Those of you using a VPN

[rasczak]

What are your reasons for using it?

How can you trust the other end?

 

[CPA]

Work required when using work computer at home.

 

[mnewsham]

For my VPN specifically I use it for netflix SuperHD as my ISP blocks it natively, BBC streaming because iPlayer only works for UK IP's, and one of the places online with some of the best quality (for $) music sites is french and some of the songs are region blocked for some reason or another so I use a french server to get that.

However I also use a SOCKS5 proxy to anonymize any torrents I may be downloading, mostly windows 7/8 ISO's as M$ makes it a bitch to get a hold of and some game of thrones (I pay for HBO but I like having a physical copy, think of it like a DVR)

 

[yinan]

Connecting to my home network from on the road. I trust the other end because I control it.

 

[JEDI]

What are your reasons for using it?

How can you trust the other end?

I use Privitize VPN.
the Bay recommeneds it for anon dl of their torrents

 

[JEDI]

For my VPN specifically I use it for netflix SuperHD as my ISP blocks it natively, BBC streaming because iPlayer only works for UK IP's, and one of the places online with some of the best quality (for $) music sites is french and some of the songs are region blocked for some reason or another so I use a french server to get that.

However I also use a SOCKS5 proxy to anonymize any torrents I may be downloading, mostly windows 7/8 ISO's as M$ makes it a bitch to get a hold of and some game of thrones (I pay for HBO but I like having a physical copy, think of it like a DVR)

why do u need a socks proxy for anon torrents if u have vpn?

 

[mnewsham]

why do u need a socks proxy for anon torrents if u have vpn?

Because a torrent client can use a SOCKS5 passthrough using your regular IP to anonmyize your IP without using a network/computer wide VPN, essentially I have my torrent client using a VPN like service (masking the IP) but not actually passing ALL of my internet data through that server, just my torrent data. This means that i can still browse the web and play steam and do other things using my real IP and with no extra latency or bandwidth overhead lost by using a VPN.

 

[SunnyD]

I use a VPN when I'm on untrusted or "filtered" networks, for obvious reasons. My endpoint is my own VPS, hence it's inherently trusted. But the trust only goes so far given it's a VPS, so I know my traffic might easily be getting sniffed on the node that my VPS happens to be on as well. Still, it's enough privacy and trust for me to use as a nominally secure connection.

 

[rasczak]

So most of you using VPN's at home for non work related stuff, just use it for more privacy? Given what we have seen come out with the NSA and such, do you even think it's worth using VPNs anymore?

 

[onza]

NSA is watching this thread.

 

[rasczak]

NSA is watching this thread.

And that's fine. It's just a curiosity question.

 

[Oyeve]

I only set up site to site vpns for work. I have no users using a vpn SW client cuz I dont trust them. I have set up a few execs with site to site vpns but I control everything.

 

[Crono]

I only set up site to site vpns for work. I have no users using a vpn SW client cuz I dont trust them. I have set up a few execs with site to site vpns but I control everything.

Setting up a VPN yourself is probably the best route, but for some users trusting a VPN provider/software client is more acceptable than trusting, say, their ISP, several of which we know to be throttling traffic.

Personally, I just use a VPN to make sure my traffic on public networks using my HTC One or laptop is encrypted.

 

[Wyndru]

However I also use a SOCKS5 proxy to anonymize any torrents I may be downloading, mostly windows 7/8 ISO's as M$ makes it a bitch to get a hold of and some game of thrones (I pay for HBO but I like having a physical copy, think of it like a DVR)

Digital River doesn't host MS's OS ISO's anymore? The last time I needed a DL for pretty much any ISO, they had them stored on DR, and it was a fast connection.

Oh nevermind, I guess windows 8 links are not on digital river, 7's ISO's are still there though. And I thought digital river hosted all of the server ISO's too, but I could be mistaken.

Windows 7 Integrated SP1 ISO Images

Windows 7 Home Premium x86 SP1 (bootable)


Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 (bootable)


Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1 (bootable)


Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 (bootable)


Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1 (bootable)


Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1 (bootable)

 

[Crono]

Digital River doesn't host MS's OS ISO's anymore? The last time I needed a DL for pretty much any ISO, they had them stored on DR, and it was a fast connection.

Only Windows 7 and maybe earlier. They don't do it for Windows 8.
Which is a pain as many laptops these days ship without reinstallation media. UEFI is also an annoyance, but that's another matter...

Which reminds me, I need to get a new TechNet subscription. Totally worth it. I'm not in the IT profession in any capacity, but I fix so many laptops and desktops for friends, family, and coworkers or acquaintances that it's well worth ~$200.