How to Route All Traffic Through OpenVPN on the Client Side

💡 Why Route All Traffic Through OpenVPN Client Side?

If you’ve ever mucked around with VPNs, you’ll know there’s a bit of a learning curve. One common pain point is figuring out how to make all your internet traffic go through your VPN connection instead of just some of it. This is especially true for OpenVPN users who want a no-nonsense setup that locks down everything from web browsing to app data, so nothing leaks outside the encrypted tunnel.

In Australia, with ISPs often throttling speeds or snooping on your data, routing all traffic through OpenVPN on the client side is a smart move. It’s like putting your entire internet connection inside a secure bubble — no accidental slips, no guesswork. And hey, with increasing privacy concerns globally and local news highlighting cyber threats, locking down your traffic is more relevant than ever.

Earlier this month, reports of new DoS attacks targeting VPN gateways like Citrix NetScaler showed just how crucial it is to have a solid VPN setup that keeps your data safe from prying eyes and malicious actors [Lomazoma, June 2025]. This article is your down-to-earth guide to routing all internet traffic through OpenVPN client-side — no fluff, just practical steps and insider tips.

📊 OpenVPN Traffic Routing Methods Comparison

This table breaks down the main OpenVPN client-side routing options you’ll encounter. “Route All Traffic” means everything from your browser to background apps is sent through the VPN tunnel — perfect if you want the whole shebang protected.

Split tunneling lets you pick and choose what goes through the VPN and what doesn’t, which can be handy if you want local network devices accessible on your LAN or want to avoid VPN slowdowns for certain apps. But it’s trickier to configure and carries a bigger risk of accidental data leaks if you’re not careful.

The default “No Routing” means your VPN connection doesn’t capture any traffic, basically acting as if it’s off. Not much use if your goal is privacy and security.

For Aussies dealing with ISP throttling or keen on streaming geo-blocked content from overseas, routing all traffic through OpenVPN is often the best bet to keep things seamless and safe.

💡 Setting Up OpenVPN to Route All Traffic on Client Side

Alright, now that you get why routing all your internet traffic is a big deal, let’s talk setup. The good news? OpenVPN makes this pretty straightforward once you know where to tweak your configs.

By default, OpenVPN might only route traffic for the VPN server’s network, leaving the rest of your internet exposed. To change that, you’ll want to push all traffic through the VPN tunnel from the client side.

Here’s the quick rundown:

• Modify your OpenVPN client config file (usually .ovpn or .conf):

  Add or ensure the line:

  redirect-gateway def1
  

  This tells OpenVPN to reroute your default gateway through the VPN.

• Ensure you have DNS leaks covered by pushing DNS settings from the server or manually setting secure DNS servers in your client config. Otherwise, your ISP might still see where you’re looking up domains.

• Check your firewall and routing tables on your device to confirm traffic is actually going through the VPN interface.

• For Aussie users juggling Carrier-Grade NAT (CG-NAT) setups or dual-stack ISP environments, using OpenVPN tunnels means you can bypass tricky port forwarding issues — a nice bonus if you self-host or want remote access without fuss [c’t Magazine, 2025].

If you’re using a VPN provider like NordVPN or Surfshark, they usually handle this routing behind the scenes, but if you’re rolling your own OpenVPN client or a custom config, this tweak is essential.

One more tip: If you ever want to mix local LAN access with VPN use, you might want to explore split tunneling — but that’s a rabbit hole for another day.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What does ‘redirect-gateway def1’ actually do in OpenVPN?
💬 It’s a command that tells your computer to send all internet traffic through the VPN by changing the default gateway to the VPN interface. This way, everything you do online passes through the encrypted tunnel.

🛠️ How do I prevent DNS leaks when routing all traffic through OpenVPN?
💬 You can set your VPN server to push DNS servers to the client or manually configure your client to use privacy-focused DNS like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8). Also, double-check with online DNS leak tests after connecting.

🧠 Is routing all traffic through VPN always the best choice?
💬 For privacy and security, yes. But if you need access to local devices or want better speed for certain apps, split tunneling might suit you better. It’s about balancing convenience with security.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

Routing all your internet traffic through OpenVPN client-side is a smart move for Aussies who want to dodge ISP throttling, maintain privacy, and secure their online footprint. While it might sound technical, with a bit of config tweaking and the right VPN setup, it’s totally doable even if you’re no sysadmin.

Stay sharp, keep your VPN software updated — especially with recent threats like DoS attacks on VPN gateways making headlines [Lomazoma, June 2025] — and you’ll be cruising the web without the usual worries.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 Patch jetzt! DOS -Angriffe auf Citrix NetScaler ADC und Gateway beobachtet
🗞️ Source: Lomazoma – 📅 June 2025
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Self-Hosting and VPN Tunnel Solutions Explained
🗞️ Source: c’t Magazine – 📅 2025
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Iran Executes Suspected Israeli Spies Amid Espionage Fears
🗞️ Source: Arise TV – 📅 June 2025
🔗 Read Article

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📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available information with a touch of AI assistance. It’s meant for sharing and discussion purposes only — not all details are officially verified. Please take it with a grain of salt and double-check when needed.