How To Set Up Your Own VPN Server

Usage of your own VPN server might seem strange when you have a huge variability of VPN services where you don’t need to worry about the setup. However, there are lots of advantages when you decide to set up your own VPN server and buy VPS server Linux for this purpose. First of all, your data is fully private, you are not connected to the company that provides VPN service. Also, there are fewer limitations and it is way cheaper. These are only a couple of reasons why you might want to set up your own VPN server so now let’s proceed to the actual process of setting up.

The main options for setting up a VPN server

Here are a couple of variants you can choose from:

• The initial one is connected with the choice of the VPS or other server of your choice. There are lots of web providers that offer such service so check the prices and resources and then select what works better for you. With the virtual server, you can choose the needed location and other important characteristics.
• Apply the router’s VPN functionality. There exists a diversity of routers with built-in features, so in case you have such one you can easily set up everything.
• One more option is the choice of hosting with a dedicated server. There is a diversity of providers that can offer such service for a reasonable sum with high-security standards.

The process of setting up in the cloud

1. First, choose the VPS that corresponds with your requirements, there is a huge variability of choice.
2. Register your account and make a payment. We highly recommend renting such services with cryptocurrency if there is such an option because you are not sharing your private info and can stay confidential during the purchase.
3. Log in to the VPS, check whether all the recent updates are done, and install OpenVPN. In the OpenVPN installer, you should specify the needed IPv6 address, select protocol, port, and choose DNS server.

For the installation use the next command:

sudo apt install openvpn

4. Configuration of OpenVPN. Start with the creation of the config file and enable IP forwarding. The process looks like this:

sudo nano /etc/openvpn/server.conf – opening the file, here you will need to add some details.

net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 – by adding this line to the /etc/sysctl.conf file you are activating forwarding.

sudo sysctl -p

5. Firewall rules. Use the following command to enable NAT:

sudo iptables -t nat (add VPN network and VPS details to this command)

To save these rules, use the next line:

sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

6. To start OpenVPN use the following line:

sudo systemctl start openvpn@server

To guarantee that the VPN automatically launches when the system boots, use:

sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server

7. The last step is connecting the VPN to the VPS.  Here the process depends on the platform that is used. For Windows, Linux, and macOS users the process will slightly differ. For instance, on Linux, the process is the following:

Installation of the client with:

sudo apt install openvpn

Put the OVPN file in the needed directory.

Make a connection with:

sudo openvpn –config /etc/openvpn/client.ovpn

Security improvements for your VPN

For security improvements, you should monitor the updates of the software. You would rather not only check the updates of the server’s OS but also of the OpenVPN to exclude some risks.

One more good recommendation is to rotate the encryption keys and certificates regularly. By doing this you are definitely adding a layer of protection so everything will function even smoother. Additional protection can be made with the 2-factor authentication and checking of the VPS logs. With regular checks of the logs for suspicious activity, you greatly minimize some major risks and security issues.

Here are only a couple of things that can significantly change the security of the VPN server so don’t neglect the recommendations.

Summing up

In the article, we included all the practical recommendations regarding the setting up process of your own VPN server with the usage of VPS. Just by following all the discussed steps, the process will be so much easier for anyone who is searching for a helpful guide on the topic.

Besides setting up, you should also remember about the security of your VPN server so you can protect all your data from security risks and other possible issues. By following a couple of recommendations such as logs monitoring, 2-factor authentication, regular updates of the software, and key rotation, you can significantly influence the security characteristics. Don’t neglect these recommendations and you can be sure that everything will function as needed without any specific troubles. Set up everything and enjoy all the benefits of your own VPN server on a Virtual Private Server. This process is so quick and requires minimal skills, just follow our instructions.