What Are The Many Ways To Create A VPN?

A VPN creates a "private network" between you and the server you're using. That means that any information you send is secured in an encrypted form so that only you and your VPN provider know how to decrypt it. Even if someone other than these two entities gets their hands on the data, it will be gibberish which will make no sense!

To surf the internet safely and access geo-restricted content, you must understand how a VPN works and how you can create a VPN connection to make sure your traffic is not tracked by any third entity. 

A VPN allows you to surf the web with more security and anonymity. It encrypts your traffic, which makes it harder for hackers or internet providers to collect data about your browsing habits.

There are many ways to create a VPN but you might wonder if it is legal to use a VPN connection to access the internet. Well, it depends on where you live, there are some selective countries where VPNs are banned, but other than those, VPNs are perfectly legal.

• You can create a VPN connection on your computer using a VPN subscription with built-in VPN settings.
• For handheld devices like Android and iOS, you can create a VPN from the settings menu easily.
• Another great hack to cover all of your devices is to create a VPN server on your router. For this, you either need a router with VPN capabilities or a DD-WRT router that has VPN-enabled firmware.

Create a VPN Connection On Your Device

Note that for this method, you should have a VPN subscription (We recommend ExpressVPN). You can set up a VPN connection in no time on your Windows, iOS, Android, or macOS. The configuration of your device can be different so make sure you type the terms in your search bar to locate options to avoid scrolling through menus.

Create A VPN Connection In Windows 10

• Go to the Settings and head to Network and Internet.
• Click on VPN and then click on Add a VPN Connection.
• In the VPN tab, choose Windows (built-in) as your VPN provider.
• Type a Connection name that is easier to remember while connecting the VPN.
• Enter the IP address in the Server name or address.
• Choose a Type of sign-in info. It can either be a username and password, smart card, or certificate.
• Type in a username and password, save the settings.
• In your windows taskbar, click on the network icon.
• Find the name of your VPN connection and click connect.
• Enter the username and password and again click Connect.

Create A VPN Connection In Windows 7

• Search VPN in your search bar in Start.
• Click on Set up a VPN.
• Enter your IP address, username, and password.
• Save your settings.
• Click on the network icon visible in your taskbar, find your VPN connection, and connect.
• Enter your username and password if prompted.

Create A VPN Connection In macOS

• Click on the apple icon and go to System Preferences.
• Select Network and then click on the (+) sign to add a new VPN connection.
• From the drop-down menu, select VPN.
• Choose VPN type and enter an easy-to-remember name in the Server name.
• To save these settings and create a VPN, click on Create.
• Now enter Server ID, remote ID, and local ID which are provided to you by your VPN provider.
• Connect to your VPN by entering your username and password.

Create A VPN Connection In iOS

• In your device's settings, go to the General tab.
• Tap on VPN to add a new VPN connection.
• Tap on Add VPN Configuration.
• From the VPN type, add a VPN protocol.
• Complete the description of the profile by filling in the necessary information.
• Connect to your VPN.

Create A VPN Connection in Android

• Go to your Android phone's settings and enter VPN in the search bar.
• You will find a list of already installed connections on your VPN list.
• Tap on Add a new connection.
• Enter an easy-to-remember name and choose VPN type.
• Enter VPN server.
• Save your settings.
• Head back to the list of already installed connections and find your recently created VPN connection.
• Enter username and password if prompted and connect to your VPN.

Create a VPN Server On Your Router

You need a VPN router for this method or you won't be able to set up your server. 

Other than that, these steps might not work for all the routers because it depends on the firmware for compatibility. But if you don't have a VPN router, then a DD-WRT Router works too, as long as it has PPTP VPN functionality in it.

Create a VPN On Your VPN Router

• You can only set up a VPN server on a router with VPN capabilities, so it is important to first know whether your router has VPN functionality or any other third-party firmware compatibility. You can get this knowledge by simply downloading the manual for your router and see if there are any guidelines available.
• Failing to get any clue from the manual, you can still check if your router has VPN functionality. Try accessing your router's configuration portal. The URL for this is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
• Type the username and password for the configuration page, the username and password are usually 'admin' if not changed previously. If you still can't access the configuration page, try looking at the back of your router's box or search for a sticker attached to your router which might have the details.
• Use the VPN tab and follow the guidelines to set up your own personal VPN server.
• Enter a username, password, and choose a VPN protocol (we recommend OpenVPN) to complete setting up a VPN server on your router.
• To connect to the VPN server, you have to install OpenVPN.
• Enter the username and password for your VPN server and connect.

Create A VPN On Your DD-WRT Router

Note that your router should be having PPTP VPN functionality. If it doesn't then you have to flash your router's firmware with a version that has PPTP VPN functionality. Be sure that your router supports PPTP VPN functionality before flashing your router because messing up any step in the middle of flashing your router is risky.

Setting Up the VPN Server

• Go to your router's configuration page and find Services.
• Enable PPTP Server.
• On enabling the PPTP Server option, three options will be unlocked, which are,
  • Server IP(s): to fill this field with your Public IP address.
  • Client IP(s): to fill this field with client IP addresses that can connect to your VPN server.
  • CHAP-Secrets: fill this field with username and password which will be used to access your VPN server. You have to enter the username and password in one line with asterisks and spaces to separate them from each other.
• Save your settings.

Connecting to the VPN Server

This example is according to the Windows 7 platform. The approach will be the same but the steps can be different if you are doing this on Windows 10.

• Go to the Control Panel and head to the Networks and Sharing Centre.
• Click on Set up a new connection and then click Connect to a workplace.
• Click on Create a new connection and then on Use my internet connection (VPN).
• A window of Connect to a workplace will be visible to you.
• Enter the IP address in Internet address (the one you entered in Server IP(s) while setting up a VPN server on the VPN configuration page)
• Type any easy-to-remember name in the Destination name. Click next.
• On the next window, type your username and password (the one you entered in the CHAP-Secrets field while setting up a VPN server on the VPN configuration page).
• Click on connect and you're good to go.
• To check out and verify your VPN connection, type 'ipconfig' in your command prompt.

Wrapping it up!

A VPN connection is a necessity for carrying out online activities in today’s world. Using third-party providers can be an option, but it comes with consequences that make it unviable. To avoid these potential costs and have something in your skills library, you should know how to create a VPN connection on your own using the limited tools you have!