Virtual Private Networks

[Watis]

I use VPNs routinely as part of my job so I understand what they do.

I am considering setting up a VPN for home use and am thinking of using OpenVPN, probably by installing FreedomBox on a spare Raspberry Pi.

I could use the OpenVPN client on my mobile phone, when connected to insecure public wifi, to VPN to my home router, then out to the wider internet via my ISP.

What I'm not clear about - and I may be overthinking this - is where OpenVPN connects to when creating a VPN from home? I've found nothing that suggests they are running a network of servers around the world like the paid-for VPN services provide.

Any advice welcome!

TIA,

Watis

[kyu66]

I use VPNs routinely as part of my job so I understand what they do.

I am considering setting up a VPN for home use and am thinking of using OpenVPN, probably by installing FreedomBox on a spare Raspberry Pi.

I could use the OpenVPN client on my mobile phone, when connected to insecure public wifi, to VPN to my home router, then out to the wider internet via my ISP.

What I'm not clear about - and I may be overthinking this - is where OpenVPN connects to when creating a VPN from home? I've found nothing that suggests they are running a network of servers around the world like the paid-for VPN services provide.

Any advice welcome!

TIA,

Watis

There is no OpenVPN network of servers - if you set up your own VPN on your Pi it is a network of one server. All you are getting is a secure (tunnel) connection to your Pi/home router from your phone, so as far as websites are concerned your home router is the source of all requests.

This may well be very slow - access is limited to your home broadband upload speed and has the overhead of encryption at both ends. I used to run a similar VPN hosted on my NAS for emergency access to locally stored documents when away form home rather than for general internet access.

HTH
kyu66