be secured even if you’re sleeping.

  Comprehensive home security

  That always-on VPN server connection will apply to every device connected to your home router VPN. It will cover new devices you get with no additional setup, and it will even cover your guests when they visit and ask for your Wi-Fi password.

  Covers devices that don’t support VPNs

  There are plenty of Wi-Fi-connected devices that don’t support VPN coverage on their own but could certainly benefit from it. Security is always essential, no matter what device you’re using.

  Connect more devices

  NordVPN allows you to connect up to 6 devices, which is already more than enough for most users. But did you know that your NordVPN-enabled router counts as only one device? If your laptop, smartphone, and desktop PC all connect over your VPN-enabled router, that’s still technically only one device connected. It’s not a good idea to abuse this feature because your connection speed and stability may suffer, but it’s an easy way to expand the number of devices your NordVPN subscription covers.

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  Cons

  Managing your VPN settings is harder

  Because your router doesn’t have its own user interface (beyond a few simple buttons), you’ll have to access it through another device in order to adjust your VPN settings. Turning your VPN tunnel on and off or changing the country it’s connected to is much more convenient using NordVPN’s app. It’s still possible on your router, but not as convenient.

  Configuration and encryption power depends on your router

  Most routers lack the power to run anything more than the most basic encryption or tunneling protocols. You may want to upgrade to a VPN router that supports more secure protocols or simply research what your chosen protocol does and doesn’t protect you from.

  Blocks some incoming connections

  By its very nature, a VPN is designed to block incoming unauthorized connections. You’ll have an easier time initiating connections using your laptop, computer or smartphone to get around this limitation because they have user interfaces. Your less-accessible devices, like your router, will probably remain unreachable from outside since they can’t initiate connections. This doesn’t apply to automated processes on user devices, however – your computer will still receive emails and notifications.

  Traffic between devices and the router is not secured

  Because encryption occurs on the router, traffic between the device and the router will not yet be encrypted. If you have a secure home WiFi setup and your mobile devices aren’t set to auto-connect to other networks, this shouldn’t be a huge issue. This only becomes a serious security issue if random strangers are capable of connecting to your network.

  Online security starts with a click.

  Stay safe with the world’s leading VPN

  Different types of VPN routers

  • Routers that support a VPN client.
  • Routers that need upgrading their firmware in order to install a VPN client.
  • Routers that already come with a certain VPN service pre-installed.
  • VPN router boxes designed to connect to your router.

  As you can see, there are different types of VPN routers, and they all have pros and cons. Having a VPN service pre-installed is the easiest way to secure your network, as you don’t need to do any additional configuration. But if you need to upgrade your firmware to use a VPN, it takes more time and requires some technical skills.

  If your router supports a VPN client, it doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to set up a VPN.

  How do I know if my router is VPN compatible?

  Before you go further, it’s important to make sure that you have as supported router that’s compatible with a VPN. Not all routers are.

  To find out more about compatibility, check the manual that may have come with your router. If you didn’t receive any manual, or if you’ve misplaced it, you should be able to find the information you need online. Just search for the name of your router and “VPN compatibility”.

  PRO TIP: If you’re buying a new router, it’s also a good idea to make sure it’s VPN compatible before you purchase it. There are plenty of excellent home VPN routers on the market.

  It is worth noting that most ISP routers and modems don’t support a VPN connection. However, you can combine an ISP modem with a VPN-supported router for a VPN to work.

  If you’re looking for a VPN-supported router, here are a few suggestions that will benefit both home users and SMEs:

  • Linksys WRT 3200 ACM
  • Asus RT-AC86U
  • Teltonika RUTX11
  • Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200

  How to set up a VPN on your router

  The first thing you need to do is select a VPN that supports router connections, and if you want the best VPN on the market, then NordVPN is a safe choice.

  Next, you’ll have to see if your router supports VPN functionality. To find out if your router can run NordVPN, check out our tutorial page and find your router’s brand and model. Some routers there will also include NordVPN router setup instructions. It’s possible to find a pre-configured VPN router if you look hard enough.

  The specifics for NordVPN router installation will vary between brands and models, but the general steps will be as follows:

  1. Log into your router

  If you want to learn how to use a VPN, start by logging into your router and adjusting its settings. You’ll have to gain access using your product manual or service provider so you can make the changes you need to install a VPN on your router.

  For most routers, you’ll have to start by entering its IP address into your browser’s search bar and logging in (here’s how to find your router IP address if you don’t know it). If you’ve never logged into your router, this would be a great opportunity to change your password as well (here’s how to make a secure password) because many are shipped with factory default passwords that are super easy to hack!

  2. Configure your router

  The steps you take to configure your router will depend entirely on your router’s firmware. Some routers, like many of those offered by Asus, have integrated VPN functionality. To set up a VPN connection on such router, you usually should:

  1. Open the browser that is connected to your device’s network.
  2. Enter your router’s login credentials (username and password).
  3. Choose “Advanced,” “Advanced setup,” or a similarly named section and find and enable the VPN option there.

  Please note that the workflow can slightly differ depending on your router model.

  For others, you’ll have to reconfigure their settings to redirect their traffic to a VPN server. Again, the best place to find specific instructions for your specific router will be our exhaustive tutorial page or your manufacturer’s manual or website.

  Below we provide the list of our instructions of how to set up the NordVPN service for various router models:

  3. Test it!

  Once you’ve completed the configuration process for your router VPN, test it to see if the connection works. You’ll be able to log into your router at any time (from home) to adjust your settings, but it’s still going to be less convenient than using one of NordVPN’s apps. Remember, you don’t need a particularly special router, most will be able to incorporate VPN protection.

  Still don’t know how to install a VPN on your router?

  If you’re experiencing issues and don’t know how to install a VPN, no problem. NordVPN has award-winning 24/7 live customer support in multiple languages. If these tips didn’t help you and you’re still lost, our support experts will help you find a way to put NordVPN on your router. Contact them at [email protected] or through the live chat or other means available here.

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  Tips for using your VPN router

  Avoid unnecessary double coverage

  With NordVPN working on your router and out of sight, you may forget it’s switched on. If you use NordVPN on another device while at home, your NordVPN encrypted tunnel will still be sent through the encrypted tunnel set up on your router. This can be a powerful and useful feature when using our Double VPN setting, but NordVPN was not designed to function this way through your VPN router. To avoid significant speed reductions or instability, use one method or another to connect to NordVPN’s servers.

  Bookmark your router settings page

  Connecting to your router to change the settings might be inconvenient, but you can bookmark the address to make this part just a bit easier.

  To avoid double coverage, set up a separate router

  Most devices that you carry with you throughout the day (phones, laptops, and tablets) will be able to support a VPN app. This will keep you safe while outside the house, but if you forget to switch the app off in your home, the two overlapping VPN connections can cause a drop in internet speed.

  If you have two routers, you can connect your phone or tablet to the one that isn’t configured with a VPN. Meanwhile, any devices that don’t support a VPN app (some smart TVs and gaming consoles, for example) can run on your VPN router. All your hardware will be protected, without risking any reduction in speed.

  Check out these NordVPN reviews to find out more about the NordVPN experience. Whether on your router or your other devices, NordVPN will keep you secure and private online. Get started today and use a NordVPN coupon to find the best deal possible.

  Take your privacy into your own hands.

  Protect your router with a VPN

  Daniel Markuson

  Daniel — энтузиаст в области цифровой конфиденциальности и эксперт по интернет-безопасности. Как редактор блога в NordVPN, Daniel предоставляет большое количество новостей, историй и советов, помогающих людям сохранять свою конфиденциальность и безопасность.

  How to Identify If Your Router Has VPN Enabled

  

  Using a VPN is not a privilege anymore. Instead, it is the need of the hour. With internet supervision crossing new boundaries daily, creating a shield of anonymity is important. Fortunately, VPN helps you do that. One of the most common ways users implement VPNs in their connections is by using a VPN-enabled router which can interact with a VPN and establishes and convert the received network traffic into a private network, ensuring zero intrusion.

  However, a VPN router slightly differs from a traditional VPN client. Multiple VPN service providers offer a router VPN plan separately. But to use them, you must have a particular type of router supporting a VPN.

  In this post, let us learn to identify if the router is VPN enabled, the types of routers available in the market and what can be done if the current router does not support a native VPN pass-through.

  Without further ado, let’s get started!

  Which Routers Support Internal VPN? Types of Routers

  The best way to check if your router has built-in VPN support is to check the manufacturer manual (user manual) that comes with the product. You can also do a quick Google search with the router’s serial number or model name to find out if it has built-in capabilities to handle a router VPN.

  

  Usually, it depends a lot on the type of router you have. Yes, there are multiple types of router manufacturers as well. People do not pay attention while setting up a router. Later, they realize that using a VPN is important, and it could be done easily with a VPN device.

  The three types of routers available in the market are –

  1. Custom firmware routers

  Custom firmware routers allow you to customize the type of router, gateway, connectivity, and of course, a VPN right into the device. The only downside is that it is completely custom and requires an expert user to ensure everything is configured correctly.

  2. Routers available in the market

  Regular routers, often referred to as off-the-shelf routers, are other devices a user is open-to-choose. These routers are available off the shelf, which means a simple Google search for routers will give you an option for plug-and-play usage. A few options in these types of routers offer internal VPN configuration, provided the product’s feature list has OpenVPN Client mentioned in it.

  3. Devices offered by ISP

  Last but the most common routers used are ISP-offered router devices. Usually, users only call their ISP to set up their internet connection. And in the process, the ISP has the option to give you a router and of course, charge you for it. The routers offered by the service provider do not have a dedicated VPN capability as these are cheap and only meant for the internet.

  Knowing what type of device you have right now, you may have got the answer to whether the router you are using is VPN-enabled or not.

  Suppose you are setting up the internet connection at your new place or want to upgrade your connectivity. In that case, you should go for off-the-shelf routers that offer VPN compatibility, as using a custom firmware router may not be ideal for every user, and the router offered by ISP does not have the required OpenVPN Client compatibility.

  What to Do if Your Current Router Does Not Support VPN?

  Now that you have enough information about identifying your router, you may wonder what to do if your current router does not support an internal VPN setup.

  To protect your connection from getting compromised, you require good VPN support. But if you are using a device that does not have the required support, things may become a little tricky as now you only have a single option left, i.e., going for a VPN client.

  A VPN client is an application that allows you to choose a server and connect to a server available anywhere in the world. These clients are also a safe way to use a VPN, provided you are using a solid client. For instance, Systweak VPN is a top-notch client that comes to mind.

  First, you should avoid a free VPN client if you want to use a secure connection regularly. The number of clients available is confusing, but do not let it lead you to a wrong decision. To ease your solution, we highly recommend Systweak VPN. It has some of the finest features an ideal VPN client should have.

  Some of the highlights of Systweak VPN are –

  • Military-grade encryption to protect your incoming and outgoing traffic
  • Solid VPN tunneling with the help of Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (Ikev2)
  • Hundreds of fully-functioning high-speed servers spread across the globe
  • Dedicated IP Address masking to keep intruders away
  • Kill-Switch for uninvited network disconnection

  The best part about using this VPN client is that it is absolutely easy to set up and connect. All you have to do is –

  Step 1 – Download the application from the link below.

  

  Step 2 – Set up credentials using the sign-up button on the launch screen.

  

  Step 3 – Click on Connect for an instant VPN connection.

  

  If you need to connect to a dedicated server, you can change it at any time by choosing it from the range of servers the tool offers.

  Intentions Matter, Means Do Not! Get a VPN Connection Today!

  If you intend to use a VPN connection, you don’t need to opt for a router VPN. Neither you need to change your current connectivity device just to install a virtual private network straight into it.

  You can go for a decent VPN client like Systweak VPN and forget about your connection being tracked. For complete anonymity and upgraded encryption, we recommend using a VPN client that is not free. Sure, free alternatives are available, but they are never a good option as all your browsing data is their way to monetize the connection.

  With that being said, we have reached the end of this post. We hope you now have options to decide wisely and will not go overboard with your expenses to invest in a router and a VPN connection when all of it can be done with a single VPN client.

  Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below. The debate between a router VPN and a VPN client is an ongoing one. So which side are you on?

  Recommended :

  About The Author

  A creative tech-writer who loves to explore latest tech-trends & convey them to his readers in the simplest way possible. He loves to blend the crispness of technology with a pinch of creativity while curating best practices for the readers. In his free time, he likes to scribble poetry, listen to rap & travel.

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