Forum Discussion

Almot's avatar
Almot
Explorer III
Oct 26, 2023

Free VPN?

Have Proton VPN. No data limit, 3 countries to choose: US, Japan and Netherlands, I only need US. Wasn't using laptop for a while, now Proton demands to log in or create account, one country - Netherlands, all other are for pay. Probably a sneaky upgrade. Tried to download free version a few times with same result.

Free Proton on my desktop works as usual, 3 countries. Is there any official link to "good" free Proton? Or any similar free soft - with the US to choose and no data limit? Before I used Hotspot Shield, don't remember what was wrong, data limit or trial period.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Oct 26, 2023
    Are you running Windows and Microsoft edge?
    Then use the free VPN from Microsoft.
    • hgjobe's avatar
      hgjobe
      Explorer
      Nov 20, 2023

      I have used Edge's VPN but within a month it used up the data limit. Didn't seem practical to me. Guessing it is being used to gather data prior to being a charged product.

  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Oct 28, 2023
    I don't particularly trust free VPNs as nothing is really free. You may want to look at Mullvad VPN. Reasonably priced service, though can do so on a monthly basis as needed. Consistently fast servers worldwide . About as anonymous as a VPN can get, no email needed to sign-up, and still able to work. No activity logs kept.

    I find it useful when traveling, when needing to access public internet networks.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Oct 28, 2023
    Thanks, people.

    Mullvad is inexpensive indeed.

    Found Windscribe free, 2gb data cap - presumably per month. Email is not required but with email it's 10gb. I only need it occasionally. $70/year. Mullvad is $55/year.

    Built-in Windows VPN is a mystery to me. It probably works but I don't see server locations, need it to be US with Canada as an option.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Oct 28, 2023
    Another useful if not absurd need for Mullvad VPN is to access area online film festivals, such as the Environmental Film Festival in DC. For some reason, licensing to view festival online content won't allow me to access it from Baltimore, MD. I'm actually in VA just 5-min. from DC, though my home internet IP address shows up in MD. I have to use a VPN with VA metro area IP just to watch anything from VA. :S You can't make this stuff up.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Oct 29, 2023
    I'm still running Windows 8, on my laptop, Android 12 on my phone, this n tablet has Android 10, I have "duck duck go" tracking blocker running on both the tablet and the phone, it's not a VPN hiding my geo location, but it does prevent all those background apps from sending all my info to data collection firms including Big Brother Goggle, almost every App on all Android devices is running trackers in the background, even though I/You did not open the app,
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Oct 29, 2023
    Aw, snap - VPN at uwsp.edu needs MFA to connect. Probably "their" university password. My laptop doesn't even have MFA other than a password :)
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Oct 30, 2023
    Almot wrote:
    Aw, snap - VPN at uwsp.edu needs MFA to connect. Probably "their" university password. My laptop doesn't even have MFA other than a password :)


    Yeah, I tried the link and it appears you need an account with the university...Assuming the university isn't handing out free accounts, back to commercial products.

    We have the free version of Tunnel Bear which gives you 2GB per month. Not enough for watching videos but plenty to handle the stray site that gets cranky if you are out of the country.

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