You can use Raspberry Pi to connect to a VPN. Be aware that it’s involved and that you’ll want to be comfortable using the terminal to get through the process.
We’ll give you links where you can cut and paste most of the commands you’ll need.
Why Do This?
A Raspberry Pi VPN allows you to have portable VPN protection that you can use wherever you roam.
Using the OpenVPN protocol, you can set it up for free, though it is a bit of work.
For those who just enjoy seeing what they can do with Raspberry Pi, this project could prove to be a rewarding challenge.
Shopping List
The list of materials required is surprisingly short. You will want:
- A Raspberry Pi, of course
- A case
- A power supply
- An SD card
- A Cat5e cable
You can get all of these items, except the cable, at the Raspberry Pi link.
You can use just about anything for the case, as long as it protects the device. The cases from the Raspberry Pi site will likely prove to be the best solutions, however.
Getting Started
You should have NOOBS installed before you begin the project. If you’re new to Raspberry Pi and don’t know what NOOBS is, click here.
You’ll have to have the latest version of Raspbian on your Raspberry Pi to configure the VPN.
Rasbpian can be downloaded from here.
You can get even more information on installing the OS here.
Configuring the VPN
There are three ways you can go with configuring your Raspberry Pi. The first, using a service called Hamachi to build your VPN, is a bit easier than the others, but it costs.
You can also install OpenVPN and configure it yourself, which is more involved than the first option, but it’s free.
The third option is to use PPTD VPN, which is the most involved process of all.
You can see detailed instructions for installing Hamachi on Raspberry Pi over at Lifehacker.
OpenVPN is likely to prove more challenging, but it might be worth the effort.
You can get started by installing OpenVPN. It’s on Raspbian already; you just have to unpack it. Type the following into your terminal:
sudo apt-get install openvpn
This will unpack and install OpenVPN on your Raspberry Pi. The rest of the commands you’ll need to complete the OpenVPN setup are linked below.
Instructions for PPTD VPN are available here. This is an even more involved process, however.
Checkout our List Best of VPN Providers Here
Now the Hard Part
Now, you’re going to have to configure your VPN. How you do this might vary a bit. We’ve gathered some detailed instructions you can follow that should help you finish off the process, which are linked at the end of the article.
This process will require you to build keys, set up DoS attack protection, edit configuration files, setup a static IP and more. It’s complicated and it’s going to be time involved.
The payoff, however, is that you get a very handy way to protect your privacy online from your work, and one that you can use wherever you go.
Where’s that Link?
If you’re taking our recommended route and using OpenVPN on your Raspberry Pi, you can click on the link below to see the BBC’s excellent instructions on it.
You might want to make some coffee before you get started.
Detailed instructions from the BBC, with terminal commands: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33548728
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