Trying to understand the hardware configuration needed for a pretty foolproof VPN solution.
I’m leaning towards a GL A1300 travel router, which I understand that I’d plug into my work laptop. Beyond that, would I just buy an online VPN subscription, configure it in the router, then be good to go?
Current configuration/requirements:
- Home modem is provided by ISP, own my own home wi-fi router.
- Cannot install ANY software on my work laptop.
- Want to avoid location leaks or VPN detection on work laptop.
- Have Windows installed on all computers.
My main questions:
- Would I just need one travel router to plug into my personal laptop, or do I need something extra plugged into my home setup as well?
- Can I connect my laptop to the travel router via wifi, or does it need to be ethernet?
- Can the travel router connect to internet via wifi, or does it need to be ethernet?
- Worried about wifi location leaks, though I don’t understand enough to know if this is an issue.
- Is it possible to create a private VPN to my home setup. Is this an ideal solution?
- Remember, I can’t touch the laptop, so I can’t e.g. create a virtual server on it.
- My concern is that if I use a public cloud VPN service, the administrators of the work laptop will be able to note that the IP is coming from a cloud VPN, even if the location seems fine.
Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth on your laptop. Ethernet laptop to your A1300 router. Then either use the repeater option to connect to the existing WiFi or run a cable to your mail router. A1300 should have VPN enabled, with a residential IP.
Turning off WiFi and Bluetooth will prevent laptop from searching nearby networks and locate you.
I have a wireguard VPN server running on my home router (Ubiquity UDM SE) and connect to it with my Beryl AX (GL-MT3000). I have Wi-Fi and BT turned off on my work laptop and connect to the travel router by Ethernet.
Your understanding is correct. There are two popular scenarios for using the router
- Buy VPN subscription, set it up on the router and you are done. Choose a VPN server and that will be your “public” presence
- Setup a second router in your house and setup the travel router to connect there. Your “public” presence will be your home network
Each one has pros and cons. The first one is simpler to setup (just one device) but the second is more undetectable (that you are using a VPN).
So your questions have different answers regarding which setup you choose. In both cases you don’t need to install anything on your laptop.
Answers
- If you go scenario 1 you need one travel router. If you go scenario 2 you need a second one at the home network
- Doesn’t matter. Prefer ethernet though for stability
- Doesn’t matter. Prefer ethernet when available.
- Turn off bluetooth, wifi and location services on your laptop. Connect with ethernet cable
- That is scenario 2. Yes you can do it. It is more complex. Also your power might go out.
- In both scenarios the laptop is untouched
- Depends on how much expertise they have and how bad they want to catch you. No setup is bulletproof
You might also want to check out the digital nomad guide https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/nmb9co/your_guide_to_the_digital_nomads_vpn_setup/
I have similar setup but issue is changing IP from the home internet ISP . any solution for that ? my ISP doesnt provide static IP.