Husain Alhaboubi

Two weeks ago, I made a promise in my A Blogger’s Guide to Using Cloudflare blog post to delve deeper into the world of VPNs. Today, I’m delivering on that promise. Let’s embark on a journey to create your own private VPN on AWS.

Understanding the Basics: Privacy vs. Anonymity

Before diving into the technicalities, it’s essential to differentiate between privacy and anonymity. While most online traffic is encrypted via HTTPS, without a VPN, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or anyone on your local network can see the domains you visit. They can’t view the content, but they know where you’re browsing.

A VPN offers an encrypted tunnel to its server, acting as a protective shield. When you connect to a third-party VPN server, your ISP only sees the VPN server’s IP, keeping your activities hidden. However, trust is crucial. Some VPN servers might keep logs, potentially compromising your privacy.

Moreover, a VPN can play a pivotal role in enhancing your website’s security, especially when using services like Cloudflare’s Web Application Firewall (WAF). As I mentioned in my post A Blogger’s Guide to Using Cloudflare, Cloudflare’s WAF allows you to control access to sensitive pages of your website. If you’ve set up rules to block access to certain pages, even you might be locked out. This is where a VPN comes in handy. By setting up a personal VPN server, you can whitelist its IP address on Cloudflare. This ensures that while others are kept out, you can still access the restricted pages seamlessly through your VPN.

Why Self-Hosted VPNs are the Gold Standard

Self-hosted VPNs are where you set up and manage your own VPN server. This ensures you have full control over logs and data. One popular method to achieve this is by using OpenVPN on AWS. It offers a degree of anonymity, especially if you choose server locations in diverse regions like Hong Kong. However, remember that hosting multiple servers can be costly.

The Benefits of Using AWS for Your VPN

AWS, or Amazon Web Services, is a trusted name in the cloud computing world. By hosting your VPN on AWS, you leverage its robust infrastructure, ensuring high uptime and reliability. AWS’s global presence means you can select server locations from a vast array of regions, optimizing speed and performance. Furthermore, AWS’s security features ensure that your VPN server remains protected from potential threats.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Private VPN on AWS with OpenVPN

STEP 1 Launching OpenVPN Access Server on AWS

1. Log into the AWS Management Console and head to the EC2 service.
2. It is best to select the region that is closest to you. So, if you are in Saudi Arabia, you may switch to Bahrain Region.
3. Click on “Launch Instance”.
4. In the dashboard, navigate to the AWS Marketplace menu and search for “OpenVPN”.
5. Choose the option with the “Free Tier Eligible” badge.
6. Proceed to the next page, select “t2.micro” from the instance type list, and click “Review and Launch”. t2.micro should be sufficient.
7. Create a new key pair, name it, download it, and then launch the instance.

STEP 2 Configuring Your Server

1. Once your instance is running, ensure you change the default password.
2. Set up your primary DNS server to 1.1.1.1 (CloudFlare DNS) and the secondary DNS server to 8.8.8.8.
3. Save these settings and update your running server.

STEP 3 Connecting Using Your VPN

1. To connect to your VPN, you’ll need a VPN client. For Android users, head to the Google Play Store and download the official OpenVPN Connect app.
2. Launch the app, start the import process, and enter the IPv4-Public-IP-address of your EC2 instance.
3. Use “openvpn” as the username and the password you set earlier.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Your VPN Experience

While setting up your VPN is a significant step, ensuring an optimal experience requires some additional considerations. Here are some tips to enhance your VPN usage:

• Choose the Right Server Location: Select a server location closer to your physical location to ensure faster speeds.
• Regularly Update Your Software: Ensure that your OpenVPN software and AWS services are regularly updated. This not only provides new features but also patches any security vulnerabilities.
• Monitor Your Usage: AWS offers a free tier, but it’s essential to monitor your usage to avoid unexpected charges. Set up billing alerts to keep track of your expenses.

Conclusion: The Power of a Private VPN

In today’s digital age, protecting yourself with a VPN is not just a luxury but a necessity. With threats lurking at every corner, a private VPN, especially one hosted on a reliable platform like AWS using OpenVPN, ensures you’re shielded from prying eyes.

Remember, while the internet offers a world of possibilities, it’s up to us to navigate it safely. By creating your own private VPN, you’re taking a significant step towards a more secure online experience. Stay safe, and happy browsing!