Setting Up a VPN on Your Router

Configuring VPN on a router rather than individual computers gives all network devices VPN protection and allows remote users to securely connect to office resources. Many business routers support OpenVPN or WireGuard server functionality. For remote access VPN: log into the router admin panel, enable the VPN server (OpenVPN or WireGuard), generate server certificates/keys, and export client configuration files. Distribute .ovpn or WireGuard config files to remote users who install them in their VPN client (OpenVPN Connect or the WireGuard app). For site-to-site VPN between offices, configure matching tunnel settings on both routers (same encryption, pre-shared key or certificate, and subnet routes). After establishing the tunnel, test by pinging devices on the remote subnet. Keep VPN firmware/software updated — OpenVPN vulnerabilities are occasionally disclosed. WireGuard is modern, faster, and simpler to configure than OpenVPN and is recommended for new deployments.