Create a VPN: where to start?, Free VPN servers without data limit | Proton VPN

Connect to our free VPN servers for unlimited protection of your confidentiality

We should also take advantage of it to take into account the network configuration. If you plan to install a VPN for users with various connection modes (Wi-Fi, 4G modems and wired connections), you must spend more time in the VPN customer configuration. The simplification of the network by disconnecting unused devices could facilitate things.

Create a VPN: where to start ?

Today there are VPN suppliers that offer very simple to use applications on the market. You just need to pay a subscription and enjoy a quality service. You surely know How does a VPN work, But did you know that it was possible to create your own VPN ? We explain to you !

  • Fluid graphical interface
  • Performance and value for money
  • Servers optimized for streaming and P2P
  • Excellent performance
  • Streaming (including Netflix US) and very effective TV access
  • Very large number of servers
  • Very high and linear connection speeds
  • Vast geographic coverage
  • Unlock foreign streaming catalogs including Netflix Us and Amazon Prime Video

Why create a VPN ?

Lack of confidence in VPN services

As a reminder, when connecting to a VPN server, a secure tunnel is created by the VPN client between your device and the VPN server. Your encrypted data will circulate in this tunnel, before reaching the VPN server which will take care of transmitting your request and your data to your destination. The advantage is that thanks to this process, your web browsing is protected from outside people and your Internet access provider, who cannot see what you want to do on the Internet. Also, since it is the VPN server that takes care of serving your request, your destination receives the IP address of the server instead of yours, which allows you to take advantage of more confidentiality.

But the disadvantage is that using a VPN means to transfer your confidence from its ISP to a VPN company which is not necessarily subject to the same laws. In itself, if it wishes, the company can completely keep logs on each of your activities on the web and even resell this information to finance themselves. To reassure users, many VPN services, including premium suppliers of the NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Cyberghost type, say they are VPN no log. Even if they actually respect their promise, you can still have a doubt and decide to rather create your own VPN, especially if you do not want to take advantage of certain features offered by commercial VPNs.

Access its local network

Generally, when people or companies decide to create their own VPN, the goal is to be able to access a local network in a secure manner, while not being physically present.

For example, to allow their employees to telework and access the resources of the company on the local network, many companies have set up a VPN. Thus, employees can use certain applications or access certain services remotely, without these applications or services needing Internet access.

You can have the same scenario at home. If you have a multimedia server (for example with plex server) always on with all your videos, images and music, but which is not connected to the Internet, you can wonder how to access it when you are not at home. A VPN will be the solution. So, even on vacation, you can watch your favorite movies or show your photos to your traveling companions. You can also give access to devices and applications on your local network to other people. It works for all objects on your local network, for example an unconnected surveillance camera.

Use public Wi-Fi

One of the most recommended uses of a VPN is to protect yourself when connecting to public Wi-Fi. Provided of course you have used the right parameters when creating your homemade VPN, it will allow you to be protected in the same way as a commercial VPN on public Wi-Fi. If you already trust your ISP for your daily use of the Internet, creating your own VPN can be a good solution for this type of use.

What are the risks to create a VPN ?

To be able to create your own VPN, several options are available to you. First of all: host it directly at home, on your internet connection. This represents an important negative aspect: you need a certain bandwidth band. Without a good connection, web navigation will then be catastrophic.

Obviously, by creating a VPN from home, you will not be able to access a list of 5,000 servers as some giants in the sector offer it. You will simply have access to a connection from a server located in your country, yours in this context.

If your goal is the bypass of geographic blockages to access for example the American catalog of Netflix: no need to create your own server by following the information communicated in this article. Indeed, it simply will not be possible.

Another point: the security of these personal solutions can be much less than that of major market players. This is logical for several reasons: a VPN is complicated to configure yourself and you can then make some mistakes.

In addition, that’s not all. In the event of a possible flaw revealed in a VPN protocol that you use, you will necessarily be less responsive than a team of specialized technicians. They are full of time on these issues and must then make the necessary corrections quickly in the event of a problem.

Is it necessary to pay to create your VPN ?

It depends on what you want to do. If you plan to set up a VPN on your current connection at home, everything can be done for free. There are free protocols and routers that allow this rather easily.

Note all the same that for free, you will always be limited by certain technical constraints. Understand by that that it will not be possible for you in a few hours to create such a powerful service as a supplier established in this field.

Creating your VPN is above all an option and a personal approach as part of the protection of your data on the Internet.

1. How to create a VPN with its router ?

Today there are many routers that allow you to easily configure VPN. They then offer you an interface (not always very clear, we grant you) which offers you everything you need to configure a service of this type, directly from home.

Attention in your choice of a router of this type if you want to acquire it. Some are intended for beginners, others for more expert users. It can then be difficult to set up a VPN on some of these devices, because the configuration can be tedious.

Note that each router has its own configuration interface. If there are similarities among the different devices, it is not always easy to navigate on these configuration panels sometimes not quite clear.

In the choice of your router to create a VPN, it is important to be vigilant with several criteria. In particular with regard to the processor of the latter or even the allocated RAM.

Remember that a VPN is a server that must be stable and be permanently accessible. If it flakes, your security and encryption of your data is no longer really insured. This is the reason why it is important to favor quality equipment.

2. How to create a VPN server with one of his machines ?

To create your VPN, there are several options. If we have seen that it was possible to set up a connection with a router, it is also possible with one of your machines connected to the Internet.

If you no longer use a computer for example, it is quite possible to transform it into a VPN server very easily. To do this, we advise you in particular to use the openvpn protocol, safer, or the Wireguard protocol, more suitable for using VPN on Android and iOS smartphone, because lighter and less delicious.

To be able to operate it, certain manipulations are nevertheless necessary on the side of your router. It will indeed be necessary to route the ports of your router correctly to the machine which will host the server.

OpenVPN is installed today on many operating systems (Windows, MacOS, Linux), both as a customer to connect to an existing VPN as as a server to create one, allowing you to take full advantage of a homemade VPN. You can also connect to your VPN on your Android and iOS phones thanks to a dedicated application.

Note all the same that the machine that will serve you as a VPN must be on permanently to be able to be functional. Rather, we recommend that you use a Raspberry Pi for this use, to be transformed into a VPN server with the help of PIVPN.

3. How to use a dedicated server to install a VPN ?

It is also quite possible to install your VPN on a dedicated server. It will then be necessary to pay a subscription to a host to be able to subscribe to a VPS (Virtual Private Server, A virtual dedicated server) for example. Once your virtual machine has been obtained, you can then install what you want.

The advantage of this option is that you will not need to leave a machine on you permanently at home. This consumes less electricity and above all allows the availability of your much greater VPN. Depending on the quality of your host, your VPS should indeed be available and functional the vast majority of time.

Be sure to check that the bandwidth is unlimited. This is a really essential point in setting up a VPN. In general, this option is sometimes more advantageous in terms of price than if you subscribe to a service of this type. Depending on the offer chosen, you can also operate other services, of the little -visited website type, which makes it possible to make the investment profitable.

Just note that this may ask you more or less skills. Depending on what you want to set up, you may then have to put “your hands in the citch” as they say by typing in particular a few command lines. Rest assured: nothing very complicated all the same.

Other alternative options such as Outline VPN

Google’s parent company, named Alphabet, has also set up a solution called Outline. It allows everyone to create their VPN very easily, without having to have extensive technical knowledge or to have to settle many parameters.

It is then enough for a few clicks to set up a tool of this type. However, you will not be able to operate Outline for free. It is necessary to subscribe to a VPS before. Outline is configured to be able to be installed in a few clicks with certain cloud suppliers, such as Digitalocean. Thus, the installation does not require technical knowledge. You can with Outline create your own server and then share your access to whom you wish using a key, to be sent securely.

Outline has certain advantages. Its use of shadowsocks makes it more effective to bypass censorship and makes it less detectable than a consumer VPN. It also figures traffic from your device to the server, which prevents external people from knowing which sites is visited or which information is transferred.

However, Outline insists on the fact that he is not a tool that will be used to make you more anonymous, just to protect your privacy, since the sites visited and the applications on your mobile have other ways to identify you , a risk that also exists with the use of a commercial VPN. You can use Outline thanks to its customer available for download on all main platforms, Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS and Android.

It is obvious that creating your VPN is not the simplest thing. If some services facilitate your task as outline, it is also good to remember that premium VPNs can still satisfy you. They are easy to use and do not require all this installation and configuration process.

Create your own VPN or pay for a VPN ?

To be completely frank, the creation of a VPN is not intended for beginners. It is obvious that this is rather intended for experienced users. Maintenance and installation are important steps and which may not be understood by all. Some tools, however, make the installation, configuration and use of its own VPN easier.

The most important criterion, however, is what use you want to make your VPN. If your goal is to get around a geographic blocking and use a VPN to watch Netflix, it will be easier to subscribe to a classic commercial VPN of the Expressvpn, NordVPN or Cyberghost type, which offer generous test periods to test the VPN and see If it suits you.

If your goal is to be able to access connected devices on your local network even by not being at home, a homemade VPN will be a good solution. It will also allow you to protect yourself when using public Wi-Fi on the move, a more interesting.

Both choices can have significant costs. It’s up to you to determine which option seems the most relevant.

  • Fluid graphical interface
  • Performance and value for money
  • Servers optimized for streaming and P2P

Cyberghost brings together all the qualities that are expected of a consumer VPN, both in terms of performance and safety and features. Its modern and intuitive graphical interface makes it one of the most pleasant VPN services to use on a daily basis. The deployment of NOSPY servers strengthens its already convincing security options. We appreciate its very good management of streaming platforms and its ability to bypass the toughest georestrictions like those of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Cyberghost brings together all the qualities that are expected of a consumer VPN, both in terms of performance and safety and features. Its modern and intuitive graphical interface makes it one of the most pleasant VPN services to use on a daily basis. The deployment of NOSPY servers strengthens its already convincing security options. We appreciate its very good management of streaming platforms and its ability to bypass the toughest georestrictions like those of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

You are looking for more information to understand how to use a VPN ? Consult our articles:

  • How does a VPN work ?
  • Is it dangerous to use a VPN ?
  • Is it legal to use a VPN ?
  • How to delete a VPN ?

Connect to our free VPN servers for unlimited protection of your confidentiality

Connect to the free VPN VPN VPN servers for online protection without bandwidth limit, without speed limitation and without newspapers.

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How to connect to Proton VPN

Free applications, free VPN servers, without data limit, without espionage

Proton VPN is a free VPN service without data limit or speed, designed by a company worthy of your confidence.

Navigate in private

Proton VPN hides your activity on the Internet in the eyes of everyone and prevents websites from knowing your real IP address.

Surf without censorship

Connect to a free VPN Proton server to bypass your government’s censorship restrictions and access blocked content.

Connect safely

Proton VPN secures your connection when you use public WiFi access points, preventing hackers from stealing your data and WiFi hosts from monitoring and selling your navigation history.

Connect to free VPN servers with Proton VPN

  • Free open source applications for all devices
  • Free VPN servers
  • No bandwidth limit and no newspapers
  • Swiss confidentiality applied to data
  • Used by journalists and activists around the world

Connect to our free VPN servers to protect your data

Free servers

Proton VPN manages several free servers in the United States, the Netherlands and Japan.

Approved

Proton is approved by activists and journalists from around the world and is recommended by the UN.

Swiss confidentiality laws

Our newspaper without a policy is supported by strict Swiss laws on the protection of personal data. Switzerland also has no links with the “Five Eyes” intelligence services agreement.

Kill Switch

All our applications have a Kill Switch or a permanent VPN to keep you safe if the VPN connection is interrupted.

Strong encryption

Our free applications only use the most secure VPN protocols in their highest encryption settings.

Easy to use

Just press the button Quick connection In our applications to connect to the best free VPN server according to your location.

Transparent

All our applications are open source, so everyone can examine our code to ensure that it is safe and secure.

Audit

We have mandated independent security professionals to carry out complete audits of all our open source applications and we have published their reports.

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Proton VPN is reliable, secure and free

  • Free servers in the United States, the Netherlands and Japan
  • No newspaper that can compromise your confidentiality
  • Unlimited bandwidth, no speed limitation
  • By the Proton Mail team

Go to Proton VPN Plus to obtain more features

To have access to even higher speeds, advanced safety features and more exclusive servers, consider upgrading to a paid subscription.

Global network

Connect to more than 1,400 servers in more than 60 countries

VPN Secure Core

Increase your navigation speed by blocking advertisements, malware and online trackers

Connect up to 10 devices

Connect up to 10 devices to our 10 Gbit/s high -speed servers

Netshield ad-blocker

Prevent malware, advertisements and trackers from slowing down your navigation

Bittorrent support

Take advantage of fast download speeds by sharing files safely

Up to 10 devices

Protect your activity online whatever the device you use

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frequently asked Questions

How can I connect to a free VPN server ?

Open our application on your device and press the button Quick connection To connect to the fastest free VPN server depending on your location. Otherwise, you can also choose any server in the United States, the Netherlands or Japan which is marked Free.

Are free protonvpn servers less secure than your paying VPN servers ?

In terms of confidentiality and security, Proton VPN treats all its users in the same way. Our strict newspaper policy applies entirely to all users of our free offer. Users of our Free offer also use the same applications with the same strong encryption parameters as those who have migrated to one of our paid packages.

Can I broadcast content using your free VPN servers ?

We do not block streaming on our free servers, but the unlocking of services such as Netflix (different local versions), Amazon Prime, BBC Iplayer, Hulu Plus, Peacock and more is guaranteed only with a more subscription.

VPN configuration

A VPN creates a tunnel on which you can send data safely using encryption and authentication tools. Companies often use VPN connections as they constitute a secure solution allowing employees to access private corporate networks, even by being remotely. The VPN allows remote devices, such as laptops, to operate as if they were in the same local network. Many VPN routers can support dozens of tunnels simultaneously, using simplified configuration tools. This guarantees access to business data to all users, it doesn’t matter where they are.

Protect your VPN using multifactive authentication (MFA)

Also discover:

Why does a company need a VPN?

A simplified VPN protects companies, users and their confidential data. Here are other potential advantages offered by a VPN to your business:

The commodity

VPNs constitute a practical solution allowing employees, in particular remote users, to easily access the network of your company, without requiring a physical presence, while preserving the safety of private networks and the resources of the company.

Better security

Communication with a VPN connection provides a better level of security compared to other remote communication methods thanks to the restriction of access by unauthorized people to private networks. The real geographic location of users is protected and masked on public or shared networks, like the Internet.

Simplified administration

It is easier to add new users or groups of users to networks using flexible VPN software tools. This is ideal for companies whose scalability exceeds budgets, insofar as the footprints of networks can often be extended without adding new components or defining complex network configurations.

Are there disadvantages of the use of VPNs?

The efficiency of a VPN depends on the other parts of your network infrastructure. Here are the factors that can cause VPN performance problems:

Configuration security risks

The design and implementation of a VPN can be complex. If you doubt its operational security, consider using a competent professional in network safety to verify that the security of the VPN has not been compromised.

Reliability

As the VPN connections operate via the Internet, you must choose an Internet service provider (FSI) guaranteeing excellent service with a minimum or even zero stop time.

Scalability

Technical incompatibility problems can arise in the event of the need to add a new infrastructure or creation of configurations, in particular for the addition of new products from different suppliers.

Low connection speeds

If you use a VPN customer offering a free VPN service, the connection speed can be slow, as these suppliers often do not provide a high speed connection. Take into account if the speed is adapted to the needs of your business.

Should you create your own VPN or buy a?

Instead of creating one by yourself, you can buy a preconceived VPN solution. When purchasing VPN solutions, find out about configuration ease.

Steps to configure a VPN

6 steps to configure a VPN

Step 1: Grouping of key VPN components

To start, you need a VPN customer, a VPN server and a VPN router. The downloadable customer allows you to connect to servers around the world and allows your employees to access your network for small companies, wherever they. The customer is compatible with devices such as smartphones and laptops, even if users use public Wi-Fi networks.

A VPN router is necessary to secure and encrypt all network traffic. Many routers include integrated VPN customers.

Step 2: Preparation devices

VPN customers can occasionally be incompatible with other customers or not operate normally. It is recommended to prepare the network system before configuring the VPN to avoid any subsequent problem.

The first step is to uninstall existing existing VPN customers software. In theory, VPN customers must be compatible, but customers of competing suppliers can create problems, so it is recommended to delete them.

We should also take advantage of it to take into account the network configuration. If you plan to install a VPN for users with various connection modes (Wi-Fi, 4G modems and wired connections), you must spend more time in the VPN customer configuration. The simplification of the network by disconnecting unused devices could facilitate things.

Step 3: Download and installation of VPN customers

The best way to make an operational VPN is to install customers of your VPN supplier. However, these may not provide software for some of the platforms you need, including Windows, iOS and Android. Even in this case, it is best to install their product first, then confirm that your VPN account is working properly.

Consult the Download page of the VPN supplier website. You must also download the applications for mobile devices that users use.

If the initial customer installed operates directly, you can request customers for other platforms from your VPN supplier. If the connection is impossible, you can notify the support team of the VPN supplier.

Step 4: Search for a configuration tutorial

If the initial customer installed operates directly, you can request customers for other platforms from your VPN supplier. You will undoubtedly find the necessary documentation. Otherwise, search for configuration guides for other suppliers using the same devices.

For example, if your business uses chromebook, you can search for tutorials reserved for these devices.

Step 5: Connection to VPN

After installing VPN client’s applications, it’s time to enter the connection information. In general, the username and password are identical to the identifiers used when subscribing to the VPN supplier, even if some companies ask you to create a separate identifier for the VPN customer proper.

After connection, the VPN application generally connects to the server closest to your current location.

Step 6: Selection of VPN protocols

VPN protocols decide the data routing mode between your computer and the VPN server. Some protocols improve speed, while others improve data confidentiality and security.

Openvpn

It is a free source protocol, that is to say whose code is displayed. Openvpn is also an increasingly used standard in the industry.

L2TP/IPSEC

The tunnelization protocol for layer 2 is also widespread. It includes reliable safety protections and is often grouped in the IPSEC protocol, which allows you to authenticate and encrypt data packets sent by VPN.

Sstp

The SSL tunnelization protocol is entirely integrated into the Microsoft operating system.

Pptp

The point -to -point tunnelization protocol among the oldest VPN protocols. But it is less and less used, given the availability of faster and more secure protocols.

Step 7: Troubleshooting

In general, the customer of the VPN supplier must be directly operational. But if not, try the following steps:

  • Turn off and restart the customer or restart your device.
  • If another VPN software is active, check that you are disconnected, then deactivate it.

VPN customers require suitable software drivers to operate normally. In some cases, you can click on the “repair” setting to recharge the pilots. Check the settings page to see if this feature is accessible.

In the event of a connection problem, check your connection authentication information again. Some VPN customers generate their own identifiers, others let you define them.

Make sure you use the right identifier and, if necessary, consult the welcome emails or the quick start guides you have received from the supplier.

You can also try to change servers. Try to connect to another server near your physical location.

Alternative: Try to connect with different protocols, if the VPN client allows you to change them. For example, you can use openvpn via TCP, then go to L2TP and PPTP.

If problems persist, other software programs may be the cause. Firewalls or security software can sometimes disrupt VPN connections. You can temporarily deactivate software likely to be the cause of the problem, however, taking care to reactivate them after your connection to prevent essential professional systems from being vulnerable to attacks.

Step 8: connection adjustment

After completing the basic principles, it is time to move on to improvements. Make sure that the parameters applied to VPN are adapted to the needs of your company.

For example, define if you want to activate the VPN immediately after starting the devices. This can be recommended if you want to benefit from continuous protection thanks to VPN, for example, if the majority of users work remotely. But, if you think you don’t need VPN only occasionally, you can configure its activation if necessary in order to release network resources for other uses.

Another adjustment option is to select current servers as default or “favorite” settings. This can save you a little time since you and the other employees will no longer have to search for your favorite servers for each connection.

You should also activate the “stop switch” if offered by your VPN supplier. The stop switch is designed to prevent a device from sending or receiving data when the VPN is disconnected.

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