[OPSEC/Computer] Which VPN do you use?

From searching, I generally see people making the recommendation to make your connection first go through a VPN and then through Tor:

Which means the connection would go:

Your PC --> Your ISP --> VPN --> Tor --> Website

So because a VPN has your real IP it provides privacy, but not anonymity. It hides from your ISP that you are using Tor, which.. I think would be helpful if the ISP was subpoena'd?

My question is: What VPN do you use?

I'm looking at this list and trying to decide: https://torrentfreak.com/anonymous-vpn-service-provider-review-2015-150228/

Edit:

TorrentFreak 2015:

https://torrentfreak.com/anonymous-vpn-service-provider-review-2015-150228/

https://torrentfreak.com/anonymous-vpn-service-provider-review-2015-150228/2/

https://torrentfreak.com/anonymous-vpn-service-provider-review-2015-150228/3/

School of Privacy:

http://school-of-privacy.com/vpn


Comments


[6 Points] ziz1:

Check this link for a list of good VPN providers:

https://www.privacytools.io/


[3 Points] TrippinDraper:

I don't use a vpn. Pray for me.


[2 Points] Accountfortheshredde:

This topic has been covered SO many times.....And I think it's fucked great!!!!!

Because shit is constantly changing, and so we should be too, constantly upgrading, constantly making improvements to our scene.

You are smart, as you have already realized that your ISP is possibly the biggest enemy, that is the way that they get on to your trail in the first place. Hide from your ISP, and you are solving a large portion of the problem.

This is my system and I gathered it from threads like the one you just created. I read all these threads and this is some of what I gathered over the last 6 months or so:

The debate about VPN's is epic, a lot of people seem to be divided as to whether or not VPNs provide better protection or less protection. What I have learned is that it depends on several things, most importantly being the policy of your VPN provider, knowing how they operate, and the way you plan to obtain your service from them.

Here are some things to consider about when shopping for a VPN, most of which are contained in the TorrentFreak link the gentleman already provided below, and the privacy tools that @ziz1 provided a link too. He is one of the most knowledgeable guys I have ever spoken with about VPN, Tails OS and TBB. But you also have to consider how you will be paying for the VPN, and what info they are going to know about you. I pay in tumbled Bitcoin. Many say that this does not matter, because the VPN will still know who you are based on your ISP annd traffic details, but this is not totally true because with tumbled Bitcoin, there is not 100% evidence that you are knowledgeably paying for and thus using the service, I know this sounds ridiculous, but there is some layer, however thin, of plausible deniability there.

Here is another thing. I use a paid VPN service that keeps logs. The reason they keep logs is in order to provide customer service in the event that something goes wrong and they need to figure out what the problem is, they told me that without keeping anything of valid log, they simply could not fix a problem if there was one, because the problem would not be visible to them. They told me that VPNs that maintain that they keep no logs what-so-ever, are simply not being completely honest, and therefore cannot truly be trusted. I'm at a loss here, because I do not know what to believe, I just know that thus far these people have never done me dirty and allow me to use the open source OpenVpn software that I like and believe in, but I would be happy for someone to come a long and rip me a new asshole full of knowledge to educate my ignorant ass here.

So there is that.

I see myself ranting for awhile longer, so I am just going to stop here and give you my system real quick and let you move on.

My old neighbors do not know it, but I have hacked into their wifi, and I convinced them they should get the fastest package possible. Also, they have a direct connection for their computer and do not even know they have a wireless router or what it does, so I bought them a custom router and have it set to run my VPN directly from the router in a way that only I can access, so it's pretty evil and pretty sweet. So it's like this:

Old people's ISP > Custom Configured OpenVPN router (paid for in tumbled bitcoin, no real info) > Tails OS (on solid state flash drive, it deletes the Tails OS if I enter the password in wrong twice) > Tor > Dark Net.

I recommend you do the same.

Cheers.


[2 Points] Accountfortheshredde:

To the gentlemen that say they use HideMyAss and make positive claims about it. I want to be nice, because I am not a name caller and I believe we all need to work together as one to better protect ourselves.

But are YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MINDS???????

Please google HideMyAss and why it should be avoided. I would rant for far too long and I would rather you just read about it for yourself and then we could all move on.

But yeah OP, avoid HideMyAss!!


[1 Points] Toopyboo:

PIA simple n been working for me. Double check ur ip changed though. Sometimes it wouldnt connect first time. But i downloaded on a diff comp no issues. 45$ for a year


[1 Points] damnmachine:

TunnelBear is pretty good.


[1 Points] graciousgroob:

Ipvanish


[1 Points] SpecialAgentDildo:

I have used several and I have been very happy with Private Internet Access. Pay them with btc and you are golden.


[1 Points] The_Madhouse:

Ipredator it's ran by one of the founders of piratebay and they don't keep ip logs


[1 Points] LittleFuckers:

I got a good deal on PIA, see /r/vpncoupons and use PIA returning customer link, I think it was like $31/yr. easy to set up on computer, a pain in the ass on ipad.


[1 Points] FisforFaceFucking:

Torguard


[1 Points] john-conor:

My favorite is IPVanish here....

You can read review of IPVanish for more details.


[1 Points] Sarahbrtrd:

This app is amazing all my friends are using it and I recommend it ZAPYO CAN UNBLOCK ANY SITE. Take a look and watch all your favorite Tv Shows and Websites for free. It’s easy and simple https://zapyo.com/?c=tsgl


[0 Points] None:

I don't think your understanding of a VPN is 100% accurate. To help you understand more I will briefly explain the concept of a VPN.

Basically, a VPN is used to increase your anonymity further by adding an extra layer of protection. It hides the fact you are using TOR from your ISP but the advantage you gain from this is protection from your internet provider. We have seen cases in the past where TOR users have been called up or sent letters regarding their use of a totally legal piece of software. Your ISP can see you are using TOR, but not the sites you go on.

IMHO the best VPN's will be the ones you have to pay for. If you really want to invest in a good VPN then have a loo around and find one that does not keep logs.


[0 Points] SmauqDrogs:

CyberGhost.


[0 Points] DancingWindAway:

CyberGhost, but only because I don't see sense in paying money for VPN with my already overdone Opsec.

HostOS(Fedora) -> HostVPN(CyberGhost) -> GuestOS(Whonix Gateway) -> GuestOS (Whonix) -> TorNetwork -> GuestVPN(OpenVPN, tunnled through the TorNetwork)

And yes you can actually tunnel a VPN through Tor. If anybody is interessted: https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Tunnel_Proxy_or_SSH_or_VPN_through_Tor

I used to have a VicSOCK but I ran out of victims and got no good method to infect new ones atm.


[0 Points] katzphan:

IPVanish is the best I think and HideMyAss is pretty good too, I also use the addons FireFox has one is called AnonymousX or something. I run both VPN's and connect to TOR it costs 10.00 a month each but it is worth it