Help Me Select a VPN.

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by Wendi, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Don't get me wrong, but...
    Your mentioned VPN's are among those very few, extremely marketed ones.
    Not that CYBERGHOST, please.
    Anyway.
    All the recommendations in this thread have been, almost, copied from the MOST MARKETED VPN'S list.

    How much would you pay for Surfshark?
    $2.50 x 24 = $60.00 for only TWO YEARS.

    My personal recommendation for you.
    N.B. I've been using/testing NUMEROUS VPN's for YEARS.

    For your, as a TEACHER, I would recommend KeepSolid VPN Unlimited.
    KeepSolid VPN Lifetime with 5 Devices for just $39.00 total.
    You can check it right here.

    https://stacksocial.com/sales/keeps...evices-10-stacksocial-com-store-credit-rebate

    I have been using VPN UNLIMITED for many years.
    At the very beginning - years ago, I had some issues with their KillSwitch for Windows but, currently, no issues and I really like it.
    It's not my favorite, but very close to it.
    Why do I like it?
    1.) Issue-free VPN.
    2.) EXCELLENT, almost, IMMEDIATE customer service with their eagerness to resolve your issues.
    3.) They are updating it regularly.
    4.) They have WIREGUARD protocol that is much faster than any other.

    (My current Internet speed is about 800Mbps without using any VPN. Before WIREGUARD protocol, my Internet speed with a/any connected VPN would slow down the Internet to about 70Mbps.
    That was a big drop.
    Now, with Wireguard protocol, my Internet speed, while using VPN Unlimited and WIREGUARD is about 230Mbps.)

    5.) NO DNS LEAKS, NO USE OF PUBLIC DNS servers.

    It's my first recommendation.


    N.B. Currently, my favorite VPN is VeePN, but...
    I've purchased it when they were selling it as a LIFELONG Subscription, and the price was TERRIFIC, but...
    Now, that VeePN company raised its prices.

    My next recommendation would be a VERY CHEAP but RELIABLE "FASTESTVPN".

    N.B. Their BIGGEST PROBLEM is not having that WIREGUARD, but...
    FastestVPN: Lifetime Subscription (5 Devices) for $19.00 or 10 devices for $24.00.

    https://stacksocial.com/sales/fastestvpn-lifetime-subscription

    (Please, don't tell anybody, I've purchased twice FastestVPN for 10 devices.)

    I have Windscribe, but I do not recommend it.
    I have cheap SlickVPN, but I don't recommend it.
    I have VPNSecure, but its Interface could be too complex.
    I have BulletVPN, but I do not recommend it.
    I have IVACY VPN - it's, kind of OK,
    I have uninstalled CyberGhost VPN,
    but...

    Enough of my rambling.

    P.S. I would accept ANY QUESTIONS from any CONCERNED with Express, or Mullvad VPN'S.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2021
  2. Victek

    Victek Registered Member

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    The potential problem for companies that offer lifetime subscriptions is they can't raise enough revenue to maintain good service. Eventually they either fold or switch to the typical yearly subscription model. Still, for the price it may be worth it.
     
  3. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    I've purchased VPN Unlimited for less than $30 in 2014. It was a StackSocial special discount.

    And, YES, at least two VPN's that I've purchased as Lifelong subscriptions went bankrupt.
    One VPN was from the Czech Republic, the other one, from somewhere in Asia.

    What's more.
    It's my "crazy" idea to have an additional VPN PROXY for Browsers.
    Let's say, one VPN for Windows, plus another PAID VPN extension for my Browser.
    Almost doubled VPN.

    VPN Unlimited, VeePN, FastesVPN, IVACY - they have their Browser extension.
     
  4. Wendi

    Wendi Registered Member

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    Hi all,

    With students in classroom attendance after 18+ months of virtual schooling I've been way too busy to follow up on your suggestions; I hope you understand the situation. I've read and sincerely appreciate your willingness to help me find a good, yet affordable VPN and I will soon look into those that 'fit the bill'.

    Thank you!
     
  5. Hadron

    Hadron Registered Member

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    From the reading I have done about VPNs over the years, the best choice can be largely dependent on your location in the world.
     
  6. imdb

    imdb Registered Member

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    n8, fyi, the current beta version of eddie supports wg ootb. ;)

     
  7. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    Wendi,

    I have a daughter that is a single mother of two. I am assuming you just want to avoid ISP snooping or surveillance capitalism in general. If she was to ask for my advice I would tell her to do these things first before using a VPN:

    1. Get rid of all Facebook apps (including Instagram and Whatsapp) on your phone. Delete all content from Facebook and then delete the account. If you must keep Facebook only use it from a dedicated browser on your PC. This is the most important thing you can do for your privacy IMHO.

    2. Migrate away from gmail, yahoo, and hotmail/outlook. This will probably take some time. Hotmail/Outlook may be the least invasive of these at the moment if you need to keep a free email provider.

    3. Use an app firewall on your phone. Netguard for android, Lockdown for iOS.

    4. Practice browser isolation. Use one browser where your identity is known, another for more sensitive/private browsing. Set each browser to delete all cookies, cache, history upon closing/restart. Use only one browser tab at a time, closing the browser before going to a different site. Keep extensions to a minimum. uBlock Origin is the exception for me.

    5. Use browsers that minimize fingerprinting. Brave, hardened Firefox, Ungoogled Chromium. Bromite or Privacy Browser on android, Brave on iOS.

    6. Use exodus to screen your android apps permissions and trackers. https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/

    7. Install apps from F-Droid or the Aurora store. The Aurora store will alert you to an app's trackers and permissions.

    That said, I have found that the VPN industry is a sordid mess. Yes there are good ones but you can never be sure. I have used PIA for a while now and am generally satisfied. I had it before the Kape merger then let it go after I found out who was behind Kape. After about eight months I was travelling and found myself in need of a VPN again and just went back to them (holding my nose) after a brief search. I will probably change at some point but until then I have found that the iOS app works perfectly, android too although a little battery heavy. It also works well in an old Netgear router I flashed with dd-wrt. The Windows app has split-tunnel which many VPN apps don't have and that was important to me.

    A couple of things to consider:

    About two-year agreements, a company could get bought out by a disreputable one (just like my case) right after you subscribe or there could be news of cooperation with a three letter agency. In that light I prefer one year terms.

    VPN apps that come with trackers don't seem to care about your privacy. Why would you use a VPN with a crapload of Facebook or Google trackers? https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.simplexsolutionsinc.vpn_unlimited/latest/

    Consider that cheap VPNs could be, like most free ones are, monetizing your data to stay afloat. Even worse I think some are honeypots.

    Switzerland's privacy laws apply to the residents of Switzerland. Switzerland seems to me is just as cooperative with three letter agencies as any US based.

    My reasons for PIA, good apps that are updated regularly with no trackers and minimal permissions, no requirement for the google services framework since I use it on a Pixel running GrapheneOS. $3.33 a month for one year on up to 10 devices. Proven in court twice not to have logs.

    Hope this helps.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2021
  8. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Very interesting!
    I've immediately forwarded your link to VPNUnlimited.

    P.S. Just your selection of PIA does not sound objective, but that another thread, another day.

    Edit.

    Within 1 minute, I've received a response from VPNUnlimited, and inform you later about my results.
     
  9. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Just a question.
    It's from Google Play only?

    VPNUn.JPG
     
  10. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    Not sure what the question is. It looks to me like the android app is available on both the website and the play store. The exodus website only checks the android apps.

    Windows app probably doesn't have anything like that but I didn't look at their privacy policy either.

    As a side note PIA offers it's android app with ad blocking on the website. PIA's app in the play store doesn't allow the ad blocking feature if I remember right. Could have changed.
     
  11. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Windows app probably doesn't have anything like that but I didn't look at their privacy policy either.

    THANK YOU!

    I'd like to read very carefully what you've said!

    Windows app probably doesn't have anything like that...

    Now.
    Here is a response from VPNUnlimited.

    To make sure no unauthorized parties and cyber criminals access your private data, we do not log the following information that transfers the network during your VPN session:
    Browsing history
    Connection times
    Metadata
    Downloads
    Server usage
    Data content
    IP address*

    *During a VPN session, the VPN server stores your IP address in memory only to ensure the proper work of the app.
    We do not store your IP address after your VPN session ends.

    So, we can say that we didn't save your personal information or track your personal information.

    Thank you.

    ---------------------------------
     
  12. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Let's see the PRICE of VPNUnlimited without that LIFETIME SPECIAL(!) DISCOUNT!

    VPNUnlimited.JPG


    Let's take a look at your recommendation:
    PIAVPN.JPG


    P.S. I think we have FACTUALLY witnessed that VPNUnlimited is NOT(!) the CHEAPEST VPN.
    PIA is CHEAPER!
     
  13. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    P.S. I'm contacting my several VPN customer services about that "newly-found" exodus web-site, and all of them are categorically denying it!
     
  14. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    I just want to be clear I hate the aquisition of PIA by Kape. That caused me to dump them initially. I thought I would give them a chance again when I found I needed a VPN. Then they went and bought up some stupid "review sites". I wish they spent that 149 million on more servers (ram disk ones) and improving their trustworthyness not doing the opposite.

    Of the three VPNs owned by Kape (Cyberghost, Zenmate and PIA) only PIA has no android trackers. Cyberghost and Zenmate have the same four trackers, which shows some kind of influence of a parent company. I see the same thing with Nord and Surfshark. I think there is a Lithuanian connection. If those trackers ever show up in PIA I will dump them in a second, but I am searching for the replacement once this term expires.
     
  15. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    They deny having trackers in their android apps? Google crashlytics and firebase are probably not too worrysome but not anything else, especially Facebook. Correct me if I'm wrong.
     
  16. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    All of that may well be true. They just didn't address the trackers in the app.
     
  17. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Here is my problem with BRAVE (I've uninstalled it) and FIREFOX (that used to be my FAVORITE Browser for years.)
    I always use a browser VPN (PAID!) proxy/extension. And only FIREFOX and it's Subsidiary - BRAVE leaks my original DNS.

    I start with my Windows VPN, acquire a new IP/DNS, and, then, I start my "this/that" browser with an additional (PAID) VPN extension.
    Just because.
    And FIREFOX with BRAVE leak my original DNS - they show the Browser VPN extension's DNS server/s and my original ones.
    No other browsers leak my ORIGINAL DNS.
    I've expressed my "issue" numerous times but nobody cares about it.
     
  18. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Thank you, jdd for you info. It's getting late for me.
    Talk to you tomorrow.

    Regards,
     
  19. jdd58

    jdd58 Registered Member

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    Brave doesn't leak for me. You have to toggle off "Use secure DNS" in the settings. You have to use the VPN provider's DNS or you will leak. The other thing I think you are doing is using a VPN of one provider with the browser extension of another provider. Two different DNSs of two providers probably causing the leak.
     
  20. khanyash

    khanyash Registered Member

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    I haven't used Brave.

    For Firefox, disable (if enabled) the Secure DNS option in Firefox and check for your DNS leak issue.

    Some browsers provide Secure DNS with options "Choose current DNS" and "Choose an option".
    I have noticed that:
    Enabling "Choose current DNS" doesn't leak DNS.
    Enabling "Choose an option" leak DNS.
     
  21. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Don't get me wrong, but...
    I've been reporting that DNS issue a long time ago. Nobody cares.
    Here are my Firefox Settings.

    FireFoxSettings.JPG
    Here is what the DNS leak tests show while I'm using a BROWSER-BASED VPN proxy/extension.

    It should show ONLY CANADA!

    FireFDoH.JPG

    FireFNoDoH.JPG
    Now.
    I'm using SW Iron with the same BROWSER-BASED VPN proxy/extension.
    Iron.JPG

    My answer is clear.
     
  22. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Don't get me wrong, but...
    BRAVE not only leaks, but, also, has WAY TOO MANY trackers!
    Brave cannot exist, cannot be maintained without TRACKERS!
     
  23. Azure Phoenix

    Azure Phoenix Registered Member

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    I thought they already fixed the leak.

    What trackers?
     
  24. zmechys

    zmechys Registered Member

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    Sorry, but the LEAK is still there, and it comes from the Firefox innards, but...
    NOBODY CARES!
    Everybody just like some parakeets repeating samo-samo BS.
     
  25. Azure Phoenix

    Azure Phoenix Registered Member

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    I was referring to Brave
     
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