So it should be obvious why so many regular Internet users choose VPNs to anonymize their digital presence and give their connection a security boost. While most users opt for single-device protection, there’s an increasing demand for network-wide solutions. More so given recent developments that have lead so many to start working from home. With that in mind, let’s see what’s the best way to benefit from a VPN’s full array of features on an entire network.

Use a multi-device VPN

Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs when it comes to multi-device support. As a matter of fact, Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that let you connect to an unlimited number of devices. Therefore, no matter how many Internet-enabled devices you’ve got in your household, Surfshark will let you link them all up and use them on the same account. On the other hand, you need to make sure that you can actually deploy Surfshark on each and every single device on your network for full protection. The downside is that certain devices don’t have built-in VPN support (such as most IoTs). Check out a list of Surfshark-friendly devices:

Desktops/laptops: Windows macOS Linux Phones/tablets: Android iOS Browsers (extensions): Chrome Firefox Smart TVs: FireTV Apple TV Other TVs Gaming consoles: PlayStation Xbox

If you want to include other devices than the one listed above behind a VPN’s protection, we suggest you take a look at our second method (router). Other than that, using Surfshark is an easy, foolproof method to benefit from a VPN on the entire network.

ZenMate VPN

ZenMate VPN is currently one of the two VPNs that allow you to use it on an unlimited number of devices. In fact, it even offers a separate, cheaper plan if you’re thinking about using it exclusively in your web browser. We’ve already established that multi-device VPN is one of the easiest ways to benefit from a VPN on your entire network. More so considering that there’s no limit to the actual number of devices you can use on the same account. Therefore, you can safely purchase a household-wide account and connect all the devices under your roof to it. ZenMate VPN won’t mind, and won’t throttle your speed/bandwidth, either. ZenMate VPN has been tested and works great on the following devices:

Windows macOS Linux Android iOS Raspberry Pi Firestick TV Apple TV Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox) Smart TVs Chromebook Firefox Chrome Opera Edge

For any other seemingly unsupported Internet-enabled devices we suggest you take a look at our other method (the one that involves a router). Many Internet-ready devices don’t have VPN support, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be protected.

Install a VPN on your router

Installing a VPN on your router is definitely more complicated than using an unlimited-devices VPN such as the one we’ve listed above. However, if you’re a bit tech-savvy or you simply don’t want to use Surfshark or ZenMate, you can go for it. Unfortunately, we won’t guide you step-by-step through the router VPN configuration process for two reasons: For this method to work, you’ll need to make sure that your router has built-in VPN support or DD-WRT/Tomato. Certain router models don’t come with VPN support, but custom firmware such as OpenWRT/DD-WRT/Tomato can bypass this limitation. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that your VPN can handle being installed on a router. Certain VPNs only work through their dedicated apps, and installing a VPN on your router won’t involve dedicated apps.

Final thoughts on setting up a VPN for the entire network

All things considered, it’s definitely possible to set up and use a VPN for the entire network. However, doing so depends on a series of factors, including but not limited to your preference towards certain VPN services and your router’s hardware limitations. Long story short, using a multi-device VPN such as Surfshark or ZenMate VPN seems to be the safest, easiest way to configure VPNs for the whole network. However, if you plan on protecting even devices with no native VPN support such as IoTs, installing a VPN on your router may be the best way to go about it.

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