Vpns And Dnss

What, if any, VPN and DNS services do people use?

I have used Unblock-US for over a year which is a DNS service, which makes you look like your in a different country, but doesn't reroute all your traffic so speeds remain high. It's easy to set up for most things and really easy to set up on your router - If it allows. Changing your location is easy just go to the website>log in>select country. I pay $5CAD a month for it which works out around £3.30ish. Use it for Netflix, Hulu and Youtube mainly, where it sees me as US but my catch up apps (BBC/ITV/4OD/Demand5) all see UK. It opens up so much more content that the missus finally agreed to get rid of the TV licence - the only downside is the smart TV keeps telling me the aerial isn't plugged in when I turn it on.

I'm looking at getting a VPN, so would appreciate peoples opinions on the ones they use and how they impact the connection. Just tested CactusVPN which seems decent enough, but haven't got anything to compare it too.

I've just signed up to CactusVPN for a year at $38.49 which works out at £24~ / £2pm. Theres a free 24 hour trial period for the VPN and the DNS can be trialled for 7 days. The premium multi server package which I got includes SmartDNS so I will be paying less and getting more! There seems to be no DNS leakage which is good, and they have an app which lets you set programs to auto disconnect should the DNS drop.
https://billing.cactusvpn.com/aff.php?aff=534 here's an affiliate link if anyone is interested.

What's Pandora like? I've got Spotify premium for £5 and love it. I take it it has adverts? The smartDNS isn't as easy to use as unblock us but it's not too much more to do, it's just having to repeatedly show the missus the new way until she gets it, as she likes to swap regions.

I've downloaded the official android app which i was able to get from XDA. loads of cracked no ad torrents. plays OK will have to get the PC all sorted. I like spotify but its a lot more money then pandora for not that much difference. think im going to have to trial it with the missus for a month before I decide on moving. I probably will as my spotify use has dipped a LOT recently due to my podcast addiction. Thanks a lot for the recommendation @lard

Not really had any issues with it really. It's super easy to turn on and off, change proxy type or location on the windows application. On Android I've just set up all the various connection types I want to use as separate profiles so I just select what I want when I need it.

Its really good for the price. They have servers in US, UK and the Netherlands, torrents are only available on the Dutch servers. The windows app is very easy to use which enables me to change between Dutch and US servers in a few clicks, getting around geo blocks. Had servers from each country set up on my phone.

Over the last year I have had no issues with the van at all, I did speed test the servers and I hardly notice any speed drops on some connections. As my contract runs out in Oct /Nov I'm going to be testing some other vpn free trials. Although my main focus is on more server locations as sometimes the UFC has blackouts in all three locations. I'm currently trialing the avast vpn app as it has a weeks trial and they have loads of servers and the app is brilliantly simple.

The dns side has been fine. Had two or three ip resets over the last year, which are much less frequent than my previous dns but the method for reset is more complex.

I got their Halloween discount offer of a year for £24ish. I have had no problems and I'm only looking for something else as I could do with servers in more European countries to avoid the UFC blackouts. Otherwise I would have no problem staying.

I have heard good things about VyprVPN: http://www.goldenfrog.com/vyprvpn

I say heard, a few news channels on youtube have mentioned them and quick searches have found good things, not much negative said about them. I sent support a question and they unfortunately offer prices per device, that does not allow you to put it on your router and away you go, smartphone or anything else is extra which is why I didn't go with them in the end.

I'm currently checking if OpenVPN can be of any use to me, always interested in open source software.

I'm sure vypr were keeping 90 day logs and not being too open with security when questioned. I'll look later and check back.

I just found a VPN service I might use in the future, PrivateTunnel

You pay for an amount of data, nothing else. So if you spend $50 you get 500GB. It doesn't matter how many devices you use or how quickly you use it, that data is yours to use whenever and however you want. They also have decent privacy because they supposedly don't collect any data on you.

I don't care about the privacy stuff, I love how they treat their customers like adults. No monthly limits and if you haven't used the data given to you it is still available the next month unlike almost every other internet provider in existence. I like being able to pay for 500GB of data and then being able to go on a month's holiday without the company removing the data I paid for and expecting me to pay again the next month. Who new people were different and might like autonomy over how they use the service they are paying for, novel idea.

Can't do data caps. My USB drive + portableapps + utorrent + vpn has been known to chew through 100GB+ in a few hours.

I'm pretty impressed with Avasts Secureline android app. The only thing is it's a totally seperate subscription to their Windows app. Havent researched their security side, but the apps ease of use is is great.

I'm confused with BestVPNs review and scoring. VyprVPN gets 9.9/10 is the highest recommended, but is 3/5 for price 2/5 for reliability and has "Major security issues" and "DNS Leak problems".

Geo-unlocking and preventing my ISP from traffic shaping.

I detest arbitrary restrictions on content based on your location and find ISP's telling me what I can and can't do on the internet patronising so I want to stop them both. VPN does those things perfectly for me, and it seems Private tunnel will do exactly what I need, turn it on when ever I notice some slow downs that shouldn't be happening.

I find it infuriating that people accept the internet slowing down at "peak times" the same way traffic grinds to a halt. Ignorant people are too willing to let ISPs get away with murder.

Well, from scouting around I just don't think anyone else justifies the price increase over CactusVPN. I've been with them 10 months and although I would like an Android app with openVPN it's just not something worth double or triple the price of what I pay now.