How to Build Your Own VPN Service Using a VPS

How to Build Your Own VPN Service Using a VPS

Looking to set up your own VPN service? Check out this guide with tips and tricks on building your own VPN service using a VPS.

Do you want a private network, but you don’t want any outside sources to handle it for you?

These days, it’s all about security. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an efficient way to securely communicate with a remote server. Not only does it keep your data safe during transmission, but it can also hide the location of your computer.

You can hire a third-party service to supply a VPN service for you, but it will cost you. If you choose the free VPN service option, your data is not always safe.

Instead of using another company to manage your data encryption through a VPN service, you can set up your VPN with a virtual private server (VPS).

Here’s how to create a VPN service using a VPS…

What You’ll Need For a VPN Service Using VPS

First, you’ll need to have a cloud-based VPS service, which is relatively affordable. Try to get one with 2GB or more of RAM. That usually means you won’t have to choose the most expensive option to run your own VPS.

Next, you’ll need to access the VPS using an SSH client with the supplied login. This step will vary depending on the platform you’re on. (For example, if you have a Mac or Linux machine, then you use SSH from the terminal.) A popular SSH Client for Windows is called PuTTY.

The SSL Client will allow you to connect to an open-source program such as OpenVPN, which is an SSL-based protocol. You’ll also be required to create keys and certificates during the setup, so you might also want to use Easy-RSA to make the process easier. You can create several user accounts and authenticate each one.

Another method is by using Algo VPN, which skips the need for a direct SSH connection with the server. In short, it simplifies and automates the process. It doesn’t require many shell command lines to work, and the code is available online.

Depending on the route you choose to set up a VPN service using your own VPS, the whole process can take 30 minutes or less!

Advantages of Running Your Own VPN

Why let a third party run your VPN service when you can do it yourself? There’s also the ruling against internet service providers having to ask you before they sell your browsing data, which makes taking control of your security that much more important.

If you run a small business, having full control of your VPN can give your staff secure access to your offsite server. This can cut down on the costs of hiring expensive IT solutions as the bigger players do. It also protects you when using public wi-fi.

You also could potentially access out-of-country sites that are location blocked. But the biggest advantage is the peace of mind knowing you’re protecting your data.

To find out more about getting a virtual private server and using it to its fullest, contact us today.