Replace Sky router with TP-Link AC2300

[Les_1]

What I want to do is add a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to my router.
I know you can't do this on a Sky router, however, I have a TP-Link AC2300 modem/router, sat around, doing nothing, on which you can add a VPN.

Now, which is best, replacing the Sky router with the TP-Link one, or, adding the TP-Link one to the Sky router, in series, so to speak?

bare in mind that I am 77 years young and well past my prime, so, easy-to-understand instructions would be appreciated.

Oh, one more thing, we have Sky Stream as well, hopefully, that won't cause any problems.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards

Les

[jamesn123]

@Les_1 

The easier option would be to just add the TP-Link router in series although you'd need to port forward through the Sky hub for the VPN. 

Otherwise you can connect it directly to your line but TP-Link routers are known to be a bit temperamental getting a WAN connection with Sky.

[Les_1]

Thank you so much for your message, with me being such an ancient Silver Surfer, I'm not sure exactly how to "port forward through the Sky hub for the VPN".

Unfortunately, I need my hand held securely throughout the whole process, otherwise, I am likely to get something wrong and lose my internet connection completely.

Sorry to be such a pain in the bum.

Regards

Les

[jamesn123]

@Les_1 

Can I ask why you wish to add a VPN server to your router? This kind of thing tends to be of more interest to enthusiasts more than anything and you don't strike me as an enthusiast?

Or do you mean you currently subscribe to a VPN service and you want that service to run on your router? If so again what is the requirement for this?

[Les_1]

I don't at present have a VPN, but I have been reading about how they can help to conceal your identity and whereabouts, with this in mind, I was thinking, that if I had a VPN on my router, then everyone in the house would be protected, rather than having to install it on every device in the house. Even visitors to the house would be protected and they wouldn't have to do anything, or even pay anything.

I suppose I would consider myself to be an ageing enthusiast, who is ageing more with each passing day, I'm also forgetting more as time goes by, I suppose I would like the best protection for everyone in the house in one fell swoop.

If you could help steer me in the right direction, I would be eternally thankful.

Regards

Les

[jamesn123 · Accepted solution]

@Les_1 

VPNs alone do not offer much in the way of protection if you generally have nothing to hide. They are mostly used for the following;

- You don't want your ISP tracking you

- You want to avoid using forced DNS from an ISP or router

- You want to get around Geoblocking for a certain site (Often streaming services)

- You want to protect yourself when doing things like torrenting or visiting the dark web

The problem with using a VPN on a router and forcing all connected clients to use that VPN is that often you'll find yourself blocked by some sites because they keep a list of well known VPN providers IPs and block them. An example of this is streaming services like iPlayer, Netflix, ITVX etc who actively target and block any known VPN IPs and could stop your whole house from accessing them when the VPN is active.

You may also find that you are subject to a lot CAPTCHA's as again you are sharing a public IP with many other VPN users who may be up to no good therefore flagging that IP as suspicious so when you visits sites like google you'll be asked to complete a CAPTCHA before your google search goes through. 

I know that is a big block of text however I have tried to condense it down as much as possible for reading. If you would still like to use a VPN service on a router then your best option would be to just plug the TP-Link router into the Sky hub, then disable WiFi on the Sky hubs settings. You would then establish the VPN connection on the TP-Link router & connect your devices to the WiFi network of your TP-Link router. It is a fairly simple process to complete