Ever thought about using a VPS as your VPN? You might be surprised to learn that setting up your own Virtual Private Server (VPS) as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is not only feasible but also highly beneficial. This approach provides you with complete control over your data and can be more cost-effective than commercial VPN services like ForestVPN. Let’s dive into the why and how of using a VPS as a VPN.
Why Use VPS as VPN?
Full Control Over Data
When you use a commercial VPN service, you are entrusting your data to a third party. Setting up your own VPS as a VPN allows you to maintain full control over your data, ensuring that no third party can access it.
Cost-Effectiveness
Commercial VPN services often come with a monthly or yearly subscription fee. While ForestVPN offers competitive pricing, setting up a VPS can be even more economical in the long run, especially if you already have a VPS for other purposes.
Customization
Using a VPS as a VPN gives you the flexibility to configure the server exactly how you want it. You can choose the protocol, encryption level, and other settings, which can be beneficial for advanced users.
Setting Up a VPS as a VPN
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
– A VPS with a Linux distribution installed (Ubuntu 18.04 is recommended)
– Root access to the VPS
– Basic knowledge of SSH and command-line operations
Step 1: Connect to Your VPS
Use an SSH client like PuTTY or Xshell to connect to your VPS. Here’s the command you need:
FAQs about Using VPS as VPN
How can I connect to my VPS to set up a VPN?
You can connect to your VPS using an SSH client like PuTTY or Xshell. Use the command ‘ssh root@your_vps_ip’ to establish a connection.
What are the recommended settings during OpenVPN installation?
During OpenVPN installation, it is recommended to choose UDP as the protocol, set the port to 1194, and use Google DNS for better performance.
Is it necessary to use OpenVPN client or can I use other VPN clients like Eddie?
While OpenVPN is commonly used for setting up VPN on a VPS, you can also use other VPN clients like Eddie as long as they support the OpenVPN protocol.