OpenVPN on a VPS: the practical checklist (so it doesn’t become a weekend nightmare)

 # OpenVPN on a VPS: the practical checklist (so it doesn’t become a weekend nightmare)

**Last updated:** 10/02/2026

I’ve seen the same pattern too many times: someone spins up an OpenVPN server on a VPS, it “works”, and then weeks later they discover leaks, weak settings, or a configuration that’s one update away from breaking.

This post is intentionally not a full 30-page tutorial. It’s the **skeptical, practical checklist** I wish everyone followed before trusting a VPN setup—especially when it’s running on a public server.

I’m running OpenVPN on an Ubuntu VPS myself, so this is written from the “real admin life” perspective: what matters, what breaks, what you should verify.

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## 0) First: what OpenVPN is (and what it is NOT)

OpenVPN is great for:

- securing traffic on untrusted networks (public Wi-Fi)

- accessing your home/office resources securely

- creating a private tunnel between devices

OpenVPN is **not**:

- a magic anonymity tool

- a replacement for good browsing habits

- a guarantee that websites can’t identify you (they still can, via accounts, cookies, fingerprinting, etc.)

If your goal is “privacy”, you need more than a VPN.

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## 1) Server basics (before you touch OpenVPN)

If you skip these, you’re building on sand.

### ✅ Update and patch

- Keep Ubuntu updated.

- Enable unattended security upgrades if you’re not monitoring daily.

### ✅ Firewall rules (minimum viable)

- Only open what you need:

  - SSH (preferably restricted)

  - OpenVPN port (UDP recommended)

- Everything else: closed.

### ✅ SSH hardening (do this even if you think you’re careful)

- Disable password login (use keys).

- Consider moving SSH to a non-default port (not security by itself, but reduces noise).

- Optional but useful: fail2ban.

### ✅ Time sync

- Make sure time is correct (NTP). Certificates and auth break when time is off.

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## 2) VPN configuration choices that actually matter

### ✅ UDP vs TCP

- **UDP** is usually the right choice for VPN performance.

- TCP over TCP often causes weird slowdowns and retransmission issues.

### ✅ Use modern crypto profiles

If you’re using an installer/script, check what it sets.

You want modern standards:

- AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305 (depending on support)

- strong TLS settings

- avoid outdated ciphers

### ✅ TLS key / HMAC protection

Extra layer that helps against certain scans/abuse. If your setup supports it, use it.

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## 3) The big one: DNS leaks (the thing people assume won’t happen)

A VPN that “connects” but still leaks DNS is a classic failure.

### What to do

- Force DNS through the tunnel.

- On clients, verify DNS servers change when VPN is on.

- Consider using:

  - your own DNS resolver, or

  - a trusted privacy-focused DNS provider

### How to verify (simple)

When connected:

- check what DNS server you’re using

- run a DNS leak test from a browser

- and compare results with VPN off

If DNS doesn’t route through VPN, your privacy story is fake.

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## 4) IPv6: either handle it or disable it

Many VPN setups forget IPv6 entirely.

If your clients use IPv6 and your VPN doesn’t manage it:

- you can leak traffic outside the tunnel

**Practical approach:**

- either configure IPv6 properly in your VPN

- or disable IPv6 on the client side to avoid leaks (simpler, but not “perfect”)

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## 5) Split tunneling vs full tunnel (choose intentionally)

### Full tunnel

All traffic goes through VPN.

- more privacy

- more load on VPS

- easier to reason about

### Split tunnel

Only certain subnets go through VPN.

- faster

- less privacy

- easier to accidentally leak traffic

If you don’t know which you’re using, assume it’s wrong and verify.

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## 6) Logs and monitoring (minimal, but not blind)

You don’t need enterprise monitoring, but you need basic visibility:

- connection logs

- auth failures

- unusual spikes in traffic

At minimum:

- know where your OpenVPN logs are

- check them occasionally

- keep an eye on disk usage (logs can grow)

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## 7) Backups (so you don’t rebuild from scratch)

Back up:

- OpenVPN config

- certificates/keys (securely)

- firewall rules / notes

A VPS failure should be an inconvenience, not a disaster.

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## 8) The “trust” part: what you should verify weekly (2 minutes)

This is what makes it trustworthy over time:

- ✅ Can you connect successfully from at least one client?

- ✅ Is DNS going through the tunnel (quick check)?

- ✅ Any weird auth failures in logs?

- ✅ Is the VPS updated?

- ✅ Is there any unexpected open port?

That’s it. Consistency beats perfection.

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## What’s next (deeper posts later)

Later I’ll publish:

- a clean OpenVPN setup guide on Ubuntu (2026 edition)

- client configs for Linux/Android/Windows

- hardening steps that don’t break usability

- how I personally handle DNS and leak prevention

For now, if you’re running OpenVPN on a VPS, use this post as your checklist—and don’t assume “connected” means “secure”.

— Dimitris