How to Build Your Own VPN

The issue of online privacy is a hot topic in today’s world, with malicious entities like hackers, intelligence agencies, and ISPs seeking to obtain and exploit your personal information for various reasons. This can lead to your sensitive data falling into the wrong hands.

This has resulted in a surge in VPN usage as people seek to protect themselves from online snooping. However, some individuals may not trust VPN providers or may not want to pay a monthly fee for the service. Therefore, they may be interested in creating their own VPN.

Is building a VPN costly or complex? Can a non-IT person create one and keep themselves secure online? This article delves into these questions and provides insight into the process of creating a DIY VPN.

How Can You Equip Yourself to Build Your Personal VPN?

Creating your own VPN essentially involves establishing a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a cloud server. This eliminates the need for relying on a VPN service provider and instead puts your trust in a cloud service provider. By doing this, your actual IP address is replaced with that of the server, and your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel, thereby ensuring that your online activities remain hidden from prying eyes. This process requires some effort, but it is doable. So, let’s take a look at the tools you’ll need to build your own VPN.

Virtual Private Servers (VPS)

When creating your own VPN, you will need to install it on a server. To help with this, virtual private servers (VPS) can be useful, as they provide the necessary computing power. When selecting a VPS provider, there are several important factors to consider.

These include the type of virtualization technology used, whether a dedicated IPv4 address is offered, and the location of the server. Depending on the purpose of your VPN, different locations may be preferable. Popular cloud services for setting up a VPS include DigitalOcean, Amazon EC2, and Microsoft Azure.

Most people use DigitalOcean because of its user-friendliness. Its $5 starter package offers 1TB of outgoing bandwidth, which is sufficient for most users. Amazon EC2 is also popular, offering a free plan for one year. However, this plan has limitations that can affect your VPN, especially if you want to use it on multiple devices. For example, it only allows 750 hours of usage per month.

Ansible Scripts

Creating a VPN manually can be time-consuming and complicated, but Ansible scripts make it simpler. Ansible scripts allow you to perform complex IT tasks with ease. One of the most popular Ansible projects for creating a VPN is Algo VPN, created by the Trail of Bits team. It simplifies the process while maintaining maximum security.

Algo VPN is distinguished by its ability to create a disposable VPN, making it a valuable feature. Additionally, Algo VPN is compatible with all the cloud services that were mentioned earlier. Although some users favor Streisand due to its privacy-oriented characteristics and the capability to establish an integrated Tor bridge, Algo VPN is still the preferred choice because of its user-friendliness.

How to Deploy Your Self-Hosted VPN

If you are looking for a hassle-free method to deploy your own VPN, then Algo VPN and DigitalOcean are the perfect combination for you. You do not have to create a server on DigitalOcean manually, as Algo VPN uses their API to configure everything. With Algo’s automation, you can skip the process of establishing an SSH connection and running complicated command lines.

Both these services are frequently updated, and the setup process changes accordingly. You can follow the step-by-step guide on Algo VPN’s official GitHub repository to deploy your VPN.

To get started, you need to create your DigitalOcean account and download the Algo VPN file. After that, you can install the VPN dependencies using the appropriate command lines and run the installation wizard. Then, find the configuration profiles in the “Configs” directory and double-click on them. Finally, go back to your terminal and start the deployment.

The exact process may vary depending on your device, but Algo VPN provides comprehensive setup guides to ensure that you can set up your VPN quickly and easily.

Advantages of Using a DIY VPN

There are several advantages to creating a DIY VPN.

• It is more affordable than commercial VPN services. DigitalOcean, for example, offers plans as low as $5 per month, which is significantly cheaper than most commercial VPN providers.
• DIY VPNs provide disposable servers, which can erase all data after every session, leaving no trace of online activity. This feature is particularly useful for those who value their online privacy.
• DIY VPNs offer more control over the VPN network, allowing users to customize settings and features according to their specific needs.

However, it is important to note that DIY VPNs have some limitations, such as their inability to bypass online censorship or unblock streaming services. Nonetheless, the advantages of creating a DIY VPN make it an attractive option for those who prioritize cost, privacy, and control over their VPN network.

Limitations of DIY VPNs

There are also some limitations to using a DIY VPN. First, they may not be able to bypass online censorship or unblock streaming services as effectively as commercial VPNs. Countries with heavy censorship often invest significant resources in maintaining their firewalls, and they are likely to track and block IP addresses associated with cloud services.

Additionally, major streaming platforms often block cloud services worth using, so a DIY VPN may not be effective for unblocking content. Finally, if you require a large number of servers, the costs of maintaining a DIY VPN may quickly escalate, making a commercial VPN a more affordable option.

Is Self-Hosting Your VPN Really More Private?

DIY VPNs may not necessarily perform better than commercial VPN services, as it largely depends on the technical expertise and resources of the person setting up the VPN. Commercial VPN services often have teams of experts dedicated to maintaining and optimizing their VPN servers, while a DIY VPN may not have the same level of support and resources.

Additionally, the performance of a VPN depends on a number of factors such as server location, available bandwidth, encryption strength, and latency. These factors can be influenced by both the VPN provider and the user’s own network setup.

That being said, a well-designed and well-maintained DIY VPN can potentially provide faster speeds and lower latency compared to some commercial VPN services. This is because the user has more control over the server configuration and can optimize it for their specific needs. However, setting up and maintaining a DIY VPN requires technical expertise and can be time-consuming, so it may not be a practical option for everyone.

FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating your own VPN can be a cost-effective and customizable alternative to commercial VPN services. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can deploy your own VPN server and enjoy benefits such as increased security, privacy, and control over your internet traffic.

While DIY VPNs may not be able to bypass online censorship or unblock streaming services, they offer a disposable option for those looking to protect their online activity without relying on a third-party provider. With some technical expertise and a few resources, you can build a DIY VPN that meets your personal needs and preferences.