Lets first begin by understanding what a VPN is! A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that provides a secure and encrypted connection over the internet, allowing users to access resources, communicate, and browse the web as if they were connected to a private network, even if they are using a public or untrusted network. The primary purpose of a VPN is to enhance privacy and security by creating a private and secure "tunnel" for data transmission.
Wondering why you should consider using a VPN? Well, it's all about enhancing the privacy and security of your dataโa crucial aspect in today's digital age. A VPN achieves this by implementing robust encryption, turning your network into a fortress against unauthorized access.
Consider this scenario: when you open a port on your firewall to make a service accessible, it's not just you who gains entry. The entire world could potentially access it. I once ventured into the deep web and managed to infiltrate an entire home networkโfirewall, sprinkler system, smart lights, smart garages, smart door locks, and all files and data. The vulnerability? The individual had exposed their camera system to the public web by directly opening the port on their firewall and I was able to retrieve his password which was the same everywhere else in his network.
Subsequently, I located his residence by identifying the county through his public IP address. Leveraging his cameras and satellite imagery, I cross-referenced the surroundings until I successfully pinpointed his home address. With this information in hand, I conducted public searches, uncovering his name and phone number. Initiating a call, I disclosed the extent of what I could access. Remarkably, this entire process consumed less than an hour. Following our conversation, he thankfully and promptly took action, closing all the ports on his firewall as a precautionary measure.
Now, contrast that with a VPN connection. It allows you to access your services within your network securely, without the constant worry of unauthorized eyes prying into or accessing your valuable services and data. In essence, a VPN acts as a shield, ensuring that your digital presence remains private and secure and most importantly unseen!
In this tutorial, I'll guide you through the installation of two VPNs: WireGuard and Tailscale. While both operate at the same high level of security and encryption, their methods differ. Tailscale boasts an easy setup with minimal firewall configurations, offering a slight performance difference without the need to open portsโthis aligns with the "Zero Trust" approach, prioritizing security. On the other hand, WireGuard is straightforward to install but requires a specific port to be opened on the firewall, resulting in a slightly improved performance.
You might be wondering about the contradiction regarding open ports on the firewall. The truth is, it depends on the service and its security measures. Tailscale's unique approach eliminates the need for open ports on the firewall, enhancing security through "Zero Trust." However WireGuard, while requiring a port to be opened, mitigates risk by employing VPN keys, ensuring that unauthorized access is thwarted. In the realm of VPNs, some level of port opening is common practice, often complemented by robust security measures.
Now that we've established the significance and necessity of a VPN, let's dive into the steps to set them up in your network. Given the length of this page, individual links for each VPN installation have been provided below. Click on the respective link to access detailed instructions for the VPN of your choice.
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