What is VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, and more.
These days VPNs are really popular, but not for the reasons they were originally created. They originally were just a way to connect business networks together securely over the internet or allow you to access a business network from home.
VPNs essentially forward all your network traffic to the network, which is where the benefits – like accessing local network resources remotely and bypassing Internet censorship – all come from. Most operating systems have integrated VPN support.
How Does a VPN Work?
When you connect your computer (or another device, such as a smartphone or tablet) to a VPN, the computer acts as if it’s on the same local network as the VPN. All your network traffic is sent over a secure connection to the VPN. Because your computer behaves as if it’s on the network, this allows you to securely access local network resources even when you’re on the other side of the world. You’ll also be able to use the Internet as if you were present at the VPN’s location, which has some benefits if you’re using pubic Wi-Fi or want to access geo-blocked websites.
When you browse the web while connected to a VPN, your computer contacts the website through the encrypted VPN connection. The VPN forwards the request for you and forwards the response from the website back through the secure connection. If you’re using a USA-based VPN to access Netflix, Netflix will see your connection as coming from within the USA.
How to Create Your Own VPN?
Part 1: Setting up the server for Free
To get Server for Free Sign Up to DigitalOcean to get 100$ Credit
Step 1: Sign up to Digital Ocean using VCCs or CC. Here’s a link for 100$ Credit upon successful registration – Digital Ocean 100$ Credit
Step 2: Go to Create, and create a droplet
Step 3: On create droplet page, go to marketplace and find “OpenVPN Access Server”
Step 4: Choose a plan. Even the most cheap one provides a good speed
Step 5: Choose where the server will be. Choose the region closest to you
Step 6: Choose password as Authentication Method. Create a complex password like the one in example
Step 7: Create the droplet!
Part 2: Configuring the server
Step 1: SSH into the server using the IP Address as the host, root as the username, and the complex password for the password
Step 2: Accept the TOS
Step 3: Just keep pressing enter (Default values) until the setup starts
Step 4: You should have a link by the end of the setup. IMPORTANT save the links
Step 5: We have to configure the password for the VPN login. To do this, type the command below.passwd openvpn
where openvpn is the username, then the password you type will be the password.
Step 6: We can now login to the Admin UI. Use the link with /admin saved earlier.
If you see this warning, just click Advance, then Continue
Step 7: Login using the credentials made in Step 5 then accept the TOS
Success! You can now use your newly created VPN. To use, proceed below
Part 3: Using the VPN
Step 1: Login to the Client UI. Use the one without /admin using the credentials in Part 2 Step 5
Step 2: Download OpenVPN Connect (For android), or OpenVPN Connect (For windows or linux)
Step 3: Download your user-profile. Click “Yourself (user-locked profile)” to download
Step 4: Click the downloaded profile, or manually import it in OpenVPN Connect using Import Profile
If it asks for username and password, use the one created in Part 2 Step 5
Enjoy your full-speed private VPN!!
Take note that each server has a maximum allowance of 2 connections only (Free plan)! If you want more, create more server, or buy a license from openvpn.
