VPN - Security for when using public wifi - DD-WRT

[!TIMMY!]

I saw on the gadget show about using a VPN service to go though when using public wifi to protect yourself. I have a Linksys router with DD-WRT installed. Am I right in thinking I can create a VPN on my router and connect to it when using public wifi and use my internet connection at home to browse the internet from wherever I am?

If so, do I need a static IP address as I currently have a dynamic one.

[Jay]

you can use Dyndns if you have a dynamic IP and connect to your VPN via domain name.

[!TIMMY!]

you can use Dyndns if you have a dynamic IP and connect to your VPN via domain name.

Cheers for that, so am I right with my thinking of how it works? I am a complete novice when it comes to VPN's.

[peterb]

If you VPN to the router, you effectively become a user on your home lan. Ypour computer will have two virtual network interfaces, one to the the internet, and another one to your home router. (They are virtual interfaces because they both use the same physical interface to the wireless network).

On the plus side it gives you additional security, and to the host you are connecting to it appears as if your connection is from your home IP. (useful if you are abroad and want to stream BBC media for example). The down side is that you are using bandwidth from both your wireless service and your home ISP, and you may also find that connections are a bit slower as you are downloading to your router then uploading again via the VPN - so the speed will be limited to your home upload speed. But for mail and simple browsing, it is well worth the effort,

[spoon_]

Are you using OpenVPN via DD-WRT by any chance?

[DDY]

It takes quite a bit of work to get an OpenVPN server running on your router, I got it working myself but it took a good few hours, I followed the guide on the DD-WRT wiki.

Alternatively you can set up a PPTP VPN server on your router, PPTP is much easier to set up but is vulnerable to malicious attack. PPTP server guide also on the DD-WRT wiki.

EDIT: Just realised this is a year old thread, how did it go Timmy?