Q&A for How to Use a VPN

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Question

When should a VP be started, before or after connecting to WiFi?

Hannamo

Community Answer

You can connect to VPN only when you are connected to the Internet. So first connect to WiFi, then turn on VPN.

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Question

What if I want to watch a video that is blocked in my country?

Community Answer

Find out which countries allow the video, then connect to the video site through a VPN server setup in one of those countries.

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Question

I want to download torrents or stream movies, but I keep getting copyright infringement notices from my ISP. Can I use a VPN to hide these activities?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use a VPN for this.

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Question

Does the V.P.N. stay connected, or do I need to connect each time I boot up?

Andrew

Community Answer

You need to connect every time you boot up. However, most VPNs offer 'Auto-connect on startup' and similar features, so you can set that up once you boot up, and the VPN automatically connects to your wanted server.

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Question

Will a VPN be incompatible with antivirus programs?

Andrew

Community Answer

Sometimes it can clash with an antivirus, but most of the time it shouldn't. It usually clashes when an antivirus company has its own VPN service.

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Question

Can I use a VPN on my mobile?

Hannamo

Community Answer

Yes, you can use VPN on your mobile. You can set up an SSTP, L2TP, or PPTP VPN connection.

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Question

If I want to use a hotel's WiFi, should I also be using a VPN?

Community Answer

You may want to. It's better to be secure than to take a risk by connecting to something public.

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Question

Am I able to do this if I live in China?

Andrew

Community Answer

Yes, popular VPNs offer mirror websites or alternative domains that you can use to get the VPN provider.

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Question

If I want to log into my bank account, do I go straight to the bank's website?

Community Answer

It depends on the VPN setup. If all traffic is forced through the tunnel, and no where else, then yes, you do.

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Question

How many computers, iPads, or smartphones can use the VPN at the same time?

Andrew

Community Answer

It depends on the VPN service provider. VPN services list how many simultaneous connections you can hold/how many devices you can use at once. The majority of VPNs offer 5 devices, so you can secure your laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. However, it varies with the provider. This information usually can be found on the VPN's homepage.

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Question

Which one is the best?

Andrew

Community Answer

That depends a lot on what you'll be using the VPN for -- streaming, privacy, torrenting, etc. Different VPNs offer different features for different purposes.

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Question

Will use of a VPN prevent other people from finding out what I do online?

Andrew

Community Answer

Yes, a VPN encrypts your online traffic and your activities become pretty much anonymous. Of course, be mindful to use Incognito mode on your browser and to log out of your Gmail, etc.

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Question

Is it possible to download movies over a VPN connection?

Andrew

Community Answer

Yes, it is possible to do so, though if you mean torrenting, you'd need to check whether your VPN of choice allows torrents and P2P, because not all VPNs let you do that. If you mean just downloading direct files - yes, it is possible.

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Question

How to set up a VPN server on mobile devices?

Andrew

Community Answer

Premium VPN providers offer native apps for iOS and Android, so it's very easy to set up. You can do so via App Store, Play Store or by downloading the app straight from the provider's website.

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Question

Can I download files using a VPN?

Andrew

Community Answer

Yes, you can download files while using a VPN, it does not restrict them in any way. But if you mean torrents and such, then you need to check in with the VPN, whether they allow torrenting/P2P.

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Question

Can you describe what a VPN is and what purposes it can be used for?

Andrew

Community Answer

A VPN creates a private tunnel between your device and the Internet, encrypting your online traffic. This means that your IP address changes and your Internet activities become anonymous. A VPN can be used for privacy/security, it's good for traveling, especially when you connect to unknown wireless networks. Also, you can bypass geo-blocked content that is not available in your country.

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Question

I have set up Express VPN on my PC, but I don't know how to get started. For example, if I want to watch some sports programming from India or the UK which is not available in Singapore, how do I access?

Andrew

Community Answer

Connect to a server in the country where the sports program is available. If everything is done correctly, the website should see that now your location is India and let you access said program instead of blocking you.

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Question

If I download a film using a VPN and then turn off VPN while still downloading it, does my home ISP say I am downloading?

Hannamo

Community Answer

This depends on your P2P downloading software. When your turn off VPN, some p2p programs stop downloading. Also, if VPN is turned off, your IP is visible.

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Question

Are Google Chrome browsers able to be set up with VPN networks?

Community Answer

It is not the browser that connects to a VPN. It is the whole internet traffic. When you are connected to a VPN, all of your online activities will go through the VPN tunnel.

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Question

How do I access a website using a VPN?

Community Answer

The same way that you normally do. A VPN just encrypts the data you send and receive.

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Question

How do I browse using a VPN?

Aasim

Top Answerer

Once you are connected to your VPN, you can browse the web normally with your preferred web browser. Note that you may not be able to do things like create accounts or edit wikis when you have a VPN enabled.

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Question

How do I use a VPN on my iPhone?

Aasim

Top Answerer

You can install VPN software from the App store. Just type in "VPN" and choose "GET" by a VPN that you like.

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Question

Is there a way that I can unhide the IP Address and see the real IP Address of the person using a VPN?

Aasim

Top Answerer

The only way to do that is to get control of a VPN server and look at the server logs, which is impractical and illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act 1986.

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Question

Can the police hack my phone to see what I've done?

Community Answer

Yes they can, They can do forensic scans on it and they can also ask your VPN (Virtual Private Network) Provider to track your activity. Read the privacy policy of your VPN to be private or even use Tor.

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Question

How do I configure my VPN on my iPhone 6s?

David Mwewa

Community Answer

Just sign up, thereafter you will be hit up with available networks, then simply choose one you prefer and you're good to go.

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Question

A news site has a 10-article a month limit on articles. Will a VPN allow me to read unlimited articles without subscribing?

Community Answer

It depends on the site. If you need to log in to use it, then it won't help. If you do not need to log in, then it might work. If it does work, the way to get in will be through resetting your VPN every 10 articles.

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Question

Should I turn on my VPN before going online, or wait until I am online?

Community Answer

You have to be online for a VPN to work. So in short, connect to the internet, then turn on the VPN.

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