VPN Pro

[johnbarry]

What is VPN I have had it for some time (Amazon Freebie) I used it once, but don’t bother now.

Should I bother, what even is it.

It often struggles to connect to a UK server?

It was connected as above, but then

Cheers
John

[blacklion1725]

Virtual Private network – a secure tunnel for your data. You can normally set up a connection to your own router (for access from a remote location), or use a commercial service via one of their servers. Aside from security, some people (cough) use the services for location-shifting for (e.g.) access to TV services in another country.

If your concern is security, then as long as your home router is secure (up to date, firewall etc) then setting up a connection to your router via VPN is a good idea – OpenVPN is the protocol I use – and it has a free app for Android. You will feel a bit more secure using WiFi hotspots when out and about if you connect your VPN.

Most other Android VPN apps will be tied to that provider’s service. Generally “free” means slow, overloaded. There are many which work well and loads of online reviews to compare (be careful as many reviews are pushed or sponsored by the providers which come out “on top”).

[D-Dan]

You can set up a vpn on a raspberry Pi (I use one  from one of mine). It effectively encrypts your traffic when you are using a public WiFi away from home. Don’t ask me how it works (dunno) but that little key on my tablet telling me I’m secure gives me a sense of security, even if it’s a false sense.

Oh, and with a Pi you can route the VPN through PiHole so you get all the adblocking goodness even away from your local network.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[johnbarry]

Thanks blacklion and D.

I am struggling to find a OpenVPN download I dl something called private tunnel, does OpenVPN work with my VPN or does it work on it’s own

Cheers
John

[blacklion1725]

John are you looking to use on a phone or a pc? If it is android the OpenVPN app is here. For PC look here In either case you will need a VPN configuration file. This will either be one generated by your router (or Pi) or one supplied by a commercial provider (like Torguard, NordVPN etc).

In the case of your app, it is probably using OpenVPN by default and the configuration will be built in to the app. If you are using that app on your phone you don’t need a separate OpenVPN client. If you want to VPN into your home setup then you need the android or windows versions ov OpenVPN linked above. If you are going to use Pi Dan may have the download links or a google will throw up a few guides.

[johnbarry]

Thanks blacklion

It’s for a PC, it’s a little confusing but I will have a go, not sure what Pi is.

Cheers
John

[The Duke]

I use a vpn mainly to watch 3pm football that is aired in the US.

My other use is on my phone, I use hotspot vpn, have it set up to launch itself if I open any app that uses money, like my bank, amazon eBay, all etc… Mainly for security while im out the house.

As I know the one day where I’m flustered, I’ll be on some open WiFi and I’ll forget to fire up the vpn before I use whatever money app.

Though today with all most perfect 3 and 4g it’s rare I need a public wifi option. But the day I do, you know I’ll be flustered and would of forgotten to manually launch the vpn, so I just keep my 10 year old setup. It’s the first thing I set up when I set up a phone

There is a free version that is fine for what I mentioned regarding securing the phone. But I pay for the pro version (£18 pa), just so I can stream football.

The free version will slow you down to about 5 meg, the paid for tops out at 20meg I’ve found. Which is fine for watching footy. Also it gets rid of any adds.

I could set up one from my router or pi, and have a free an fast one with no adds. I may cancel my dd (iirc October) and try it then.

I do find if something works for me, I’ll run with it for longer than I needed to. 10 years ago my current set up, was the best for me at that time. It still works perfectly for me and what I need if for, but I know there is at the least cheaper (free) ways avalible to do the same, if not better job.

 

[johnbarry]

Duke I wish I had your success. It say to click on the icon in the tray to start, nothing happens. If I right click I get

Not got a clue what to do or set it up on my router. Meanwhile VPN Pro is still Successfully Connected to a UK Server, unlike yesterday it kept dissconecting.

 

Cheers
John

[blacklion1725]

johnbarry wrote:

Thanks blacklion It’s for a PC, it’s a little confusing but I will have a go, not sure what Pi is.

What are you planning to use it for John. If it is for security/privacy at home then vpn to your own router from your LAN is no use – you’d need a free or paid solution. Is your VPN pro a PC app? If so that’s probably all you need and it probably gives you a certain amount of data per month at a caped speed – but should be fine for banking, emails etc. If it is for say a laptop that youwill use remotely (e.g. free wifi in a cafe or pub) then an OpenVPN connection back to your router will protect you from local snoopers.

Pi is Raspberry Pi – small, cheap linux PC that would be an economical way to host a VPN at home if your router doesn’t support it. If your router came from your ISP it may not have a VPN server facility, in which case a Pi connected to your LAN could do the job. If your router has a VPN server featured it should offer to create a VPN config file which you can export to your laptop and use with the OpenVPN program.

[johnbarry]

Thanks blacklion no paticular use, I often browse the freebies (cost £00.00) and that’s how much I paid, I have seen VPN going around so I tried it, I am sure it’s for PC. It keeps losing a UK conection I tried USA this morning it stayed connected, I couldn’t seem to get any life out the internet. Even down to Forumite, so I have ditched it.

Thanks all for your help

Frankie ses no more.

Cheers
John

[Author]

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