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Question

VPN via App, browser, or iphone?

Jun 1, 2016 2:27PM PDT

I'm trying to get VPN for both my laptop and my iPhone. I had been reviewing articles about the best apps that provide VPN on your mobile device, but then learned that the iPhone itself (among other mobile devices) and my Windows on my computer can set up a VPN for you. So what is all this about apps and browser-based VPN? Is the iPhone or laptop's VPN system lacking in some way? Also: will this VPN protect me when I use both browser AND apps, or only browser activity?

Additional question as far as the laptop goes:
I'm trying to understand the technology and need clarification on how VPN works. Some have described it as remotely connecting to your server you have a private secure connection somewhere else, others have described it as obscuring your data from hacking, sounds like it's both. If this is the case, can someone confirm this: as long as I have my secured internet (via modem/router) active, I should be able to connect securely on public wifi via the VPN? Pardon the ignorance, you have no idea how many hours it's taking me to educate myself & I haven't set anything up yet bc I'm scared I'll mess up.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
It sounds like you want a proxy?
Jun 1, 2016 3:29PM PDT

Post was last edited on June 10, 2016 3:23 PM PDT

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I've been told what I want is VPN.
Jun 1, 2016 3:58PM PDT

Personally, I don't want anything. But a small business/tech advisor consultant type is telling me I want a VPN.

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Take a look at NetShade
Jun 2, 2016 3:48PM PDT

they do an app for desktop and mobile.

Covers both Proxy and VPN

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Can someone explain the difference..
Jun 3, 2016 3:12PM PDT

between VPN offered on by Microsoft and apple, built into the devices, vs. these third party VPN providers?

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I'll try,
Jun 4, 2016 7:39AM PDT

VPN + Virtual Private Network.
What Apple and Microsoft provide are VPN clients which are small(ish) pieces of software that provide the means by which the computer can connect to another VPN client.
For example, a company has a computer network at its headquarters for the use of its employees while they are at work. However, the company also employs salespeople who work from home or on the road. In order to allow those employees to access the company computer network, the company sets up a server, with a VPN capability, that allows the outsiders to access the company network. Once connected, the outsiders are actually part of the company network and have all the advantages it offers.
To connect to the company server, the outsiders use a VPN client such as the one offered by MS or Apple.
The company I work for uses the Cisco VPN solution with Cisco equipment at Headquarters and the Cisco AnyConnect software (VPN Client) on the remote computer. This ensures no compatibility problems with assorted VPN clients.

Third party VPN providers offer the same sort of thing. Connecting to one of those VPN servers will route all your internet traffic through their server and all your traffic between you and that server is encrypted.

All that said, to use a VPN from your laptop/phone, you will have to have somewhere to connect to. Third party VPN providers, another nod to Netshade, provide you with secure servers to connect to so that you can securely surf the internet from a public WiFi network, proxy servers do not normally provide encryption.

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Thanks for being patient
Jun 10, 2016 3:08PM PDT

Sorry, didn't see that you responded.
So, at risk of oversimplification of your summary or getting it wrong, a VPN from iphone or windows would be based on a server that you (or your business) is providing, vs. a third party VPN offers a tunnel that operates off of their own servers, is that right? If that's right, does that mean, the only way that the iPhone/Windows device-based VPN is useful is if I have my own servers, correct? I have a private/protected wifi but I don't think that's really what servers refer to. Although I don't understand the definitions/distinctions when I look them up.

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Perhaps the term "Server" is a little misleading.
Jun 12, 2016 6:25AM PDT

As we have already discussed, to use a VPN you need at least two things.
1. A VPN client at the remote end
2. A VPN server at the "home" end.
The VPN client comes built in to a whole bunch of things but the server portion does not.
The term VPN Server refers to the platform that the VPN Server software is running on and can be just about any computer, Tower/Desktop/laptop/mini, capable of running that software. It does not have to be some high powered, high capacity, super beast of a computer, just about anything will do.
This link:
https://www.macstories.net/tutorials/how-to-set-up-a-vpn-server-on-your-mac-and-access-everything-remotely-with-an-iphone/
details how a VPN Server can be installed on a MacBook.

That "private/protected" wifi that you have is nothing special, just about everyone with wifi has the same thing.
Imagine you have four or five computers connected to that wifi, and that one of them is running the VPN Server software. With that running, and your router configured correctly, you would be able to access all of those computers, even printers, remotely, using your laptop/phone and the builtin VPN client.

How may computers do you have connected to that Wifi network?

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I realize that the article deals with a Mac,
Jun 12, 2016 6:31AM PDT

you didn't specify what platform you use at home, but it covers the basics and explains what can be done with a Home VPN.

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Answer
Better Get a Ready Made VPN service
Jun 13, 2016 2:10AM PDT

Its seems that you don't have in-depth technical know-how about VPN so it is better not to make a mess with your gadgets and get a ready made VPN service by googling, for a little help by my side adding some information about VPN below;
VPN Briefly
Virtual Private Network (VPN) is one such tool and it is very useful in securing data over public networks. VPNs have been the ideal choice for many cooperates in data security over public networks such as the internet. Operating at layer 3 of the OSI model, IPsec has been used intensively as a way of implementing VPN security on co-operating networks. Each computer connected to the internet has a unique IP address for identification and authentication by other computers. Secure VPNs protect your data by encrypting the IP address and the data against network intruders and hackers.
How VPN Works?
A VPN is actually a private network that operates on public networks such as the internet to route encrypted data through a secure tunnel to remote sites. Not only do VPNs ensure the security of data on networks by encryption but they are also cheaper in transmitting data as compared to traditional leased lines. VPNs ensure the security of data by creating a tunnel between a host computer and a remote server. Any data to be transmitted is encrypted first before being transmitted over the secure tunnel and decrypted on the other side upon arrival. Strong 256-bit data encryption by TLS/SSL and MS-CHAPv2 authentication are used to secure data over public networks away from eavesdroppers and hackers.
Advantages of Using a VPN
Among other security advantages of using VPNs to transmit data over public networks is anonymity. Usually, a VPN provider masks the original IP address with a remote server generated IP address which can be either static or dynamic. The connection, therefore, becomes anonymous since all connection requests are done through the VPN server which consequently connects the client computer to the internet. The reversal process also takes place, all data entering the client computer from the internet has to pass through the VPN server.

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Updates (and new/related VPN questions)
Jun 16, 2016 11:32AM PDT

Okay I downloaded cyberghost and may look into the proxy, I have to talk to my tech advisor, but it's pretty user-friendly, so I'm happy with it. I have a couple of questions though: 1) I tried to reply to a craigslist ad and craigslist said it couldn't confirm my IP therefore it blocked my communication. 2) google.com keeps defaulting to google.be even though my IP has me as being in the US. I keep trying to go to chrome settings and I have been manually changing .be to .com and that's been sporadically effective...should I do google.us or something instead?
Basically, what do you do to keep your wifi protected (ie maintain the VPN), but deal with the fallout from the protection ie, the restrictions that are being put up because you now look suspicious to other websites?

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In short yes.
Jun 16, 2016 11:46AM PDT

To abate theft, shady deals and more, Craigslist should drop heavily shielded VPN communications. I agree on that.

I quickly re-read this post and can't see why you need this? If it's geo location changing, then a proxy would be my choice.

If I was paranoid I'd get into VPNs but I'm not.