Do you need to setup a VPN for Raspberry PI? This is the guide for you! In less than 10 minutes you’ll be able to setup your Raspberry PI to work as a VPN server.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure and private connection over a public network, typically the internet. It acts as a tunnel, encrypting the data transmitted between your device and a server, providing a secure pathway for your online activities.
How Does a VPN Work?
When you connect to a VPN, it routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in a different location. This server acts as a middleman between your device and the websites or services you’re accessing. As a result, your IP address is masked, making it appear as though you are browsing from the location of the VPN server.
Benefits of Using a VPN for Raspberry PI
- Enhanced Privacy: A VPN encrypts your data, making it unreadable to third parties, including hackers, ISPs, and even government agencies. This ensures your online activities remain confidential.
- Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: VPNs allow you to access content and services that may be restricted or blocked in your location. This is particularly useful for streaming services, online gaming, and accessing region-specific websites.
- Secure Public Wi-Fi: When connected to a public Wi-Fi network, your data can be vulnerable to eavesdropping. A VPN provides an extra layer of security, ensuring your sensitive information remains protected.
- Avoiding Online Tracking: VPNs prevent websites and online services from tracking your browsing habits and collecting personal information for targeted advertising.
- Remote Access and Business Use: Businesses use VPNs to provide employees with secure remote access to company resources. This allows for secure communication and file sharing, even when working outside the office.
How to setup a VPN for Raspberry PI?
The simplest and best way to setup a VPN for Raspberry PI is to use PIVPN. In less than 10 minutes you’ll have a VPN with OpenVPN protocol, which is now days one of the best, in terms of security and speed. Let’s start now!
- Connect via SSH to the Raspberry PI
- Execute this command:
curl -L https://install.pivpn.io | bash - Go Next and select
TCP/IPand not UDP. - Select
OpenVpn - The default port is
1194but I suggest to use something different for security reason above4000. - Use
CloudFarefor DNS - Use your static IP address or your DNS entry if you have one.
- Reboot your device at the end.
Create user for the VPN for Raspberry PI
Once you have done all these steps, you can create add a new user. I suggest to add for any really clients you want to use an user. This because you can delete and handle possibility security issue with less effort. The command to create a new user for your VPN for Raspberry PI is:
sudo pivpn add
The steps are really straightful:
- Select a name for your client (it must be unique)
- Type a password (it is very important to remember and must be strong)
- Wait until the creation of the key is completed.
At the end, you will see the path where the opvn file has been generated. Now you can export it via SSH or using the cat command. If you don’t know how to access via SSH to your Raspberry PI you can read this article or if you want to improve your knowledge about Linux command this one.
Open port on your router
We’re almost there for your VPN for Raspberry PI. Now we need to open the port assigned on your router. By default the router haven’t opened any incoming ports, but in order to access the VPN you need to open that one. This procedure depends from your Router, but normally you have to access via web to the it (192.168.1.1), type credentials (admin/password) and then move to Port Forwarding section.
Import the VPN profile
This is the last step! Install on your device the VPN client, according to your OS. For instance, for Mac OS you can install TunnelBlink for Windows Open VPN Client. There are also apps for Linux, iOs and Android. When you import the profile, you need to insert the password typed during the user creation phase. If everything were ok, you would install your VPN for Raspberry PI!
Conclusion
VPN is a great solution to access remotely your home/office networks in a secure way. Raspberry PI could be a very good VPN server and in less than 10 minute you’re almost ready to use your VPN!
