Strong OpenVPN - choosing a router

Discussion in 'privacy technology' started by luciddream, Jul 20, 2011.

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  1. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Again you are an argumentative person and not a good reader.

    WiTopia is not only USA, where did you read this?

    I have WiTopia OpenSSL and PPTP and I use it on 9 different computers in my home. Can connect two of them 24/7.

    And, WiTopia does provide pre-configured routers too.

    And, here is it again and be a good reader. For pre-configured routers you still need a VPN provider and WiTopia is one of them and the cheapest.

    Best regards,

    KOR!
     
  2. geazer40

    geazer40 Registered Member

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    read

    Currently, we can only ship to US street addresses, so please provide a US physical street address and please no P.O. Boxes.
     
  3. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Here is the link you provided for FlashRouters.com. See what they say here:

    And, guess how much OverPlay.net cost per year?

    Answer: $120 USD.

    Now, compare this to WiTopia.com?
     
  4. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    He can get the router from FlashRouters.com and get the VPN service from WiTopia.com, if he wants to have a VPN router.

    If he doesn't and use the software on his own main PC, then he can get the VPN service from WiTopia.com.

    This is what I was alluding to. In either case, in either route he goes, he needs a VPN provider. Either route, the VPN router or software on his main PC.
     
  5. geazer40

    geazer40 Registered Member

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    are you on drugs ? what the hell you talking about the op was worried about bricking router if he bought his own the service he refers to is strong vpn which gets routers from sabien technology so sabien install dd-wrt onto router in conjunction with strong vpn

    overplay do the same thing using flashrouters again they ship worldwide and i believe dazfox already mentioned about buying his own router and installing dd-wrt himself buy op was worried about bricking the router

    he was not looking for pc based vpns simple

    read again the ops problems
     
  6. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Again, the routers sold by FlashRouters.com come already flashed with DD-WRT firmware. Only thing required is to set it up with your own VPN provider account. No way one can brick a router by setting it up.

    Read again:

    Quit being argumentative!
     
  7. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    The OPs is worried about bricking the router by flashing the DD-WRT firmware. No one can brick a router by setting it up.

    Be a good reader and not argumentative!
     
  8. geazer40

    geazer40 Registered Member

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    be a good reader ? lol just showed you where it states witopia does not ship outside usa

    anyway not got no more time for you
     
  9. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    LOL! I give up!

    FlashRouters.com ships routers outside USA with DD-WRT firmware already flashed on them. And, WiTopia is an excellent VPN service provider and the cheapest!
     
  10. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    Wow, this thread certainly has taken a detour since my last visit. I really do appreciate the help and advice. Although I didn't specifically ask for the info. King of Rapture provided me, I'm open any info./advice in this thread about VPN's in general. As I think I've made it pretty clear, I'm a noob at this and I can use all the help & recommendations I can get. I don't want this thread to be closed because it's helpful to me, so please let's try to get along here and stick to the info. It would be nice if a mod could clean things up a bit though.

    A rep from StrongVPN got back to me and echoed what you've all been saying. One of them must have jumped to the conclusion that I needed some of the functionality dd-wrt provided. I did certainly give them every reason to infer that based on the questions I was asking about it. After explaining to them that I was a single user they said I didn't need it, and that the router I had on hand would suffice.

    I don't know much about dd-wrt, but I did do some research on the reputation of VPN providers, and I have every reason to believe that this is a reputable company I can trust. I am still certainly open to other suggestions though. I haven't closed the book yet. But as of now StrongVPN's "Lite" Open VPN service is the front-runner. It's $90/year, which comes to $7.50/mo. There are cheaper out there, but I'm willing to pay a few more bucks for peace of mind. This company responded to 3 emails from me now, all within the same day I sent them. Their website seems very well laid out, with great FAQ & Tutorial sections to help noobs like me. They've been doing this for a long time and are well regarded based on user feedback around the net. All the signs are good. And I'm not saying the other companies recommended to me in this thread aren't also good, nor am I slighting them. I'll look into them as well.

    After reading some things in this thread I started to think that perhaps I didn't "need" dd-wrt in my router, but that it may be beneficial. It sounded like by setting your router up maybe you could take the resource strain off of your computer and not need to use VPN software. Kind of like the firewall in your router vs. one on your computer. But I think I was reading too much into things? Seems like you need to install the software on your computer whether you have a router configured with dd-wrt or not. So I take it the only thing you may have to do in your router is add DNS server addresses they give to you? If even that?

    I'd love to continue to receive info & advice in here, but please, let's keep it civil. :thumb:
     
  11. geazer40

    geazer40 Registered Member

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    hi buddy just to add overplay is also very good and the reason i added them to your list was because if you look they have just bought out a new piece of software that goes onto the router so you can change ip addy from one country to another so easy and you dont even need to add any info into the router

    the software is preloaded by flashrouters onto the router so in my opinion overplay and flashrouters would deffo be best for you just go to here andwatch the demo of there new software it is designed for people just like you demo is here
    https://www.overplay.net/blog/dd-wrt-vpn-overplay-a-new-dawn#comment-4393

    as far as anything else i dont use a firewall on my pc i use router only so you can use your router as a firewall aswell
     
  12. DasFox

    DasFox Registered Member

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    luciddream let's back it up to the beginning and keep it simple for you which is what I've been trying to do, hehe...

    1. How many devices do you want to use OpenVPN with?

    2. For question number 1, if the answer is 1 you are not really at any advantages to using dd-wrt.

    3. You only really need dd-wrt if you have several devices you want to share the VPN with. And so as to not further confuse you, this does not mean that is all dd-wrt is about, it's just that in your case, you do not need it, UNLESS you wanted it for all the other feature it offers...

    4. No, you need the OpenVPN client installed on your computer running, dd-wrt is just a gateway server, serving the vpn to the other computers, but one computer has to run the OpenVPN client;

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/OpenVPN#GUI:_Client_Mode

    5. If your main objective here is to use OpenVPN with only one one computer and be secure, then all you need to do is just get a nice over the counter router like the ones I told you about, now 3 TIMES! LOL...

    Using 1 Computer = Netgear Router & OpenVPN Client = All You Need! :)

    We finally all clear now? :)
     
  13. geazer40

    geazer40 Registered Member

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    No, you need the OpenVPN client installed on your computer running, dd-wrt is just a gateway server, serving the vpn to the other computers, but one computer has to run the OpenVPN client;



    dazfox can i just clarify what you said above

    if you got 1 pc and want open vpn then all you need is open vpn software on your pc

    if you only got 1 pc then you can still use dd-wrt router using open vpn but you dont need to run open vpn software on your pc only need to instal open vpn on your router which then inturn allows you to run more apps threw that router

    or are you saying that u still need open vpn software on your pc even if you are running dd-wrt on your router because if you are then that is not the case
     
  14. bryanjoe

    bryanjoe Registered Member

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    lol... i love this thread...

    not sure if the speed is same for pc-run vpn and router-run vpn...

    my friend remove the router-run vpn cos it is slow
     
  15. bryanjoe

    bryanjoe Registered Member

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    need openvpn software for pc.
    no need openvpn software for router-run

    unless u trust the vpn company otherwise i would not suggest running it on router.... especially if u do internet banking etc....

    usually vpn company allows simultaneously login e.g. on 2 pcs at one time for normal browsing....
     
  16. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Excellent response.

    No need for a VPN Router to run VPN, software VPN is the best.

    There are many types of VPN. The two most common ones are OpenVPN and PPTP.

    The biggest scam in VPN is switching server and countries. Mostly allowed 4 countries, and if you want to switch then you need to pay extra. This is the scam run by StrongVPN.

    Now, to Witopia. They don't have the switching countries scam and they are the cheapest.

    @ Dear luciddream the OPs and WiTopia.

    1. You don't need a VPN Router, unless you want to spend a lot of money and it is a must for you. Since you are in US, WiTopia ships two different type of Linksys (Cisco) routers to USA street addresses. However, the VPN Router can be only configured either as OpenVPN and PPTP, and not both. Software on PC, you can have both OpenVPN and PPTP.

    2. PPTP is offered by WiTopia for $40 per year. Very cheap. You get two servers. One server in Chicago Airport (ORD) with constant IP address in Chicago and other server with hoping IP address, every time you connect. They are servers in more than 29 countries and mostly at airports.

    3. OpenVPN is offered by WiTopia for $60 per year. Very cheap. With servers more than 29 countries and mostly at airports, you can connect to any country with that IP address. No scam of only 4 countries and switching countries and paying through the nose.

    4. Both PPTP and OpenVPN by WiTopia for $70 per year. Very cheap. Benefits of both VPNs, the PPTP and OpenVPN which cannot be had in VPN Routers.

    TRY a free PPTP VPN before you make a decision. VPNReactor.com can offers PPTP VPN service for free, with two provisos. One, it allows connecting for one hour only and then you have to re-connect. And two, you have to activate the link every month to have the free service. They don't sell your email addresses. I have two accounts with them, with two emails. TRY it out and it is FREE. They are in USA and they assign you USA IP addresses for free.

    Here is the link:

    https://vpnreactor.com/default.aspx

    Best regards,

    KOR!
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2011
  17. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    I think I've got it now. Thanks, everyone. WiTopia looks great, with just 1 reservation... P2P/Torrent usage. In the FAQ's it's pretty loosely worded. It basically says they'd prefer their customers not use their service to do it, but doesn't flat out say "no, you can't". I don't use it often but I'd like to know that it's there if I feel the urge.

    I tried using the form to ask them, but it wasn't working for me. I'll try to email them, but figured maybe someone (like KOR) could answer that for me here.

    For $30 less/year they have unlimited switching, and a 30-day money back guarantee instead of just 7, in case I change my mind. But the P2P thing would be a deal breaker to me.
     
  18. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    Now that the technical stuff is out of the way, I'm finding it just as difficult to find a VPN service that has everything I'm looking for. 3 things I'm seeing about StrongVPN I don't like: 1- pay for extra switches, 2- their privacy terms leave MUCH to be desired. When much of the purpose of a VPN is privacy/anonymity, I don't like the fact that they keep logs indefinitely and flat out tell you they'll rat your out on a dime if pressured to do so. 3- They claim you can use P2P/Torrent's, but I've seen several people claim that upon doing so their service was taken away due to DMCA notices. I think I've eliminated them from contention after further review.

    So if I could find one that:

    - has unlimited switches at no extra cost

    - allows P2P/Torrent use

    - has good privacy

    and is of course also dependable & reputable, with decent speeds. Does such a thing exist?

    I think from now on I'm going to post in the "things to look for in a VPN" thread, since that's my area of concern now.
     
  19. bryanjoe

    bryanjoe Registered Member

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    witopia don't allow p2p/torrent...

    i maybe not wrong.... running p2p/ torrent through encrypted channel which is more secured, may reduce the download speed.....thus unable to unthrottle the speed...

    usually u can run it through proxy.... guess it will gives u full download speed..

    so now ....security vs speed?

    am i right?
     
  20. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    I guess it could be a double-edged sword. I guess there's some negative impact on download speeds, as there is running anything through VPN (some more than others). I've seen reports of people's speed actually increasing though because their ISP was unable to throttle them anymore due to the VPN. So it can work both ways I suppose.

    I wish I hadn't even asked the question above now. It's unethical. If they wish you not to do it, you shouldn't do it, period. I'll be looking for another service. Too bad, because otherwise WiTopia looked great.

    I've been browsing another VPN thread and I'm going to migrate there, since it's of more relevance to what I'll be discussing from here on out.
     
  21. DasFox

    DasFox Registered Member

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    I explained it pretty easy, so here's another break down then...

    1. Use dd-wrt if you need to share OpenVPN with several devices...

    2. Get dd-wrt if you are aware of all the different features it has to offer that you might want to use...

    3. If you're just starting out with all of this and you just want a good router to use with any VPN service, then buy as I mentioned a nice over the counter Netgear router because having this will give you a nice hardware NAT/SPI firewall.

    4. You do not need a router to use VPN, a router simply allows other devices to share the internet, plus gives you a nice built in firewall

    5. To use OpenVPN you need it installed on your computer, not the router, the router is just a gateway.

    READ THE LINK BELOW:

    http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...I:_Client_Mode


    luciddream I'd be real careful with VPNs in the USA...

    luciddream what is your objective, what are you looking for in the way of a VPN service?
     
  22. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Dear Luciddream,

    My needs are very simple. I only need VPN to fire up the Skype to call toll-free numbers in USA, to call my banks and credit card companies. Toll-free numbers don't work outside USA and only work through Skype.

    I cannot access Skype without VPN. I don't even use VPN to surf the net.

    If you are using P2P, then you are leaving a big, big gaping security hole in your network. To avoid this, you need a router which allows two network to be setup. One regular network for your PCs and Laptops in your home, and a guest network for P2P. Two seperate networks. For this you need atleast two PCs/Laptops. One for regular network and one for guest network.

    Do all your P2P on the guest network on that PC. Then connect a USB hard drive to the guest network P2P PC/Laptop and transfer the files to the USB hard drive. Then connect the same USB hard drive to your regular network PC/Laptop and transfer the files to it.

    This is the only way to avoid the gaping security hole in your network.

    Best regards,

    KOR!
     
  23. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

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    Another reason the VPN is good for, if you travel a lot, then at airport, public places you can use the VPN to secure the data you are transmitting. Even if you don't travel a lot, but use public places, such as coffee shops, malls, burger joints, you can use the VPN to secure your data being transmitted.

    For this reason WiTopia and StrongVPN have servers in big cities usually at airports around the world.

    Best regards,

    KOR!

    P.S. My other half of 36 years is American therefore I am partial to USA things, and for this reason my VPN service is from USA.
     
  24. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    Yeah I realize it opens up vectors, but I do have a pretty tight set of rules for UTorrent in my FW/router. I don't use public trackers or peer exchange, force encryption, and run it sandboxed and proxied. I always make sure the torrent has plenty of positive feedback from the community. I only use it about once a month on average, just for the occasional film/CD, and it closes as soon as it's finished.

    So I try to make it as safe as possible. I use my computer for fun & convenience too. It's always a compromise between usability & security. I want as much of the latter as possible, but when using my computer stops being fun and those conveniences are taken away, then to me the security becomes moot. I even remember a Wilders member having a sig somewhat to that effect: "Computers are supposed to be fun. If you can't have fun with them anymore, then maybe it's time to peel back a few layers." I forget exactly, but that applies here.

    But for somebody that doesn't need P2P looking for a VPN, WiTopia seems like an excellent choice. And I really appreciate your feedback.

    P.S. - Just saw your other post, and yeah, I do a fair share of traveling, and that's also a big reason I'm looking for a VPN. But mainly it's to make it harder for Big Brother to look through the telescreen at me.
     
  25. DasFox

    DasFox Registered Member

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    King of Rapture, what's this big security hole you are talking about?

    Also you don't need two networks setup to use P2P and be safe in fact what you are mentioning is providing no additional security at all.

    If privacy and security are concerns all you need is 1 pc to do p2p on with a good VPN to cover your tracks, if you're more paranoid then you go with a multihop VPN, or add Tor to the mix, or proxies, etc...

    But to think you need more hardware and a network set up like this, for this supposed big gaping security hole is ridiculous...
     
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