Open VPN Security Question

[Richdem]

Hi All,

I hope this isn't a stupid question lol

I currently have Open VPN setup on my Asus Mesh Router and use the apps for both Android & IOS to connect to my home network when I am away from home. When I am on a public WiFi network such as a Coffee shop I always use Open VPN. By doing this is all my internet traffic still encrypted on whichever device I am connecting with? I am not looking to mask my IP Address by connecting to a server in a different country I am just looking to to make sure my personal information is kept safe.

My wife prompted this question because she suggested we use a paid VPN service. I had always taken it for granted that using Open VPN will keep us safe while surfing on public networks.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[TinCanTech]

Using any VPN (paid service or private server) is not going to "keep us safe while surfing on public networks" unless you have it correctly configured for such a task.

[Richdem]

What does one need to do to set this up properly?

I basically followed this guide on my Asus Router

https://randyshomeprojects.blogspot.com ... outer.html

Once I had created the openvpn configuration file from my router using a strong password I transferred it to each device using a USB stick so the file never went outside my network.

[TinCanTech]

I am not looking to mask my IP Address by connecting to a server in a different country I am just looking to to make sure my personal information is kept safe

What you need to ensure is that your client is seen on the internet from your server IP only.

Start here: https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/HOWTO

See "Redirecting web traffic over the VPN"