SECURITY protection for your Wi-Fi router can be just as important as securing individual devices.
A lot of experts recommend setting up a VPN on your router for network-wide protection.
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and it’s a tool you can use to unblock content from around the world and change your online location.
The main purpose of a VPN is to make your online activity private.
According to a recent post from Stan Kaminsky, a security expert at Kaspersky, there’s an easy way to enable a VPN on a home network.
“To enjoy these benefits on all home devices — including computers and smartphones, game consoles and smart TVs — the best way is to set up a VPN directly on your router (aka “Wi-Fi box”).
“That way, there’s no need to waste time configuring a VPN on each device separately, plus you get all the benefits even where VPN support is lacking, such as on a smart TV or game consoles,” the security expert wrote on the Kaspersky blog.
You’ll need to have a router that supports a VPN.
Kaminsky says most new cheap models have a VPN channel feature.
You can check your router vendor’s website for this information or go to its online control panel and check the settings.
You also need to sign up for a VPN that offers router protection.
If you have a compatible Wi-Fi router and VPN, you’ll need to activate the VPN on your device.
According to Kaminsky and Kaspersky, this process can differ from provider to provider.
Generally, you download a VPN profile from your personal VPN account.
There may be an Add Router section or something similar.
Sometimes you don’t need to download anything and just need general information from your account like a username and password.
When you have the relevant information for your device, go to the web control panel for your router.
Then, find the VPN properties section and create your desired VPN connection using the information you obtained earlier.
Be sure to click save and select to have the VPN turned on.
You may need to restart your router but most VPNs should start automatically.
Kaminsky writes: “All devices connected to the router will now access the internet through an encrypted connection.
“And some routers even allow you to choose which home devices will connect directly to the internet and which will go through a VPN.”
Check your respective router and VPN websites for more detailed information that will help your specific case.
