VPN, What is it and how does it work?

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Ridolfc

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I have never used a VPN and was wondering what it is and how exactly it works?
I don't know much about networking.
I see everyone using Netflix and hulu and I would like to give it a try.

How do I go about using a VPN? Is it free?
 
I would also like the answer not for netflix, but the actual what is a VPN maybe with some real world examples etc
 
It creates a tunnel from one end point to another and assigns you an IP address from their network. It is almost like your computer is sitting within their network. Things like a vpn for netflix or such is fine as you do not need much internet speed, however if e.g you are connecting to your offices network via a vpn the faster your internet speed, the better apps, file copying etc responds.
 
paul5186 said:
It creates a tunnel from one end point to another and assigns you an IP address from their network. It is almost like your computer is sitting within their network. Things like a vpn for netflix or such is fine as you do not need much internet speed, however if e.g you are connecting to your offices network via a vpn the faster your internet speed, the better apps, file copying etc responds.
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So that's how a program like Netflix then recognise that you are in another region?
How safe is it to use a VPN? does it not make some of your details viewable to that network? Are there any good trustworthy free VPN's that I can try? Just for video streaming? I have a US PSN account that allows free video streaming of certain TV shows and I would like to have a look at that.
 
I used to use a VPN before the likes of Unotelly came along with the SmartDNS. I ran all my traffic through the VPN which was good but the only bad thing I found with it was the speed. With a 20mb connection in Saudi and connecting to a UK server, I was getting no faster than 4mb.

If all you want to use a vpn for is to stream stuff from netflix etc, you are better off with a service like Unotelly. Plus its cheaper too.
 
Ridolfc said:
So that's how a program like Netflix then recognise that you are in another region?
How safe is it to use a VPN? does it not make some of your details viewable to that network? Are there any good trustworthy free VPN's that I can try? Just for video streaming? I have a US PSN account that allows free video streaming of certain TV shows and I would like to have a look at that.
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Free = Slow...too slow for video.

Trial accounts might give you some options.

However VPN's are no longer the best way for Netflix and the like and SmartDNS is much more efficient and cheaper.


VPN = Virtual Ethernet Cable to another network.

So basically imagine I let you VPN into my home network, then it's basically like running an ethernet cable to your device through the internet. For all intents and purposes your experience (other than speed) will be exactly the same over VPN as it would be if you plugged directly into my network.

So yes I could see all your traffic.
 
Ridolfc said:
How safe is it to use a VPN? does it not make some of your details viewable to that network?
Click to expand...

Yes, the VPN server side can see all your traffic, encrypted traffic will remain encrypted however.

The good thing though is that nobody else between you and the VPN server can snoop on your traffic, they can see it's VPN traffic but as long as you're using an up-to-date encryption protocol that's all they can see.

This is why I like setting up my own VPN server, grab a VPS that supports TUN/TAP, install OpenVPN server on it and you're good to go.
 
Also with a vpn you are not only relying on your internet connection but also the vpn providers. For your case I would suggest unotelly, can easily change countries etc. It is a paid for service but I think you can try it out for free for 7 days. They also have dns servers in cpt and jhb which will help for local lookups.
 
Ridolfc said:
So that's how a program like Netflix then recognise that you are in another region?
How safe is it to use a VPN? does it not make some of your details viewable to that network? Are there any good trustworthy free VPN's that I can try? Just for video streaming? I have a US PSN account that allows free video streaming of certain TV shows and I would like to have a look at that.
Click to expand...

Its actually safer as your communications are secure between you and the VPN, so it would protect you if someone in SA like your ISP wanted to see what you are actually doing.

Video is slower over a VPN that is why most use DNS, all the DNS does is lie to the host as to where you are.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Free = Slow...too slow for video.

Trial accounts might give you some options.

However VPN's are no longer the best way for Netflix and the like and SmartDNS is much more efficient and cheaper.


VPN = Virtual Ethernet Cable to another network.

So basically imagine I let you VPN into my home network, then it's basically like running an ethernet cable to your device through the internet. For all intents and purposes your experience (other than speed) will be exactly the same over VPN as it would be if you plugged directly into my network.

So yes I could see all your traffic.
Click to expand...
Just to add: You will also now receive an IP via DHCp from Sauron's router. So all policies, restrictions, etc which are applied on his network will now filter down to you as well.
 
YingYang said:
Just to add: You will also now receive an IP via DHCp from Sauron's router. So all policies, restrictions, etc which are applied on his network will now filter down to you as well.
Click to expand...

Well yes in the most basic of setups that would be the case.

In a more advance setup the VPN users would have their own Pool and their own IP range which ultimately should have it's own subset of policies/restrictions etc.

So in a corporate VPN setting the exact same would apply to you connecting from home as it would if you were sitting in the office. So no porn and all the usual Websense bull**** applies.
 
Nerfherder said:
Its actually safer as your communications are secure between you and the VPN, so it would protect you if someone in SA like your ISP wanted to see what you are actually doing.
Click to expand...

Yes and no.

It's only really safer if you can trust the VPN provider. But yes your ISP don't see what you are doing.

If you were VPN'ing to me I could be intercepting each and every detail of your connection if I choose to.
 
Is there a way to check if VPN certificate is being spoofed?

With HTTPS, one can compare fingerprints of certificate on your side and client side.
 
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