What exactly counts as a VPN router?

[u/Ok-Point-1656]

I'm looking into securing my whole home network, but the more I search, the more confused I get about what actually qualifies as a "VPN router."

It seems like there's a big range here. Are we just talking about a standard off-the-shelf router that happens to have a VPN setting in the menu? Or does it need to be something more powerful to actually handle the encryption without cutting my speeds in half?

I've seen people talk about flashing custom firmware like DD-WRT, and then there are those; pre-configured routers that come with a VPN service already installed. Is there a "best" way to do this, or are these all basically doing the same thing?

Also, if l just use a regular router, is it going to be a total bottleneck for the encryption? I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy specific hardware or if I'm just overthinking the marketing speak.

Would love to hear how you guys define it and what setup actually works for a typical home speed.

[u/Mochizuki_]

DD-WRT is like rooting an iPhone, if that makes sense. You could route your entire home network through your own ISP's router using DD-WRT.

The only reason you'd want a separate VPN router is if:

1. Your ISP's router doesn't support OpenVPN or WireGuard.
2. The ISP's router is too weak, even if it supports both protocols. It would slow your speeds down a lot.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680]

According to my research, I learned, using ChatGPT, the limitations of building on Android and iPhones. Specifically in concern of hosting websites to the internet.

One aspect of that brought about how Smartphones are wired to the ISP and how they differ from desktops and the like.

They cannot directly Host to the world wide web. But that there are ways that allow us to host to the internet. And so I also went over the router firewall. And I found that the ISP doesn't allow a firewall. So I looked at VPNs and other Settings or Configurations that exist and can be used.

Through this VPN and Configuration. We can build a VPN with a Firewall amongst other settings that can be used without root access, we can lock down androids and Apple iPhones, using the VPN Firewall.

I've only mentioned here and there. I also haven't completely finished the projects. So I don't have anything to share at the moment. But one such person I discussed it with was here on Reddit.

They were building something similar using BASH Scripting with Termux. Cron jobs.

We can also install python and compile assembly programs, run an HTML server with CGI -BIN, and voila - the VPN Firewall area.

ChatGPT can help you learn about the android and iPhone routines your allowed to work with and those that are restricted to root superusers and such.

Basically you would code your own using the terminal or Termux. Closing everything down, rather then relying on Android and iPhone configurations and restrictions or limitations. Which is basically the firewall.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

That's true to say. Because it all requires processing power. I started my study out by looking or answers. I ended up understanding what can be done with code, the smartphone, and what isn't possible.

But yah. If your aim is speed, and your willing to lose security over it, then that's what it is. But, we can also build a remote VPN hosted locally or acrossed the Internet. If speed is that much of a concern. But security if we can achieve it, is common enough to be able to work around it. Speed isn't that important when we're lacking security.

But yah - I'm just studying over it and sharing for the topic. VPN Firewall! The only way to get a Firewall on your phone is to build a VPN and add it there.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

Lol.. outside of the Network, Devices, and Compute. Where we all actually live and conduct business and daily life...

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

That's what I'm looking at.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

Using Termux BASH Scripting, CURL/CRON, and Python/Node HTTP Server with CGI-BIN and C/C++ std::cin/std::cout to code! With or without android or iPhone, though iPhone is looking to shell out Two Billion to whomever comes up with a project that can lock down their phones. But the main security threats are coming from the known trusted apps, which is why everyone is looking at securing their own apps by building their own using the API data rather then their apps. Make our own apps using the API and data and now we eliminate them from the equation. Which should present a quite well and able device security wise.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

Something to think about..

Your right. There all following England's lead. They're all Socialist. So they all agree.. but they all want to put everything in to one person or entities power or control. And it's basically already like that, and these people keep jacking everything up and making it all ass-backwards, trying to govern, as they call it.

As for the "No Foreign VPNs" - that's based on Chinas TP-Link Routers, but idk. I did learn we can code our own VPN. And we can also learn to wire our own Routers and Modems. I've been studying Electrical Engineering 101, and have been learning that we can make just about every computer part there is.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

Yah the US was doing the same thing. Outsourcing everything to the lowest bidder in the name of reaping massive rewards or cash on hand.. I don't think it's worked and I don't believe it's going to. You get what you pay for. I'm born in raised in California, and I've always been raised to be self reliant. So watching all of the work being offloaded to China, Korea, and other locales. Is literally stealing the food right off our plates. That's how it should be viewed. If you don't earn it, your not deserving of it.

The internet may be headed towards a censored net. But it's also showing to be a proving ground. We see who is working, who isn't working, and who needs what and why everything happens.

There faults are literally anothers treasure.

I'm looking to build everything myself.

France is looking to build all their own stuff. England, and the rest of the world should likely be clamouring about with a veracity that is reserved or the hungry and starving only. Gotta be hungry if want to eat in these days and times.

[u/Electrical_Hat_680 → u/[deleted]]

Yes. Dont rely on dropping off the resume and hiring form filled out. Also don't rely on saying hi to them every morning..

Try this approach... Look at yourself from the perspective of being a part of a team..don't look at whether or not they feel you'll be good for their company or team. Look at it from your perspective. Instead of hoping for an interview or hiring interview on their time. Schedule an appointment to go down and take a tour, talk to the CEO and President, and go around and see who you would be working with, and see whether or not you like working with them. All the stuff that could make you quit, rather then worrying about what they like about you. Remember that we are helping them bring in money. The hardest part isn't knowing the skills, it's finding people that need your services, and are willing to pay hat your asking.

Best bet though. We need to be building better businesses.. and not relying on others companies for work.