VPN help, ExpressVPN, dd-wrt WireGuard IVPN, OpenVPN,

[BruceWayne007]

Hello to all,
I am not a network guru and definitely need help in choosing the right one VPN solution.

I switched to a Dahua NVR and I am not using P2P so I need a VPN.

My Asus router is running dd-wrt and prior to my Dahua system I purchased ExpressVPN and have it setup on my router and phone. I recently learned ExpressVPN does not support tunneling which, I believe, is what I need to connect my phone on cellular back to my house.

If I want to connect my phone to my Dahua NVR securely what is recommended? Could I use this VPN to connect to my parents to see their network?

I have Windows, Mac, and phones on my network.

In my research I believe I should change my routers IP from the default, any suggestions? I changed the NVR from its default but it is still a 192.168.1.x


Thank you!

 

[biggen]

I don't know what ExpressVPN is. If it doesn't support using your phone to connect to your router, then you don't want it.

What VPN methods does your router support?

 

[BruceWayne007]

I don't know what ExpressVPN is. If it doesn't support using your phone to connect to your router, then you don't want it.

What VPN methods does your router support?

Thank you for responding and from my chat session with ExpressVPN I do not believe it will do what I want. I thought the correct term in connecting a cellular phone back to your home network is called tunneling.

Can you rephrase the, "What VPN methods does your router support?" Or does this picture help you?

 

[wittaj]

You want OpenVPN

 

[Jessie.slimer]

Yes, and openvpn is free to use too.

Here's the guide I followed when I set mine up

OpenVPN on a Asus router

Sept 2021 Turned off comments because of ads July 2021 Bought a new Asus router, an RT-AX86U. Loaded it right away with Merlin firmware, s...

randyshomeprojects.blogspot.com

 

[Jessie.slimer]

You can still use your Express VPN subscription for your internet usage at home. Its seperate from openvpn.

 

[BruceWayne007]

You want OpenVPN

Would you be more specific? OpenVPN.net offers a few options. Do I want Private Tunnel?

If I go with OpenVPN will that connect my cell phone back to home network? As well as my network to my parents network?

 

[BruceWayne007]

Yes, and openvpn is free to use too.

Here's the guide I followed when I set mine up

OpenVPN on a Asus router

Sept 2021 Turned off comments because of ads July 2021 Bought a new Asus router, an RT-AX86U. Loaded it right away with Merlin firmware, s...

randyshomeprojects.blogspot.com

Thank you, I will read up on it.

 

[Jessie.slimer]

Would you be more specific? OpenVPN.net offers a few options. Do I want Private Tunnel?

If I go with OpenVPN will that connect my cell phone back to home network? As well as my network to my parents network?

You will set the openvpn client up on the router, then download the openvpn app on your phone. The app will basically log into your router via your phone, essentially putting your phone on your local network, even when your phone is not physically there.

 

[BruceWayne007]

You will set the openvpn client up on the router, then download the openvpn app on your phone. The app will basically log into your router via your phone, essentially putting your phone on your local network, even when your phone is not physically there.

What about using a Windows box/Mac off my network to connect back to my network?

 

[Jessie.slimer]

What about using a Windows box/Mac off my network to connect back to my network?

Yes its possible.

Installation Guide For OpenVPN Connect Client On Windows | OpenVPN

This guide is meant for users of the OpenVPN Access Server product that wish to connect their Windows computer using the official OpenVPN Connect Client software.

openvpn.net

 

[BruceWayne007]

Yes, and openvpn is free to use too.

Here's the guide I followed when I set mine up

OpenVPN on a Asus router

Sept 2021 Turned off comments because of ads July 2021 Bought a new Asus router, an RT-AX86U. Loaded it right away with Merlin firmware, s...

randyshomeprojects.blogspot.com

Hello again,
You said it is free to use but everywhere I look I find OpenVPN is paid service per month or year.

 

[wittaj]

OpenVPN is already on your router. There is nothing you need to be looking up or subscribing to. Simply enable it and download the certificate and send to the devices you want to use it. Follow the instructions above.

 

[Jessie.slimer]

OpenVPN is already on your router. There is nothing you need to be looking up or subscribing to. Simply enable it and download the certificate and send to the devices you want to use it. Follow the instructions above.

^^^^^ this. Also, the app is a free download. I believe they charge for the software if you are using it on a commercial level.

 

[SouthernYankee]

My general VPN post
There are two types of VPN, do not get them confused.
The type depends on where the traffic conversation (traffic) originates

1) origination: local home network, destination the internet.
This type of VPN is purpose to hides your activity from the internet, it is outbound, it normally costs a monthly fee to use. Direction is from your home PC to the internet, going to your bank, google, porn sites,,,, this not what you want. This VPN uses a VPN server that is in the middle of your communications.

2) Origination: the internet world wide web, destination: your home network.
This VPN type is used to provide a secure connection onto your local network, in bound to you local home network, from your office computer, your cell phone in your car, tablet at the coffee shop.. This is what you want, it does not have a monthly fee and is normally completely free. OpenVPN is this type of VPN.

If you home internet provider is a cellular network, then DDNS (dynamic Domain Name System) may not work, the DDNS is needed for most Inbound VPN services (OpenVpn) to get your home IP address (it is not static) so OpenVPN may not work for you.

A video on the paid VPN.
------------------------------------------------------
Hacked VPNs

Report: No-Log VPNs Reveal Users' Personal Data and Logs

A group of free VPN (virtual private network) apps left their server completely open and accessible, exposing private user data for anyone to see. This lack of basic security

www.vpnmentor.com

Naked Security – Sophos News

nakedsecurity.sophos.com

-----------------------------------------------------

 

[Jessie.slimer]

Just a quick correction: I think you meant to say " set up the openvpn server" on the router.

Yep, that's what I meant, good catch.

 

[BruceWayne007]

OpenVPN is already on your router. There is nothing you need to be looking up or subscribing to. Simply enable it and download the certificate and send to the devices you want to use it. Follow the instructions above.

Thank you and easier said than done. I have dd-wrt on my router and I am trying to find good directions.

 

[BruceWayne007]

^^^^^ this. Also, the app is a free download. I believe they charge for the software if you are using it on a commercial level.

Could you share a link to the app or be more specific? OpenVPN is a widely used name and I have went on a witch hunt on a rabbit trail to find out what I thought I needed pay for was there for free.

 

[Jessie.slimer]

Could you share a link to the app or be more specific? OpenVPN is a widely used name and I have went on a witch hunt on a rabbit trail to find out what I thought I needed pay for was there for free.

Here is the one I use for android. Sorry I can't help if you use an Apple product.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=[URL unfurl="true"]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.openvpn.openvpn&hl=en_US&referrer=utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_term%3Dopenvpn+play+store&pcampaignid=APPU_1_oRFkX87eIMP2swXH16uQDQ&ved=2ahUKEwiOs5zwyvHrAhVD-6wKHcfrCtIQ8oQBMAB6BAgMEAQ&usg=AOvVaw3E95FCz2sqJBi0TWAiOYIr

[/URL]

 

[wittaj]

Thank you and easier said than done. I have dd-wrt on my router and I am trying to find good directions.

I was there too...tried to do all this research to find directions and got to the point I just enabled it and kinda of followed what it was asking and it worked.

Just go to OpenVPN and enable it and see what it says - probably asks you to create a user/PW, DDNS name, encryption method, and create certificate.