Tell HN: Russia has started blocking OpenVPN/WireGuard connections

Post by EasyMark » Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 10:28 PM UTC

antisthenes wrote: post #127

8organicbits wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the current legal risk of using a VPN in China or Russia these days? I found a couple articles about people getting charged, but none I know to be reputable or particularly well written.

Don't forget that the "real" risk and the "legal" risk in states like Russia/China can be very different. The laws are written in specifically vague verbiage as to be interpreted in favor of state actors by judges whenever they need to be. You may be clear in the letter of the law in your mind, until a charge is brought up against you using another law, etc.

Post by EasyMark » Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 10:33 PM UTC

jokowueu wrote: post #119

eptcyka wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OpenVPN looks more similar to regular https traffic, hence its a bit more difficult to fingerprint.

Openvpn is trivial to see , what you need to do is wrap it in stunnel

Post by EasyMark » Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 10:41 PM UTC

cassianoleal wrote: post #190

SpaghettiCthulu wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can pay for VPNs with crytocurrency instead

For Mullvad you can buy gift cards as well. Even if you pay for those with a credit card, there's no link between the payment and the contents of the gift card.

Post by EasyMark » Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 10:44 PM UTC

The_Colonel wrote: post #179

mcv wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's also possible that Russian troll factories still have their own VPN to outside the Russian firewall.

It's not just possible, it's very, very likely.

Post by seanmcdirmid » Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 11:01 PM UTC

d0mine wrote: post #144

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

China at least, isn’t a strong rule of law country, rather it is more of a rule by law one. So if they want to get you, they’ll find some law to get you on, and if they don’t, they won’t go after you for using a VPN or other minor offenses. So I wouldn’t really worry about it.

Are there any other types of countries? Note: you don't need to put something into law to silence someone. If necessary anyone can be canceled. Everybody is "guilty" but select few are prosecuted. Therefore the real power belongs to those who decides what issues can be ignored.