Betternet: VPN Service

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by Tyrizian, May 19, 2015.

  1. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    Been trying to get as much information on this company to see exactly how they can offer unlimited VPN services, with no limitations, all for free.

    Their terms of service as well as their privacy policy also seem very good.

    But, they mention the following, which in my opinion is very vague.

    How Betternet Makes Money:

    My questions for the above: What third party networks? What promoters? What apps?

    Services:

    Browser Proxies: Firefox, Chrome

    Mobile VPN: iOS, Android

    System wide VPN: Windows and soon to be Mac = OpenVPN/Tap connection

    Note: Clicking on each store link above shows a lot of users are using Betternet, as well as giving it pretty good reviews (Excluding the Firefox version).

    Plus, I tested the Windows desktop version and the VPN service is really fast and seems reliable.



    Which still brings me to the same question...

    How can this be free?

    I am going to go with my gut on this...

    Even though is seems reliable, fast and has all the ranting reviews...It just seems too good to be true.

    Anyways, here is some more info on the company.

    Site information and location:


    Hostname: www.betternet.co
    ISP: Amazon.com, Inc.
    Continent: North America
    Country: United States Country Code US (USA)
    Region: Virginia
    Local time: 19 May 2015 09:08 EDT
    Metropolis* Washington DC (Hagerstown)
    Postal Code: 20147
    City: Ashburn
    Latitude: 39.044
    IP Address: 52.0.212.192 - Domain age: 2 years
    Longitude: -77.488

    Company location:

    Betternet Technologies Inc.
    701 Sylvan Ave, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 2E8

    I don't know, what is your opinion on this one?

    Yay or Nay?
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2015
  2. Nathan Taylor

    Nathan Taylor Registered Member

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    I'm sticking with my current connection setup. Everything is reasonably priced, fast, and reliable if it's set up right, which it is.
    I totally agree with you though, and I'll have to watch this for updates, but generally-- If it seems to good to be true, it most likely is.
     
  3. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    Maybe I'm just too old-school, but I do not trust these browser-based "VPN services". They're really just web proxies. That's fine for browsing, maybe. But what about other apps and services? I'd rather use system-level VPNs, which route everything, and don't leak (if firewalled properly).
     
  4. MisterB

    MisterB Registered Member

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    All anyone needs to do is learn what is involved in a browser extension.

    https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/getstarted

    Javascript, css and html don't make for a very secure connection. All you can do with them is use the existing proxy functionality of the the browser. Seriously, reading one page into the Chrome extension development guide should tell anyone that is not the way to go. Adding a VPN tunnel is a low level networking function that needs to be coded properly with the right tools.
     
  5. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    They offer a system wide Windows client, with OpenVPN as their backend.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2015
  6. MisterB

    MisterB Registered Member

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    If the Windows client sets up a VPN Tap connection, it is the better option. A VPN tunnel is a bit more than a proxy although a system wide encrypted proxy is not an inaccurate description. A VPN is always a proxy but a proxy is not always a VPN.

    I'm very skeptical of any browser extension that calls itself a VPN. At the code level, it is a shaky concept. The only way it could work is for some VPN functionality to be coded into the browser itself and that simply is not there. There is a javascript interpreter and proxy settings. That is what an extension developer is going to have to work with.
     
  7. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    Oh :oops:

    That option is probably fine. But I wouldn't call it a "proxy", to avoid confusion.
     
  8. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    It does use a VPN Tap connection.

    Forgive me, still learning about VPN's. I understand the basics of them, but still learning more, since I never used one.

    I'm very skeptical about the browser extensions as well, but I am however interested in the system wide client.

    Even so, I am still wondering why they offer the system wide version (Windows) at no cost.
     
  9. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    :thumb: Gotcha
     
  10. Tyrizian

    Tyrizian Registered Member

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    To avoid confusion, I went ahead and updated and added more clear detail on their services (My original post)
     
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