Of course...
If you do not have a VPN router then you can set up a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi computer. This is a credit card sized, low cost ($35 / £35), fanless device that runs 24/7. The latest version is a a Pi 4 Model B that comes with 2, 4 or 8Gb of ram. gigabit ethernet, USB 2 and 3, 2 x HDMI, Wifi and Bluetooth.
PiVPN is simple to install software that runs on your Pi and provides a safe tunnel into your home network when you are away from home. This means you can turn off uPNP on your router and close ports that place your devices (cameras, NAS/NVR etc) that are at risk.
You download a VPN client (available for iOs, Android, Windows etc) on each of the devices you use when away from home. When running, all data from your device is encrypted and secure. It is as if you are using the device inside your lan.
Tips/Recommendations:
I use a Raspberry Pi 4 with a case, 32Gb SD card and power supply. I bought the complete kit off eBay for £70.
I installed the standard RPi Desktop OS and run it in headless mode (without a monitor). The only connections are the power lead and power supply. I connect to the Pi desktop using the Google VNC Viewer and Putty on my Windows 10 PC.
There is PoE adapter available that means that you could have just a single ethernet connection to your Pi!
There are two options when you set up PiVPN - I use and recommend Wireguard rather than OpenVPN. Read the links below for my reasons.
As my internet provider does not provide a static IP address, I use a Dynamic DNS updater. This runs on the Pi and automatically updates a subdomain of my website when my IP address changes. A simpler option is to use a service from a Dynamic DNS provider.
There are whole number of practical things you can do with a Pi and there is a large support community with lots of projects. It is great for tinkering without putting your other expensive components (PC/NAS NVR etc) at risk. It is also fun, addictive and educational.
More details and recommended links:
Your tiny, dual-display, desktop computer …and robot brains, smart home hub, media centre, networked AI core, factory controller, and much more.
www.raspberrypi.org
blog.4s3ti.net
www.pivpn.io
Andreas Happe sometimes blogs about development, life or security.
snikt.net
The Simplest VPN installer, designed for Raspberry Pi - pivpn/pivpn
github.com
Update the IP address of a given domain using cPanel 2 API - swyngaard/dynamic-dns-updater
github.com
A
DDNS service can help you connect to your home PC while on the move. Here are the best free dynamic DNS providers you can use.
www.makeuseof.com