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VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

vpnreport.org

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Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#111

Post by abavatar »

"Facebook uses an internal database to track rivals, including young startups performing unusually well, people familiar with the system say. The database stems from Facebook’s 2013 acquisition of a Tel Aviv-based startup, Onavo, which had built an app that secures users’ privacy by routing their traffic through private servers. The app gives Facebook an unusually detailed look at what users collectively do on their phones, these people say.

The tool shaped Facebook’s decision to buy WhatsApp and informed its live-video strategy, they say. Facebook used Onavo to build its early-bird tool that tips it off to promising services and that helped Facebook home in on Houseparty."

via https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-copycats-how-facebook-s...

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#112

Post by kevindong »

Are you really prioritizing "fun" over an objectively better (by your own metrics) service (picking TunnelBear rather than OVPN)?

---

You also seem to be prioritizing aesthetic appeal over function. Is there a reason for that?

> TunnelBear has somehow figured out how to make VPNs fun.

> Extremely transactional. You get in and get out.

> Heavy use of stock photos, fake customer service agent profiles, and sensational marketing copy.

> Extremely bland, stock-photo website. I felt uncomfortable giving them my email address, let alone my payment info.

> But I sort of like it when companies show more humility.

> First, I'm upset at Private Internet Access because I had to modify this site's CSS just for their needlessly long name.

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#113

Post by kelnos »

SXX wrote: post #99
mahyarm wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have the security of the datacenter provider instead when you use something like Algo. That datacenter provider is going to have logging, probably wouldn't take pseudoanonymous payment methods like BTC directly, does not have legal insurance, will shut you down if you get enough file sharing complaints and probably wouldn't do things like having RAM only VPN servers w/ read only boot media. Nothing prevents the d…

> Nothing prevents the datacenter provider from doing the bad crap that commercial VPN providers can do. Money prevents it. Of course datacenter could toggle logging for particular server, but logging everything is very expensive. Most of their clients aren't running VPN servers or file sharing software so it's easier for them to just kick you out on DMCA arrival or when something shady is going on rather than keep y…

> Money prevents it. Of course datacenter could toggle logging for particular server, but logging everything is very expensive.

They'll absolutely log a particular server if a law enforcement agency requires that they do so, and they'll bill the agency for it, so money isn't a factor.

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#114

Post by mirimir »

arca_vorago wrote: post #106
rasengan wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry mobitar, I forgot to address the pings. This is to find the best (closest by network latency) path to you. We're really focused on providing the best possible experience, and that experience is simply providing what we do best, in the most unobtrusive way possible. And to that extent, when it comes to your privacy and fighting for your internet civil liberties, we'll be second to none. Cheers, Andrew

I've seen PIA being very active and friendly, along with supporting FOSS which I love, so I say good work. That said, a question: is there a way for a power user to control this startup ping mechanism in favor of using a single server they have selected as the best? The only reason I see to not do this would be if your IP ranges are volatile time-wise for some reason. Or perhaps I'm missing another factor?

Well, you can use stock OpenVPN, with firewall rules to prevent leaks. Or you can use pfSense as a VPN gateway VM.

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#115

Post by kelnos »

What's the intended audience for this? As a tech-savvy person, reading his commentary on TunnelBear completely discredited his site in my eyes. He talks about things that are completely irrelevant and are incredibly silly to even remotely care about from a VPN provider.

Despite his listed criteria at the top, the star ratings and rank order seem to be based on how the provider made him feel, and has nothing to do with actually how secure and privacy-protecting the provider is. (To be fair, though, without inside knowledge, it's hard to evaluate how up-and-up they are.) Based on his own metrics, PIA should be listed as #1, not #8; it's the only one that hits all nine of his "Important" list.

I'm completely baffled as to why this list was constructed as it is.

On a side note:

"First, I'm upset at Private Internet Access because I had to modify this site's CSS just for their needlessly long name."

Are you kidding me? Really?

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#116

Post by mirimir »

bpicolo wrote: post #28
abstractbeliefs wrote: post #12

Regardless of how you feel about _why_ PIA sponsor the organisations they do, it is surprising to see someone claiming they "perhaps put [their money] to better use" given their record of supporting foss and digital/online rights [1]. Additionally, the characterization as being extremely focused on the tech illiterate I feel isn't really the case either, they have lots of docs about how to use OpenVPN [2]. Thirdly, w…

That stock photo of kids on bikes on their homepage feels so out of place hah

They're going for Mom, apple pie and so on :)

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#117

Post by evancaine »

This site seems to me an imitation of sitebuilderreport which was featured on indiehackers recently [1]. The design and copywriting are similar. OP, was your site inspired by sitebuilderreport or are you connected with that site?

[1] https://www.indiehackers.com/businesses/site-builder-report

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#118

Post by rovr138 »

arca_vorago wrote: post #106
rasengan wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry mobitar, I forgot to address the pings. This is to find the best (closest by network latency) path to you. We're really focused on providing the best possible experience, and that experience is simply providing what we do best, in the most unobtrusive way possible. And to that extent, when it comes to your privacy and fighting for your internet civil liberties, we'll be second to none. Cheers, Andrew

I've seen PIA being very active and friendly, along with supporting FOSS which I love, so I say good work. That said, a question: is there a way for a power user to control this startup ping mechanism in favor of using a single server they have selected as the best? The only reason I see to not do this would be if your IP ranges are volatile time-wise for some reason. Or perhaps I'm missing another factor?

If you're using the app, I know you can choose a server instead of "Auto". Not sure if it does the pings.

You can bypass the app. I've identified some servers that work good and are close to me and just use a separate app with the profiles/configuration I need. (You can use the built in VPN on your OS or use the OpenVPN app directly for example if you want).

There are options.

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#119

Post by rovr138 »

wlesieutre wrote: post #47
dawnerd wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't use their app then. In fact, I can't think of a reason why I'd install any vpns app if they support openvpn.

It gets you an "automatic" option for which endpoint to use, other than that I can't think of anything.

Some people like the kill switch. I just think remote port is easier to setup.

I sometimes use the app. Mainly use the builtin client of the OS.

Re: VPN Report – Reviews of the top VPNs

#120

Post by jiggunjer »

How do you not get IP vanish to work? it's literally just a windows installer & reboot. You can manually add a server on Android too using their guides (they have step-by-step pictures!). O.m.g. I chose IPVanish over NordVPN because the later required me to upload a photo of my passport (to a third party) when paying! Who does that?!
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