If you watch the news, you are aware of the daily attacks on businesses, government agencies, and individuals waged by cybercriminals. The problem is we forge these digital lives signing up for subscriptions, online accounts, and social media, sharing way too much of our private lives, and this information puts us at risk from hackers who know who to use it.
Why Do You Need a VPN?
There are so many reasons why the average American now needs to install a VPN. The first being privacy. Although some people think privacy is impossible these days, installing a router VPN does do a lot to keep your private information hidden from the bad guys. What a VPN does is mask your IP address, bouncing your outgoing and incoming internet communication off relay servers, so your actual IP address is never exposed.
Tracking cookies are on just about every website now, so if you visit a store online and browse a product, suddenly you see ads popping up all over social media and browser searches for that exact product. It’s hard to feel safe when you know your online activities are being “watched” so closely. A VPN protects all your online activities, no matter what they are. The entire connection between your device (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) is fully encrypted end-to-end, so no one can intercept the data or see what you are doing.
When you perform banking transactions on your home computer, do you feel safe doing so? If someone is able to watch your shopping habits, why not also spy on your banking life? Another excellent reason to install a VPN is to protect your financial accounts from credit and debit cards to bank accounts and more. You can log on freely and feel safer behind the wall of a VPN.
What Is the Difference Between a VPN Router vs VPN Software?
There are dozens of VPN products for sale, and some are very inexpensive and could potentially give you peace of mind. However, software options only allow you to install them on specific types of products such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. They may also limit your bandwidth, usage, and number of devices. A better option is a router VPN.
What Is a VPN Router?
A router VPN is a far superior solution because not only does it protect your computers, cellphones, and tablets, it also protects anything connected to your router via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. That means IoT devices, streaming sticks like Roku or Apple TV, smart home appliances, Alexa devices, smart remotes, and lights, etc. Any connection to the outside world (anything that you connect to the internet via Wi-Fi) is a potential vulnerability that could be exploited by a hacker. So, installing a regular VPN on your computer won’t help you much if a hacker finds a way into your network through your TV remote or coffee maker. Once they find a way in, they are in and can install malicious software on these devices, your network equipment, and even take over your computer and accounts.
Best VPN Router
The option to install a router VPN is an easy one. However, do your homework and research the best option for you. Your router may already be compatible with some of the popular VPN options out there, and all you have to do is enable the service. Some things to consider are:
Make sure your VPN provider NEVER tracks your online activity.
Ensure they have multiple server locations and excellent bandwidth.
Check your router’s specifications to see if it is compatible with a VPN.
Read reviews to see what other users have to say. Stay away from any that complain about poor service or slow speeds.
How to Install a VPN on Your Router
The steps to install a VPN on your router are incredibly quick and easy. Do the following:
Log into your router. This usually involved entering the router’s IP in your browser and entering your administrator login credentials.
Consult the owner’s manual to find the VPN area and enable the functionality.
Enter your VPN credentials and select yours from the list. In some cases, you may have the option of installing a VPN client of your choice. Some routers come pre-installed with one.
Select the server you want to connect to.
Wait for the connection to turn green or say “connected.”
Done.
Now you are safe and sound. By taking this small step, you have increased the privacy and security of your entire digital life and all your devices (many of us have a house full). Everything you do online, all voice commands, video calls, chats, and texts will be encrypted and protected using your VPN.
