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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up Free OpenVPN

Are you looking for a way to secure your internet connection and protect your online activities? Setting up free OpenVPN is an excellent choice for achieving this. OpenVPN is a robust and flexible VPN protocol that provides secure connectivity for both individuals and businesses.

What You Need to Get Started

Before diving into the OpenVPN setup, ensure you have the following:

  • A server (can be a cloud-based or physical server).
  • Administrative access to the server.
  • Basic knowledge of command-line operations.
  • The OpenVPN software package, which can be downloaded for free from the official OpenVPN website.

Step 1: Install OpenVPN

Begin by installing the OpenVPN software on your server. If you’re using a Linux-based server, you can install it by running:

sudo apt update  
sudo apt install openvpn easy-rsa

This command installs both OpenVPN and the Easy RSA tool, which helps generate the necessary encryption keys.

Step 2: Configure Easy RSA

Navigate to the Easy RSA directory and initialize the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI):

cd /etc/openvpn/easy-rsa  
./easyrsa init-pki

Next, build a certificate authority (CA):

./easyrsa build-ca

Follow the prompts to complete the setup. This step is essential for ensuring secure VPN configuration.

Step 3: Generate Server Keys and Certificates

Run the following command to generate server keys:

./easyrsa gen-req server nopass  
./easyrsa sign-req server server

Once this is complete, you’ll have the certificates needed to secure your OpenVPN installation.

Step 4: Configure the OpenVPN Server

Create a new server configuration file in the OpenVPN directory:

sudo nano /etc/openvpn/server.conf

Include essential parameters like the protocol, port, and encryption settings. For example:

port 1194  
proto udp  
dev tun  
ca ca.crt  
cert server.crt  
key server.key  
dh dh.pem

Step 5: Start the OpenVPN Service

After saving the configuration file, start the OpenVPN service:

sudo systemctl start openvpn@server

Enable the service to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable openvpn@server

Step 6: Set Up the Client

Finally, configure your client device to connect to the OpenVPN server. Download the client configuration file and import it into the OpenVPN client software.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully set up free OpenVPN for a secure and private internet experience. To learn more about enhancing your online security, visit our website at FreeVPN724.