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virtual_private_networks [2019/08/15 18:19] – neilvirtual_private_networks [2021/07/06 09:26] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 A virtual private network or "VPN" is a (usually secure) means of routing your traffic from your computer or phone to another computer. A virtual private network or "VPN" is a (usually secure) means of routing your traffic from your computer or phone to another computer.
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 +Bear in mind that, like anything, VPNs are not unhackable. (e.g. [[https://i.blackhat.com/USA-19/Wednesday/us-19-Tsai-Infiltrating-Corporate-Intranet-Like-NSA.pdf|"Infiltrating Corporate Intranet Like NSA"]].)
  
 ====Key points: ==== ====Key points: ====
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 Alternatively, you can run your own server, and install a VPN service using [[https://github.com/trailofbits/algo|Algo]]. Alternatively, you can run your own server, and install a VPN service using [[https://github.com/trailofbits/algo|Algo]].
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 +If you do run your own VPN server, you will need to ensure that you have it correctly configured, to prevent unauthorised use or network access, and that you are [[securing_your_devices#install_software_updates_promptly|running up to date software]], to mitigate newly-discovered bugs and security vulnerabilities. Using a VPN server which no longer receives security patches, or gets them only very slowly, is a very bad idea.
  
 ====Test your VPN before you rely on it==== ====Test your VPN before you rely on it====
  
 As with any major configuration change, test it before you rely on it. As with any major configuration change, test it before you rely on it.
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 +Ideally, you would test that the traffic going across the VPN connection is encrypted. However, unless you are knowledgeable enough to use WireShark, or have someone to hand who can do so, that's going to be difficult.
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 +If nothing else, visit an IP address checker before you connect to the VPN, and then again afterwards: you should see a different IP address.
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 +If you do not have a preferred IP address checker, you can use [[https://ipv4.neilzone.co.uk|ipv4.neilzone.co.uk]].
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 +If you know you have an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6|IPv6 address]], either on the local network or else because of your VPN, or you want to see if you do, you can use [[https://ipv6.neilzone.co.uk|ipv6.neilzone.co.uk]] to check it. If this page does not load, it means you do not have an IPv6 address.
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 +(Neither of these sites log connection requests.)
  
  
virtual_private_networks.1565893162.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/07/06 09:26 (external edit)