{"id":22912,"date":"2023-02-01T16:13:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T00:13:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=22912"},"modified":"2024-01-25T01:00:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T09:00:14","slug":"how-to-make-a-vpn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Own VPN &#8211; It\u2019s Not As Easy As Some Tutorials Make It Look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever been curious about making your own VPN, this article is for you. Maybe <strong>you\u2019re up for the challenge of creating a completely customized VPN<\/strong> or you\u2019ve been burned by a less-than-trustworthy VPN in the past.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever your reason, you might want to rethink your options. <strong>Making your own VPN isn\u2019t as easy as online videos make it sound<\/strong>, and online tutorials can be extremely misleading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ll help walk you through how to make your own VPN and you can decide for yourself if that fits your needs or whether a professional option may be a better fit<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Get A Reliable VPN <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d5dde3; padding: 15px; border-radius: 10px; width: 500px;\">\n<h4>Table of Contents<\/h4>\n<a href=\"#whyyou\">Why You Might Want to Make Your Own VPN\n<\/a><br>\n  <a href=\"#choosing\">Choosing the Right VPN for Your Needs\n<\/a><br>\n<section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#vpnserver\">VPN Server<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#vpsvm\">VPS and VM<\/a><\/section>\n<a href=\"#howto\">How to Make Your Own VPN<\/a><br>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#pick\">Pick A Server Solution<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#digitalocean\">How to Get A DigitalOcean VPS<\/a><\/section>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#linode\">How to Get A Linode VM<\/a><\/section>\n  <a href=\"#software\">VPN Software<\/a><br>\n  <section style=\"text-indent: 15px;\"><a href=\"#diy\">How to Set Up Your DIY VPN with OpenVPN Connect<\/a><\/section>\n  <a href=\"#whyusing\">Why Using A DIY VPN Can Go Wrong Fast\n<\/a><br>\n  <a href=\"#simplify\">Simplify Online Protection with PIA\n<\/a><br>\n<a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><br>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whyyou\"><strong>Why You Might Want to Make Your Own VPN<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ve heard about shady free VPNs, proxies loading your devices with malware and trackers, and professional VPNs handing over your online data on request. <strong>To avoid shady practices, you could decide to make a VPN yourself.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It looks pretty simple in Google search descriptions and YouTube tutorials, and your connection is free from third-party interference. <strong>It\u2019s tempting to choose a self-made option, and a DIY VPN comes with multiple benefits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 Personal control over access and security<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 Endless customization possibilities<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: none\">\u2705 You have several options for making a VPN<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Get Instant Protection <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"choosing\"><strong>Choosing the Right VPN for Your Needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You have several options when building your own VPN \u2014 these include <strong>virtual private servers (VPS), virtual machines (VMs), and purchasing a physical VPN server<\/strong>. If you\u2019re not sure which is best for you, you\u2019re not alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Navigating the world of DIY VPN options can be complicated and tricky. Let\u2019s take a look at the basic pros and cons of each option, <strong>so you can make an informed choice<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vpnserver\"><strong>VPN Server<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purchasing a VPN server <strong>limits you to your home network service area<\/strong> unless you purchase one allowing you to configure different locations or have them preset. If you only need secure access to your favorite local accounts on vacation, this isn\u2019t a problem, but <strong>accessing international content isn\u2019t possible without extra work<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a physical VPN server, <strong>your bandwidth is limited by what your equipment supports and what your ISP provides<\/strong>. Since most ISPs provide more download than upload bandwidth, you could be dealing with massively slow speeds, especially when streaming. When you choose PIA VPN, you get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-server\">access to our entire 10 Gpbs server network<\/a> and unlimited bandwidth, so you can stream uninterrupted virtually anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vpsvm\"><strong>VPS and VM<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A VPS or VM <strong>provides more location selection options and you don\u2019t have to worry about maintenance<\/strong>. Yet it may not bypass geo-restrictions and you\u2019ll need to pay close attention to the service\u2019s privacy policy. You give VPS and VM services your name, location, and financial information, so <strong>make sure they have an iron-clad no-logs policy before signing up<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VPS and VM services have bandwidth limitations, too. <strong>With a VPS or VM, your bandwidth is limited to what you pay for<\/strong>. While the base plan is usually cheap, <strong>the more bandwidth you want the more expensive it gets<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #b6d7a8; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <ul><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tip:<\/strong> While you may not hit a cap, charges for going over your initial data and bandwidth limitations on VM, VPS, and similar services can be costly. Be mindful of the overage fees your service applies to bandwidth and data. Whenever possible, choose a service that offers a bandwidth guarantee, to ensure you\u2019ll always have adequate coverage for your needs.<\/ul><\/div> <br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Discover more information on pricing <\/strong>and other features for each option <strong>in the table below<\/strong>. We included Private Internet Access as well, so you can compare each against a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><strong>premium VPN provider<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/w8xBKRS0R19Hl0kqWyB_7u_lUMMykKGeTEG3smNFCt6ZhReusCTRR1qDWnW_bAT6XcF8ACzzS5BozdOoHQFJcvuDpcYJ0THQ9nn5qFlLrWA7iEy6be2OicpJWQAkywTsxIQ7NrjmqFAy7IO_0sF-emqd6Ca9FnG4tv-HD_CxmMHLJ3EvB4YhPZDfr2Avcw\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Using a premium VPN is often the more affordable option.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Simplify Online Privacy With PIA <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"howto\"><strong>How to Make Your Own VPN<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on which method you choose, you may need to take the following into account: the strength of your central processing unit (CPU), storage and RAM limits, compatibility, preinstalled software, general support, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, <strong>let\u2019s get started building your personal VPN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #b6d7a8; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <ul><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tip:<\/strong> Always check your existing software and hardware to make sure it\u2019s compatible with the specifications\/requirements for the server and VPN software you want to use. You may not have the correct software, as some are Operating System (OS) specific.\n<\/ul><\/div> <br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pick\"><strong>Pick A Server Solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will need a VPN server to hide your physical IP address. Luckily, you have a few options to choose from in this department.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 1: Buy A VPN Server<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some VPNs offer multiple IPs, which are preset on the server. However, <strong>many of these VPN servers use the same virtual global IPs for all users<\/strong>, so you may deal with major congestion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The upside is <strong>you own the server and are the only person with access to it<\/strong>. You can set secure passwords and SSH keys as you can with VMs and VPSs, and <strong>customize features to the full extent of your ability<\/strong>. Additionally, you don\u2019t pay any monthly fees for the server. <strong>Most VPN servers work well with simple interface software<\/strong> like OpenVPN or can be set up using Command Prompt without much effort, if you know how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 2: Use A VPS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A VPS is a quick solution for a DIY VPN and offers shared and dedicated servers. <strong>Shared hosting requires you to share server resources with other users<\/strong>, which can slow your speeds and affect other performance factors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For VPS hosting, I chose <a href=\"https:\/\/cloud.digitalocean.com\/registrations\/new\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">DigitalOcean<\/a>.The base plans are affordable and <strong>you can choose a shared VPS if you want to save a bit more<\/strong>. DigitalOcean also has dedicated virtual servers (at an extra cost), so you get more control over server configurations and don\u2019t need to share resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d0e0e3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4 id=\"digitalocean\">How to Get A DigitalOcean VPS<\/h4>\n  <p>1. Create an account with DigitalOcean and log in.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/mrSUJmi96eXpnPaCNzD24ExL4cFFbtVbcyBFDXWuESpHHsWkGWK3GPN_rfSvwypkGLW-GKFcCBMj9ZSLWH-NjD_vFDhJksl_ajTXg_khTVt1GXShPogGAz_9SI_XWjngzhOQ6RnFg-xGpsGWfSCqYRZKHEs6xRb6rlre8RHOgdr-mCGlDfuReAZELgnHdw\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Use Google or GitHub or sign up with your email address.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>2. Choose <em>Create<\/em> and then<strong> <\/strong><em>Droplet<\/em> to build your virtual server.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/_NayIiZgK7qfasaAUZpPt0U3cKFW6Q7IkaYoXhuEYG7_NWRnnwizy2YUtfT6lkCz7MjfvkzS_s4-ODiCohziJEFJpJsH_2OJzscZ2bzC2niY_G28D-yCYkYL3-2OvJhcxdtgHeKYFHHVBGVzU8nCAHyEHE1q3wOwYy9N5srumEmF_gx0gwL9yarw4WgQXg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Droplets are virtual servers built in the cloud.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>3. Choose your operating system and version.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/u_Vi_1ukts6K6BrEIp_MWwXKUxk7iAdBoQuj05iUrI9xl-rjuNcjT85IIzwA-sKdyEqv_atqBsRNMIlGB9tyHvRCQMhC3vlZA76UhReN1jvwIxv52p9H5WWQ80m5ozaN_TOQw-4RQf2Rt7ISE7kuiBlPPh6i-unq2q0wp7LCfb_gzGZHlm8qcvSNKJ-72Q\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Make sure you choose the right OS version for the best results.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>4. The most affordable option is <em>Basic<\/em> under the <em>Shared CPU<\/em> option, but you can also choose a <em>Dedicated CPU<\/em> option.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/4BRTY-X6pji7fdiffNc3byEGg3vDS2viXV253h9eUtzcnIMyNz8UrXrNUezCrzH_pYgJUu2pNPUqxsXkUp5jUT1YU2yIK8OMJJ4h9aQNIp9hmKy8yAzECBmJfMs_0jMtfM2atE-B0qLjjaYlLW7ImFdjnnFk8bDtR7zfHNioYq8ZMeX1U7WP8BEgPDt4NQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dedicated CPU allows you to optimize for more memory or storage.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>5 Pick your authentication method. <em>SSH Key<\/em> is the default selection, but you can also choose to authenticate with a <em>Password<\/em> if you\u2019re more comfortable logging in that way.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/XT4Y_GXCdIA-zL6QufVo0UuL-Sn95Y2ksZWXPRKqWU8b_aYtKex_xxcY_qPQhlKyE02Gp0_QpThtE6CKYJooQBc0ICJTPH4h9qTOIKgd7XkaQg6gndlgRaoeI_6W2QkkFjgvjM6w1skNo2jP6h1BzVmMacjusWhd0ltDO5RPx5olMEDVOFmQF2CC962lmg\" alt=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A password can be just as strong as an SSH Key if you choose it carefully.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>6. Select the number of droplets you need and a hostname for your server. Add any relevant tags and pick a project.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/dq59JsOeHoyxB_TxMo-sn11My3cG_m3g_sZv9FpWsfL4dGAExoD9thvtcQ6sZwjoQLHE8vmy5CTISVjZ4zDalJ44X0uh1eq-2XGvBaj3jEp8wPQdA3AwBz7QpNORh-AkXnkFewnRuts_DyVYtyBdG-WnHo-8TeiRfyPGMcPKCCxv77NOMtpCqPBAxei_pg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You can categorize droplets by Hostname, like \u2018home network\u2019 or \u2018school\u2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>7. Confirm your choices. The virtual server will begin to build. <strong>Don\u2019t leave the page until it\u2019s completely finished.<\/strong><\/p>\n  <p>8. That\u2019s it! Once the build is complete you can log into your server and get your IP address to begin the VPN setup on your device.<\/p><br>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(<strong>Source<\/strong>: DigitalOcean.com)<\/p>\n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, <strong>you still share a physical machine with other VPSs<\/strong>, and one machine can only handle so much traffic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Option 3: VM Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google Cloud hosts <a href=\"https:\/\/cloud.google.com\/compute\/vm-instance-pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">VM services via Compute Engine<\/a>, and you can choose from a variety of VMs. <strong>High-CPU E2 VMs provide better savings long-term and work well as web servers<\/strong> because they can efficiently manage network resources. You also get a 30-day free trial of Compute Engine and <strong>full VM support<\/strong>. The downside is you run your traffic directly through Google, the king of data accumulation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you feel you can trust Google with your private information, it\u2019s worth noting it also offers N1, N2, N2D, C2, and C2D VM options, where you only pay for what you use. These VM types are more practical for businesses and corporations because they support more people accessing the VM simultaneously.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another option is a <a href=\"https:\/\/login.linode.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Linode VM<\/a>, a <strong>Linux-based virtual machine<\/strong> with DDoS protection, full VM support, a user-friendly cloud manager, and a 7-day money-back guarantee. I\u2019ll use Linode as an example of how to create a VPN server with a VM, as the <strong>process is reasonably straightforward<\/strong>. This time I\u2019ll choose a dedicated VM but shared options are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #d0e0e3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4 id=\"linode\"><strong>How to Get A Linode VM<\/strong><\/h4>\n  <p>1. Create an account with Linode and enter your payment information.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/vMeTFgS5JYjk2XI_M0G1vWDylBx6jr5gtrt1S9OZNiEGovoeQUc-qb3Ubo_4wCQFuZuPIvgcBW--NOMXbqANICH-M6EDbn_O329c9E6AeCRrB4Nv0AjA-IwMZDtI67ewcsLRyGge6GR_F86qpVE_1XXTxq3WCUnDgkW9jZoEzknN4iuyCFWf4FHrmsCC_Q\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Choose your sign-up method and get started.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>2. Choose your distribution, app, or image (I used distribution 20.4 LTS).<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/QE9PzehQN1gczYD0f5vpmq0Wm7onf2YbOD4VT1G-vJFpJmETD7mActrDhWmHs974Yijz5_5VBOapu30WOkVKf3PdvtIR8w7OBp-p8-06Sp1DbiJBo8HJXfsWoMGAXO4iRlJCGgyk-QZdsogl9y3FPHUZJh8MYJLuWUimxC4yqi0g5NjhQ_VOaR0YH-BvuA\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A distribution is your operating system\u2019s version number (e.g. Windows 10 or 22.04.1 LTS).<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>3. Select a region (e.g., US or UK).<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/60zBM3QK0uD0FVr3xKjH0HW7IsLFLNM64ihm2YLU6_N_84flRbn0finaWy4kIwd45Y8pb7ANliSP08IRzJ6e7BHu_bQuqOVgc4QrWgsIcXhd99X9cRm-Skozwm2VcK0qZLEv0fzuunJPBwYwI2JJNX9N2ZkwkqqMq_ETPSmsmVR-vUEb1x2a_HELY5_jJg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pick a location for your server.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>4. Choose a VM plan. I chose a dedicated CPU as we\u2019ve already covered a shared option.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/dZ9nSxZY8NkGZpY6SlZ9yte78gxHimmJFTMmm6b3cDSofUMoy_7CzWAQ9so6KjTueWq5_489vPXMP8Vcej4QnWhdyZeE1UOXzVNQaxDx-citdnYnRAdlPMaEx79_CkbbMHGi8c_KqF8nmzCNmTchTrQLFuM5tWec1XltZlDjBnE2dcG0gaxntQIRWR53Xg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dedicated CPU is best if you plan to use a VPN for the bulk of your online activities.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>5. Create a label for your Linode VM and add any relevant tags.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/copM8GB58mYwDzKt62rQBJdVxS36WfOvp1HwJn9Wbr73HoUwt-Xc8WN0XWkhrSU6OJEH-sfT-wLU3lfHn-lAD6HxcIDAfJ8hjClILTJb80bHD-sfx6fIYC6pdGjCrrZHNjw35ImO3Z7rMoL_854tHgkbUXGwegx2E_UCo52uSUCozANvuOwSjkkHNdgmwQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Choose a label\u00a0that helps you identify what you\u2019ll use each VM for.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>6. Create a root password \u2014 you can also add SSH keys in this step.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/3R1VR24Jv3BYN8KYe6nR8fUUavrpAJaBgfuZLazutywBBhCrtEWaPjauNHUFNqa_mKIYCdQ2q3YrKVbSuq_rbhF8OGx4-VtKGebr1h4SBWEnayTs5fAot4j117LqHLIJqg7uwqrOy8ieCYke1ZGfe0LwDliILYekSa40oT137tahQKrGE7204eBAoIfGKg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">After you create a root password you can also add SSH Keys for added security.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>7. Confirm the information for your Linode VM is correct, then click on <em>Create Linode<\/em>.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/X9h0us0ibO3PN3ZUy-qhggxP6cPav9N1i9ubslV0CsG8lyPKR-MWz2u_268QEwM_Eg4ee-Az2RjR4Kmhy_m38jjGhZ81T5LwWZZgjEkw4ImC7Gq6U5WNg30no5yEIAxc3aAzExPZOZ6T_rbgzYKTrPLB-iGzD4g-p7oXC_U7SrRSTQeU-AK9oRAbWLIbBg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Linode\u2019s Speedtest can also help pick the best region based on your current location.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>8. That\u2019s it! Log into Cloud Manager and click on <em>Networking<\/em>. Then find your IPv4 and IPv6 addresses by clicking on the ellipsis (\u2026) to the right of your Linode VM instance.<\/p><br>\n  <p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(<strong>Source<\/strong>: Linode.com)<\/p>\n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"software\"><strong>VPN Software<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A majority of <strong>VPN servers, VPS, and VM are compatible with most forms of interface software<\/strong>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/openvpn.net\/vpn-client\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">OpenVPN Connect<\/a>. It\u2019s rare, but some VPN servers, VMs, and VPSs are only compatible with specific VPN software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at how to set up a VPN at home using OpenVPN Connect and DigitalOcean VPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <h4 id=\"diy\">How to Set Up Your DIY VPN with OpenVPN Connect<\/h4>\n  <p>1. Make sure you have your URL or server\u2019s IP address and other information ready, then download OpenVPN Connect for your device. (I used my Android phone).<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/i7iaTZGx5TuLFrrOUotFyYLpGLB2xKWfIt9VpDB-HpnGNzZsE5bAGdD6nBiaJANR_DZ2AZnUiT1Eo33x2ugAAcby0_zscS6ihVW3BMv6uKyfI6MbIyv-Iz25iDrLwtM_6PWSfVR4zSjYRRZAyHrd2SbCMJgraVgRl1stUd10N3MoF6kwFtvgMASadHqhCA\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Find OpenVPN Connect in your app store or online.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>2. Once you\u2019ve downloaded the app to your device, the URL of your server (or import server profiles from your provider\u2019s site), click the <em>Next<\/em> button.<\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/u4VW-52gFx9XZ-IxDwSj1AuKc7pepBcXgIstXop0yaNe5qUwaGqxLiEv6bAC7oHhq2pJ31BfDXTU9AvdiokqSR92XG4U4RXzxwJlZ7rzE1b3Ytn9SItR-dR8H4ggK7e7He_AjjKnE5_RKF0OME4d_fpHEWIdW3QWKdW2utI6iV1DtisyJ3wnYeNueL6MYA\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">URL is a fast and effective way to set up your server on OpenVPN Connect.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>3. Enter a username and password, and<strong> <\/strong>make sure to keep your password somewhere safe. Your profile name will auto-populate. Check <em>Connect after import<\/em>. Finally, click on the <em>Import<\/em> button<strong>.<\/strong><\/p><br>\n  <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/tGy6vt8ThO3OEMLVKwvBjtigW6HWlMSwP0GwH6o0UlkPSQ_ZjzzuieOwVezUHue9BAwlWaJ2BTjd4SZT033_llxMulqVpeP77w4Ni_qplFTqWQs5_hXpwab3NIFFHjiBIJbsa0TuBg4fclhWG3wA2OUMb8JqdwPvgwfNdSb60bcnXpPke6byeWqKaRGY1A\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Once you\u2019ve entered all the information and hit import, you\u2019re ready to use your VPN.<\/figcaption><\/figure><br>\n  <p>4. <strong>That\u2019s it!<\/strong> The VPN will connect once OpenVPN Connect is done importing your server information.<\/p><br>\n  <p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(<strong>Source<\/strong>: OpenVPN Connect)<\/p>\n <p><\/p><\/div> <br><br>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whyusing\"><strong>Why Using A DIY VPN Can Go Wrong Fast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>VPN services that adequately protect your data and devices require regular maintenance<\/strong>, including security and software updates. <strong>If updates aren\u2019t applied on time<\/strong>, or at all, everything connected to your network is at risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Viruses, spyware, trackers, and cybercriminals may infiltrate your network and devices<\/strong>. This can lead to potential issues like network failure, location tracking, identity theft, financial fraud, software\/hardware damage, and unintentional involvement in DDoS attacks.<br><strong>When you build your own VPN, in most cases, you become the maintenance crew<\/strong>. The options I chose include customer support and some maintenance, but it isn\u2019t the norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #b6d7a8; padding: 10px; border-radius: 25px;\">\n  <ul><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Pro Tip:<\/strong> Any technical support offered for a VM, VPS, or physical server only covers the server. You don\u2019t receive support for VPN-related issues.\n<\/ul><\/div> <br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It seems more cost-effective to create your own VPN server and avoid those pesky monthly fees, but <strong>you\u2019ll have to program in advanced features which your VPN interface software, VPS, VM, or VPN server doesn\u2019t have.<\/strong> This includes features like a kill switch, anti-virus, ad\/malware blockers, split tunneling, DNS protection, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PIA comes with all of the extras built-in, including an all-in-one tracker blocker and a Kill Switch. You just need to click a button to turn on the VPN and activate them. It\u2019s as simple as that. PIA also offers an antivirus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/antivirus\">as an optional add-on<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"simplify\"><strong>Simplify Online Protection with PIA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you know how to make your own VPN, it\u2019s up to you to decide. Will you choose a DIY option that could potentially expose your data and limit essential resources, <strong>or go with a trusted VPN service<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Private Internet Access offers expert customer support 24\/7, comes with a money-back guarantee, and <strong>you can set up our VPN in 3 steps \u2014 that will take all of 5 minutes to complete<\/strong>. You won\u2019t find that in a DIY VPN solution, besides, all of PIA\u2019s advanced features are built into our app. That means<strong> we cover every aspect of maintenance, so<\/strong> <strong>you always get the latest fixes and updates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><button class=\"bg-btn-1\"> Download PIA Today <\/button><\/a>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faq\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673116113647\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can you make a free VPN?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Yes, but it\u2019s a bad idea.<\/strong> Using a free, reputable VPN interface like Amnezia or OpenVPN Connect is okay. However, <strong>you put your data at risk using a free server or proxy to make a VPN<\/strong>. Most are riddled with security holes opening a backdoor to your network and putting your privacy at risk.<br><br><strong>PIA has no backdoor <\/strong>and you get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\"><strong>30-day money-back guarantee<\/strong><\/a>. We use unbreakable AES encryption to scramble your online data and provide an advanced Kill Switch to prevent leaks.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673116131709\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I make a VPN?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You can <strong>buy or rent a VPN server, or rent VM or VPS servers<\/strong> from services like DigitalOcean or Google Cloud. <strong>Then you need to find the correct VPN software<\/strong> \u2014<strong> <\/strong>if it didn\u2019t come with the server. Some options are OpenVPN Connect, Amnezia, or using the command prompt. To make a basic VPN follow the instructions under <a href=\"#howto\">How to Make Your Own VPN.<\/a><br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673116169698\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it a bad idea to build your own VPN?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong>Yes<\/strong>, even if you\u2019re tech-savvy. Building a VPN is complicated because <strong>one wrong configuration can leave your data exposed<\/strong> and give cybercriminals access to your network. Additionally, many of the tutorials you find online are misleading and only provide bare-bones information. That means <strong>you\u2019ll need to look for how to create advanced features<\/strong> like a kill switch elsewhere.<br><br>Don\u2019t complicate your life \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-security\">you can secure your data with PIA<\/a> in three steps. You also get additional security features built-in and all you need to do is toggle a button to turn it on.\u00a0<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673116185306\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why is PIA safer than a DIY VPN?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">We have <strong>10+ years of experience with VPNs and a court-tested No Logs policy<\/strong> \u2014 PIA never collects usage data. Our VPN has the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\">advanced security and privacy features<\/a>, including a <strong>Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, RAM-only NextGen servers, AES encryption,<\/strong> and more.\u00a0<br><br>You can <strong>view our VPN app\u2019s source code on GitHub any time<\/strong>, and we use open-source protocols. <strong>PIA\u2019s open-source philosophy makes it easier to find and apply fixes in real time<\/strong>. Unlike a DIY VPN, which requires you to find and install all the updates for your software and hardware on your own.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to make your own VPN. Discover why a DIY VPN isn\u2019t the best option for online protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":22913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,845],"tags":[2790,2796,2793,2792,2795,2791,2794,1146,2327],"class_list":["post-22912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-security","category-guides","tag-build","tag-digitalocean","tag-diy","tag-easy","tag-linode","tag-own","tag-software","tag-vm","tag-vpn"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Build Your Own VPN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to make your own VPN. Discover why a DIY VPN might not be the best option for online protection, depending on your needs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Make Your Own VPN - It\u2019s Not As Easy As Some Tutorials Make It Look\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to make your own VPN. Discover why a DIY VPN might not be the best option for online protection, depending on your needs.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-02T00:13:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-01-25T09:00:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DIY-make-your-own-VPN-PIA.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"721\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kristin Hassel\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kristin Hassel\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/286e5fb351ecd2ce551e5fb44b547dee\"},\"headline\":\"How to Make Your Own VPN &#8211; It\u2019s Not As Easy As Some Tutorials Make It Look\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-02T00:13:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-25T09:00:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\"},\"wordCount\":2616,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DIY-make-your-own-VPN-PIA.png\",\"keywords\":[\"build\",\"digitalocean\",\"DIY\",\"easy\",\"linode\",\"own\",\"software\",\"VM\",\"VPN\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Cybersecurity\",\"Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/\",\"name\":\"How to Build Your Own VPN\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/DIY-make-your-own-VPN-PIA.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-02T00:13:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-01-25T09:00:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to make your own VPN. 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Passionate about helping users of all experience levels find, utilize, and manage software solutions, she\u2019s experienced in a wide range of cybersecurity topics and strives to educate people about the importance of online security.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/author\/kristinh\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116113647\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116113647\",\"name\":\"Can you make a free VPN?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Yes, but it\u2019s a bad idea.<\/strong> Using a free, reputable VPN interface like Amnezia or OpenVPN Connect is okay. However, <strong>you put your data at risk using a free server or proxy to make a VPN<\/strong>. Most are riddled with security holes opening a backdoor to your network and putting your privacy at risk.<br\/><br\/><strong>PIA has no backdoor <\/strong>and you get a <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\"><strong>30-day money-back guarantee<\/strong><\/a>. We use unbreakable AES encryption to scramble your online data and provide an advanced Kill Switch to prevent leaks.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116131709\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116131709\",\"name\":\"How do I make a VPN?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"You can <strong>buy or rent a VPN server, or rent VM or VPS servers<\/strong> from services like DigitalOcean or Google Cloud. <strong>Then you need to find the correct VPN software<\/strong> \u2014<strong> <\/strong>if it didn\u2019t come with the server. Some options are OpenVPN Connect, Amnezia, or using the command prompt. To make a basic VPN follow the instructions under <a href=\\\"#howto\\\">How to Make Your Own VPN.<\/a><br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116169698\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116169698\",\"name\":\"Is it a bad idea to build your own VPN?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<strong>Yes<\/strong>, even if you\u2019re tech-savvy. Building a VPN is complicated because <strong>one wrong configuration can leave your data exposed<\/strong> and give cybercriminals access to your network. Additionally, many of the tutorials you find online are misleading and only provide bare-bones information. That means <strong>you\u2019ll need to look for how to create advanced features<\/strong> like a kill switch elsewhere.<br\/><br\/>Don\u2019t complicate your life \u2014 <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-security\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">you can secure your data with PIA<\/a> in three steps. You also get additional security features built-in and all you need to do is toggle a button to turn it on.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116185306\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-vpn\/#faq-question-1673116185306\",\"name\":\"Why is PIA safer than a DIY VPN?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"We have <strong>10+ years of experience with VPNs and a court-tested No Logs policy<\/strong> \u2014 PIA never collects usage data. 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Most are riddled with security holes opening a backdoor to your network and putting your privacy at risk.<br\/><br\/><strong>PIA has no backdoor <\/strong>and you get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/buy-vpn-online?conversionpoint=make_a_vpn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>30-day money-back guarantee<\/strong><\/a>. 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Our VPN has the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">advanced security and privacy features<\/a>, including a <strong>Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, RAM-only NextGen servers, AES encryption,<\/strong> and more.\u00a0<br\/><br\/>You can <strong>view our VPN app\u2019s source code on GitHub any time<\/strong>, and we use open-source protocols. <strong>PIA\u2019s open-source philosophy makes it easier to find and apply fixes in real time<\/strong>. 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