this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
12 points (100.0% liked)

Recommendations

603 readers
1 users here now

Do you want to know the best products or services to do something? Ask it here and discover the best options to choose between

Anyone can ask for products by making a post. There are no posts because I think people think that they can not post but they can

If you what you want is software recommendations go to Software recommendations

rules: instance rules

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

I am looking for a compact travel router that I can use to always appear in my home country when I am travelling. This router should have a killswitch if the VPN is disconnected so as to avoid leaking my location.

top 6 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I have a GL.iNet Mango, which I think would suit your needs very well. (Either that or maybe a higher-spec router from the same company, anyway: the Mango lists VPN as a prominent feature so it's definitely got that covered, but it's only an 802.11N (300Mbps) device.)

The nice thing about GL.iNet routers is that they come with OpenWRT firmware already on them from the factory, so you can do whatever you want with them.

While I'm at it, here's an OpenWRT forum thread explaining how to adjust the firewall settings to act as a "killswitch."

[–] Mezzy 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

This looks like great advice. Thanks for the resources!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I've run multiple GLI net devices myself. I have no complaints about them. You might want to consider what the power source is for your GLINet device. Make sure it matches the cords you're taking. So it might make sense to buy a USB-C device if you only have USB-C cords.

[–] Windex007 5 points 1 year ago

This is a pretty esoteric question, so I'm super curious as to the responses you get.

I don't have a recommendation, but I can maybe suggest an avenue to explore...

If you can't find a router that does this out of the box, there are a few high-end custom firmwares you can get that can be used on MANY commercial routers that add extended functionality. The one I'm thinking of is called "dd-wrt".

I strongly suspect you could get such a system set up on a router running that firmware... And I'd be surprised if a guide didn't already exist for that.

An alternative to a router would be to build an intermediary device to act as a VPN tunnel so that neither the gateway OR the computer is aware. I'm imagining a raspberry pi, maybe with a second wifi dongle.

Interested in seeing what other recommendations you get!

[–] kratoz29 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I recommend the one I own the Slate travel router.

Although be aware it is an older model, so maybe there are some worthy revisions as of now, but this one does exactly what you want.

[–] Mezzy 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The Slate Plus looks great. I like the Mango that another commenter posted (especially for the price), but would prefer to have USB C that Slate has to avoid micro USB. Thanks friend!