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Choosing a VPN?

751 views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  sajidali27 
#1 ·
Hey guys, just trying to figure out some VPN, been hearing a lot about them and think its something I want to mess around with...

I don't mind paying for one that isn't a problem as long as its not outrageously expensive. I want something that will still give me my same speeds and what not without a noticeable difference..

Just curious though.. I've been trying to read about it and I was trying to figure out how they exactly work.

I just had a few questions.. like can I connect one computer out of 3-4 on a network?

Aka... my computer and not my parents/girl friends/ phones ect?
- I assume so but not completely sure..

What vpn is better/the best? just curious as to why...

And just double checking.. I can turn the VPN on and off right? I know these are pretty basic questions I am just trying to get an understanding here..

Thanks guys I appreciate it
 
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#2 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steroids View Post

I just had a few questions.. like can I connect one computer out of 3-4 on a network?
Of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steroids View Post

What vpn is better/the best? just curious as to why...
I can recommend AirVPN. I like the speed, the prices, and the software they offer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steroids View Post

And just double checking.. I can turn the VPN on and off right?
Of course. It's just a virtual network connection.
 
#4 ·
As for how they work, you're basically setting up an encrypted tunnel between the endpoint and your local machine. All traffic will be encapsulated in an encrypted packet. IIRC, initial authentication is done using asymmetric cryptography, after which keys are exchanged and the encryption switches to symmetric, much like SSL.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by seabiscuit68 View Post

Can I add a question?

Can you set up a VPN to only run through a stated program. For example, if I wanted to only run a VPN on downloads through Steam, can I set it up to route all traffic through Steam to the VPN and leave all other traffic untouched?

Thanks
It's possible, but difficult. See this: http://dltj.org/article/openvpn-split-routing/
 
#9 ·
I use VPNDirect. $10 a month. It's been working great. There's a free version, but connecting to that server doesn't yield the best speeds. The paid servers are much faster, and you have a choice of about 6 different countries of servers. I usually download at over 1MB/s when connected (though my usual d/l speed is over 4).

Interface is nice and easy too. Set it up to automatically log you in when you open the program, so all you have to do is open it and click Connect. That's it. You can do more of course, in the Settings, like switch servers and the like. But yeah, it's easy and works great- http://www.vpndirect.com/
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by zalbard View Post

Obviously depends on your connection and VPN provider. Typically not large at all.
Do you have enough experience to estimate? I've read some people are getting half or less...that is significant.

I would be going to a 50 mbps connection and wouldn't want anything less than 35-40 mbps through the VPN and I would expect real world DL speeds to be at least 3 - 4 MBps through the VPN...

Is that realistic?
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by dph314 View Post

I use VPNDirect. $10 a month. It's been working great. There's a free version, but connecting to that server doesn't yield the best speeds. The paid servers are much faster, and you have a choice of about 6 different countries of servers. I usually download at over 1MB/s when connected (though my usual d/l speed is over 4).

Interface is nice and easy too. Set it up to automatically log you in when you open the program, so all you have to do is open it and click Connect. That's it. You can do more of course, in the Settings, like switch servers and the like. But yeah, it's easy and works great- http://www.vpndirect.com/
The reason I am so interested in speed is that my current ISP doesn't care what I (downloading, torrenting, etc) - there are no caps, no throttling, no six strikes, etc.

But if I want the faster connection (50 or 105 mbps), it means moving to a new ISP which does all of the above. If I'm going to move to a 50 mbps for more money (plus the cost of a VPN), and get the same speeds as I would on my 20 mbps without a VPN for cheaper, then I have no reason to switch and will be stuck at these speeds...
 
#12 ·
If your choosing so you won't get caught by your ISP, pick one that doesn't keep any logs.
For speed reference, I pay for 15/5 Time warner here and get ~9/2 on BTGuard Canadian servers and ~8/1.5 Netherlands.

Speed is also affected by type of VPN connection. On PPTP there's almost no overhead but PPTP can be broken and drops occasionally for me. L2PTP is more secure but more of an overhead, I've never had a dropped connection though.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by seabiscuit68 View Post

Do you have enough experience to estimate? I've read some people are getting half or less...that is significant.

I would be going to a 50 mbps connection and wouldn't want anything less than 35-40 mbps through the VPN and I would expect real world DL speeds to be at least 3 - 4 MBps through the VPN...

Is that realistic?
Not many internet servers actually offer that kind of bandwidth even without VPN.

It is realistic, but if you have certain speed requirements, it's gonna cost you.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by seabiscuit68 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by dph314 View Post

I use VPNDirect. $10 a month. It's been working great. There's a free version, but connecting to that server doesn't yield the best speeds. The paid servers are much faster, and you have a choice of about 6 different countries of servers. I usually download at over 1MB/s when connected (though my usual d/l speed is over 4).

Interface is nice and easy too. Set it up to automatically log you in when you open the program, so all you have to do is open it and click Connect. That's it. You can do more of course, in the Settings, like switch servers and the like. But yeah, it's easy and works great- http://www.vpndirect.com/
The reason I am so interested in speed is that my current ISP doesn't care what I (downloading, torrenting, etc) - there are no caps, no throttling, no six strikes, etc.

But if I want the faster connection (50 or 105 mbps), it means moving to a new ISP which does all of the above. If I'm going to move to a 50 mbps for more money (plus the cost of a VPN), and get the same speeds as I would on my 20 mbps without a VPN for cheaper, then I have no reason to switch and will be stuck at these speeds...
Well, the fastest I've seen the paid servers go for me during testing the speeds of all of the available paid US ones was about 1.2MB/s. It's not too bad I guess. But yeah if you decide to use VPNDirect, then, from my experience anyways, you can count on a max average speed of about 10-11Mb/s. So if you already get that, and plan on using VPNDirect, you don't need to upgrade your plan.
 
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