How to Block VPNs on Your Router

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a private network that encrypts and tunnels your internet traffic through a public server. This guide will show you how to block VPNs on your router.

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Introduction

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet. VPNs can be used to access region-restricted websites, shield your browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, and more.

However, VPNs can also be used to circumvent geo-restrictions and censorship, or browse the internet anonymously. This can be a problem if you’re trying to block certain sites or limit internet access for certain devices on your network.

Fortunately, most routers have the ability to block VPN traffic. In this article, we’ll show you how to block VPNs on your router so that you can regain control of your network.

What is a VPN?

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a private network that encrypts and tunnels your internet traffic through a public server. This way, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and government agencies cannot see what you’re doing online. A VPN also allows you to access blocked websites and content.

Types of VPNs

Virtual private networks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own set of features and benefits. To help you decide which is best for you, here’s a rundown of the most common types of VPNs.

1. Site-to-Site VPN
A site-to-site VPN connects two or more devices on a single network, usually using dedicated equipment such as a router or firewall. This type of VPN is often used by businesses to allow remote workers to connect to the company network.

2. Remote Access VPN
A remote access VPN allows individuals to connect to a network from a remote location. This type of VPN is often used by business travelers who need to access their company network while on the road. It can also be used by individuals who want to protect their online activity from potential criminals or nosy ISPs.

3. VPN Router
A VPN router is a physical or virtual router that uses VPN technology to provide secure, encrypted connections between two or more networks. This type ofVPN is often used by businesses that have multiple locations or need to connect multiple devices to the same network.

4. SSL/TLS VPN
SSL/TLS is a type of VPN that uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to provide encryption and authentication between two devices. This type ofVPN is often used in conjunction with site-to-site and remote access VPNs, as it provides an extra layer of security for data transmissions.

Benefits of VPNs

There are many benefits of using a VPN, including increased security and privacy, access to restricted or geo-blocked content, and bypassing government censorship.

VPNs can also be used to protect your online activity from your ISP or other third-party snoopers, and can help you avoid being targeted by attacks like DDoS or man-in-the-middle attacks.

In addition, VPNs can be used to improve your internet speed or bypass internet throttling by your ISP.

How to Block VPNs on Your Router

If you want to block VPNs on your router, you can do so by following a few simple steps. First, you will need to log into your router’s settings and find the section that allows you to block IP addresses. Next, you will need to enter the IP addresses of the VPNs that you want to block. Finally, you will need to save your changes and reboot your router.

Option 1: Block VPNs at the Router Level

If you want to block VPNs at the router level, you can do so by:

-Configuring your router to block GRE traffic. GRE is a protocol that is often used by VPNs.
-Blocking IPsec traffic. IPsec is a protocol that is often used by VPNs.
-Blocking PPTP traffic. PPTP is a protocol that is often used by VPNs.
-Configuring your firewall to block VPN traffic.

Option 2: Use a VPN-Specific Firewall

In this second option, we’ll be using a VPN-specific firewall to block all traffic from Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers. By doing so, you’ll still be able to use a VPN, but only one that you approve of. This is ideal if you want to block certain VPN providers but allow others.

For this method, we recommend using the pfSense software. pfSense is an open source network firewall/router software based on FreeBSD. It’s one of the most popular options for self-hosted network appliances and for good reason — it’s feature-rich, reliable, and its configuration options are easy to understand.

Best of all, pfSense is completely free and can be installed on commodity hardware or a virtual machine. We’ll be installing pfSense in a virtual machine on our local network, but the process is similar whether you install it on physical hardware or not.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to block VPNs on your router, you can keep your network safe from unwanted VPN traffic. Be sure to consult with a qualified IT professional to ensure that your router is properly configured and that your firewall is correctly set up to protect your network.