Need step by step tutorial for VPN

[zolar1]

I have a linksys router and want to set up a free VPN.

What is the best free one and how do I use it?

I read that most of them limit you to a few GB's of data per month.

If so, how to I launch a browser with VPN one minute and after closing it, launch another without VPN. I don't want to go into settings to make changes each and every time I want to switch.

[GermanTux]

I have a linksys router and want to set up a free VPN.

What is the best free one and how do I use it?

I read that most of them limit you to a few GB's of data per month.

If so, how to I launch a browser with VPN one minute and after closing it, launch another without VPN. I don't want to go into settings to make changes each and every time I want to switch.

OK, first off - what types of VPN does your Linksys router support?  PCLOS supports PPTP and L2TP by default.  Certain providers also offer SSL VPN clients for Linux, but these can be a pain, and are difficult to get up and running. 

VPN clients, or VPN functions in general do not limit your bandwidth if any way, shape, or form.  This is only done at the ISP level.  I am not sure what you are referring to with your last question.  Your browser will most likely be independent of whether or not you are connected to your VPN. 

[zolar1]

I looked up some of the free ones. Many have a bandwidth limit of 5Gb or less per month for the free ones.
I have a BEFSX41 router.
I prefer to use VPN (a free one) through the firewalled router, not through the DMZ.

General internet surfing wouldn't require a VPN, but sensitive internet use would benefit from VPN.

[GermanTux]

I looked up some of the free ones. Many have a bandwidth limit of 5Gb or less per month for the free ones.
I have a BEFSX41 router.
I prefer to use VPN (a free one) through the firewalled router, not through the DMZ.

General internet surfing wouldn't require a VPN, but sensitive internet use would benefit from VPN.

zolar, the purpose of a VPN is to get someone in the internet into a private network.  The mechanism for this is the internet connection that the network is attached to.  Are you looking at actual VPN's, or services such as GoToMyPc? 

The router in question only has a VPN endpoint, and not a remote VPN option (this is from the specs, I could be wrong).  so it would not work for what you are trying to do.  A DMZ is unrelated to a VPN. 

[zolar1]

I was hoping to have a secure internet connection for sensitive stuff.
With all the criminals out there I wanted to take a few extra steps to protect myself.

What is the best way then for me to have secure surfing?

When using cable internet anyone can see what you are doing.

Also, what is wrong with the update notifier? It keeps telling me not to update???

I tried different repo's, but same problem.

Anyone got any idea of they will come out with an anonymous version of PCLOS? One with TOR built right in and no configuring needed? And other protective settings & out of the box working software that can help too?

I have also found out that some servers can identify you even if you change your MAC address and IP address. What gives??

[GermanTux]

K, I am not sure what those services are offering, but a VPN will not help you perform "secure browsing."  I think you are referring to cloud based security services.  These are unrelated to a VPN. 

I am not sure as to the value of such services, since you do not know what type of protocols they are using.  Also, with Linux, this is a minimal worry. 

Or are you referring to a proxy? 

[zolar1]

Even when using Linux, as long as you are on a 'community' cable internet system, you are subject to having your communications intercepted and read by others.

Unless you use some sort of encryption or say a VPN from home to whatever server you connect to then others can obtain information without your knowledge or consent.

I am looking for some sort of very secure browsing that no one can intercept.

How many times have there been stories about people's personal information being stolen or accessed without permission?

Someone once told me that to send say emails I would have to use an open source encryption program (truecrypt I think) and send it that way.

This is but one method to maintain privacy and security.

But what are the others?

TOR network can protect you from a few things, but lately servers and others now use not only your mac address but your IP address as well.

RoadRunner servers in New York have been and are constantly being compromised. Piss poor service from RoadRunner. They apparently do not care about their customers.

And believe it or not, ALL DSL providers in my area you guess what for access? RoadRunner.


A VPN was supposed to let employees work from home securely.

Many sites on the internet indicate that a VPN connection is more secure than an HTTPS.

Is there a way to be truly anonymous on the internet any more??

[jmirles]

A VPN connection is used for Point to Point communications through an encrypted tunnel. We use one for work. I can connect to my job and access our servers and mainframes as though I was working in the office. But it requires me to hit the Concentrator at the office.

Are you referring to using an Anonymous service?

Perhaps using Iron will provide the security you are looking for?

[GermanTux]

Zolar, a VPN cannot provide either anonymity or security from web threats.  The threats originate from one end, and all a VPN does is provide an encrypted session between two points, as jmirles stated.  Even if you securely accessed a malware site, you would still get the malware.  A VPN operates at layer six of the network model, while security protection for an OS has to come from layer 7. 

If you want to surf anonymously, there are services out there which offer that.  But that is a separate topic.