Why you shouldn’t connect to a VPN on your router

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Connect the Ethernet cable to the ports bearing the flags of different countries.
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VPNs are great privacy tools, and connecting to one on your router means your network is fully protected without any extra steps. However, doing so comes with a number of drawbacks that may make you think twice before setting it up.

Pros of using a VPN router

To understand the pros and cons of using one of them, it is best to review it What is a VPN router, which is a WiFi router with VPN software installed. Simply. Instead of having to connect each device on a network to the VPN separately, just install it on the router, and each device that connects to the router will use the VPN connection automatically.

This is great for a number of reasons. One of the most important is that it overcomes the limitation that most VPNs place on the number of devices that can be active at the same time per account, which is called simultaneous connections. for example, ExpressVPN Allows you only five simultaneous connections, and NordVPN sets the limit at six.

Note that this is about Energetic devices. You can install VPN clients on as many devices as you want – you can only run the VPN a set number of times, hence the “simultaneous” part.

However, running your VPN on the router only counts as one connection. This means you can bypass restrictions on simultaneous connections, which is great if you have more devices using the VPN than your provider allows. Think of families where everyone has a smartphone and laptop — or even offices that want to protect their traffic.

Use a VPN on any device

VPN routers are also great because using one of them means you can use any device for a VPN. Some devices, such as most smart TVs and Flow BoxesFor example, VPN software cannot be installed or is limited as VPN providers support it. (Amazon Fire TV Supports VPN software.) Route all traffic through a VPN router means that you bypass these restrictions, so even your most unusual device can access the Internet safely.

Always, always protected

Another great reason to use a VPN router is that it always works. If you are using a program or an app on your devices, you either need to start it manually every time or set it to run automatically when the device starts.

You don’t need to do any of that with a VPN router, it always works. It’s great for people who forget or worry about whether other people on the network remember to use a VPN when browsing. In these cases, VPN routers are as concerned with peace of mind as anything else.

Cons of using a VPN router

These are three huge advantages of using a VPN router. However, there are also a number of small downsides that, in some cases, may make an uptrend not seem worth it. One big issue is that having a fully secured network at the same time also means that the entire network will experience VPN-related slowdowns.

There is no way around it: VPN will slow down your connection, and there is nothing you can do about it; At best, you can limit the damage. While some dodgy VPN providers will claim to have A VPN can speed up their connectionThis is impossible outside of a very specific set of circumstances.

This slowdown wouldn’t be a big deal if you connect to a nearby server or if you have a high base speed – and most connections these days usually do. However, there is still something to keep in mind, especially for households or businesses with slow connections.

Netflix problems

The second problem is that streaming will become difficult through any router with the VPN installed. Streaming services are not a fan of using a VPN and will block you if they discover it, and They are really good at figuring it out.

Usually when you do that Use a VPN for Netflix And you are caught, just switch to a different server until you find one that works. However, this is more complicated on a VPN router since you can’t access them on a whim. While it wouldn’t be a problem for most businesses or families who otherwise get their entertainment, hackers might want to consider again using a VPN router.

Technical know-how

The last reasons not to use a VPN router relate to the actual router: You need a bit of technical knowledge to set one up, and you also need a little extra cash to buy one.

Although it is no more difficult than router configurationNot everyone likes getting into the guts of their technology. If you are, VPN routers are probably not your thing.

Moreover, not all routers are suitable for using a VPN. You need routers that have all the necessary firmware to accommodate the VPN software. Some VPN providers even offer so-called pre-flash routers designed for their own software. However, in most cases, these types of routers are more expensive than a regular wireless router.

To get an idea of ​​what’s out there, take a look at our selection Best WiFi Routers. Many are great for VPNs, including our overall winner Asus AX6000 (RT-AX88U) A friend to VPN Linksys WRT3200ACM. Both are great, but they may be more expensive than your regular router. However, if the downsides don’t stop you, VPN routers are an excellent investment.



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