Searching for a router model 6E along with its protection configurations.
Searching for a router model 6E along with its protection configurations.
Most ISP routers I've used offer many settings, such as port forwarding, DHCP and DNS adjustments, and more. They're not ideal for everyday home use. The default configurations work well. Apps that capture information aren't impacted by the router; they simply relay data between your computer and their servers. Blocking them on a router is difficult since everything is encrypted. You can create a Pi-hole for DNS filtering to help with privacy, but most privacy gains come from switching services and tweaking settings rather than changing routers or VPNs.
They often need extra resources on a computer. The software is usually bundled and free, but it can vary depending on the model. It's not unusual for Asus routers, except in cases involving partnerships with VPN providers like WTFAST. Whether it's paid or free doesn't always mean security level—sometimes free comes with limitations.
You'd configure these on a computer to function as a router. Usually, a dedicated PC is needed. Avoid using a VPN for this scenario—it won't be effective, and the VPN provider plus your ISP could monitor your data. Open-source solutions tend to offer better security, though that varies.
Common availability allows devices to operate locally without relying on your main computer, reducing resource demands. You can deploy OPNsense, PFsense or similar routers on your workstation or server via a virtual machine, which consumes more resources. Alternatively, you might purchase specialized hardware from the developers or install the software on a dedicated machine. Running OPNsense in a VM on my server saves costs significantly... Although I believe open source offers greater security. Anyone can review the code to identify vulnerabilities and adapt it to their requirements. This approach also avoids restricting users or monitoring their activities. True freedom comes from open-source, where users can inspect, modify, and share the software as they see fit. Non-free solutions typically lack this transparency, leaving users dependent on the vendor's control and limiting their ability to customize or protect themselves. If a manufacturer discontinues a product, support disappears, forcing a switch—something rare with free software, which often persists through community efforts. This is why many prefer open-source tools: they empower users, enhance privacy, and reduce reliance on centralized control. For privacy concerns, consider using the Tor network, though availability remains limited. Be aware that some platforms, like Apple, are rumored to pursue extensive surveillance; if you own an Apple device, removing it is advisable. This freedom from proprietary constraints is a core benefit of open-source software.
I don't really need a web browser because I'm working with apps. Some people say they're more secure and respect privacy better. They can probably see what you do, but they won't track you without asking. Running it on my own server would be great, though. I'm eager to build one someday because I want hands-on experience. It's not easy jumping in right away—it takes a lot of thought. There are many factors to consider; it's not just simple. Back in school we had to do calculations for subnets, which was fun but ended quickly. I never really needed that again, and I didn't have much money at the time. Now I have more options to explore: c:
IIRC, there is a toggle switch during setup to disable cloud access and enable local access. If you don't want Ubiquiti to host your cloud controller, you can host locally (on a Cloud Key or UDM-Pro), your own server (local or cloud) or even something like Hostifi. Although I've never been in this scenario, I can easily reset any device by "unprovisioning" it and use it at another site. Setup starts from scratch. There's no license to be concerned about either.
Consider the current availability of WiFi 6e devices; I won’t stress about it now and plan to install a dedicated WiFi 6e access point once they become common. For now, I’m relying on Zyxel products since they’re more durable and dependable than consumer gear, even though they cost similar to routers. Regarding VPNs, keep in mind you’ll likely get only around 300Mbit per connection, which isn’t practical for high speeds with OpenVPN due to limited server capacity.
I have read that you can turn off using the account only _after_ you created it and tied the device to it, and when you have disabled using that you can't transfer ownership of the device anymore. Besides all others issues with that, it means you didn't buy the device but only rented it. Even when it's a one-time payment, it means you don't own your hardware. And you don't know if Ubiquity suddenly decides that using the account all the time is required and that users have to pay some subscription fee. And what about your privacy? It's not in any way where, how, when, for what, and so on, Ubiquitys business what you do with your hardware. But that you can't use "your" hardware without notifying them is a massive rape of your privacy. That isn't the point. An UDM isn't their so-called cloud key. It is a device that you pay for and yet it isn't yours as they keep control over it, not you, and it rapes your privacy. It is an entirely non-free device. That is not a device which I would want to allow to control my internet access, or anything else. Besides, Ubiquity has always been extremely bad on documentation, and that didn't really change, though they tried to improve the documentation over time (but it still sucks). That means you have to keep asking questions on their forum and hope that maybe you get answers eventually. Many times you don't and that means you simply can't do what you need to. For someone like the OP who seems to be interested in learning, I can point to routers and switches HP makes (or used to make) because they come with excellent documentation. The documentation is so good that you can learn from it. Compared to Procurve and Aruba switches, Ubiquitys EdgeMAX switches and routers are total crap because their configuration and administration is more like a nightmare than anything else, whereas Procurves and Arubas are extremely easy and a sweet dream to handle. The only thing that does speak for Ubiquity is their relatively low price and that their hardware has advantages in that it usually doesn't run its fans and consumes less power than the HP (relatively old) switches. HP may have improved on power consumption, I don't know. HP has a lifetime warrany on some products, and they do replace your 15 year old switch, when broken, under warranty, even though you bought it used off ebay for 20 with a practically new one, and they even pay for the shipping. As to Ubiquitys Unifi switches, you can't manage them without all the infrastructure and their management software running somewhere and accessible, and that makes their switches practically useless. I need to be able to manage a switch by itself, especially since switches are infrastructure devices that need to work and do their part before the infrastructure is in place. OTOH, HP has gone bad with their support because you have a hard time to get firmware updates without a support contract, which is something you don't get. Cisco is much worse, so never buy anything from Cisco (or linksys). That has been an advantage with Ubiquity as they don't give you trouble with firmware, but when they discontinue the EdgeMAX products, they will make no longer make any relevant products. Having that said, I'm not entirely happy with OPNsense or PFsense because neither support zone base firewalls. Yet that is someting I can live with, and what other option is there short of installing Fedora or the like and making your owner router with that. I've done that 20 years ago with Debian, and it has become easier since. If you really want to learn, make your own firewall from scratch with iptables and go from there.