Virtual Private Networks

[falafel]

The computer virus thread got me thinking. I know some of the users here (old-greg, uncle ted) use VPNs on a semi regular basis. After getting a copyright notice for something I don't even recall downloading, I decided to jump on board. I've never used a VPN and I'm not real sure how everything needs to be set up, but it seems to be running pretty smoothly. I used PureVPN, which offered 2 years for $49.95 and has apps for Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, etc. So far so good. I use it mainly for torrenting, but I might use it for to break some geo-locations in the future.

Anything else I should know about? Tips/tricks?

[old_gregg]

The computer virus thread got me thinking. I know some of the users here (old-greg, uncle ted) use VPNs on a semi regular basis. After getting a copyright notice for something I don't even recall downloading, I decided to jump on board. I've never used a VPN and I'm not real sure how everything needs to be set up, but it seems to be running pretty smoothly. I used PureVPN, which offered 2 years for $49.95 and has apps for Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, etc. So far so good. I use it mainly for torrenting, but I might use it for to break some geo-locations in the future.

Anything else I should know about? Tips/tricks?

use this to make sure it works

[Jeff Lebowski]

I have been using Private Internet Access for a few years and I love it.

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

Cheap, connects quickly, and it always works. Decent speed.

[Walter Sobchak]

maybe Moose or Robin can chime in here?

[wuapinmon]

I used hidemyass.com in Costa Rica for Netflix. It worked well.

[falafel]

I used hidemyass.com in Costa Rica for Netflix. It worked well.

I was looking at that one, but then I read some not so favorable reviews. Glad it worked for you.

So far the VPN appears to work very well on my home PC. No disconnection issues, good speed. Mobile apps are hit and miss though, and they disconnect when the device locks.

[old_gregg]

I was looking at that one, but then I read some not so favorable reviews. Glad it worked for you.

So far the VPN appears to work very well on my home PC. No disconnection issues, good speed. Mobile apps are hit and miss though, and they disconnect when the device locks.

should have gone with private internet access. it's great.

[falafel]

should have gone with private internet access. it's great.

What's so great about it?

[old_gregg]

What's so great about it?

works. fast.

[Uncle Ted]

You should use TOR over the VPN for extra measure of anonymity... that really pisses off the FBI:

http://www.networkworld.com/article/2686187/microsoft-subnet/doj-wants-to-give-the-fbi-permission-to-hack-into-pcs-of-tor-and-vpn-users.html

[Uncle Ted]

I used hidemyass.com in Costa Rica for Netflix. It worked well.

Apparently Netflix is going to try to put a stop to this...

Netflix to block proxy access to content not available locally

Video-streaming service provider Netflix Inc's subscribers will no longer be able to use proxies to watch content not available in their home country.


Subscribers often resort to proxies, or servers that facilitate access to Internet content not available locally, to watch Netflix's popular shows such as "House of cards" and "Orange is the New Black."


"If all of our content were globally available, there wouldn't be a reason for members to use proxies or unblockers," David Fullagar, Netflix's vice president of content delivery architecture, wrote in a blog. (nflx.it/1ORhbhz)


The company said it would clamp down on these proxies or unblockers in a few weeks.


The announcement comes just a week after Netflix went live in more than 130 countries, covering almost the entire globe except China.


Netflix said at the time that all of its shows would not be available immediately to subscribers in certain countries, but that it was working towards resolving that.


"Ultimately, the aim is to provide a service around the world that is more similar than not. Using VPNs or proxies to virtually cross borders violates Netflix's terms of use because of licensing restrictions on TV shows and movies," a Netflix spokesperson told Reuters.
[...]

http://in.reuters.com/article/us-netflix-launch-idINKCN0US23020160114

Given the limited number of exit nodes (and their IP address blocks) they might be successful in doing so.

Of course, the easy way around this is just to set up a VPN server at your home network. The exit node IP address would then be your home IP address which they wouldn't block. I did this myself using my ASUS router that has a built-in VPN server...

https://www.asus.com/support/faq/113805

Works great.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Apparently Netflix is going to try to put a stop to this...

http://in.reuters.com/article/us-netflix-launch-idINKCN0US23020160114

Given the limited number of exit nodes (and their IP address blocks) they might be successful in doing so.

Of course, the easy way around this is just to set up a VPN server at your home network. The exit node IP address would then be your home IP address which they wouldn't block. I did this myself using my ASUS router that has a built-in VPN server...

https://www.asus.com/support/faq/113805

Works great.

I don't get it. If it is your home IP address what have you gained?

[Uncle Ted]

I don't get it. If it is your home IP address what have you gained?

If you are traveling outside the US (like Wrap) and using a network that Netflix blocks then you can tunnel your network traffic back to your home network (and internet IP address). I also use my home VPN server to tunnel outside the church's firewall so I can view things like Youtube. Folks that are worried about their IT department watching what they do can also use a home VPN server to create an encrypted link (e.g. to get their "fix" of CS).

Edit: Another thing I used my home VPN for is watching my cable TV on the road. It requires that I be on the AT&T network to stream in some cases.

[old_gregg]

why not just use a third party vpn? i guess it's possible that all the third party's public ip blocks would be easier to identify and block by content providers?

[Uncle Ted]

why not just use a third party vpn? i guess it's possible that all the third party's public ip blocks would be easier to identify and block by content providers?

Yes, the VPN providers' exit node IP addresses could be quickly identified (even in an automated way) and blocked.

Compared to a third party VPN solution using my home VPN server doesn't have a monthly fee so it is a cheap and easy way to get around firewalls (e.g. access the entire internet from church).