A method including accessing, by a device associated with a virtual private network (VPN) server, an initial operating system stored on a read-only device, the initial operating system being associated with the VPN server providing VPN services; receiving, by the device from the read-only device, a request for authentication information to authenticate the device as an authorized recipient of the initial operating system; transmitting, by the device to the read-only device, the authentication information; and receiving, by the device from the read-only device, the initial operating system based at least in part on transmitting the authentication information. Various other aspects are contemplated.