Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 9, 2016

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN - Part 1 part 4

  • 2015-Apr-19, 9:45 pm
    Jace

    tissueboxer writes...

    Assuming I understand correctly, PIA should automatically connect when a torrent app like Transmission starts � but that doesn't seem to be happening.

    You can script everything. Openvpn and Transmission-daemon can all just be called from a shell script in a particular order.

    I guess something like this may help you:
    http://askubuntu.com/questions/583679/transmission-daemon-over-openvpn-on-a-beagleboard-arm-sbc

    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/force-transmission-to-use-vpn.10382/

    Bascially the "bind-address-ipv4" config option for transmission should be set to the IP of the VPN interface (when running ifconfig command).

  • 2015-Apr-19, 9:45 pm
    provoked

    Jace writes...

    Not even necessary if you use transmission... In transmission configuration you can bind it to the VPN interface IP... If the VPN disconnects, transmission won't connect to anyone

    Thanks, will give that a shot.

    How have you guys managed to get around port blocks on PIA. Thought I managed to fix my issues with deluge web ui by obtaining a port from PIA only to find the port is now closed again. It seems I need to again obtain a port to allow me to access deluge over the web.

  • 2015-Apr-19, 10:27 pm
    SamFisher
    this post was edited

    Chuggabug writes...

    I hope you don't mean using a SOCKS5 server set-up with qBittorrent?

    nope. not using the proxy server. only using the PIA client and with utorrent I get upto 90% of my usual download speed without the vpn. with qtorrent I barely get 30-40 % . although the settings in both the clients are similar, but named slightly differently, maybe I missed turning on or off a setting(s) in qtorrent which is why it is getting lower speeds than utorrent ? because I tested with the same linux distro on both clients and other than the settings being different and causing the issue in speeds, I can't think of anything else.

    qBittorrent ONLY requires the PIA client running and bound to the proper network interface...

    that's how I have set it up.

    If you have, disable this completely, it is NOT required, only used for uTorrent setup.

    although I am not using the proxy with qtorrent or utorrent, I am interested as to why it would only be for utorrent ? is it because you can't bind utorrent to a network interface ?

    provoked writes...

    How have you guys managed to get around port blocks on PIA

    what blocks are you talking about? ISP putting blocks on PIA?

  • 2015-Apr-19, 10:27 pm
    provoked

    SamFisher writes...

    what blocks are you talking about? ISP putting blocks on PIA?

    No � it seems you are unable to forward ports (with a static port number) while under VPN. From what I can tell anyhow.

  • JoffaR
    this post was edited

    You ARE using the specified gateways right to attempt port forwarding??

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/

    Enable port forwarding in the application by entering the Advanced area, enabling port forwarding and selecting one of the following gateways:

    CA Toronto
    CA North York
    Netherlands
    Switzerland
    Sweden
    France
    Germany
    Russia
    Romania
    Hong Kong
    Israel

    After enabling port forwarding and re-connecting to one of the above gateways, please hover your mouse over the System Tray or Menu Bar icon to reveal the tooltip which will display the port number. You can then enter this port into your software.

    You will know its set correctly for torrenting when you find you are connecting to many leechers and not only just seeds.

    I hear everyone complaining about poor torrent speeds but nobody is talking about setting up port forwarding properly!

  • Jace

    provoked writes...

    No � it seems you are unable to forward ports (with a static port number) while under VPN. From what I can tell anyhow.

    No, you can (as above). You can port forward 1 single port, and the port will change each time you connect to the VPN. Depending on software you are using, you might be able to script it or manually enter it in.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 9:50 am
    SamFisher

    came across this post in another thread:

    Kvasir writes...

    All of the vpn service providers utilise either a cheap dedicated server or VPS... most likely from SoftLayer as PIA does or other ones... most of those companies are US-owned... So even if PIA does not keep logs, who says that SoftLayer or others do not keep them?

  • 2015-Apr-20, 9:50 am
    provoked

    Jace writes...

    No, you can (as above). You can port forward 1 single port, and the port will change each time you connect to the VPN. Depending on software you are using, you might be able to script it or manually enter it in.

    Yep - I managed to forward a port successfully (using one of the specified servers) however after a while it no longer worked. I did reboot in-between, so that was probably the cause.

    I will look into it - however I came across a guide for transmission that also claims to setup remote gui to bypass the proxy. Will find a solution somehow!

    Edit - as per my previous post, this is what I used: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/3359/port-forwarding-without-application-pia-script-advanced-users

  • JoffaR

    Has anyone tested torrenting speeds with a correctly set up forwarded port?

    You know its set up correctly when are connecting to many leechers and not only just seeds.

  • SamFisher

    JoffaR writes...

    Has anyone tested torrenting speeds with a correctly set up forwarded port?

    off-topic from you question slightly. is there a benefit to port forwarding ?
    the pia websites says that it reduces privacy.

  • JoffaR
    this post was edited

    SamFisher writes...

    off-topic from you question slightly. is there a benefit to port forwarding ?

    Most definately YESSSSSSS!!

    It used to be common knowledge that you had to open and forward ports on your router to get decent speed when using p2p but this seems to be all forgetton since upnp become common and did it all for you automatically.
    Well upnp doesnt work for you when youre on a vpn!

    ISO torrents that max out my adsl when running 'naked' without vpn drop down to 350KB ish when peers (leechers) cannot connect because theres no port forwarded. Im am trialing another vpn that dont offer port forwarding.

    Without port forwarding, torrenting is crippled and will never achieve anything like the speed you get running without proxy/vpn.

    Im looking for an answer to the question - Can you get good speeds on torrents on PIA with a properly configured torrent client and port forwarding?

  • SamFisher

    JoffaR writes...

    Without port forwarding, torrenting is crippled and will never achieve anything like the speed you get without proxy/vpn.

    I don't have port forward setup ( nor connect to the PIA servers that have port forwarding ) and get 90% of my non-vpn speeds.

    Im looking for an answer to the question - Can you get good speeds on torrents on PIA with a properly configured torrent client and port forwarding?

    I will give this a test and report back.

    the servers that have port forwarding on PIA are not near Australia. Wouldn't connecting to those servers reduce your speed anyway compared to connecting to aussie servers or servers close by ?

  • 2015-Apr-20, 11:44 am
    JoffaR

    SamFisher writes...

    I will give this a test and report back.

    If you find it easy to max out your connection then perhaps test with a torrent with fewer seeds. You'll know its set right when you are connecting to leechers as much as seeds.

    the servers that have port forwarding on PIA are not near Australia. Wouldn't connecting to those servers reduce your speed anyway compared to connecting to aussie servers or servers close by ?

    Try http://speedtest.net first to see.

    In my playing around yesterday I found that shutting off incoming connections (ports) reduced speed to less than a 1/4

  • 2015-Apr-20, 11:44 am
    SamFisher
    this post was edited

    Kable writes...

    qBittorrent is a very good program works very well on macs as well next option would be Deluge.

    it seems the bind to interface option in qtorrent is not secure and 100% effective. some users have reported that if the vpn interface dropped it started to use another interface and continue downloading :

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/9751/two-qbittorrent-questions
    http://qbforums.shiki.hu/index.php?topic=2657.0

    issue may be on OS X only according to the above links. when I tested on windows it worked fine.

    What is the encryption that you guys use with PIA? I am using the default one in the PIA client, but wondering if I should use something else like max protection? the following is from the pia web-site:

    Default Recommended Protection � AES-128 / SHA1 / RSA-2048
    All Speed No Safety � None / None / ECC-256k1
    Maximum Protection � AES-256 / SHA256 / RSA-4096
    Risky Business � AES-128 / None / RSA-2048

  • Jace

    provoked writes...

    Yep � I managed to forward a port successfully (using one of the specified servers) however after a while it no longer worked. I did reboot in-between, so that was probably the cause.

    Most definitely. You need to get a new port after re-connecting.

    I will look into it � however I came across a guide for transmission that also claims to setup remote gui to bypass the proxy. Will find a solution somehow!

    Also possible yep.

  • Chuggabug

    SamFisher writes...

    that's how I have set it up.
    that good

    although I am not using the proxy with qtorrent or utorrent, I am interested as to why it would only be for utorrent ? is it because you can't bind utorrent to a network interface ?

    Possibly, it may be that the bittorrent client is connecting using a different network interface.

    Getting back to basics, check what is occurring:
    i.e. to see which ip address uTorrent and qBittorrent is using, to make this comparison...

    This test would need to be done twice, in each case, not disconnecting the PIA client,
    once for uTorrent and again for qBittorrent, with ONLY one browser window open for each test, subsequently closing and reopening a new browser window to conduct the second test.

    navigate to :

    • http://ipleak.net/ and check what your ip address is, also the DNS server address to make sure that both do not link to an Australian location
    • further down the page under 'Torrent Address detection' click 'Activate', then click on 'this Magnet Link' which will open your default bittorrent client
    • this will open up your bittorrent client for you to accept the magnet
    • back to your browser, under the same section...
      now click on 'Refresh', then 'View/Hide request dump' where it will show you what address your bittorrent client is using.

    If the ip addresses in each test is NOT identical, then one bittorrent client is using another interface to make the connections to report to ipleak.net.

    If they are both the same (and also the same as the PIA client address as shown when hovering your mouse over the PIA connected taskbar icon), then at least your secure knowing that client traffic is going through PIA.


    Another reason is that the 2x torrents you've downloaded using the 2x different bittorrent clients have taken a completely different route, one slower than the other.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 12:04 pm
    Chuggabug

    SamFisher writes...

    the servers that have port forwarding on PIA are not near Australia. Wouldn't connecting to those servers reduce your speed anyway compared to connecting to aussie servers or servers close by ?

    I would think so.

    In my tests they were slower.

    IMO it really boils down to either choosing Aussie servers or west coast American servers to connect your PIA client with.

    IIRC backbone links between Aussie cities are 60GB, and the same to the west coast of America. All other international destinations are slower.

    There again, if you only got a couple of seeders, you've got buckley's of getting major throughput anyway.

    SamFisher writes...

    What is the encryption that you guys use with PIA?

    PIA recommend the default level for speed.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 12:04 pm
    tissueboxer

    As much as I love the freedom of PIA (and other VPN's), I'm not sure I can believe that there aren't red flags built into the system.

    I also kind of hope that some illicit activity can be documented and/or reported to the authorities � which would make me a hypocrite about the limits of democracy (I suppose).

    At any rate, I'm feeling some discomfit about the possibility of browsing 'anonymously' � the system seems designed for potential abuse and I hope PIA (amongst others) can monitor things like the activities of pedophiles and/or terrorists. I also suspect that there are some safeguards that allow for their detection and prosecution: VPN'S can't be a free for all.

  • Chuggabug

    JoffaR writes...

    Has anyone tested torrenting speeds

    I have tried using:

    IMO:

    • PIA's own VPN client is cumbersome at times, slower for torrenting, disconnecting at times,
      MOST secure, losing ~11-12% torrenting speed
    • PIA's instructions for Windows 7's inbuilt VPN L2TP/IPSec+PSK Setup is easy to follow,
      no software installation is required (uses Windows 7's inbuilt VPN connectivity), very stable,
      LESS secure, yet only losing ~8-9% torrenting speed
  • Chuggabug

    tissueboxer writes...

    I hope PIA (amongst others) can monitor things like the activities of pedophiles and/or terrorists.

    +1

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:25 pm
    zivad

    Well the US server I was using is block Whirlpool now. Attempts to go to Whirlpool when PIA is enabled result in a "suspicious activity, blocked" type of message and won;t give access to the website.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:25 pm
    Chuggabug

    ZMan82 writes...

    Which one should I choose?

    I have no idea with Mac's, I'm an IBM compatible from way back :-)

    Jace writes...

    Tun0

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:32 pm
    arthurbach4

    Yeah on the US California server it won't load: http://torrentz.eu/i

    Is there a way to put certain websites on a white-list of some type?

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:32 pm
    Rabid Wolve

    Signed up with PIA for a month. So far its been pretty good, and sometimes woeful.

    Using QBittorrent im having a problem where it wont start seeding or downloading
    till I close QBittorrent and relaunch it. This occurs on startup when PIA connects or if the kill switch
    disables the ethernet port. It wont start any activity unless I reboot the program.

    Is there a setting or something I need to adjust to get it working automatically?

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:33 pm
    sdf

    zivad writes...

    Well the US server I was using is block Whirlpool now. Attempts to go to Whirlpool when PIA is enabled result in a "suspicious activity, blocked" type of message and won;t give access to the website.

    In the past whirlpool asked for a captcha to continue

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:33 pm
    Tonytt

    Still does i just got in 2 minutes ago when i joined
    connected to Singapore server

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:53 pm
    Xaphire

    Pep� LePew writes...

    really? speak for yourself

    my speeds are awesome.

    Yeah my speeds are pretty good too.
    Well seeded torrents are hitting around 1.8MB/sec....I'll happily take that if that's considered shit.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:53 pm
    BE 187

    Xaphire writes...

    eah my speeds are pretty good too.
    Well seeded torrents are hitting around 1.8MB/sec....I'll happily take that if that's considered shit.

    Same here, I'm only using the socks5 proxy for torrents and browsing locally (normal connection, no client vpn running) and it seems to be fine.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:55 pm
    Brian White

    zivad writes...

    Well the US server I was using is block Whirlpool now. Attempts to go to Whirlpool when PIA is enabled result in a "suspicious activity, blocked" type of message and won;t give access to the website.

    It still does, when you connect from a range of IP addresses that Whirlpool has had 'Issues' with in the past.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 7:55 pm
    KT

    how do you config the torrent and pia ?
    I could not get more than 20kb/sec

  • Fizbin

    From the new 'blocking' law:

    This requirement of "primary purpose" was inserted in s 115(1) in order to make clear that the section did not apply to, say, a US site which was accessed by VPN from Australia and sold content to Australians in respect of which the site did not have an Australian license.

  • Mayuri Krab

    Fizbin writes...

    From the new 'blocking' law:

    So it looks like VPNs and US streaming are safe (for now),

    But then can we really trust anything out from a politican's mouth? =D

  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:12 pm
    SamFisher

    yeohkt writes...

    how do you config the torrent and pia ?
    I could not get more than 20kb/sec

    you need to give us a bit more details:

    - the PIA server you are connecting to ( e.g Aus, UK, US ? )
    - do a speed test www.speedtest.net after connecting to that server and post the result
    - do a speed test without connecting to the vpn and post the result
    - what torrent client are you are using
    - what is your usual torrent speed when not connected to the vpn

    to configure proxy with torrent:
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/434/utorrent-install-instructions-proxychecker

  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:12 pm
    drd71

    I have PIA on my Mac and just recently the kill switch is not working.

    I have it enabled, and I look in my task bar up top and the PIA logo is light grey and says "connecting" � yet stuff continues to download.

    I'm connected via UDP/Auto. PIA Support got me to change the settings to TCP/443 but the download speed is unusable. UDP/Auto speeds were fine but the kill switch wouldn't work as it's designed to do.

    Any thoughts??

  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:16 pm
    Pep� LePew

    drd71 writes...

    Any thoughts??

    create a firewall rule that forces all torrent application requests to only function via the VPN and deny any requests from the router.

    this is the best way to never get caught with your pants down in the event the vpn borks.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:16 pm
    drd71

    Pep� LePew writes...

    create a firewall rule that forces all torrent application requests to only function via the VPN and deny any requests from the router.

    Thanks for the tip � how do I do this?

    Ps I use the PIA app on the laptop individually, not through the router.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:30 pm
    vulture culture
  • 2015-Apr-20, 8:30 pm
    SamFisher

    drd71 writes...

    Thanks for the tip � how do I do this?

    Ps I use the PIA app on the laptop individually, not through the router.

    you might need to do some googleing on how to set up the rules in the OXS firewall.

    or use a torrent like qtorrent that has the option to bind itself to the vpn adapter.

    or use a 3rd party kill switch which kills the torrent app when your vpn goes down.

  • 2015-Apr-20, 10:58 pm
    drd71

    SamFisher writes...

    or use a torrent like qtorrent that has the option to bind itself to the vpn adapter.

    or use a 3rd party kill switch which kills the torrent app when your vpn goes down.

    Thanks � are these last two reliable? I would have thought the kill switch in PIA would have been reliable but it's not!

  • 2015-Apr-20, 10:58 pm
    Red Jack Rackham

    mitchel writes...

    They are thinking about banning VPNs

    http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/fears-vpns-could-be-blocked-in-piracy-crackdown-20150420-1mp4na.html

    I'm not sure they could. Many business operations relies on VPN still in this day and age.... I know some quite large corporations who must have staff VPN into their work environment.

    How could a VPN for legitimate purpose be different to a VPN for a geo blocker?

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:27 pm
    drd71

    Jace writes...

    As the program is binded to the tun0 (VPN) interface, meaning all traffic goes through tun0 ... If that interface is down or disconnected, the program will fail to connect to anything. (in theory)

    So all I have to do is download qbittorrent and type tun0 into the Network Interface setting and that's my new kill switch?

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:27 pm
    Kable

    drd71 writes...

    So all I have to do is download qbittorrent and type tun0 into the Network Interface setting and that's my new kill switch?

    can confirm that even using this that is does not work.
    tested it by disconnecting and by exiting it. Slowed down then fired back up again.
    Really recommend to have an socks 5 proxy on too for peace of mind if your vpn server drops out.

  • RedOpera

    Kable writes...

    Funny enough iTunes wouldn't let me use an Aussie CC when setting up an U.S account. I just rolled with free option with adding in iTunes u.s gift cards afterwards once trials finished.

    Exactly. Where vendors accept things like gift cards it's so easy to go and buy one from the source country, get it emailed to you and presto! We have subscribed.

    There are so many holes in the boat it's surprising it's not resting on the bottom of the ocean floor yet.

    These companies just don't realize that the world and internet are global now. Geo-locking is just a speed bump on the way to connectivity with the service you want.

  • SamFisher

    drd71 writes...

    So all I have to do is download qbittorrent and type tun0 into the Network Interface setting and that's my new kill switch?

    Chuggabug writes...

    choose:
    > Options
    > Advanced
    > Network Interface (requires restart)
    > choose the correct interface from the drop down list, the default PIA adapter is called TAP � Win32 Adapter V9 (not sure if this is different for 64bit systems)
    > click Apply, then OK
    > restart qBittorrent

    this is for windows. might be different for OSX.

    So all I have to do is download qbittorrent and type tun0 into the Network Interface setting and that's my new kill switch?

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:29 pm
    Kable

    RedOpera writes...

    Exactly. Where vendors accept things like gift cards it's so easy to go and buy one from the source country, get it emailed to you and presto! We have subscribed.

    Also just quit hulu plus, i used an aussie cc to sign up. They sent me so many offers to rejoin I suspect not all American services hate Australians lol. After all money is money.

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:29 pm
    SamFisher

    Kable writes...

    can confirm that even using this that is does not work.

    didn't you say it works for you in a previous post, or have I misread your post?

    Kable writes...

    Yeah I've never had that problem anyway, even if my vpn drops out which I haven't seen yet I have the socks 5 proxy on which PIA provide from the Netherlands so got to be really unlucky.

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:30 pm
    Kable

    I've never had my vpn drop out.
    I never set qbtorrent to go through the adapter only to act like a kill switch which I done today and it does not work sorry if it's confusing lol.

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:30 pm
    SamFisher

    Kable writes...

    've never had my vpn drop out.
    I never set qbtorrent to go through the adapter only to act like a kill switch which I done today and it does not work sorry if it's confusing lol.

    I get it now. I am guessing you are using mac?

    on a separate topic, since you use VPN+proxy can you confirm something ?

    While using VPN+Proxy :

    if you do a IP leak test, your VPN IP will show up.
    But if you then do a torrent ip leak test, a different will be detected. Do you know whose IP is this and why it is different to the VPN IP?

    While using VPN only :

    if you do a IP leak test and torrent IP leak test with only VPN connected, the IP detected will same for both and will be your VPN IP.

    i was testing with http://ipleak.net/ , http://torguard.net/checkmytorrentipaddress.php and http://torguard.net/whats-my-ip.php

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:32 pm
    Kable

    SamFisher writes...

    you are using mac?

    sure am

    if you do a IP leak test, your VPN IP will show up.
    But if you then do a torrent ip leak test, a different will be detected. Do you know whose IP is this and why it is different to the VPN IP?

    torrent leak test using a socks 5 proxy I take it? Will be either 3 options, the vpn ip, your ip or the proxy ip.
    just do a quick look up. If u use the socks 5 Netherlands proxy the i.p will originate from there.

    Basically it's just another smoke screen, so the vpn encrypts your data to hide it from your ISP and protects your your I.P but for torrenting due to torrenting being a big no no and if your using servers like Australia/U.S or U.K etc it just throws another smoke screen/mirror.

  • 2015-Apr-21, 1:32 pm
    SamFisher

    torrent leak test using a socks 5 proxy I take it?
    yes

    Kable writes...

    Basically it's just another smoke screen, so the vpn encrypts your data to hide it from your ISP and protects your your I.P but for torrenting due to torrenting being a big no no and if your using servers like Australia/U.S or U.K etc it just throws another smoke screen/mirror.

    so if you use VPN+socks 5 proxy, the proxy masks your VPN IP? which is why in the torrent IP test your VPN ip is not detected.

  • drd71

    Ok, I have installed qbittorrent and changed the Network Interface to tun0 - I deactivated the VPN and the torrents stopped downloading.

    Just as another test, I used my bittorrent client, deactivated the VPN and the torrent kept downloading - ie the kill switch inside PIA did not work!

    Should I be worried about PIA not doing what it says?

  • Kable
    this post was edited

    SamFisher writes...

    so if you use VPN+socks 5 proxy, the proxy masks your VPN IP? which is why in the torrent IP test your VPN ip is not detected.

    Correct, it masks your vpn i.p as I said it's another smoke screen and is why your i.p in your torrent test is different. :)

    Basically If an I.P logger like from DBC goes onto a torrent swarm, it will detect the i.p coming from netherlands.
    And not your VPN I.P.

  • drd71

    Kable, thanks for all your advice.

    Is having a Sock 5 Proxy another layer of protection (over and above a Kill Switch if your VPN drops out?)

  • Kable

    drd71 writes...

    Is having a Sock 5 Proxy another layer of protection (over and above a Kill Switch if your VPN drops out?

    Not sure on that one really that's a bit technical for me to answer. I think a working kill switch would be the best.
    I have tested on another client if your vpn does drop out(i closed it) your socks 5 proxy stays up. So I guess to be caught out both would need to fail which is always a possibility but doubtful.

  • drd71

    Thanks again.

    I've gone back to my default app for torrents (BitTorrent) and set up the Sock5 Proxy there � that, (along with the inbuilt PIA Kill Switch) should be sufficient I'm guessing!

  • SamFisher
    this post was edited

    drd71 writes...

    Is having a Sock 5 Proxy another layer of protection (over and above a Kill Switch if your VPN drops out?)

    from my understanding if your VPN goes down and you are just using the socsks 5 proxy, the connection is not encrypted but your IP is still masked. This is because the proxy does not provide encryption, only masks your IP address. The VPN provides the encryption and since it has gone down, there is no encryption. and if it were me I would not be using proxy without the VPN because of the lack of encryption.

    if the PIA kill switch is not working and you are not using the firewall rules as previously posted by someone, then you might want to consider using a 3rd party VPN kill switch. there are free ones out there. It will kill the torrent app when the VPN goes down. I use one myself (vpnmonitor i think it is called) because I am just not comfortable with the torrent app running while the vpn is down.

  • drd71

    Thanks sam � those firewall rules posted previously, are they for Mac OSX or Windows � I'm having trouble finding them??

  • SamFisher

    drd71 writes...

    Thanks sam � those firewall rules posted previously, are they for Mac OSX or Windows � I'm having trouble finding them??

    I am guessing for windows. I have not set up firewall rules on my pc so can't advise you on this.
    other people using mac here might be able to help you or you will need to google.

  • 2015-Apr-21, 2:02 pm
    ZMan82

    drd71 writes...

    Ok, I have installed qbittorrent and changed the Network Interface to tun0 � I deactivated the VPN and the torrents stopped downloading.

    So it works! Don't need to rely on the non-working PIA VPN kill switch anymore!

  • 2015-Apr-21, 2:02 pm
    SamFisher

    drd71 writes...

    Ok, I have installed qbittorrent and changed the Network Interface to tun0 - I deactivated the VPN and the torrents stopped downloading.

    drd71 writes...

    I've gone back to my default app for torrents (BitTorrent) and set up the Sock5 Proxy there � that, (along with the inbuilt PIA Kill Switch) should be sufficient I'm guessing!

    since the qtorrent network binding works for you, you can use the PIA proxy with qtorrent instead of utorrent since qtorrent has the advantage for the network bind.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 9:07 am
    drd71

    tissueboxer writes...

    How do you know or notice? Is there an alert?

    The PIA logo in the menu bar turns from black (connected) to light grey (disconnected) � on a Mac that is. I think it's red and green on Windows.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 9:07 am
    drd71

    I've had a suggestion on another thread to use an app called ControlPlane to create a rule to quit the torrent app when the IP address changes.

    Has anyone had any experience with this, and how would I set the the rule up within ControlPlane?

  • 2015-Apr-22, 10:29 am
    Fizbin

    drd71 writes...

    I just want my BitTorrent program to ONLY use my VPN connection

    The best I can think of on unix variants is to have a cronjob running every second that checks if the vpn is up, and if it isn't kills the torrent app.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 10:29 am
    tissueboxer

    According to a post on this Age article, Snowden claimed that (some) VPN's are a front for data collection agencies or secret government organizations.

    http://www.theage.com.au/comment/a-chilling-step-closer-to-australian-secret-police-20150421-1mpgdk.html

    Anyone know if this claim is true? Can you provide a source?

    (Google only reveals that Snowden claims to browse with a VPN)

  • 2015-Apr-22, 10:46 am
    Kable

    tissueboxer writes...

    According to a post on this Age article, Snowden claimed that (some) VPN's are a front for data collection agencies or secret government organizations

    Don't start that or we will be speculating about government secrets on an International scale. Let's be honest agencies can have front for anything online or in your every day going ons.

    As for those idiots in that article, I'm sure they would have tip offs an a lot of other resources besides tracking them online as well.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 10:46 am
    slam

    Fizbin writes...

    The best I can think of on unix variants is to have a cronjob running every second that checks if the vpn is up, and if it isn't kills the torrent app.

    No need, just setup the firewall rules to block everything and only allow external data out via tun0 (the VPN interface).

    This means if tun0 drops, all connections drop until tun0 comes back up.

    Slam

  • 2015-Apr-22, 2:38 pm
    drd71

    slam writes...

    No need, just setup the firewall rules to block everything and only allow external data out via tun0 (the VPN interface).

    How do I do this? I'm a bit of a newb with this.

    Thanks!

  • 2015-Apr-22, 2:38 pm
    Fizbin

    slam writes...

    No need, just setup the firewall rules to block everything and only allow external data out via tun0 (the VPN interface).

    That's a bit tricky as you have to allow one application access to the real interface � namely the VPN daemon.

  • vulture culture

    DId anyone has sock5 proxy working fine utorrent now. I tried that i am getting unknown host error.

  • ForgeNZ

    yeah that happens to me too. Bloody torrent program just switches to the local ip and keeps downloading . PIA keeps disconnecting. I have found California to do this all the time

  • 2015-Apr-22, 4:49 pm
    Fizbin

    ForgeNZ writes...

    yeah that happens to me too. Bloody torrent program just switches to the local ip and keeps downloading .

    At least you can stop that happening on Windows ...

  • 2015-Apr-22, 4:49 pm
    Mayuri Krab

    If you are using vuze, you can configure it to bind it to the vpn under the connection settings, that way vuze will stop all torrent traffic when the vpn drops out.

    I tested it out and it appears to work, when I disconnected my vpn, my torrent download was killed off as well...

    I think you can do that with utorrent too, although I haven't used it before.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 4:58 pm
    slam

    Fizbin writes...

    That's a bit tricky as you have to allow one application access to the real interface � namely the VPN daemon.

    I dont need to allow 1 application to the real interface. The firewall rules by default will block all traffic. Only outbound and inbound allowed are on tun0. Other inbound and outbound rules are for machines on my home subnet (other than the router/gateway).

    I run ubuntu, not windows. If you want a kill switch for windows. Download the PIA application.

    Slam

  • 2015-Apr-22, 4:58 pm
    vulture culture

    Mayuri Krab

    I tried vuze but i am missing few things in there which i can do in utorrent

    1. Auto load torrent files from specific folder. usually i download all torrent files on one location and utorrent picks from there.

    2. move completed files to specified location on network.

    is this available on vuze

  • 2015-Apr-22, 5:03 pm
    Code_Nerd

    slam writes...

    No need, just setup the firewall rules to block everything and only allow external data out via tun0 (the VPN interface).

    This means if tun0 drops, all connections drop until tun0 comes back up.

    Yep best way for sure in *nix.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 5:03 pm
    Fizbin

    slam writes...

    I dont need to allow 1 application to the real interface. The firewall rules by default will block all traffic.

    All traffic by definition means the VPN traffic itself, which of course goes over the raw interface.

    I never said it was impossible, just tricky - blocking everything will stop the VPN connecting, so you have to allow the VPN through.

    . If you want a kill switch for windows.

    Then use Windows firewall, easy - predictable and allows you to tie an application to specific interfaces.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 7:13 pm
    Clacker

    Code_Nerd writes...

    Yep best way for sure in *nix.

    Just need to include vpn port and dns server ip on standard interface to allow vpn to connect.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 7:13 pm
    Clacker

    Fizbin writes...

    That's a bit tricky as you have to allow one application access to the real interface � namely the VPN daemon.

    I think traffic in/out from/to UDP1194 (or whatever) and one DNS server IP port 53 is easy and pretty safe.

  • 2015-Apr-22, 7:16 pm
    ForgeNZ

    Man PIA is really slow tonight. Last time I downloaded got 1.2mb/s now I can barely make 600kb/s amd dropping to zero.
    Tried to find a fix but all I found mostly was "Ive tried everything PIA said and nothing works' to 'I dont know why people cant get fast down loads mine is really fast" then the thread just peters out with no fixes

    Brutal

    using

    udp auto
    autp connected to San Jose California

  • 2015-Apr-22, 7:16 pm
    Rainbow-Demon

    Just a little piece of information for the paranoid people here.
    Asked PIA if their program auto updates and it does, the exact response was -

    "The client should update automatically, go into settings, and under advanced it will tell you the version of the client you are using. (Currently V.46)

    Auto updating programs are not my friend � as things may change.....................

  • alagenic

    Its nice hAving vpn and all but the networks really lke to make it hard to watch their content n so forth. Just to watch something. Say brickleberry on comedy central u have to be a subscriber to a network and all that jazz. They do it on a multitude of channels. THEn they wonder why people illigally aquire their material. Its super frustrating. People are willing to pay for content no matter where in the world it is.
    Just the old dinosours in gov wants us to suffer and watch it two years later on fta with ridiculous amounts of ads. Loud adds at that
    So yeah vpn is nice n all byt i dont watch netflix and the only content i have found so far to watch is in the uk the bbc. Wonder when they will do the same
    Trying to watch us tv through other sites is useless as they hardly update the links.
    Now they wanna try and ban vpns and the media are doing a good job of keeping the circus going and scaring the dosile humans into belivung we are all crooks trying to hide something.
    The government and the multi nationals are the biggest crooks

  • Mr Gimlet

    Josh writes...

    Although sometimes I've noticed certain sites appear to be blocked using a VPN. Just me or?

    No, the VPN's IP address could be gray or blacklisted by an organisation. Whirlpool does it (you need to captcha), and Optus graylists mail sent to its SMTP server through most PIA locations (would like to know which ones aren't graylisted)

  • 2015-Apr-24, 3:15 pm
    Skuzy

    Hey everyone
    Needing some help with this vpn please...
    After signing up with PIA do I need to then change any settings on my browser , router, bittorrent etc?
    Thanks in advance

  • 2015-Apr-24, 3:15 pm
    Jace

    Skuzy writes...

    Hey everyone
    Needing some help with this vpn please...
    After signing up with PIA do I need to then change any settings on my browser , router, bittorrent etc?
    Thanks in advance

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/

  • 2015-Apr-25, 2:19 pm
    Mauro
    this post was edited

    With all this talk about the speed lose using PIA, is there an alternative that is superior like VPN Express. Anybody do some speed tests on both and found one to be quicker overall?

    Is using 'Viscosity' reap any speed/safety than the standard VPN software provided?

  • 2015-Apr-25, 2:19 pm
    Jotunheim

    Skuzy writes...

    After signing up with PIA do I need to then change any settings on my browser , router, bittorrent etc?

    Not really. If you just want to protect a single computer or laptop, just install the PIA client and connect with it (icon turns bright green).

    If you have a home network and want all device traffic to go through the VPN, you can set up your router to connect to PIA instead.

  • 2015-Apr-25, 2:21 pm
    Jotunheim

    Mauro writes...

    Is using 'Viscosity' reap any speed/safety than the standard VPN software provided?

    Unlikely that the VPN client itself makes a difference. Speeds are affected by bandwidth limitations of the server you're connecting to.

    Viscosity is built on OpenVPN just like the native clients of many VPN providers, so it shouldn't be any faster or slower, perhaps just visually more user friendly.

  • 2015-Apr-25, 2:21 pm
    Mauro

    Thanks.

  • DoIt,DoIt

    Thinking about switching over from Astrill, but does PIA have a site filter where I can make certain domains/ip addresses bypass the VPN and use my normal IP address to access?

  • Pep� LePew

    DoIt,DoIt writes...

    but does PIA have a site filter where I can make certain domains/ip addresses bypass the VPN and use my normal IP address to access?

    i don't think so.

    there is nothing in the app to allow such filtering.

    http://s15.postimg.org/x9atkney3/PIA.png

  • 2015-Apr-27, 12:06 pm
    DoIt,DoIt

    Damn, sticking with Astrill then. Unless it is possible with OpenVPN.. need to check it out.

    Cheers

  • 2015-Apr-27, 12:06 pm
    Fizbin

    DoIt,DoIt writes...

    ut does PIA have a site filter where I can make certain domains/ip addresses bypass the VPN

    That's something you do on your client, not on the VPN server itself. Adding static routes for certain IP addresses. In Windows/OSX and Linux this is done with the route command (different syntax on each).

  • 2015-Apr-27, 12:08 pm
    DoIt,DoIt

    Fair enough, astrill has the option to do it in their software and will be far more easier for my needs to add it.

  • 2015-Apr-27, 12:08 pm
    ian.

    Mauro writes...

    With all this talk about the speed lose using PIA

    You need to update your router with enough grunt to handle encryption .

  • 2015-Apr-27, 2:45 pm
    ian.

    Pep� LePew writes...

    there is nothing in the app to allow such filtering.

    You can however flash certain routers with DD-WRT and then configure OpenVPN to allow selected IPs through.

  • 2015-Apr-27, 2:45 pm
    Mauro

    I've joined PIA today and the speeds are amazing from the Melbourne server. I'm losing almost nothing on ADSL2+. Have checked with ipleak and all is good. Softlayer displayed in IP and DNS sections and no leaks.
    I'm impressed.

  • 2015-Apr-27, 7:07 pm
    jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    Mauro writes...

    I've joined PIA today and the speeds are amazing from the Melbourne server. I'm losing almost nothing on ADSL2+. Have checked with ipleak and all is good. Softlayer displayed in IP and DNS sections and no leaks.
    I'm impressed.

    It's a good service that has 60 gigabits of capacity in Melbourne and a further 22 gigabits in Sydney. That works out to 4.96 gigabytes of traffic every second. Unfortunately PIA doesn't have load graphs, but VPN providers that do run about 70% capacity in Australia at the moment in peak times.

    People complaining about slow speeds are either using old PCs or old routers (or both).

    If you have slow speeds the fastest way to prove yourself wrong is to connect your android phone to PIA (with UDP) on 4G/LTE and download just the one 200mb file.

  • 2015-Apr-27, 7:07 pm
    SamFisher

    Ian. writes...

    You need to update your router with enough grunt to handle encryption .

    can you recommend one ? or would any recent ones would do?

  • 2015-Apr-27, 7:27 pm
    ian.

    Yes sure, I have a Netgear Nighthawk r7000 configured to use AES-128 and it handles the encryption without any appreciable loss of speed.

    A fantastic router for OpenVPN

    Be careful to select a router than can be flashed with DD-WRT not OpenWRT - the newer routers are not yet compatible.

  • 2015-Apr-27, 7:27 pm
    Mr Gimlet

    Ian. writes...

    Yes sure, I have a Netgear Nighthawk r7000

    The newer Asus models that support OpenVPN seem to be well regarded as well. I assume these are the Asus equivalents to the recent Netgear models

  • 2015-Apr-28, 9:41 am
    ian.

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    The newer Asus models that support OpenVPN seem to be well regarded as well.

    Yes I agree, best to visit the DD-WRT site and check their supported router database before making a purchase.

    At first I made the mistake of buying a TL-WDR4300 although it accepts DD-WRT the processor can't handle the encryption well enough and the speed drops by approx 50%.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 9:41 am
    SamFisher

    Ian. writes...

    Yes sure, I have a Netgear Nighthawk r7000 configured to use AES-128 and it handles the encryption without any appreciable loss of speed.

    thanks. isn't this a wifi router only and needs to be connected to a modem? then you need a modem that can handle encryption well?

  • Pep� LePew

    SamFisher writes...

    then you need a modem that can handle encryption well?

    i wouldn't think so.

    the modem only keeps the connection to your ISP alive hence only the flow of the information.
    the router processor is the one that is key here to do all the heavy lifting required for the encrypted tunnel.

  • SamFisher

    Pep� LePew writes...

    the modem only keeps the connection to your ISP alive hence only the flow of the information.
    the router processor is the one that is key here to do all the heavy lifting required for the encrypted tunnel.

    do you have to set your modem to delegate all the tasks to the router though ?

  • 2015-Apr-28, 10:01 am
    Chronos

    I don't know if this will help anyone, but the way I have set up PIA for myself and for my friends is by creating a Stripped down Windows 7 VM with just Firefox (with the peer function disabled), a free av program , utorrent and the PIA application. I then created a new shared folder on the host machine for the torrents and mapped a drive to it in the VM.

    This way I can have the killswitch enabled on the PIA application and not have to worry about it causing issues on the main pc. Then when I help set it up with a friend, I just install the free VMware player on their computer, copy the vm over, setup the shared folder and key in their VPN user and pass. So far they like it as it is simple to use and they know that anything they do in that vm is through the VPN.

    For the more paranoid ones, I put a link to the ipleak website so they can doublecheck it is going through the VM.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 10:01 am
    Fizbin

    Chronos writes...

    I then created a new shared folder on the host machine for the torrents and mapped a drive to it in the VM.

    So you have overridden the remote gateway use in the VPN client ?

    This way I can have the killswitch enabled on the PIA application and not have to worry about it causing issues on the main pc.

    There is a more reliable way of doing this � by blocking the relevant apps (e.g. uTorrent) from using other than the VPN in the WIndows 7 firewall.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:00 am
    SamFisher

    Ian. writes...

    Yes sure, I have a Netgear Nighthawk r7000 configured to use AES-128 and it handles the encryption without any appreciable loss of speed.

    when you say you configured the r7000 to use aes 128, do you mean you setup the VPN on the ROUTER level and set the encryption to AES-128 ?

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:00 am
    Chronos

    Fizbin writes...

    So you have overridden the remote gateway use in the VPN client ?

    Windows knows to use the Ethernet interface, rather than the VPN interface. I didn't need to change anything. While the Default gateway would be through the VPN, the 192.168.43.x address range has its own gateway.

    There is a more reliable way of doing this
    While you are most likely correct, I found doing it this way was a lot easier to manage.

  • Mauro

    Is there a clean way to disconnect from PIA before switching off the computer to avoid missing up the adapter settings. This morning on switching on my computer I had to let windows fix up certain settings before PIA would work again. Also I had Vuse working yesterday, today it refuses to function.

  • Fizbin

    Chronos writes...

    Windows knows to use the Ethernet interface, rather than the VPN interface.

    Windows 7 doesn't know to do this unless you turn off the default gateway, routes all traffic over the VPN.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:07 am
    Chronos

    Fizbin writes...

    Windows 7 doesn't know to do

    Just an FYI. This is from Microsoft themselves.

    Routing for VPN

    Routing for remote access and site-to-site VPN connections is described in the following sections.

    Routing for Remote Access VPN Connections

    Conventional routing occurs between routers over either LAN-based shared access technologies, such as Ethernet or Token Ring, or WAN-based point-to-point technologies, such as T1 or frame relay.

    Default Routing

    The preferred method for directing packets to a remote network is to create a default route on the remote access client that directs packets to the remote network (the default configuration for VPN remote access clients). Any packet that is not intended for the neighboring LAN segment is sent to the remote network. When a connection is made, the remote access client, by default, adds a default route to its routing table and increases the metric of the existing default route to ensure that the newest default route is used. The newest default route points to the new connection, which ensures that any packets that are not addressed to the local LAN segment are sent to the remote network.

    Under this configuration, when a VPN client connects and creates a new default route, Internet sites that have been accessible are no longer accessible (unless Internet access is available through the organization�s intranet). This poses no problem for remote VPN clients that require access only to the organization�s network. However, it is not acceptable for remote clients that need access to the Internet while they are connected to the organization�s network.

    - Technet

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:07 am
    laconic
    this post was edited

    Chronos writes...

    I don't know if this will help anyone, but the way I have set up PIA for myself and for my friends is by creating a Stripped down Windows 7 VM with just Firefox (with the peer function disabled), a free av program , utorrent and the PIA application. I then created a new shared folder on the host machine for the torrents and mapped a drive to it in the VM.

    This is almost exactly how I've been using PIA and it works like a charm. The only difference is that I'm using MS Virtual PC 2007 (SP1) with an old Win XP VM. I use Firefox and uTorrent with PIA in the VM so this is a simpler fix than any alternatives I've seen. I'm using Win 7 as the host.

    MS Virtual PC 2007 (SP1) is getting a bit long in the tooth though so I may look into VMWare player eventually and possibly a Win7 VM.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:10 am
    rangitamoe

    Jotunheim writes...

    Not really. If you just want to protect a single computer or laptop, just install the PIA client and connect with it (icon turns bright green).

    Is this all I need to do when torrenting ?
    i.e Choose the PIA server via the client, connect, and then turn it off once I finish torrenting ?

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:10 am
    Tig

    rangitamoe writes...

    Is this all I need to do when torrenting ?
    i.e Choose the PIA server via the client, connect, and then turn it off once I finish torrenting ?

    This is what I do, only use pia when torrenting.
    No need to keep on all the time.

  • TEMPA

    WhoCares writes...

    This is what I do, only use pia when torrenting.
    No need to keep on all the time.

    +1

    I use their proxy as well for another layer of "protection"

  • Fizbin
    this post was edited

    deleted

    Fixed, seems a recent Windows update in my VM did something funky to my local network.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:31 am
    ian.
    this post was edited

    SamFisher writes...

    do you have to set your modem to delegate all the tasks to the router though ?

    Yes - you achieve this by plugging an Ethernet cable from your Modem into the WAN port of the Router.

    TIC

    ian

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:31 am
    ian.

    SamFisher writes...

    thanks. isn't this a wifi router only and needs to be connected to a modem? then you need a modem that can handle encryption well?

    You may find this information useful � http://www.netgear.com.au/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/R7000.aspx#tab-techspecs

    ian

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:33 am
    Mr Gimlet

    Ian. writes...

    You may find this information useful

    Interested that such a powerful device doesn't have an OpenVPN client.

  • 2015-Apr-28, 11:33 am
    ian.

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    Interested that such a powerful device doesn't have an OpenVPN client.

    it will if you flash it with DD-WRT

  • 2015-Apr-29, 12:10 pm
    tissueboxer

    Has anybody experienced any drop outs ? If so, does PIA eventually reconnect of its own accord or do you have to manually reconnect yourself?

  • 2015-Apr-29, 12:10 pm
    stuffed13

    Questions about this. Is it one account/subscription per computer? Does that mean I should only install it on say my laptop and use it as my downloading machine so i can take it anywhere to other peoples places who may have faster internet than me

    Im really just going to be using it when torrenting

  • 2015-Apr-29, 1:04 pm
    jjcoolaus
    O.P.
    this post was edited

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    Interested that such a powerful device doesn't have an OpenVPN client.

    You just have to flash it with the "Asus WRT" firmware if your router doesn't already have it.

    Fortunately that's very easy on the Asus routers, follow this guide:
    https://torguard.net/blog/how-to-setup-openvpn-with-asus-merlin-firmware-torguard/

    Where the guide talks about the "torguard openvpn bundle" substitute with this file:
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/openvpn/openvpn-ip.zip

  • 2015-Apr-29, 1:04 pm
    Mr Gimlet

    jjcoolaus writes...

    You just have to flash it with the "Asus WRT" firmware

    I was referring to the Netgear... I know the Asus has it in their stock firmware (and of course Merlin) for the higher models (the 56 doesn't support it, but the 87 does)

  • jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    I was referring to the Netgear.

    Oops sorry my bad

  • Chronos

    stuffed13 writes...

    Questions about this. Is it one account/subscription per computer?

    You are able to have it installed on up to 5 devices at one time.

  • stuffed13

    Ah k cool Do i need to choose those devices within a certain time period or can i just install them as I go along?

    Can I give a couple to my brother who lives away from me?

  • jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    You can have up to 5 devices CONNECTED at the same time.

    You can have it installed on 123,087,487 devices so long as you are only using 5 of them at any one time.

    stuffed13 writes...

    Can I give a couple to my brother who lives away from me?

    Yes - I do this myself. You are welcome to share the account so long as no more than 5 devices (including routers, smartphones and other gear) is connected under your account at any one time.

    In that sense you need to be able to trust the person you give the user/pass to won't abuse it.

    If you need more than that, say you needed 8 devices, then just buy another $40/yr account.

  • 2015-Apr-29, 1:23 pm
    stuffed13

    hmm i dont think i will really be putting on my phone

    just a home computer and probably my brothers home computer

    Does that count as 2 devices out of the 5 or is it already 4 if you include each of our home routers too?

  • 2015-Apr-29, 1:23 pm
    batfink0767

    This link gives a small discount to PIA, just signed up for a year cost $47.84 AUD
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/COGIPAS-ebook-offer

    edit-I have kill switch on, DNS leak protection on, IPv6 protection on, the only issue i have is sometimes when i disconnect from the VPN, i lose my normal internet connection and i have to reset "Obtain an ip address automatically" in network/sharing centre ,to get it workin again without the VPN, it only takes a second so i'm not too fussed.

    Anyone else having this issue it can be fixed by
    1.open network sharing centre by right clicking network icon in system tray (win 7)
    2.click the network connection you have on the right of the screen (in blue) ,mines listed as wireless network connection (xxxx-pc_Network.
    3. Then Click properties at the bottom left of the popup screen.
    4.Double click "Internet protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
    5. tick/select "Obtain an ip address automatically"
    6.click ok, exit out and your good to go.

    You can also right click network icon(sytem tray ) and select "troubleshoot problems" and the windows wizard will automatically reset it for you.

  • 2015-Apr-29, 2:52 pm
    ian.

    SamFisher writes...

    when you say you configured the r7000 to use aes 128, do you mean you setup the VPN on the ROUTER level and set the encryption to AES-128 ?

    Yes that is correct � See this section 'DD-WRT: VPN OpenVPN Setup' here https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/

    Hope this helps
    ian

  • 2015-Apr-29, 2:52 pm
    ian.
    this post was edited

    batfink0767 writes...

    This link gives a small discount to PIA, just signed up for a year cost $47.84 AUD

    Also for anyone interested in a 2 year subscription?

    Here tis - https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/slickdeals-two-year-deal#moneyback

    ian

  • 2015-Apr-29, 3:37 pm
    Tig

    Ian. writes...

    Also for anyone interested in a 2 year subscription?

    Here tis � https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/slickdeals-two-year-deal#moneyback

    Just had a look at this, i see you can pay by gift cards. when i looked there is a Costco gift card, might have to ask the question if Australian Costco cards work

  • 2015-Apr-29, 3:37 pm
    Mr Gimlet

    WhoCares writes...

    might have to ask the question if Australian Costco cards

    How would you know how much to pay?

  • Captain Slow

    Hi guys, new user to PIA. I have set up the Socks5 in Utorrent. Now if i am torrenting, do i use the AU servers? Or is it safer to use servers like Singapore, Japan, US etc... Sorry might be a stupid question.

  • TEMPA
    this post was edited

    Captain Slow writes...

    Hi guys, new user to PIA. I have set up the Socks5 in Utorrent. Now if i am torrenting, do i use the AU servers? Or is it safer to use servers like Singapore, Japan, US etc... Sorry might be a stupid question.

    The only stupid question is the one not asked....

    Some will argue that you should not use the AU servers, others will argue there is no reason not to use the AU servers.... If you believe that PIA do not log the connections then it shouldn't really matter what server you use. I personally use the SOCK5 proxy and the AU servers for my Linux distros.... If I use overseas servers most of the time my connection reminds me of the bad old days of dial up....

    In actual fact downloading copyright material is now illegal in the Netherlands after a 2014 court ruling so I find it somewhat amusing that the SOCK5 proxy assigns IP addresses based in the Netherlands.... You could argue that using the proxy based in a country where downloading is illegal should be risky but PIA offers it up as a seemingly safe option... I guess if anything that would potentially expose them to having their no logs promise tested by a Netherlands court...

  • 2015-Apr-29, 3:53 pm
    jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    Sometimes it's in Norway or some other country.

    The Netherlands is still safe as every vpn that allows torrents through it hasn't stopped.

    We also must remember there are countless seedboxes in the Netherlands. Petabytes of "Linux distros" transverse the place every hour of every day, especially on days when that one with the swords and thrones and sex scenes is updated lol

  • 2015-Apr-29, 3:53 pm
    jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    stuffed13 writes...

    just a home computer and probably my brothers home computer

    Does that count as 2 devices out of the 5 or is it already 4 if you include each of our home routers too?

    If the two routers have PIA running and connected then you would not need them on the computers.

    But I think you have it a bit mixed up. If you connect the two computers to private internet access, that's only 2 devices. The router that provides those 2 computers is not included in the 5 devices.

    You can actually get seperate routers known as vpn routers that connect to PIA then provide a 2nd wifi network I'm your house. Any device that connects to that 2nd network is then protected.

    Hope that makes sense.

  • 2015-Apr-29, 8:29 pm
    Jacquique

    Hi, I'm completely new to all of this. I was wondering if someone can help me? I'm running Ubuntu 14.04 and am wondering which VPN I can use with it? I've been looking through the threads for hours and have just seen someone write 'Torguard'? Does anyone know if that would work or of any others I can try? Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks

  • batfink0767

    Jacquique writes...

    I'm running Ubuntu 14.04 and am wondering which VPN I can use with it?

    I just contacted PIA support and they linked me to this page,

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/#ubuntu_openvpn_installer

    and this is on their website too.
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/#ubuntu_openvpn_installer

  • Jacquique

    Thank you. The web page shows they only currently support 12.04 and I spoke to one of their consultants and they confirmed it is not yet available for 14.04. Other websites don't seem to specify which version they support which is why I'm hesitant to try.

  • 2015-Apr-29, 10:39 pm
    linux2

    I have xubuntu 15.04 and I do not have any problem using PIA. It works fine. Also I had ubuntu 14.04 and didn't have any issues using the vpn.

  • 2015-Apr-29, 10:39 pm
    Jacquique
    this post was edited

    Did you just follow the instructions for 'Ubuntu Linux 12.04: OpenVPN Installer'? When I opened the terminal to follow those instructions it wouldn't let me type my password? I'm also new to Ubuntu so the problem could be me. I asked their support and they did say some people could get it to work on 14.04 but they couldn't tell me how.

    UPDATE: I have managed to install it, but there is a DNS leak. Can anyone tell me how to fix this? Thank you

  • 2015-Apr-30, 11:09 am
    stuffed13

    Anyone know how to get this working on a macbook?

    It seems to be stuck in the connecting phase. Im on 10.10 yosemite if it matters

  • 2015-Apr-30, 11:09 am
    drd71

    stuffed13 writes...

    Anyone know how to get this working on a macbook?

    It seems to be stuck in the connecting phase. Im on 10.10 yosemite if it matters

    When mine does this, a restart does the trick.

  • angelus512

    Anybody else having trouble with the Melbourne and Sydney connections? I connect to them for torrents but the torrents seem to jump up and down in speed. It goes high for maybe 5mins then it goes down to almost 0 again indicating the program disconnected and reconnected itself.

    This happens quite a number of times now.

  • Ray

    Anybody else having trouble with the Melbourne and Sydney connections? I connect to them for torrents but the torrents seem to jump up and down in speed

    I suggest you try Singapore it gives me consistent torrent speeds.

  • 2015-Apr-30, 1:20 pm
    Mauro

    Anyone else having this issue it can be fixed by
    1.open network sharing centre by right clicking network icon in system tray (win 7)
    2.click the network connection you have on the right of the screen (in blue) ,mines listed as wireless network connection (xxxx-pc_Network.
    3. Then Click properties at the bottom left of the popup screen.
    4.Double click "Internet protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
    5. tick/select "Obtain an ip address automatically"
    6.click ok, exit out and your good to go.

    You can also right click network icon(sytem tray ) and select "troubleshoot problems" and the windows wizard will automatically reset it for you.

    ----------------------------------------------
    I have tried this and it works although to have a fully automated system do as follows:
    1: Do above.
    2: Create a shortcut to the PIA client and place into the \Windows Startup folder.

    Now when your system fires up it will be functioning as soon as PIA connects up and your ready to go.

  • 2015-Apr-30, 1:20 pm
    georgie23

    Newb question � have decided to give torrenting a miss and have got a Netflix and HBO Now account and happy with everything. I am using a DNS from UnoTelly � am looking at getting a VPN as don't want any logging of what I do � does anyone know if the PIA VPN will work inconjunction with DNS? or is it like a double slowdown? or do I set an exclusion from VPN for that DNS? any advice would be great

  • 2015-Apr-30, 1:54 pm
    batfink0767
    this post was edited

    Jacquique writes...

    I have managed to install it, but there is a DNS leak. Can anyone tell me how to fix this? Thank you

    I can also confirm PIA works with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, i created a Linux virtual machine today just to see if PIA worked on it, and it does, ive been using it all day without issue so far, i have never used Linux before, and it wasn't too difficult to get it to work.

    Download the Beta installer with instructions here,

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/1940/pia-vpn-app-linux-beta

    As far as your DNS leak,
    bear in mind that the windows PIA application has a DNS leak protection option built in, whereas the Linux version does not. This reply from PIA below refers to my windows machine, but i think changing your DNS settings to the ones below will help.
    The instruction here are for win7, obviously changing DNS settings in Linux is done differently and i'm not knowledgeable enough with Linux to be able to tell anyone how to change them to the numbers listed below.

    This is straight from PIA support,
    I would also recommend manually changing your DNS settings instead of using the DNS leak protection setting in the client, as the latter makes changes to your DHCP settings. Manual DNS assignment accomplishes the same DNS leak prevention without interfering with DHCP.

    Use the following instructions to make the changes:

    1. Go to Start
    2. Go to Control Panel
    3. Go to Network Settings
    4. Go to Network and Sharing
    5. Go to Change Adapter Settings
    6. Choose your normal internet connection. DO NOT make these changes to the TAP connection
    7. Right click and press Properties
    8. Go to the Network Properties
    9. Go to the TCP/IP v4 and select Properties
    10. Change "Obtain DNS server address automatically" to "Use the following DNS server address"
    11. Enter 209.222.18.222 for the preferred DNS server
    12. Enter 209.222.18.218 for the Alternate DNS server
    13. Press OK

    Hope this helps.

  • 2015-Apr-30, 1:54 pm
    the Unforgiven

    I was using PIA's DNS servers but found them slow so I did a DNS benchmark & now I use openDNS servers

    get the benchmark tool from here

    https://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm

    cheers

  • 2015-May-1, 6:20 pm
    craig90

    Pia has stopped working for me for some reason been using the Melbourne server with no problems for the last couple of months. Just lately it connects but that's it i can't access the internet utorrent won't work and Google or Firefox just hangs no connection at all. I've tried a few things (different settings) with no luck.

    Has anyone else going through this at the mo?

  • 2015-May-1, 6:20 pm
    JoffaR

    craig90 writes...

    Has anyone else going through this at the mo?

    I had some issues yesterday and if they continued today I was going to try reinstalling the client.
    Today is a new day and im happily connected via the Melbourne gateway.

  • 2015-May-1, 6:38 pm
    Trim Tab

    craig90 writes...

    Pia has stopped working for me ... Has anyone else going through this at the mo?

    PIA is solid for me on OS X. On a Win 7 and Linux 14.10 VM it's usually OK on my preferred servers (inc. Melbourne), but on a subsequent boot or day it occasionally fails, can't port forward or takes ages to connect. I guess I shouldn't fiddle with settings at my end that once worked well if it's actually something at the other end, but I do. Usually end up grabbing a good VM snapshot to undo my futile fiddling.

  • 2015-May-1, 6:38 pm
    batfink0767

    craig90 writes...

    Pia has stopped working for me for some reason been using the Melbourne server

    Been using the Melbourne server for 4 weeks without issue, am connected now and its working fine.
    Have you tried contacting their online chat support?

  • 2015-May-1, 7:49 pm
    batfink0767

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    get the benchmark tool from here

    Thanks for the link, will be running some tests later when the kids go to bed and i've got the internet to myself.

  • 2015-May-1, 7:49 pm
    stuffed13
    this post was edited

    what happens when you log in with a 6th device? does it log out from one of the other devices or does logging in become unavailable until one of the other devices logs oout

    also when torrenting can I just set my VPN to one of the aus server or does that defeat the purpose of it?

  • 2015-May-1, 9:01 pm
    JoffaR

    stuffed13 writes...

    also when torrenting can I just set my VPN to one of the aus server or does that defeat the purpose of it?

    You can but you will get better results if you pick a gateway which allows port forwarding and then configure your torrent client with the number provided . Check the client support page.

  • 2015-May-1, 9:01 pm
    Jacquique

    Thanks batfink0767 . I have now gotten it to work.

  • 2015-May-4, 9:06 pm
    Mauro

    I just saw this on Peerblock:

    Detected AP2P on Softlayer : Blocked

    Anyone care to comment.

  • 2015-May-4, 9:06 pm
    alagenic

    Im with cyberghost atm. When i wanna run torrents i just pick a torrent froendly country and connect. Actually with cyberghost. Just turn on andeverythings covered. Is pia like this?
    I read with pia u have to add socks n this n that.
    Does the pia client just work with everything? Or with torrents do u have to use their proxy servers.
    Im using windows 8

  • 2015-May-5, 8:01 am
    Nauht

    PIA is super easy. You just run the client and it autoconnects you to the US East Coast or the last manually entered server.

    Wait for the bright green light, then torrent away.

    Contrary to some tinfoil paranerds, the VPN is more than sufficient just for torrenting. No need to run both SOCKS n this n that and the VPN at the same time.

    If you're really worried about IP/DNS leaks, enable the Kill Switch, use any other browser except Chrome.

    The level of paranoia is high on the forums though. You can still use Chrome and visit torrent sites like Kickass or whatnot. There's nothing illegal about visiting those sites at all. Just make sure the VPN is up when you start your torrent client.

  • 2015-May-5, 8:01 am
    alagenic

    wow u can torrent your ISO's from the US?
    wow with cyberghost its Netherlands Ireland , UK , isreal and a few more but not australia and the US
    cool

    thanks for the replies

  • 2015-May-5, 9:51 am
    the Unforgiven

    I put PIA on an old XP comp & the little red man stays red, it never looks like going to grey, let alone green. there is no anti-virus or spyware apps installed & putting an exception in windows firewall does nothing, as does turning that firewall off. it works fine on 2 of my windows 7 comps & everything is going through to the internet via the router OK on all 3 comps. any clues anyone?

    cheers

  • 2015-May-5, 9:51 am
    TEMPA

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    I put PIA on an old XP comp & the little red man stays red, it never looks like going to grey, let alone green

    Try changing the connection type from UDP to TCP. That worked for me. I could never connect with UDP

  • 2015-May-5, 2:17 pm
    MultiPass

    I have found out that I'm being geo-blocked from watching ABC iView and SBS On Demand content when using my PIA VPN � using an Australian exit node.

    Anybody else experiencing the same?

  • 2015-May-5, 2:17 pm
    the Unforgiven

    TEMPA writes...

    Try changing the connection type from UDP to TCP. That worked for me. I could never connect with UDP

    I just tried that & the little red man did not want to move from being red

    maybe I did something wrong when I set up the wifi, but i can connect to the internet, so it should be OK

    cheers

  • 2015-May-5, 5:11 pm
    batfink0767

    Degrasse writes...

    Anybody else experiencing the same?

    Both working fine for me,just tested now, using PIA melbourne server.

  • 2015-May-5, 5:11 pm
    MultiPass

    batfink0767 writes...

    Both working fine for me,just tested now, using PIA melbourne server

    Yep, working now � ABC & SBS don't like Sydney apparently! :)

  • 2015-May-5, 8:10 pm
    Zorok

    Nauht writes...

    Wait for the bright green light, then torrent away.

    Or do what I do,

    And make windows firewall block all connections within uTorrent unless the VPN is connected

    (Block uTorrent on Home Network)
    (Unbock utorrent on Public network � VPN)

  • 2015-May-5, 8:10 pm
    MultiPass

    Nauht writes...

    Wait for the bright green light, then torrent away.

    Also check http://ipleak.net/ before torrenting, in some rare cases I've seen the green light, but the VPN wasn't active.

    (but I do have some internet sharing from my computer which can mess things up a bit if it is started while initializing the VPN connection)

  • 2015-May-5, 8:36 pm
    DeVol

    On PIA VPN I get torrents firing up for all of 10 seconds then they flat line, every time, every server. Start again, same result 10 secs later.

    Browsing is fine.

  • 2015-May-5, 8:36 pm
    TEMPA

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    I just tried that & the little red man did not want to move from being red

    maybe I did something wrong when I set up the wifi, but i can connect to the internet, so it should be OK

    cheers

    If you are seeing a red icon on the PIA program then you are NOT connected to the VPN and therefore NOT protected by it. When my icon is red and I am not connected the VPN I can still connect to the internet � via my normal ISP connection. Be very careful with what you are doing while that icon is red � you are not on the VPN!

  • 2015-May-5, 8:42 pm
    the Unforgiven

    I cannot turn that red man green, I even tried through wired instead of wifi. I had a look at the router settings & it looks OK. hang on, I'll bypass the router, back soon :) that did not work either. maybe some protocols are missing as that comp is running 'Micro XP'. if it went to grey some times it might give me hope, but alas, it just stays red

    cheers

  • 2015-May-5, 8:42 pm
    angelus512
    this post was edited

    angelus512 writes...

    Anybody else having trouble with the Melbourne and Sydney connections? I connect to them for torrents but the torrents seem to jump up and down in speed. It goes high for maybe 5mins then it goes down to almost 0 again indicating the program disconnected and reconnected itself.

    This happens quite a number of times now.

    Im quoting myself here because i'm hoping I am not the only person this is happening to.
    Just started downloading a torrent and it was going along nicely at max speed 2.9meg per second for a while say 10minutes.

    Then after that it would slow down to almost 0 indicated a disconnect/reconnect had occured and then it would jump back up and be ok for a few minutes and then 5 mins later same again (rinse repeat)

    /EDIT
    Well its my conclusion that PIA's app for Mac OSX is likely to blame. I switched over to TUNNELBLICK which is a google open source project instead. Runs smooth now.

    (Didn't feel like paying for Viscosity)

  • 2015-May-5, 8:47 pm
    hazzaman

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    I cannot turn that red man green, I even tried through wired instead of wifi. I had a look at the router settings & it looks OK. hang on, I'll bypass the router, back soon :) that did not work either. maybe some protocols are missing as that comp is running 'Micro XP'. if it went to grey some times it might give me hope, but alas, it just stays red

    cheers

    This might be naive of me, but have you typed in your username and password correctly. Maybe a small typing error and thus no connection.

    Just a thought, good luck

    harry

  • 2015-May-5, 8:47 pm
    jammaster

    angelus512 writes...

    Then after that it would slow down to almost 0 indicated a disconnect/reconnect had occured and then it would jump back up and be ok for a few minutes and then 5 mins later same again (rinse repeat)

    I had a similar issue, turns out there was a conflict between my torrent client and the PIA app. I had a alter a few settings, and follwed the guide below to turn off a few options in the torrent client, essentially unticking the boxes to mirror the picture in step 3. Now I get a rock solid connection when torrenting.

    http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/08/how-to-completely-anonymize-your-bittorrent-traffic-with-a-proxy/

  • 2015-May-5, 9:00 pm
    the Unforgiven

    hazzaman writes...

    have you typed in your username and password correctly

    I have done it manually 3 times, copy & paste 3 times, done it sober, done it after a few beers, still no go. maybe I need to hold the cat in a different position, maybe I shouldn't hold my pussy while entering the details. maybe I should just forget trying to do this on the XP machine as it works perfect on my 2 W7 comps. oh well, time for more beer :)

    cheers

  • 2015-May-5, 9:00 pm
    tissueboxer

    Not sure why, but my app is becoming erratic � it's not automatically starting up with my Mac anymore and I have to manually fire it up.

    Cut a short story shorter: don't assume its running in the background. Make sure it's logged in.

  • 2015-May-7, 4:11 pm
    the Unforgiven

    PIA support said I should use the openVPN set-up instead of their software & use some config files. I put all that in one tiny bungle & here it is if anyone wants it

    https://www.adrive.com/public/vWXtaz/openVPN.rar

    cheers

  • 2015-May-7, 4:11 pm
    craig90

    Have you tried your DNS Settings to match your ISP i don this when i'm my laptop is connected via cable but on Wifi i have the DNS setting as auto. Sometimes the VPN will set the DNS settings on my laptop to a static address while it' on Wifi i just go into settings and put them back onto Auto and the VPN can connect to the internet ... Just have a look at your DNS setting..

  • 2015-May-7, 4:21 pm
    angelus512

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    PIA support said I should use the openVPN set-up instead of their software

    At least they are honest.

    Their PIA app is not very good.

    Viscosity is the best 3rd party VPN app but it requires $9 to unlock after its trial period for future use but to those who plan to use VPN's always its probably worth it.

    Free 3rd party apps are OpenVPN or Tunnelblick etc

  • 2015-May-7, 4:21 pm
    the Unforgiven
    this post was edited

    yep, I can't fault PIA support ATM, and I emailed to say thanks for trying

    I found pureVPN to have a much better interface but their support & the attitude of their support people to be totally shit

    I paid for 2 years on PIA & am very happy to be with them :)

    cheers

  • 2015-May-7, 4:21 pm
    jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    angelus512 writes...

    Viscosity is the best 3rd party VPN app but it requires $9 to unlock after its trial period for future use but to those who plan to use VPN's always its probably worth it.

    Yes - I can vouch for Viscosity being worth it. I used to use it a lot.

    Then I got a VPN router and that $200 investment has been well worth it.

    The Asus routers have OpenVPN out of the box without any flashing required. Here's a guide on how to set it up click the "openvpn" tab on that page, and where it talks about importing the ovpn file, replace with one of the ones from PIA here: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/openvpn/openvpn.zip

    That page also lists the model numbers their instructions have been tested with.

    For anyone who might still be looking for a VPN, hidemyass provide some great wiki pages but they LOG, LOG, LOG so don't sign up with them. They don't like "copyright infringement" and they are well known for not protecting your privacy.

    I've also been very happy with PIA. Wherever I run into a wifi that has UDP connections blocked, not all VPN apps in TCP mode works, but PIA's android app is superb and can cut through almost any firewall.

    I'll say that again: the windows PIA app is awful, but the android app is excellence!

  • 2015-May-7, 4:21 pm
    km4me

    Hey guys and gals,

    When using the PIA client on my Mac, is there any difference in security using the TCP connection over the UDP connection? Am I just as secure using either connection?

  • gilby

    troykm writes...

    is there any difference in security using the TCP connection over the UDP connection? Am I just as secure using either connection?

    No and Yes. TCP (particularly over port 443) is mostly for those who find UDP is blocked. UDP is likely to be slightly faster.

  • Gman1

    Just got PIA working and torrenting at 5 M/bit per second. :)
    Then set up the Socks5 proxy and speed went to .01 M/bit. Super slow, :(

  • JoffaR

    Re DNS leaks on VPN: (win7 client)

    I have read all the guides I can find which describe disabling dhcp, setting static ip and manually setting dns servers that dont belong to ones isp. I used public Opendns servers.

    What I find now is that after connecting the vpn and going to https://www.dnsleaktest.com/ and http://ipleak.net/ is that the opendns server that I set is shown and does so for some time maybe 15 mins before it changes to the ip assigned by the vpn provider.

    Is this a problem? How do i fix it?

    Im using PIA and I know they have a dns leak block in their client, but it borks my connection if I disconnect so I want to avoid using it. Id rather hide the dns manually if possible.

  • angelus512

    Gman1 writes...

    Just got PIA working and torrenting at 5 M/bit per second. :)
    Then set up the Socks5 proxy and speed went to .01 M/bit. Super slow, :(

    If you're using the VPN you *do not* need to be using a SOCKS proxy. Still amuses me the amount of people that are using both.

  • 2015-May-8, 10:28 am
    gilby

    Have PIA changed their Sydney hosting provider again? My IP is now 168.1.6.x which whois suggests is Softlayer.

  • 2015-May-8, 10:28 am
    SW Victoria

    I don't remember Sydney having 62 servers.
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/

  • 2015-May-8, 5:11 pm
    tissueboxer

    gilby writes...

    Have PIA changed their Sydney hosting provider again? My IP is now 168.1.6.x which whois suggests is Softlayer.

    Should we be concerned or relieved that its Softlayer? I'm in Melbourne, and am getting the same kind of result. According to this, Softlayer are owned by IBM who presumably rent out servers to PIA.

    http://www.softlayer.com/about-softlayer

    I'm also not sure what to make of an IP address so close to home though.

  • 2015-May-8, 5:11 pm
    DaveTheMan

    SW Victoria writes...

    I don't remember Sydney having 62 servers.
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/

    They got More Recently

  • 2015-May-9, 9:49 am
    glendo

    rookie question; Using Australian servers going to give you privacy? Im going through europe most of the time, DL'ing is slow. should i be using AUS servers?

    Sorry, Im new to all this and learning the ropes.

  • 2015-May-9, 9:49 am
    SW Victoria

    DaveTheMan writes...

    They got More Recently

    Now 82.

  • 2015-May-9, 1:09 pm
    the Unforgiven

    it is great to see PIA increase the servers due to demand :)

    cheers

  • 2015-May-9, 1:09 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    it is great to see PIA increase the servers due to demand :)

    ["cheers�]

    Sure Is � I am very close to giving them a go

  • 2015-May-10, 12:28 pm
    Mauro

    glendo writes...

    rookie question; Using Australian servers going to give you privacy? Im going through europe most of the time, DL'ing is slow. should i be using AUS servers?

    Sorry, Im new to all this and learning the ropes.

    All servers worldwide have the same no log policy. Use the Australian servers for the best speed and don't worry, all is good,

  • 2015-May-10, 12:28 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    tissueboxer writes...

    Should we be concerned or relieved that its Softlayer? I'm in Melbourne, and am getting the same kind of result. According to this, Softlayer are owned by IBM who presumably rent out servers to PIA.

    http://www.softlayer.com/about-softlayer

    I think it is concerning as Obviously PIA are renting servers. it's nottheir own. so Softlayer get the court order not PIA, so it doesn't matter what PIA says about no logs wouldn't softlayer have it's own logs & probably pefectly happy to hand them over.

  • Illidan

    What speeds are people getting at the moment?

    Speedtests from AU Melb to Melb Softlayer Speedtest server
    With VPN: http://puu.sh/hJpzs/e0f46c8043.jpg (3.01Mbps/14.25Mbps)
    Without VPN: http://puu.sh/hJpA4/657cf4ecac.jpg (71.85Mbps/17.29Mbps)

  • Aldi Rocks

    It's strange how some people get such terrible speeds on PIA while others get brilliant. I wonder what PIA are up to. It's been the same case for many months. Or maybe it's just that the speeds are unreliable so another person does a test now and speeds are much better.

  • 2015-May-12, 2:12 am
    Mauro

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    I think it is concerning as Obviously PIA are renting servers. it's nottheir own. so Softlayer get the court order not PIA, so it doesn't matter what PIA says about no logs wouldn't softlayer have it's own logs & probably pefectly happy to hand them over.

    They have full control over the servers not IBM. it's like renting a house. They decide what runs or doesn't run on their machines. In any case why would PIA lie, all they need is for one single customer to get "caught" and their business would suffer immeasurably over night.

  • 2015-May-12, 2:12 am
    JoffaR

    Illidan writes...

    What speeds are people getting at the moment?

    Speedtests from AU Melb to Melb Softlayer Speedtest server

    Just tested mine and got 8.9Mbs which is saturating my connection. Never had an issue with Melbourne speeds.

  • 2015-May-12, 10:56 am
    angelus512

    Mauro writes...

    They have full control over the servers not IBM

    Adding to that PIA rents servers just like.....every other VPN company. So from that perspective PIA does not have some unique vulnerability that isn't present with absolutely everybody else.

  • 2015-May-12, 10:56 am
    Aldi Rocks

    Well does every vpn rent servers? Isn't a real colo a vpn's own equipment housed in a data room that is rented? Softlayer is different. It's a service being rented. PIA do not own the equipment or the service.

  • 2015-May-12, 11:24 am
    SW Victoria

    Do we know PIA rent servers? The only info we have is the IP address is listed as a 3rd party that does not make it automatic that they own the server only the IP address.

    I did have a look for it but it may be on the general PIA forum that the rack space is bought from the 3rd party but the ownership of the physical hardware is PIA. I could be remembering wrong but the answer should be floating around somewhere.

  • 2015-May-12, 11:24 am
    TEMPA

    SW Victoria writes...

    ownership of the physical hardware is PIA.

    I asked via PIA's online help and was told that they "own" the Australian servers. Make from that what you will....

  • 2015-May-12, 11:33 am
    Aldi Rocks

    I use 2 other vpn's that use the same softlayer servers. And Im sure there's more vpn's that also use them

  • 2015-May-12, 11:33 am
    the Unforgiven

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    Im sure there's more vpn's that also use them

    are you sure or just guessing?

  • 2015-May-12, 12:02 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    are you sure or just guessing?

    by guessing I mean 'ofcourse I know'. it's just a more humble way of saying it.

    Incidentally one of these VPN's not known to me called "Hideme" have said this on record:

    . We operate 27 server locations in 19 different countries. However we do not own physical hardware, ... Furthermore we choose all third party hosting providers very carefully, so we can assure that there are certain security standards in place.... Among our reputable partners are Leaseweb, NFOrce, Equinix and Softlayer.

    It seems clear PIA are just like other VPN providers and in the case of Softlayer and no doubt many other servers they do not own their servers & court orders would be made to Softlayer etc leaving PIA out of the picture completely so what they say about logging is of little merit or consequence.

  • 2015-May-12, 12:02 pm
    tissueboxer

    I have to agree � if PIA rent servers from IBM, it's difficult to know how credible they're assurances of privacy can be.

    I have no doubt that they attempt to protect us by acting as an intermediary between IBM and its users � and presumably have protection in place so IBM don't know who we are either. But the question remains: if IBM get a court order, can this layer of protection be circumvented on their end?

  • 2015-May-12, 12:50 pm
    78vbsle

    is anyone else having trouble with pia at the moment?

    For the last day or so it seems to have become almost unusable. Not just for p2p but also general web browsing with most sites I try to visit timing out.

  • 2015-May-12, 12:50 pm
    the Unforgiven

    78vbsle writes...

    timing out

    what DNS server are you using? are you using theirs or openDNS servers; which I find is better

    cheers

  • 2015-May-12, 2:16 pm
    Jace

    Can't connect to NL or Swiss using OpenVPN at the moment.
    Sweden seems ok

  • 2015-May-12, 2:16 pm
    MultiPass

    I was connected to the PIA servers from Melbourne and using OpenDNS , but I noticed the http://ipleak.net/ would show that my requests were being resolved in the USA, and not the OpenDNS Sydney.

    I sent a query to OpenDNS and support and they promptly rectified the "peering issue" with the softlayer servers in Melbourne.

    So if you're using OpenDNS & connecting through Softlayer Technologies in Melbourne, hopefully resolver requests should be faster now! :)

    ----

    On another note, I would highly recommend using OpenVPN instead of the PIA software (my experience is that it connects faster, and is more reliable*)

    PIA OpenVPN setup guide

    Don't use the OpenVPN software linked in the guide above, more recent versions here

    Always make sure to run the program as admin, otherwise it will appear to connect, but it hasn't.

    *DISCLAIMER: I've got pitiful 3G access at home, so my 12mbps connection is saturated. But wireless NBN soon!

  • SamFisher

    is it possible to use a prepaid mastercard ( woolworths money ) to purchase PIA subscription ?
    I know you have the option to checkout with credit and I can enter the mastercard details there, but has anyone tried to and did it work ?

  • Jace

    SamFisher writes...

    is it possible to use a prepaid mastercard ( woolworths money ) to purchase PIA subscription ?
    I know you have the option to checkout with credit and I can enter the mastercard details there, but has anyone tried to and did it work ?

    Yes, it works

  • 2015-May-12, 2:42 pm
    JoeysArsenal

    Can anyone advice me how Socks proxy works for uTorrent?

    Does all traffic go through the proxy even if im not connected via the VPN.
    Also how does one set this up?

  • 2015-May-19, 1:24 pm
    angelus512

    JoffaR writes...

    This windows PIA client cannot be trusted. That the tray icon turns bright green is no guarantee that you are connected to the vpn, especially when it takes an overly long time to (apparently) connect. Check it always.

    Said it before many times and I'll continue to harp on.

    People should not be using the PIA provided app. It really is very poor.

    Either
    A) Manually setup a connection on Windows or Mac with settings (time consuming and unsure if you can do it for OpenVPN that way)
    B) Get a 3rd party application

    For mac I use Tunnelblick which works a charm. I think Tunnelblick might work for windows as well but I forget.

    Alternatively people can pay for Viscosity (7 USD or something for lifetime licence). Viscosity is definitely the best 3rd party one out their, flawless every time.

  • 2015-May-19, 1:24 pm
    gilby

    angelus512 writes...

    People should not be using the PIA provided app. It really is very poor.

    The PIA app works just fine for me.

  • 2015-May-19, 1:28 pm
    batfink0767

    angelus512 writes...

    People should not be using the PIA provided app. It really is very poor.

    Can you elaborate as to why its so poor, and why viscosity is superior?.

  • 2015-May-19, 1:28 pm
    TEMPA

    gilby writes...

    The PIA app works just fine for me.

    Same with me, using Windows 8.1.

    I use the SOCK5 proxy for extra "concealment" and I always check IP Leak when I first connect to make sure all is in order. I use the IP Leak magnet link too to verify the proxy is working in uTorrent.

  • 2015-May-19, 2:32 pm
    angelus512

    batfink0767 writes...

    Can you elaborate as to why its so poor, and why viscosity is superior?

    Numerous posts over the course of time indicating people have issues with the PIA app.

    PIA app for Mac at least has some very specific problems. You have to configure the mac's firewall to ignore some things from PIA, you also need to change the PIA packets to TCP rather than UDP.
    Others have mentioned problems with uTorrent etc.

    Viscosity by contrast is developed for a wide global audience so it is in effect a specialist "made for" VPN app.

    PIA's app is end of the day just made by PIA with limited thought. As some have mentioned sometimes it will show a Green PIA man/icon thing indicating its switched on when infact its not.

    Viscosity works flawlessly across all platforms.
    I don't use it however simply because I'm happy to get Tunnelblick for free (google open source project). Its got more bugs and required a tiny bit of research to setup properly but works much better than PIA for me.

    Viscosity does have a free trial however for anybody that wants to give it a try.

  • 2015-May-19, 2:32 pm
    angelus512

    TEMPA writes...

    SOCK5 proxy for extra "concealment"

    You're welcome to but its been long established by PIA as well as others on this board that using SOCKS + VPN provides no added benefit at all :-)
    If you're using a VPN you don't need SOCKS.

  • 2015-May-19, 2:43 pm
    vurtgod

    I recently started using socks + VPN because the VPN dropped out but the kill switch didn't work. I will look into the Viscosity app you were talking about.

    thanks, Jason

  • 2015-May-19, 2:43 pm
    TEMPA

    angelus512 writes...

    You're welcome to but its been long established by PIA as well as others on this board that using SOCKS + VPN provides no added benefit at all :-)
    If you're using a VPN you don't need SOCKS.

    Yeah I get that but I figure "if" the VPN drops and "if" the kill switch fails to shut my internet I have the SOCK5 there as a last line of defence against those cold sweats you would get if you were to realise something broke and your "real" IP was out there to be harvested....

  • SamFisher
    this post was edited

    does openvpn support multiple VPN connections ? I don't mean simultaneously. For example if you have subscriptions from 2 vpn providers, can you set them up in open vpn and choose which one to connect to ?

    I am guessing people who are not using the PIA app which had the built in dns leak protection, have manually entered the PIA DNS server or a non-ISP dns server in their network settings to prevent DNS leaks ?

  • angelus512

    vurtgod writes...

    VPN because the VPN dropped out but the kill switch didn't work. I will look into the Viscosity app you were talking about.

    I don't remember how good Viscosity was on a kill switch as I haven't used it for a month or so.

    Tunnelblick from Google however doesn't appear to have a kill switch but it works in such a way that makes me think it achieves the same results.
    Sometimes I"ll go away for a day or so and come back and see that Tunnelblick is stuck on "reconnecting" or it thinks its connected but the connection has gone stagnant/dead or something.

    Yet the internet won't budge and my torrents aren't connected. In short as long as the program is on trying to connect or connected it won't attempt to use your normal connection ever.
    You need to specifically disconnect for that to happen.

  • 2015-May-19, 2:53 pm
    angelus512

    SamFisher writes...

    does openvpn support multiple VPN connections ? I don't mean simultaneously. For example if you have subscriptions from 2 vpn providers,

    I imagine it would yes. I can confirm Viscosity and Tunnelblick certainly do.

  • 2015-May-19, 2:53 pm
    Jace

    SamFisher writes...

    does openvpn support multiple VPN connections ? I don't mean simultaneously. For example if you have subscriptions from 2 vpn providers, can you set them up in open vpn and choose which one to connect to ?

    Yes. Using a different config file.

  • 2015-May-19, 3:00 pm
    gilby

    angelus512 writes...

    PIA app for Mac at least has some very specific problems. You have to configure the mac's firewall to ignore some things from PIA, you also need to change the PIA packets to TCP rather than UDP.

    I have found the Mac PIA client easier to use than Viscosity. I have made no changes to the firewall, but I do use Little Snitch which does, as you expect, require allowing the PIA client out. I have not had to change from UDP to TCP.

    It learns about new PIA servers and requires minimal configuration.

    That my experience. All positive for the PIA client on a Mac.

  • 2015-May-19, 3:00 pm
    tissueboxer

    angelus512 writes...

    You have to configure the mac's firewall to ignore some things from PIA, you also need to change the PIA packets to TCP rather than UDP.

    Why do we have to change it from UDP to TPC? What happens if we don't?

  • 2015-May-19, 3:00 pm
    gilby
    this post was edited

    tissueboxer writes...

    Why do we have to change it from UDP to TCP?

    You don't just because you use a Mac.

    You might need to if your ISP or your government block some UDP ports. But that is not because you use a Mac.

  • 2015-May-19, 3:00 pm
    pactrpo

    been using viscosity and found there was no encryption.
    Used wireshark to watch it.
    Then i used the provided PIA client and found that there was encryption

  • ozgonzo

    What prepaid card have you used from Aust?

    Wont accept prepaid Woolies or Coles Credit Cards

    Thanks

  • JoffaR

    Do these third party apps allow for the all important request for port forwarding?

  • Ju??o ?

    Guys how do you recommend Viscosity when it doesn't come with a kill switch feature? As solid as this software may be, how do set it up in the safest way?

    Thanks

  • _Machiavelli_

    ozgonzo writes...

    What prepaid card have you used from Aust?

    Wont accept prepaid Woolies or Coles Credit Cards

    I used the Woolworths Money Prepaid Mastercard to pay.

    M.

  • 2015-May-20, 2:58 pm
    ozgonzo

    thanks _Machiavelli_

    I was clicking the "Get VPN Access" button which only leads to the choice of multiple US Gift Cards

    One I moved down the page and selected "Get started Now", I can select to pay by Credit Card ( mine is Woolies Prepaid Master Card � not required to register) which thereby allows me NOT to use my actual name and address, though I realise that my IP Address is probably recorded � Dynamic in my case.

  • 2015-May-20, 2:58 pm
    SamFisher

    people using openvpn client with PIA, how do you modify the encryption settings and how do you check what encryption is being used ?

    with the pia client, you can go to advanced and check the default encryption settings being used and change them if required. But I can't do it while using the openvpn client.

  • 2015-May-20, 6:53 pm
    Jace
    this post was edited

    SamFisher writes...

    people using openvpn client with PIA, how do you modify the encryption settings and how do you check what encryption is being used ?

    Mate, read the doco :)
    https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation.html
    (and you will find parameter cipher)

    Unless specified in your openvpn config file, "BlowFish is the default cipher and SHA1 is the default message digest"

    Also note, PIA only have a few encyption algorithms that work on their servers via OpenVPN

  • 2015-May-20, 6:53 pm
    reeza

    A dedicated PIA iOS application is now available from the AppStore � https://appsto.re/au/NoB94.i

  • Who needs Identity
    this post was edited

    tissueboxer writes...

    I have to agree � if PIA rent servers from IBM, it's difficult to know how credible they're assurances of privacy can be.

    I have a server at Softlayer in Sydney and the security is tight. One time I forget my password and I contacted them via live chat and they called me straight away on my mobile confirming if they are talking to me on live chat.

    The servers at Softlayer are top notch.

  • tissueboxer

    Don't know if its Optus or PIA, but the connection has been terrible for the last twelve hours or so: constant drop outs and/or sluggish speeds have been rampant.

  • 2015-May-20, 7:39 pm
    ozgonzo

    Again twice tried to sign up with PIA using prepaid Woolies Mastercard.

    Got card error message.

    I was accessing PIA via the Tor browser on a TAILS live cd.

    Have lodged a support request.

    Seems to me that a VPN provider should allow access to its site and payments via TOR.

  • 2015-May-20, 7:39 pm
    SamFisher

    Jace writes...

    Also note, PIA only have a few encyption algorithms that work on their servers via OpenVPN

    thanks for the info. after reading PIA forums and few threads here ( /archive/2335937 ) it does look like aes128 via openvpn does not always work. it didn't work for me and I could not connect to PIA with openvpn using aes128. I downloaded the aes128 openvpn configs from here. It was linked in a PIA forum:

    Technically we only support using AES encryption in our own app. That being said we actually have some custom modified openvpn config files you can use.

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/comment/28589/#Comment_28589

    I also changed the port accordingly in the config files, because PIA is blowfish on port 1194 and AES128 on port 1196.

    Although I would have preferred to use openvpn over PIA client, for the time being I will stick with the PIA client because of the higher encryption that are available.

  • Jace

    I have no problem using AES128 using OpenVPN :)

  • Paul69

    Just get a load and go from post office

  • 2015-May-21, 8:36 am
    SamFisher

    Jace writes...

    I have no problem using AES128 using OpenVPN :)

    is your openvpn config files the same as the config files in this link?

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pytp1kpxp9xctx4/AADTr_y3I2bPxmeEK3Zor2oFa?dl=0

    can you confirm that you are using AES-128 with SHA1 and RSA-2048 ?

  • 2015-May-21, 8:36 am
    DaveTheMan

    So with the Government looking at Possibly Banning VPN�s

    Would PIA be one they would look at Banning?

  • 2015-May-21, 11:22 am
    SamFisher

    DaveTheMan writes...

    Would PIA be one they would look at Banning?

    why would they specifically look at banning PIA ?

    PIA is no different to other vpn providers.

  • 2015-May-21, 11:22 am
    DaveTheMan

    SamFisher writes...

    why would they specifically look at banning PIA ?

    PIA is no different to other vpn providers.

    A very Popular one though and has Servers in Australia

  • 2015-May-21, 1:49 pm
    angelus512

    DaveTheMan writes...

    Government looking at Possibly Banning VPN�s

    lol good luck with that. Not sure how they would possibly expect to "ban VPN's"

    That crap has been tried in China and it failed miserably there as well.

  • 2015-May-21, 1:49 pm
    wreckedandjealous

    hey guys..
    so I signed up to PIA during the week, all things seemed good.
    Speed test showed the following

    Before VPN: 12Mbps
    VPN Sydney: 11Mbps
    VPN Japan: 6Mbps

    just turned it on so I can watch the footy, and getting the following results

    Before VPN: 12Mbps
    VPN AUS: 0.6Mbps
    VPN Japan: 0.3Mbps

    any idea what would cause this?
    nothing has changed.
    using the default client (looked into openvpn, but hated that it wanted you to put a password in everytime you connected)

  • 2015-May-21, 2:47 pm
    Jace

    Congestion. Try a different server.

  • 2015-May-21, 2:47 pm
    wreckedandjealous

    Jace writes...

    Congestion. Try a different server

    best I could get on any server is 0.7Mbps (70kb/s)...
    pretty much unuseable.

  • drzeus

    wreckedandjealous writes...

    best I could get on any server is 0.7Mbps (70kb/s)...
    pretty much unuseable.

    Yep I'm having the same. When I first signed up the Melbourne PIA server used to give me 12+ Mbps. Now that everyone in Oz and his dog has signed up I'm averaging 0.7Mbps downloads...

    The service is now virtually useless for anything outside of email.

    Welcome to the new internet Australia.

  • SW Victoria

    http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4378116726

    I'm on Airmax in Warrnambool, there could be an issue between your ISP and the servers, what ISP are you?

  • *Hank Moody*

    zoran05 writes...

    the VPN and Socks5 are separate things? it says i shouldn't use them both in conjunction with each other why is that?

    It's overkill. Some people will tell you otherwise because they are paranoid and/or conspiracy theorists. Combining slows your speed unnecessarily, because you are encrypting on top of each other.

    When torrenting we're concerned on two fronts: 1.if the copyright holders can note our ip and send an infringement letter to our isp who forwards it to us, i.e they know who we are 2. if our own isp can see our torrenting activities and take their own actions.

    The vpn fully encrypts your whole connection, so the people in the swarm can only see the vpn's server ip, and our isp can only see one connection to the vpn - they can't see what your doing inside the tunnel.

    The socks5 just fakes your ip to the swarm (PIA uses a netherlands one). Clients like utorrent has varying levels of 'encryption' to protect against isp's snooping on their side. but this is not guaranteed security it just ensures the peers you connect to are encrypted - and slows your speed a fair bit. There's also a risk of people not setting it up properly or clients playing up.

    Here's why socks5 by itself can be risky: http://www.reddit.com/r/torrents/comments/2akjt3/i_use_an_ssh_socks5_proxy_to_torrent_but_got_a/

    if i was torrenting where should i be connecting��i see most people saying netherlands why not aus?

    Someone said it's because of legal issues - it's irrelevant. As I said some people are crazy paranoid. Unless your online activities are edward snowden espionage levels or child porn rings I wouldn't worry too much. PIA supposedly don't keep logs and it's stupid to think any govt has any legal or technological capacity to ban and thoroughly investigate the ocean of traffic (legal and illegal) that goes through vpn's.

    Connecting through netherlands in my experience is one of the best for torrenting as many seedboxes are located in that part of europe and it's more central to seeders in general. For speed tests and web surfing, overseas servers don't compare to connecting to a local melbourne or sydney server. Try different servers and see what provides the best speed at different times.

    What I do for torrents is tick the port forwarding box in PIA, connect to netherlands, when connected hover over the green man which will show your netherlands ip and forwarded port number. Enter this number into your torrent client.

    As others have pointed out you should tick the vpn kill switch just in case your vpn goes down while torrenting. Also tick the dns and ipv6 leak box.

    I have also changed my torrent client from utorrent to qbittorrent as the latter has a safeguard by only allowing the client connect through the vpn windows adapter. So if the vpn drops out and reverts to your real connection, the client will not download/seed. These all provide multiple levels of security for peace of mind while not sacrificing speed.

    Ensure that your vpn ip shows in your torrent client by downloading these test torrents: http://torguard.net/checkmytorrentipaddress.php
    http://ipmagnet.services.cbcdn.com/

    Also make sure your torrent client is closed when not on the vpn.

  • Dags.

    *Hank Moody* writes...

    I have also changed my torrent client from utorrent to qbittorrent as the latter has a safeguard by only allowing the client connect through the vpn windows adapter. So if the vpn drops out and reverts to your real connection, the client will not download/seed.

    Would you mind explaining how to set this up please?

  • 2015-May-26, 6:56 pm
    Skuzy

    +1

  • 2015-May-26, 6:56 pm
    *Hank Moody*

    Dags. writes...

    Would you mind explaining how to set this up please?

    I'm assuming you've installed and got PIA to work already. First find out what adapter connection PIA uses on your computer. Go to network and sharing center > change adapter settings. I only use a LAN port on my computer so my normal connection is just Local Area Connection. My PIA vpn connects on Local Area Connection 2 and uses the TAP-Windows Adapter V9 (in grey).

    In qbittorent go to Options > Advanced, look for Network Interface. It's probably on Any interface which means if the vpn goes down it'll switch to the next available one automatically. So instead you choose the one that uses the TAP adapter aka vpn, in my case it's Local Area Connection 2. If you have other adapters or wireless ones it may be different. Apply it, then ok, then restart qbittorent.

  • 2015-May-26, 8:30 pm
    peterdiva

    ^ https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/9751/two-qbittorrent-questions

    I've reproduced the same behavior on Windows, i.e. closing the PIA client and torrent traffic restarting.

    As far as I'm concerned it's broken. I switched to Vuze, which has the same function.

  • 2015-May-26, 8:30 pm
    *Hank Moody*

    peterdiva writes...

    I've reproduced the same behavior on Windows, i.e. closing the PIA client and torrent traffic restarting.

    In that thread it affected Mac and Linux users and/or using openVPN and they were on 3.1.12. I'm using Win7 and PIA app and on 3.2.0 which has had a few fixes since last. Is your kill switch on? Mine works fine.

    Torrents do not work at all when I'm connected to LAC1 � my isp.

    When torrents are running and connected to PIA server, if I disconnect the PIA server or exit the PIA app, my LAC2/TAP vpn adapter disconnects and (the kill switch comes into effect) and the torrent traffic dwindles down to zero. Accessing websites is also blocked. I've used wireshark to track the traffic data and there's no sign of leaking torrents on LAC1.

    This other thread linked from the one your quoted: https://qbforums.shiki.hu/index.php/topic,3271.msg15851.html the Linux user who originally complained said he got it working properly but noted other bugs when restarting qbit. Looking elsewhere I think there are still outstanding bugs for Linux.

    The Admin also said the 'dwindling' traffic (was a concern of mine) was just a delayed GUI thing.

  • 2015-May-26, 10:44 pm
    Dags.

    *Hank Moody* writes...

    I'm assuming you've installed and got PIA to work already.

    Yes thanks.

    My PIA vpn connects on Local Area Connection 2 and uses the TAP-Windows Adapter V9 (in grey).

    Ok thank you very much its working fine now after I realised a computer restart was required :)

    Thanks for the help!

  • 2015-May-26, 10:44 pm
    Gub

    I added some rules in Windows Firewall so only VPN traffic can go through. If I want to browse non-vpn it's just a few clicks to disable the rules, and the reverse to turn it back on.

  • 2015-May-26, 11:44 pm
    xhaydenx

    Is it generally pretty easy to get PIA working if you don't know too much about networking? I download torrents from time to time and wanted to get on PIA, but I'm not too tech savy.

  • 2015-May-26, 11:44 pm
    jayphi

    xhaydenx writes...

    Is it generally pretty easy to get PIA working if you don't know too much about networking? I download torrents from time to time and wanted to get on PIA, but I'm not too tech savy.

    I found it reasonably easy. I'm a little tech savvy but know sweet little about the intricacies of networking and transmission protocols etc.

    The software is easy to install, what gets more tricky is when you want to set it up so that your torrents only run when connected to VPN. This thread has a lot of info that is helpful though, and the PIA site also has a lot of useful info. Google will also give any number of tutorials as to how to get things working.

    In short, it can be done with a little time and research.

  • 2015-May-27, 2:46 am
    A.R.B.S

    Am I correct in believing this is enough for torrenting ?

  • 2015-May-27, 2:46 am
    SamFisher

    A.R.B.S writes...

    Am I correct in believing this is enough for torrenting ?

    depends on your level of paranoia.

  • 2015-May-27, 3:32 pm
    Trim Tab

    SamFisher writes...

    depends on your level of paranoia.

    I believe you can get plans for a tinfoil hat off the Dark Net, but of course ASIO are monitoring Coles and Woolies alfoil sales. Also CIA satellites readily follow anyone wearing foil caps outdoors, however, I do have a roll of foil in the kitchen drawer and a diode/propeller addition that renders a foil cap invisible to orbiting authorities. Bitcoins (lots of) accepted.

  • 2015-May-27, 3:32 pm
    tissueboxer

    Trim Tab writes...

    I believe you can get plans for a tinfoil hat off the Dark Net, but of course ASIO are monitoring Coles and Woolies alfoil sales. Also CIA satellites readily follow anyone wearing foil caps outdoors, however, I do have a roll of foil in the kitchen drawer and a diode/propeller addition that renders a foil cap invisible to orbiting authorities. Bitcoins (lots of) accepted.

    Post of the month.

  • 2015-May-27, 8:48 pm
    A.R.B.S

    I believe you can get plans for a tinfoil hat off the Dark Net, but of course ASIO are monitoring Coles and Woolies alfoil sales. Also CIA satellites readily follow anyone wearing foil caps outdoors, however, I do have a roll of foil in the kitchen drawer and a diode/propeller addition that renders a foil cap invisible to orbiting authorities. Bitcoins (lots of) accepted.

    Hmmm I don't know aren't you worried about the diode tracking satellites? Or do these satellites not share data between agencies?

  • 2015-May-27, 8:48 pm
    gumble

    tissueboxer writes...

    Post of the month.

    I agree,

    now I need to find an anonymous foil dealer to rebuild my hat that has been compromised by the evil Duopoly

  • 2015-May-29, 7:10 am
    SamFisher
    this post was edited

    Trim Tab writes...

    I do have a roll of foil in the kitchen drawer and a diode/propeller addition that renders a foil cap invisible to orbiting authorities. Bitcoins (lots of) accepted.

    Is it the homebrand one ? they are not as good ;)

  • 2015-May-29, 7:10 am
    DenisPC9

    A.R.B.S writes...

    Or do these satellites not share data between agencies?

    They did until this http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/recycled/2008/02/how_to_blow_up_a_satellite.html

  • 2015-May-29, 7:56 am
    Bobber

    Hey All,

    Just signed up and installed PIA and it seems to be working pretty well, however I have noticed all of a sudden my Netflix isn't working with Unblock-Us........ have any of you had similar problems?

  • 2015-May-29, 7:56 am
    A.R.B.S

    Why would you need unblock-us if you have PIA? Just choose a server from the country you want the netflix in.

  • 2015-Jun-2, 11:40 am
    Mauro

    Question to PIA minutes ago:

    Hello,
    I'm sure you've answered the following question a thousand times although I need to ask for my peace of mind.
    I plan to use as my exit server one of the Australian ones located in Sydney or Melbourne. I am an Australian citizen and would like to know your policy since as you are aware the Meta data law coming into operation and requiring certain ISP's and Telcos to collect data. Does Pia come under the umbrella of this law or are VPN's exempt from Meta-data collection?

    Reply:
    (Hannah B) Hello XXXX, my name is Hannah B.
    We do not maintain any logs of any kind, period.

  • 2015-Jun-2, 11:40 am
    JoffaR

    Mauro writes...

    We do not maintain any logs of any kind, period.

    Thats kind of a weasel answer. It needs to be asked again when the law comes into force.

    I think you would find if they were effected, Austrailian vpn gateways would disappear in favour of maintaining their no logs policy globally.

  • SW Victoria

    JoffaR writes...

    I think you would find if they were effected,

    Not that this is the same but Telstra have hinted that its very difficult capture the meta data when NAT are in force, as VPN has many people using the same public address to one server or public address then storing the data per public IP address would make life tough to track who used what.

    But still a VPN needs to store no data for you to get what you pay for and still grounds to disappear in favour of maintaining their no logs policy globally.

  • TEMPA

    JoffaR writes...

    Thats kind of a weasel answer. It needs to be asked again when the law comes into force.

    I asked them the same question and they advised me that since they are not an ISP they are exempt from the Australian data retention laws.

    I also asked about the fact that they are using Australian based servers that appear to be owned by a third party and therefore if the third party was subject to the data retention laws but they claimed that for all intents and purposes they own the servers and are once again exempt from the retention laws as well as them re-iterating that they keep no logs regardless.

  • 2015-Jun-2, 12:36 pm
    Josh

    I'm having trouble with Apple Home Sharing disconnecting all the time. The only fix is restarting iTunes. It doesn't like me being connected to PIA. I'm streaming from iTunes to AppleTV, on a PC running Win7 which ideally I would always like connected to the VPN. It works fine without using PIA. It must be related to the Bonjour service which Apple uses for home sharing but my windows firewall is allowing all ports for Bonjour. Any ideas?

  • 2015-Jun-2, 12:36 pm
    mf3106
    this post was edited

    Is this OK when running my PC with Firefox, results are from ipleak.net.

    PIA off

    ----------
    Your IP Address 124.190.xxx.xxx (Telstra)
    WebRTC No leak
    DNS Address 61.9.xxx.xxx (Telstra residential)

    PIA Running

    ------------------
    Your IP Address 66.85.176.82 (Secured Servers LLC)
    WebRTC No Leak
    DNS Address 66.85.176.82 & 61.9.xxx.xxx

    PIA settings are default except DNS leak protection is turned on.

  • 2015-Jun-2, 12:40 pm
    TEMPA

    mf3106 writes...

    PIA Running

    ------------------
    Your IP Address 66.85.176.82 (Secured Servers LLC)
    WebRTC No Leak
    DNS Address 66.85.176.82 & 61.9.xxx.xxx
    PIA settings are default except DNS leak protection is turned on.

    I'm no expert but using ipleak my IP address and my DNS address are the same....

    Not sure what that means but my results are certainly different to yours....

  • 2015-Jun-2, 12:40 pm
    Paul69

    Does anyones kill switch work?

  • 2015-Jun-7, 4:57 pm
    TEMPA

    Paul69 writes...

    Does anyones kill switch work?

    Mine does on Windows 8.1

  • 2015-Jun-7, 4:57 pm
    Jonesy7707

    Paul69 writes...

    Does anyones kill switch work?

    Yep, as above on 8.1.

  • SW Victoria

    Paul69 writes...

    Does anyones kill switch work?

    No, but if you create a static IP address from your router and don't enter a DNS address then no internet for me with the services I use.

  • Josh

    Is anyone using the PIA iOS app yet? It looks to be getting bad reviews so I'm still using the OpenVPN app for now.

  • 2015-Jun-7, 9:24 pm
    drzeus

    Josh writes...

    Is anyone using the PIA iOS app yet? It looks to be getting bad reviews so I'm still using the OpenVPN app for now.

    I switched over from Open VPN to it and when the PIA app works it seems good. Better visuals than the Open VPN and it has the complete list of PIA servers unlike Open VPN which only connects with the one you set up.

    It has one flaw though. If you are connected to a WiFi Network that blocks VPNs (and many workplaces, universities etc that I've visited have done so) it keeps trying to connect to PIA indefinitely without timing out and without giving you an indication (no 'VPN sign on the top since it's not connected yet). So while it looks like you are connected to wifi, Internet doesn't work and you are scratching your head why until you go into the PIA and can see it trying to connect. Once you flick the switch to OFF again your internet starts working. SO you must remember to always switch if off before using it on blocked networks.

    If they fix the above (has already caught me out several times) I'll be happy.

  • 2015-Jun-7, 9:24 pm
    D.J Myles

    JoffaR writes...

    Thats kind of a weasel answer. It needs to be asked again when the law comes into force.

    VPN's are not subject to data retention laws, regardless of where the servers are located, period.

    The law limits retention obligations to telcos and ISP's. Of course this could change in the future however the legislation would need to be amended through parliament for this to occur.

  • 2015-Jun-9, 10:02 pm
    Paul69

    What's a good way to test it

  • 2015-Jun-9, 10:02 pm
    Jeff8247

    mf3106 writes...

    PIA off
    ----------
    Your IP Address 124.190.xxx.xxx (Telstra)
    WebRTC No leak
    DNS Address 61.9.xxx.xxx (Telstra residential)

    PIA Running
    ------------------
    Your IP Address 66.85.176.82 (Secured Servers LLC)
    WebRTC No Leak
    DNS Address 66.85.176.82 & 61.9.xxx.xxx

    You are still leaking your DNS as you can still see the 61.9.XXX.XXX. Why not change your local computers DNS to run either OpenDNS or Google DNS servers all the time?

  • 2015-Jun-9, 10:24 pm
    mf3106

    Jeff8247 writes...

    You are still leaking your DNS as you can still see the 61.9.XXX.XXX. Why not change your local computers DNS to run either OpenDNS or Google DNS servers all the time?

    I've found that the following seems to work.

    - Use fixed IP address � 192.168.0.xxx;
    - User the following DNX server address � leave blank.

    With these settings both the IP address and the DNS server address are the same (PIA VPN).

  • 2015-Jun-9, 10:24 pm
    BigC

    mf3106 writes...

    Is this OK when running my PC with Firefox, results are from ipleak.net.

    Did you try this DNS leak fix for Firefox?
    http://support.vpnsecure.me/articles/ssh-tunnelling-proxy-troubleshooting/ssh-socks-dns-leaks-in-mozilla-firefox

  • mf3106

    BigC writes...

    Did you try this DNS leak fix for Firefox?

    No I hadn't done that, but what I found that seemed to work was to in my adaptor settings:-

    - Set my IP address to fixed (192.168.0.xxx),
    - Set my DNS to fixed � but leave it blank.

    That seemed to remove the Telstra DNS being shown in ipleak.

    However I have also applied the leak fix you suggested as well.

    Thanks.

  • BigC

    mf3106 writes...

    However I have also applied the leak fix you suggested as well.

    Thanks.

    Good stuff.. I was also having the same issue. But the leak fix in Firefox did the trick for me, without having to change adapter or router settings.

  • Lobomoon

    Is the installer file safe to open? Any viruses / malware?

    Can I set this up manually instead?

  • Dags.

    Lobomoon writes...

    Is the installer file safe to open? Any viruses / malware?

    Well I used it very recently with no problems :)

  • 2015-Jun-16, 3:40 pm
    Kuro
    this post was edited

    I've also been having consistent problems with latency on PIA in the last week.

    Game servers where I usually have a ping around 40-45 now sit around 650ms. However, SpeedTest reports a ping less than 40ms and my download speed is normal.

    I tried the Sydney servers, Melbourne servers, the PIA desktop client, the OpenVPN desktop client, my router's OpenVPN client, and the results are all the same. Download speed and speedtest - normal. Gaming - unplayable. My latency was actually better (still 450ms) when I connected to the Hong Kong servers.

    I've jumped through the support hoops of changing protocols, changing ports, changing MTUs, specifying IPs and nothing makes any difference. The generic responses they've given me of "increased latency is very common in online games when using a VPN" and "the speeds you're seeing are above average" are pretty hard to swallow when my current setup has been flawless for the past two months...

    Has anyone else noticed a problem specifically with latency?

    Edit: I looked through my VPN logs and I believe the problem started around midday on May 10th after I got an "Inactivity timeout" from the PIA servers. Ever since that point, my connections are always to the 168.1.6.0/24 SoftLayer Technologies servers instead of the 103.43.72.0/24 Choopa LLC servers I had been connecting to. I'm not able to ping any of the Choopa LLC servers either. Did PIA change the Australian server hosts?

  • 2015-Jun-16, 3:40 pm
    SW Victoria

    Kuro writes...

    Did PIA change the Australian server hosts?

    I thought its been soft layer for a while. The last time I check was when they listed 60 servers for Melbourne and Sydney.

  • Plague129

    I'm having issues even connecting the Vpn client just stuck on connecting it had been working previously and has stopped

    I have rebooted the machine and router etc

  • Pikey18

    Kuro writes...

    Game servers where I usually have a ping around 40-45 now sit around 650ms. However, SpeedTest reports a ping less than 40ms and my download speed is normal.

    How does a traceroute to the game server look?

    Also no issues here on connecting to either Sydney or US California - I am on California for US Netflix right now and it usually sits on the maximum bitrate.

  • 2015-Jun-16, 7:59 pm
    Kuro

    Pikey18 writes...

    How does a traceroute to the game server look?

    Also no issues here on connecting to either Sydney or US California � I am on California for US Netflix right now and it usually sits on the maximum bitrate.

    Using the Sydney Valve servers as a test � the tracert looks normal.
    38ms off the VPN, 40ms on the VPN.
    But my in game ping while using the VPN is 650-670ms, whereas it's only about 40ms without.

    Streaming video content is fine for me too. The throughput isn't the problem, only the latency. I can max my bandwidth on video or downloads like I always could, but my ping in any online game is through the roof.

  • 2015-Jun-16, 7:59 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Does PIA work well when Downloading Torrents?

  • 2015-Jun-16, 8:52 pm
    2tyres

    Kuro writes...

    But my in game ping while using the VPN is 650-670ms,

    Excuse my ignorance on the subject but why would you route gaming through a vpn?

  • 2015-Jun-16, 8:52 pm
    Kuro

    2tyres writes...

    Excuse my ignorance on the subject but why would you route gaming through a vpn?

    Everything on my network runs though the VPN. My router is set up as the OpenVPN client so all the clients on my network are tunnelled through the VPN indiscriminately. It seems unnecessary to mess with the iptables to create port based rules after this many months without problems.

  • 2tyres

    That doesn't really answer my question. Also, it does seem to be causing problems i.e. latency.

  • Azi-Ak

    DaveTheMan writes...

    Does PIA work well when Downloading Torrents?
    PIA is good
    Speeds are good, but for torrents you'll have to use a server outside of the US.
    Speed test hit my 100Mbps cap. I haven't tested on a 1Gbps uplink/downlink yet, so I don't know if it's much more than that.

  • 2015-Jun-16, 10:27 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Azi-Ak writes...

    PIA is good
    Speeds are good, but for torrents you'll have to use a server outside of the US.
    Speed test hit my 100Mbps cap. I haven't tested on a 1Gbps uplink/downlink yet, so I don't know if it's much more than that.

    So using a Aussie Servers to use for Torrents?

    What other good ones for Torrents you found?

    I don�t have super quick Internet

  • 2015-Jun-16, 10:27 pm
    Kuro

    2tyres writes...

    That doesn't really answer my question. Also, it does seem to be causing problems i.e. latency.

    The question was why route gaming. The answer was that gaming is not selectively routed � everything is routed.

    But yes, routing is causing the latency, however it has not for the past two months. Routing has only been an issue while gaming since PIA apparently dropped the Choopa LLC servers and are exclusively using SoftLayer Technologies servers.

    The problem also appears to be that data is being rereouted since a tracert to the game servers show a 40ms latency, but the actual in game latency is over 650ms. This is why download speeds and streaming video are unaffected. It's most likely a measure that SoftLayer is implementing to reduce their P2P overhead that is having the negative affect of ruining my latency.

  • 2015-Jun-18, 4:06 pm
    Kuro

    Bad news for Australian gamers on PIA.

    After going through eight PIA support people over the course of six days, they have confirmed that they are exclusively using SoftLayer Technology severs instead of Choopa LLC servers in Australia. As a result, if you prefer the security of routing all your traffic through the VPN, online gaming is now impossible.

    They also refuse to offer a refund for the degradation in service.

  • 2015-Jun-18, 4:06 pm
    Illidan

    Kuro writes...

    Bad news for Australian gamers on PIA.

    After going through eight PIA support people over the course of six days, they have confirmed that they are exclusively using SoftLayer Technology severs instead of Choopa LLC servers in Australia. As a result, if you prefer the security of routing all your traffic through the VPN, online gaming is now impossible.

    Yeah, League of Legends for example.

    PIA: Does not ever connect into a game.
    Cyberghost: Connects into games fine.

    Pretty annoying.
    If anyone else has got PIA working for League let me know =\

  • 2015-Jun-18, 5:21 pm
    MarknStacey

    So a bit of an interesting one � I got connected to the NBN today through Netcube and also purchased a year of PIA. My problem is that PIA won't work with UDP selected in the PIA settings, PIA will connect and stay connected but most websites won't load, facebook and google do but speedtest.net and others won't and torrents run at a crawl.

    The TCP option will work but disconnects frequently once i start torrents up and I have read that UDP is the faster option so i would prefer to get this working.

    I am on OSX and am using an Apple Airport connected to the nbn box, I assumed it was an OSX problem (as there are reported problems with OSX's firewall and UDP mode) but after troubleshooting with no luck I decided to try my old iprimus adsl2 connection which is still connected for a couple of days and now UDP mode does work... So this points to a problem with the nbn or netcube

    I've also tried it with a windows machine and am getting the same result.

    Does anyone have any advise on this?

  • 2015-Jun-18, 5:21 pm
    DaveTheMan

    With Site Blocking Law been Passed I am looking at Signing up here.

    So what do I need to Know?

  • 2015-Jun-18, 5:30 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Using uTorrent with PIA works Fine?

  • 2015-Jun-18, 5:30 pm
    batfink0767

    yes.

  • 2015-Jun-22, 11:55 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Good � So I just start the VPN up and check the IP�s have Changed and that be fine?

  • 2015-Jun-22, 11:55 pm
    batfink0767

    DaveTheMan writes...

    Good � So I just start the VPN up and check the IP�s have Changed and that be fine?

    Start your VPN
    In PIA client tick these options-
    Kill switch enabled,
    IPv6 leak protection enabled.
    DNS leak protection enabled.

    If you hover over the PIA icon in the system tray it displays the current ip address.

    and then check for IPv6 leak and DNS leak here- https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/2114/ipv6-leak-dns-leak-e-mail-ip-leak

    also check ip address here- https://ipleak.net/
    also on this page check Torrent Address detection,you can download the Magnet link into Utorrent,
    then highlight the link download in the utorrent client and then click on trackers tab at the bottom of the client window, the ip address utorrent is using will be shown below in the details panel/window.

    For extra protection if using firefox disable webRTC - Set media.peerconnection.enabled to false in about:config. Google WEBRTC if you don't know what that is.

    the only issue i have is sometimes when i disconnect from the VPN, i lose my normal internet connection and i have to reset "Obtain an ip address automatically" in network/sharing centre ,to get it workin again without the VPN, it only takes a second or so i'm not too fussed.

    If you have this issue it can be fixed by
    1.open network sharing centre by right clicking network icon in system tray (win 7)
    2.click the network connection you have on the right of the screen (in blue) ,mines listed as wireless network connection (xxxx-pc_Network.
    3. Then Click properties at the bottom left of the popup screen.
    4.Double click "Internet protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)"
    5. tick/select "Obtain an ip address automatically"
    6.click ok, exit out and your good to go.

    You can also right click network icon(sytem tray ) and select "troubleshoot problems" and the windows wizard will automatically reset it for you.

    Video that explains socks5 proxy and vpn- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQQZXMxqHDs

  • Jackpackage

    batfink0767 writes...

    the only issue i have is sometimes when i disconnect from the VPN, i lose my normal internet connection and i have to reset "Obtain an ip address automatically" in network/sharing centre ,to get it workin again without the VPN, it only takes a second or so i'm not too fussed.

    I have been noticing this issue from time to time and wondered what causing it, generally I have my VPN on all the time out of habit

  • Obey The Fist!

    I use PIA in a couple of places, but on a Windows 8.1 system I have, every time I try to use it, it asks for me to reinstall the TAP driver. Is this a known issue with a known fix?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 10:04 am
    Chuggabug

    batfink0767 writes...

    issue i have is sometimes when i disconnect from the VPN, i lose my normal internet connection and i have to reset "Obtain an ip address automatically" in network/sharing centre ,to get it workin again without the VPN

    As your running Windows, and disconnected your VPN... I would give this a try:

    Open an elevated CMD prompt window, (Black as the Ace of Spades)

    then type:
    netsh interface show interface

    This will show you a 'Connected' interface, where you need to record the name of the respective connected 'Interface Name'.

    so e.g... if I find my interface name is 'Local Area Connection'...

    I would then type (including quotes):
    netsh interface IPv4 set dnsserver "Local Area Connection" dhcp

    then:
    ipconfig /flushdns

    This should return you to your normal internet connection :)

    You could also create a batch file (to include the 2 last commands) to automate this process.

  • 2015-Jun-23, 10:04 am
    -wook-
    this post was edited

    So I just signed up with PIA

    I really only want to use this with torrents and am happy to just switch it on and off using the windows taskbar notifier.

    I have set it to the settings mentioned above.

    When using https://ipleak.net/ my IP address is overseas )U.S) as is my "torrent address detection".

    However, under DNS and WebRTC my IP address and ISP IP address are showing respectively.

    Is this something to be concerned about as far as using torrents?

    Also, my connection speed when using the VPN is about 10% of my normal speed... Anything I can do about that?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 12:16 pm
    Mxyzptlk

    I heard PIA leaks like a siv.. Im looking at total protection and heard PureVPN is great, anyone tried?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 12:16 pm
    TEMPA

    Mxyzptlk writes...

    I heard PIA leaks like a siv.. Im looking at total protection and heard PureVPN is great, anyone tried?

    So why post in a PIA thread?!?!

  • 2015-Jun-23, 12:23 pm
    Mxyzptlk

    Because its a thread, and maybe someone might say "You heard wrong" PIA is ..........

  • 2015-Jun-23, 12:23 pm
    Pikey18

    Mxyzptlk writes...

    I heard PIA leaks like a siv.

    No leaks here. I use Google DNS on all network interfaces so don't need DNS leak protection.

  • maddog12

    Ok so with these recent laws being passed. I'm interested in a VPN service. All this mumbo jumbo seems confusing to me so i have a couple questions

    Do i need to access my router settings to enable?
    Does the VPN cover my entire home network or just the pc installed on?
    Can you turn it on/off easily?
    How good/bad is the speed diff, currently im on 100mb/s

  • DaveTheMan

    batfink0767 writes...

    Video that explains socks5 proxy and vpn- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQQZXMxqHDs

    What is better and Faster and Easier to use out of VPN or socks5 Proxy?

  • Pikey18

    DaveTheMan writes...

    What is better and Faster and Easier to use out of VPN or socks5 Proxy?

    Socks5 is easier and faster. Not as secure though.

  • lehman

    maddog12 writes...

    Do i need to access my router settings to enable?
    Does the VPN cover my entire home network or just the pc installed on?
    Can you turn it on/off easily?
    How good/bad is the speed diff, currently im on 100mb/s

    I'm no where near an expert but I was wanting to do a similar thing to you.

    Some months ago I signed up to 12 months PIA VPN. My modem/router can do PPTP VPN, so I set it up to connect to PIA as I just wanted a simple set up where all the house hold devices connected to the router went via the VPN.

    I chose a Sydney gateway and didn't notice any speed issues, I'm also on 100mb/s.

    I had to give it away though as I couldn't access a number of sites, such as my internet banking, ABCiview and a number of others that I can't think of right now.

  • 2015-Jun-23, 3:33 pm
    Evva

    I signed up today and it's unbelievably slow. Even browsing is near unusable. Are the US locations the best to use?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 3:33 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Evva writes...

    signed up today and it's unbelievably slow. Even browsing is near unusable. Are the US locations the best to use?

    Have you Tried Aussie Servers?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 3:37 pm
    Evva

    DaveTheMan writes...

    Have you Tried Aussie Servers?

    I'm on them now and it's a bit better. 360p vid on Youtube is struggling though.

  • 2015-Jun-23, 3:37 pm
    TEMPA

    DaveTheMan writes...

    What is better and Faster and Easier to use out of VPN or socks5 Proxy?

    I use both at the same time. I know all the claims are it's not necessary but I consider that an extra layer of tin foil can't hurt.... ;-)

  • MarknStacey
    this post was edited

    "So a bit of an interesting one � I got connected to the NBN today through Netcube and also purchased a year of PIA. My problem is that PIA won't work with UDP selected in the PIA settings, PIA will connect and stay connected but most websites won't load, facebook and google do but speedtest.net and others won't and torrents run at a crawl.

    The TCP option will work but disconnects frequently once i start torrents up and I have read that UDP is the faster option so i would prefer to get this working.

    I am on OSX and am using an Apple Airport connected to the nbn box, I assumed it was an OSX problem (as there are reported problems with OSX's firewall and UDP mode) but after troubleshooting with no luck I decided to try my old iprimus adsl2 connection which is still connected for a couple of days and now UDP mode does work... So this points to a problem with the nbn or netcube

    I've also tried it with a windows machine and am getting the same result.

    Does anyone have any advise on this?"

    So just in reply to this, I have installed Viscosity, UDP still has the same problem but choosing tcp and port 443 is working well, getting a solid 50Mb/s through torrents using the Melbourne PIA server. 2mbit on overseas servers. No disconnects so far.

    Why would my isp be blocking the UDP ports, is this heard of? I would still rather use UDP and I find it strange that I can't.

    Also, I have seen it mentioned here that I shouldn't be using the Melbourne PIA server for torrents, why is this?

  • alexb618

    easy question for everyone

    currently i use unblock-us to access all netflix regions via my xbox 360 (change DNS settings on xbox, use unblock-us website to select netflix region)

    can i use PIA to access whatever region of netflix i want on my 360? because i want the privacy of PIA which unblock-us does not have... but i also want to be able to access all of netflix.

    will i need PIA for privacy and unblock-us for netflix? are they able to work together?

  • Evva
    this post was edited

    edit. Installed Viscosity much better speeds.

  • Pikey18

    alexb618 writes...

    can i use PIA to access whatever region of netflix i want on my 360? because i want the privacy of PIA which unblock-us does not have... but i also want to be able to access all of netflix.

    Yeah you can use different regions � but expect a massive speed hit.

    Try Getflix who have a smart DNS and VPN in one package � best of both worlds.

  • 2015-Jun-23, 8:50 pm
    brett174
    this post was edited

    I was wanting to trial PIA for a month to see how they go. Can anyone confirm if selecting the 1 month $6.99 option is a one off cost or will they debit you each month for this ongoing?

  • 2015-Jun-23, 8:50 pm
    alexb618

    thanks pikey, i am using getflix now and it works really well

  • batfink0767
    this post was edited

    brett174 writes...

    will they debit you each month for this ongoing?

    They will debit you each month if you do not cancel, you can sign up and then cancel the recurring monthly payment straight away , you will still be able to use the service for the month you have paid for. If you are happy with the service and you want to continue , you can cancel the monthly payment (if you haven't already) and then sign up for a 12 month plan which is a much cheaper option.

    edit- prices on the website are in U.S. dollars.

  • kitalor

    I'm reading lots of conflicting information about this but the general consensus on this thread seems to be that it is 'safe enough' to go through a local server with the PIA app � i.e No proxy � VPN alone?

    But then some say the local servers are bad for p2p so is it really faster to route through the states? In which case you are compromising the speed of general browsing for the sake of torrents...

    I tried following the instructions in this video

    batfink0767 writes...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQQZXMxqHDs

    Which suggests it's safest to use vpn and proxy. However the 'tunnel within a tunnel' reduces my speed to about � of normal speed -which I presume is to be expected with so much encryption and routing?

    Anyway I guess I'm looking for a definitive setup with the best of both worlds -security and speed.

    If I go with VPN and no proxy do I need to tweak any settings in Utorrent or the PIA app (other than leak protection/kill switch -such as encryption)?

    Sorry for the barrage of questions but it seems like there is a grey area here or a discrepancy between official PIA advice and user discussion

  • 2015-Jun-24, 2:01 pm
    jfprizzy

    kitalor writes...

    I'm reading lots of conflicting information about this but the general consensus on this thread seems to be that it is 'safe enough' to go through a local server with the PIA app � i.e No proxy � VPN alone?

    No matter what goes through that VPN tunnel and comes out the other endpoint; ISPs, the Government and content holders (with the right tools), can only view it as a 'certain volume of data' going back and forth between 'some IP address that probably isn't really you', the PIA VPN server (regardless of it being local or international), and to the rest of the world.

    I believe the biggest safety or privacy misunderstanding or shady area of VPNs is whether you are safe if you P2P and pass authentication details to some form of account that is tied with your name, address etc. See my new discussion on it here: /forum-replies.cfm?t=2421038

    But then some say the local servers are bad for p2p so is it really faster to route through the states? In which case you are compromising the speed of general browsing for the sake of torrents...

    The net speed via VPN is affected by what I would assume is based on the locality of the data/content you are accessing, no different to when you don't use a VPN, but where you don't use a VPN, an ISP can throttle you further based on it identifying a particular data it has policies to throttle.

    In one circumstance, most P2P peers for a particular swarm you are connecting to, could be located closer in locality if you were to connect to a different international server, than a local server.

    Which suggests it's safest to use vpn and proxy. However the 'tunnel within a tunnel' reduces my speed to about � of normal speed -which I presume is to be expected with so much encryption and routing?

    Every extra layer of abstraction, complexity, in the form of encryption, communication or routing, will add more and more overhead, consequently slowing your speeds down.

    I'm on 100mbps Optus Cable, and I think using the kill-switch is just fine and it works for me, as I've closely monitored mine.

  • 2015-Jun-24, 2:01 pm
    stuffed13

    When browsing with a VPN what exactly does the ISP see?

  • jfprizzy

    stuffed13 writes...

    When browsing with a VPN what exactly does the ISP see?

    At the highest abstract level,
    When you use a VPN service through a particular VPN server, it is so that external observers cannot see "who you really are" beyond the fact that you are just "someone who uses that specific VPN server presently".

    At the data level,
    VPNs tunnel connections between your computer and the VPN server you connect to (regardless of it being a local or international VPN server), have encryption applied to jumble the data into what appears as nonsense to the external observer.

    What the ISP sees, is your computer, as it would, because it's blood providing you the internet service, a connection made to the VPN server you selected to connect to, and a volume of data that it can't understand, going back and forth.

    An external observer can however see everything that leaves the VPN server endpoint, but if we have the scenario where VPNs map external IP addresses to multiple VPN clients (ONE-to-MANY relationship, with sub-addressing or identifiers to route traffic where it's meant to go inside the VPN tunnels), than it doesn't matter what pops out the other end. You can't tie it back to you because VPNs won't reveal this to a 3rd party entity.

  • stuffed13

    Ok so an ISP cant see that I am actually visiting Torrent sites like pirate bay to forward to the hollywood people wanting to know who is downloading? or even that I am posting this message?

  • 2015-Jun-24, 3:21 pm
    jfprizzy
    this post was edited

    stuffed13 writes...

    Ok so an ISP cant see that I am actually visiting Torrent sites like pirate bay to forward to the hollywood people wanting to know who is downloading? or even that I am posting this message?

    Breaking this down:

    Without VPN to access PirateBay:
    - Your computer sends request for PirateBay to ISPs DNS server, routing you the correct IP address of the DNS name of thePirateBay.se.

    With VPN to access PirateBay:
    - Your computer sends request for PirateBay to the VPN provider's DNS server, that would then route you to the correct IP address for the DNS name of thePirateBay.se.

    If we frame the viewpoint of the ISP to viewing and accessing torrent sites using a VPN tunnel, then all the ISP would see is a transmission of data (the request and response) between your computer and the VPN server.

    If we frame the viewpoint of the ISP to viewing the endpoint of where the request has left the VPN server, and then reenters with a response of the IP address of a torrent site, your ISP if it even knew where to look for this particular request/response; would only know that it goes into the VPN server, then back to some unknown destination. Yes it would see traffic back into your computer, but it doesn't know where from. ISPs cannot make the correlation, connection, etc.

    You posting, accessing or discussing anything about torrent/P2P sites is not admissible evidence that you committed any copyright infringement. I wouldn't fret.

    There's a worlds difference between using torrent/P2P sites for sharing copyright content, using torrent/P2P sites for sharing free content, and just merely accessing the site.

  • 2015-Jun-24, 3:21 pm
    TEMPA

    Interesting when I am connected to PIA and coming out on the Melbourne server and I access http://dnsleak.com/ the results show �

    Your IP: *** *** ***
    DNS IP: *** *** ***
    Hostname: *** *** ***-static.reverse.softlayer.com
    ISP: Credit Suisse Group / CANA
    Country: Switzerland

    Wasn't expecting to see that for the ISP and Country. All the other leak test websites show ISP as Softlayer and Australia.

    Thoughts?

  • Ace_Steezy

    I'm using ExpressVPN and it is slow as.....
    Doesn't matter which country I choose...

    Any suggestions?

  • BillBillo1
    this post was edited

    Hi guys,

    Long time reader on whirlpool forums you guys are great!

    I would also be considered a noob and just recently signed up with PIA.

    I use Qbittorrent instead of the usual utorrent and was wondering if just setting up the VPN and enabling kill switch etc is enough to be protected?

    I also have checked and have no dns leaks/also disabled the WEBRTC leaks from firefox

    I also got the "torguard check my torrent ip address" and it also comes up as showing the vpn ip address during downloads on qbittorrent instead of the usual one, does this, most of all things mean that I am protected?

    Or do I need to add any additional settings to the client? I ask because I read something about a network interface or something by Qbittorent I.e. on the network interface tab in qbittorent it is set to "any interface" but this wouldn't matter because I have kill switch enabled right so if it cut then it wouldnt switch to my usual ip connection right?

    Specifically this thread, something to do with a bug in qbittorrent, does anyone know about this? https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/forum/discussion/4091/qbittorrent-setup-tips

  • 2015-Jun-24, 5:46 pm
    kitalor

    Thanks for the response jfp. That answered some questions and brought up a whole lot more:)

    jfprizzy writes...

    In one circumstance, most P2P peers for a particular swarm you are connecting to, could be located closer in locality if you were to connect to a different international server, than a local server.

    I can nearly max out connection with torrents without vpn so I'm pretty sure they're not throttled.
    My thinking was that the closer the tunnel that I'm jumping in geographically would provide the best speed regardless of what I'm doing with it taking into account congestion and capacity of said server?
    When I connect to my nearest server it is noted as 'softlayer' in ipleak and my torrents take a while to get going and average out at about 400kBs.
    If I auto connect it goes to silicon valley and torrents load much faster and average out at 700kBs (peak with no vpn is about 1.2mbs)
    Now browsing the web and doing speed tests I get the opposite result softlayer 8-10mbs -silicon valley 4-8mbs
    Is anyone else experiencing this? Happy to admit there may be something wrong on my end
    Earlier posts suggest softlayer aren't the best for p2p. If I'm going down the route of VPN without proxy what server would people suggest? I really just want to set and forget.

    Is anyone more satisfied getting the balance right with proxy alone? IF so what settings or guide did you follow?

  • 2015-Jun-24, 5:46 pm
    Pikey18

    kitalor writes...

    Earlier posts suggest softlayer aren't the best for p2p. If I'm going down the route of VPN without proxy what server would people suggest? I really just want to set and forget.

    I got good results using Getflix PPTP using a server in Canada. OpenVPN is better I expect just PPTP was easy.

  • Chuggabug

    BillBillo1 writes...

    Or do I need to add any additional settings to the client? I ask because I read something about a network interface or something by Qbittorent I.e. on the network interface tab in qbittorent it is set to "any interface" but this wouldn't matter because I have kill switch enabled right so if it cut then it wouldnt switch to my usual ip connection right?

    If you hover over the kill switch, PIA don't recommend it in certain network configurations.

    This tells me that there is a possibility it won't work/will screw up your internet settings.

    If your using Windows, simply create INBOUND & OUTBOUND Windows firewall rules to only allow Qbittorent to work if your 'Public' (VPN network) profile is active, and to deny Qbittorent access to 'Domain' and 'Private' profiles.

    The OUTBOUND rule is described here:
    http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/128882.aspx
    Just point the program path to the correct location where qbittorrent.exe exists on your drive.

    Then create a similar INBOUND rule, ie instead of selecting Outbound Rules in Step 1, select Inbound Rules and follow the remainder of the setup.

    Test it by disconnecting your VPN, and you will see that Qbittorent will stop downloading.

    Once in place there is no need to worry about what interface to choose in Qbittorent !


    I have used the PIA client and now have reverted to a native OpenVPN setup (as the client seems slow in connecting and with my testing seemed slower with downloads), but I also use firewall rules to keep an eye on things :)

  • kitalor

    Chuggabug writes...

    I have used the PIA client and now have reverted to a native OpenVPN setup (as the client seems slow in connecting and with my testing seemed slower with downloads), but I also use firewall rules to keep an eye on things :)

    Is this what you're referring to?
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/client-support/windows-openvpn

  • 2015-Jun-24, 6:00 pm
    Chuggabug

    kitalor writes...

    Is this what you're referring to?

    Yes, but I've gone ahead and downloaded the latest version of OpenVPN found here:
    https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/downloads.html

  • 2015-Jun-24, 6:00 pm
    ozigoo

    Anyone used an Australian Toys R Us or Target gift card to pay?
    cheers

  • 2015-Jun-29, 10:40 am
    Lobomoon

    I just installed PIA � which boxes should I tick on advanced login screen?

  • 2015-Jun-29, 10:40 am
    Total Recall

    Lobomoon writes...

    I just installed PIA � which boxes should I tick on advanced login screen?

    For me I have DNS leak Protection and IPv6 Leak Protection ticked, VPN Kill Switch should also be but I have setup my P2P client to stop if and when PIA drops.

    Edit I don't even have IPv6 enabled via my ISP anyway as Getflix doesn't like it.

  • Lobomoon

    Do I need to do any extra settings in Vuze?

  • Total Recall

    PIA offer a Socket5 Proxy with your login, you need to generate the user ID and password via PIAs site.

    Not sure the specifics with Vuze though, this will give you a idea https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=pia+vuze

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:10 am
    billybalakalai

    I'm very happy with PIA after two months..

    Just wish they'd get a Korean server soon...

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:10 am
    Lobomoon

    What about connection type: tcp or udp?

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:22 am
    Pikey18

    Total Recall writes...

    Edit I don't even have IPv6 enabled via my ISP anyway as Getflix doesn't like it.

    I have IPv6 enabled here and use Getflix. All they do is forward requests to Telstra DNS which is dual stack and answers with AAAA records even over IPv4.

    Just have to make sure all DNS goes to Getflix.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:22 am
    Total Recall

    Lobomoon writes...

    What about connection type: tcp or udp?

    Mines set to udp, not sure if it was default or I set it up like that back in the day.

    Pikey18 writes...

    I have IPv6 enabled here and use Getflix. All they do is forward requests to Telstra DNS which is dual stack and answers with AAAA records even over IPv4.

    Just have to make sure all DNS goes to Getflix.

    Oh ok, I still have to disable in order for my Netflix AUS account to be seen unmetered via Internode as they're currently having issues with IPv6.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:31 am
    Pikey18

    Total Recall writes...

    Oh ok, I still have to disable in order for my Netflix AUS account to be seen unmetered via Internode as they're currently having issues with IPv6.

    Makes sense. I am on Telstra Business so no unmetered content to worry about (just unmetered uploads).

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:31 am
    SW Victoria

    Looks like they have dropped a few servers none in Australia and mostly in Canada. Anyone herd anything as to why?

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/network/

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:35 am
    xHusky

    Edit: Wrong Post.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:35 am
    Who needs Identity
    this post was edited

    SW Victoria writes...

    Looks like they have dropped a few servers none in Australia and mostly in Canada. Anyone herd anything as to why?

    By the looks of things they are using the Softlayer (Auto Scale feature) meaning they can have less servers but less more powerful servers.

    The only reason so many VPN companys use Softlayer is if you pay monthly or annually you get 5TB of bandwidth for free on each server each month. So Sydney 5TB x 60 = 300TB + Melbourne 5TB x 60 = 300TB. Total monthly bandwidth = 600TB for Australia.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:42 am
    the Unforgiven

    Who needs Identity writes...

    Total monthly bandwidth = 600TB for Australia

    is that enough?

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:42 am
    SW Victoria

    I'm surprised they sell bandwidth in the quota form as wholesale, they are nearly always in bits per second.

  • McoreD

    I have noticed a drop in speeds in the last few weeks. I wonder if it is to do with the surge of new VPN subscribers.

  • Frenata


    @47400244 Lobomoon writes...
    Do I need to do any extra settings in Vuze

    I use Vuze and the following (which I found on the PIA site) does work
    "

    1. launch Vuze

    2. Go to Tools>Options

    3. Click Connection (drop down arrow)>Advanced Network Settings

    4. In the box that states Bind to Local IP type eth4. This is PIA TAP Adapter.

    5. Click Save

    6. Re-launch Vuze

    At the bottom right corner of the Vuze program, you will see Routing. Place your mouse cursor over it and wait for it to connect to PIA IPv4 address. It starts with 10.

    In case you're skeptical, you can go to Network and Sharing>Click on LAN>Details. It will show you the IPv4 address that will match in Vuze.

    All torrent traffic will be routed to that address. If the VPN disconnects, torrents will stop downloading immediately until the VPN re-establishes connection. You can also test it out by disconnecting the VPN manually (do not have internet browsers open at the time) and go back to Vuze. Place your mouse cursor over Routing and you will see it is still connected to PIA IPv4 address."

    I hope that helps

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:46 am
    fysho

    Frenata writes...

    4. In the box that states Bind to Local IP type eth4. This is PIA TAP Adapter.

    Not necessarily.. find the TAP Adapter and use the corresponding eth#, last time I used Vuze my eth was 5.. so don't just blindly put in 4.. find the correct adapter number.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 11:46 am
    drd71

    Frenata writes...

    4. In the box that states Bind to Local IP type eth4. This is PIA TAP Adapter.

    Is this for Windows � I was told to type in "tun0" into the box Bind to Local IP??

    Ps I'm on a mac??

  • 2015-Jun-29, 7:24 pm
    Who needs Identity

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    s that enough?

    No idea mate. TBH PIA using Softlayer servers is pretty tight arse. There's much better hosts out there.

  • 2015-Jun-29, 7:24 pm
    batfink0767
    this post was edited

    fysho writes...

    Vuze my eth was 5.. so don't just blindly put in 4.. find the correct adapter number.

    +1 agreed,
    when using Vuze on my windows 7 laptop the correct one is this- eth5 (TAP-Win32 Adapter V9)
    eth4 is listed as eth4 (Bluetooth Personal Area Network).

  • 2015-Jun-30, 1:58 pm
    the Unforgiven

    Who needs Identity writes...

    PIA using Softlayer servers is pretty tight arse

    bugger :)

    There's much better hosts out there

    the truth is out there ;)

    cheers

  • 2015-Jun-30, 1:58 pm
    Frenata

    Eth4 is for windows, I believe you are correct for Mac it is tun0.
    Eth4 worked for me. I have not tried Eth5.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 1:59 pm
    Dilligaf

    So I have PIA and am thinking of using vuze for this feature.
    trouble is I dont quite get the advice regarding the vuze settings
    can this be clarified easily - as in how do I work it out which eth etc?

  • 2015-Jun-30, 1:59 pm
    batfink0767
  • chopinhauer

    Simo135 writes...

    Would I still need to set-up a proxy if I am routing all my traffic through PIA's VPN anyway? I thought either VPN OR proxy would do the same thing re: Bittorrent? Or do I need to use both a proxy and a VPN simultaneously?

    Did this question on page one of the thread ever get an answer. If so, I couldn't spot it so could somebody please say it as being a VPN noob I'd really like to know.

  • 2tyres

    I have to say I'm a touch annoyed with whirlpool that the PIA ip address i have is being blocked by them. That is counterproductive!

  • 2015-Jun-30, 6:16 pm
    Anunnaki

    chopinhauer writes...

    Did this question on page one of the thread ever get an answer. If so, I couldn't spot it so could somebody please say it as being a VPN noob I'd really like to know.

    You only need one, i would go with VPN.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 6:16 pm
    chopinhauer

    Anunnaki writes...

    You only need one, i would go with VPN.

    Thanks, I'll do that in the event I go back to torrenting in this new '1984' environment.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 8:36 pm
    ozigoo
    this post was edited

    If you install PIA first have it running, then download and install Vuze second , the current version of Vuze automatically recognizes you have a VPN running and a pop up box comes up asking if you want Vuze to direct all traffic through the VPN, if you click yes, it sets up all the settings for you automatically...
    If your a noob like me, its easy and might be worth uninstalling and reinstalling Vuze to get it to do this...

  • 2015-Jun-30, 8:36 pm
    hendo

    So is Vuze safer to use than UTorrent? I currently use U Torrent but will change if it is quicker and safer.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:00 pm
    fysho

    hendo writes...

    is Vuze safer to use

    Just my opinion.. but the amount of extraneous junk getting shoved into your Vuze install leads me to believe that there are way better options around that don't have as many 'potential' susceptibilities in them as Vuze. I've recently gone from vuze.. bloated, to deluge.. wouldn't download worth a damn no matter what I did to the settings.. to qbitorrent.. that "Just downloads the things I want without erroring, bloating, throttling or any other "ing" except *downloading*.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:00 pm
    Drufazz

    With the current WOW outage I signed up with PIA as a few people said they could still play through a VPN. It's working, but the ping is 700ms+. Using the Sydney gateway. Did read a post here someone experiencing the same high pings and no solution to it.

    Cheers,

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:26 pm
    fysho

    Drufazz writes...

    the ping is 700ms+

    I'd be happy as a pig in poo if I could keep my ping down in the low 700's.. but then I'm on satellite and shouldn't expect a real broadband connection because of my errant "lifestyle choice"... according to the Minister for all things not related to God or Coal.. or his panting lapdogs.

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:26 pm
    clarktek

    Does anyone else find that PIA is very slow when connected to the VPN even if your connected to the Aus Servers? i couldnt even use Youtube connected to the Calafonia servers? and torrent downloading is at best 1mb sec using proxy setting in utorrent

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:30 pm
    Total Recall

    clarktek writes...

    Does anyone else find that PIA is very slow when connected to the VPN even if your connected to the Aus Servers?

    Sometimes I do find it sporadic, I just disconnect and reconnect and it helps.

    Speed wise, not a huge difference.

    With PIA Sydney http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4474379359
    Without it http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/4474381665

  • 2015-Jun-30, 9:30 pm
    Jackpackage

    clarktek writes...

    oes anyone else find that PIA is very slow when connected to the VPN even if your connected to the Aus Servers? i couldnt even use Youtube connected to the Calafonia servers? and torrent downloading is at best 1mb sec using proxy setting in utorrent

    I find general day to day browsing the net fine, it's when downloading I get terrible speeds but I'm not sure if it's a congestion issues with Telstra.

    As an example, last night went to download The Zoo Ep 1 � it was downloading at an average of 15KBPS up untill around 10:30 it shot up to 1.3mbps?!

    I usually don't mind if it takes a while as I usually watch the show the next day or save them up for a mini marathon but last night was frustating. Been thinking about getting a VPS or Seedbox and those sort of speeds are making it more likely I'll do it sooner than later.

  • TEMPA

    Jackpackage writes...

    As an example, last night went to download a Linux distro � it was downloading at an average of 15KBPS up untill around 10:30 it shot up to 1.3mbps?!

    Fixed your post for you...... ;)

  • GeoQuack

    clarktek writes...

    Does anyone else find that PIA is very slow when connected to the VPN even if your connected to the Aus Servers?

    International can be a bit variable, but Australian servers always seem fast. This is from my phone connected to the Melbourne server via work's wireless network. http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/1348087286

  • 2015-Jul-1, 11:22 am
    Dimtar
  • 2015-Jul-1, 11:22 am
    Total Recall

    Dimtar writes...

    Deal on for 4th July. 2 years for $60:
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/slickdeals-fourth-of-july

    That's awesome value, shame I just started my second year with them in May. If I could buy it now and leave it for my current sub to expire I would but from my understanding the service starts when the sub is activated.

    I wonder how this will work with gift card payments.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 9:55 am
    Mr Gimlet

    Total Recall writes...

    That's awesome value

    None of their offers are available to existing customers.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 9:55 am
    Total Recall

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    None of their offers are available to existing customers.

    I have always paid via GC so user/pw have been different, paying via PayPal in the future will be a better choice because it's far better value compared to a GC of $50/366 days vs $39.95/365 days.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 10:16 am
    rickmck

    Mr Gimlet writes...

    None of their offers are available to existing customers.

    I spoke to PIA and existing customers just need to cancel their account and then sign up to the new deal . No problems. Of course you lose any time you had left on your old account .

  • 2015-Jul-3, 10:16 am
    the Unforgiven

    rickmck writes...

    you lose any time you had left on your old account

    or give that old account to a mate

    cheers

  • 2015-Jul-3, 12:58 pm
    Mr Gimlet

    rickmck writes...

    I spoke to PIA and existing customers just need to cancel their account and then sign up to the new deal

    Thanks for that

  • 2015-Jul-3, 12:58 pm
    XxHarryxX

    Is PIA mode of currency in terms of USD? I want to try it for a month and want to make the payment via prepaid cards(to be bought from Woolworths). What denomination shall cover the full payment considering the overseas transaction fee or other expenses, if any?

  • 2015-Jul-3, 1:57 pm
    the Unforgiven

    XxHarryxX writes...

    Is PIA mode of currency in terms of USD?

    yes

    What denomination shall cover the full payment

    google the amount for a conversion from US(amount) to AUD

    cheers

  • 2015-Jul-3, 1:57 pm
    Liability

    hendo writes...

    So is Vuze safer to use than UTorrent? I currently use U Torrent but will change if it is quicker and safer.

    A bit of a late response, but the only torrent client that I have found that "respects" proxy settings is Deluge.

    If you use the PIA proxy settings in Deluge it will only download from that proxy. Other clients, such as utorrent, will download from your "real" connection if the proxy drops out.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 2:03 pm
    TEMPA

    Liability writes...

    If you use the PIA proxy settings in Deluge it will only download from that proxy. Other clients, such as utorrent, will download from your "real" connection if the proxy drops out.

    Hence why I use the PIA proxy within the PIA VPN....

  • 2015-Jul-3, 2:03 pm
    JoffaR

    Been using the OpenVPN client as a replacement for the flaky pia windows client for last couple of days.
    Seems a lot more solid and you can actually connect/disconnect/re-connect without it crapping out on you.

  • JoffaR

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    google the amount for a conversion from US(amount) to AUD

    And factor an extra 5% for the cream that visa/paypal skim from the transaction to be safe.

  • Liability

    TEMPA writes...

    Hence why I use the PIA proxy within the PIA VPN....

    If you use Deluge then you only need to use the PIA proxy, no point in running the VPN as well, that just slows things down.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 5:24 pm
    the Unforgiven

    JoffaR writes...

    And factor an extra 5% for the cream that visa/paypal skim from the transaction to be safe

    true, I forgot to mention that ripoff extra they do, thanks

    cheers

  • 2015-Jul-3, 5:24 pm
    Mungrel

    Hi Guys

    I have been reading the posts here as I am setting up a spare box here solely for torrenting and am looking for a VPN to use on it.

    I understand the basics of a VPN but am still uncertain of the best one to use, as I am not wanting to start and stop it so I can surf the web or anything, it will be on all the time the computer is on as the computer is only one of the ones on my home network and it has only one purpose.

    I tried IPVanish for a month and it seemed ok, but I am still unsure of which one would get me the most consistent download speeds. It is rare that I need something as soon as it finished downloading as most of the time I just set it to go while I am at work or asleep etc.

    I see a lot of converation about AU servers etc but I figure that nowadays with everyone getting more VPN aware, there will be a lot more people using AU servers and therefore more congestion = slower speeds. I have had some success using asian servers using IPVanish, but it can be a pain finding a decent server depending on the time of day etc.

    Is PIA a decent alternative or are there better options?

    Im not fussed about paying with gift cards etc as I believe that is unwarranted. Its not illegal to have a VPN and it doesnt mean you are doing anything illegal with it so I dont see any reason for going to that level of caution.

    Thanks

  • 2015-Jul-3, 6:22 pm
    Liability

    Mungrel writes...

    Is PIA a decent alternative or are there better options?

    I have found PIA to be fine.

    I normally only use it for torrents, so I have set up Deluge to use the PIA proxy. This is all you need to do if you are only worried about torrents. No need to install the PIA VPN software, or run it, if you just use Deluge to download torrents.

    If you want to install the PIA VPN software, you can run it if you ever want to use the VPN for browsing.

    Edit - just to be clear, if you are setting up a spare box just for torrenting, use the Deluge torrent client with the PIA proxy settings and all will good. No need to do anything else. Deluge will only download through those proxy settings, if the proxy drops out Deluge will stop downloading, it will not use your "normal" internet connection - unlike most other torrent clients.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 6:22 pm
    Mungrel

    Liability writes...

    install the PIA VPN software, you can run it if you ever want to use the VPN for browsing.

    but isnt this what you are doing to get the torrent before you download the file?

    if you are only worried about torrents. No need to install the PIA VPN software, or run it

    does this mean I dont have to actually join up to PIA? I can just get their proxy settings and go? :)

  • 2015-Jul-3, 8:31 pm
    PkV

    Liability writes...

    use the Deluge torrent client with the PIA proxy settings and all will good.

    I use PIA ( Location: Netherlands ) with FireFox (webrtc disabled) I have a seedbox that is based in the Netherlands as well
    and downloading from my seedbox using a FTP connection ( FTP Client is Bitkinex 3.2 )

    Is this setup secure and hidden enough from prying Eyes 8-)

  • 2015-Jul-3, 8:31 pm
    billybanana

    Mungrel writes...

    does this mean I dont have to actually join up to PIA? I can just get their proxy settings and go?

    You have to enter your PIA username & password in the proxy settings. So yes still need to join.

  • 2015-Jul-3, 9:20 pm
    Mungrel

    billybanana writes...

    So yes still need to join

    bugger! lol

  • 2015-Jul-3, 9:20 pm
    Liability

    PkV writes...

    Is this setup secure and hidden enough from prying Eyes 8-)

    All you need to do is stop your real IP address from appearing in torrent swarms. That is how you get caught out with torrents.

    The way that people are caught out with torrents is not rocket science. If you look at your torrent program you will see a list of the IP adresses of the seeds and peers. All the tracking software used by "the enforcers" does is to log the details of that IP address. If they don't have your real IP address they don't know you exist.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 12:17 am
    TEMPA

    Liability writes...

    so I have set up Deluge to use the PIA proxy.

    Can you please advise how to fill out the proxy fields in Deluge? And how many of them to fill out? uTorrent only has one proxy section to complete, the Deluge I downloaded and installed has 4 proxy fields!

  • 2015-Jul-5, 12:17 am
    Liability

    TEMPA writes...

    Can you please advise how to fill out the proxy fields in Deluge?

    You need to fill out all 4 proxy fields with the proxy details from PIA.

    I don't have my PIA login details handy to log on and check, but if you log into your PIA account there were will be a proxy settings page somewhere, you need to generate a proxy user id and password on that page, which be will different from your normal PIA login details.

    In deluge proxy settings you need to select "socks 5 with auth", put in your proxy username and password and proxy-nl.privateinternetaccess.com as host and 1080 as port.

    I get around 80% of my normal maximum torrent speed using the PIA proxy and deluge.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 7:57 am
    Oceang

    Dimtar writes...

    Deal on for 4th July. 2 years for $60:
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/slickdeals-fourth-of-july

    I am trying to sign up for this using Paypal. When it gets through to Paypal and I sign on it doesn't get past the process of asking me for security questions. I get an obscure Paypal error message.

    I can sign on to Paypal independently and it works fine.

    I have tried this on 3 computers and my Android phone.

    Anyone else having this issue?

  • 2015-Jul-5, 7:57 am
    Aldi Rocks

    I don't think you are, and it shouldn't matter, but are you using a vpn? I"m blocked from paying for certain things using my vpn. The business it'self is responsible

  • 2015-Jul-5, 11:19 am
    TEMPA

    Liability writes...

    You need to fill out all 4 proxy fields with the proxy details from PIA.

    Thanks for that! That was what I wasn't sure of � if I needed to do all 4 fields.

    Thanks again.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 11:19 am
    Oceang

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    I don't think you are, and it shouldn't matter, but are you using a vpn?

    If you are asking me, no I am not using a VPN and always use Paypal to pay for things online, eg eBay, software, etc. without any issues. I probably use Paypal at least once a week currently.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 11:47 am
    altoalto

    Is it possible to use the DNS Leak setting over the OpenVPN? There is no option to turn it on.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 11:47 am
    JoffaR

    altoalto writes...

    Is it possible to use the DNS Leak setting over the OpenVPN? There is no option to turn it on.

    Google will show you what adapter settings to change to sort out dns leakage.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 1:38 pm
    Oceang

    I finally decided to use one of my spare debit cards. Loaded AUD80 on it and got it processed.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 1:38 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    rickmck writes...

    I spoke to PIA and existing customers just need to cancel their account and then sign up to the new deal . No problems. Of course you lose any time you had left on your old account .

    There's no point in doing that. When your subscription is about to expire PIA send you an email to resubscribe 12months for $32. There's very little to save with this current offer & you are stuck with them for 2 years when maybe they become embroied in a privacy scandal where they hand over identifiable info to police/copyright lawyers in a few months or even they could be blocked in Australia soon due to being such a large company & promoting torrents

  • 2015-Jul-5, 1:48 pm
    Kooratz

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    There's no point in doing that. When your subscription is about to expire PIA send you an email to resubscribe 12months for $32.

    Thanks for that, I was about to buy that 2 years subscription..., will wait for my email next month...
    cheers,

  • 2015-Jul-5, 1:48 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    You should get the email a month before your subscirption ends. This is the link anyway

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/rejoin-vpn-subscription

  • 2015-Jul-5, 2:48 pm
    rickmck

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    There's no point in doing that. When your subscription is about to expire PIA send you an email to resubscribe 12months for $32. There's very little to save with this current offer & you are stuck with them for 2 years when maybe they become embroied in a privacy scandal where they hand over identifiable info to police/copyright lawyers in a few months or even they could be blocked in Australia soon due to being such a large company & promoting torrents

    You save about $5 by doing this. Vpns main use is for privacy not breaching copyright. The government has stated that they will not be targeting them. Most businesses use vpns for security so I can't see the government touching them. If they don't keep logs then there is nothing to hand over ! PIA does not promote torrents ! You sound paranoid .

  • 2015-Jul-5, 2:48 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    rickmck writes...

    he government has stated that they will not be targeting them

    They have said that for now but if you read the actual legislation there is nothing stopping them blocking vpn's that assist in copyright infringement.

    If they don't keep logs then there is nothing to hand over ! PIA does not promote torrents

    They see your real IP each time you connect & for the duration of your connection. Not sure if the historical recording of IP's matter that much. PIA have a proxy for torrents & port forwarding for torrents. You may say it's not necessarily for that use the fact is that it greatly enhances torrent use. They also state "P2P and VoIP Support"

  • 2015-Jul-5, 4:01 pm
    rickmck

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    They have said that for now but if you read the actual legislation there is nothing stopping them blocking vpn's that assist in copyright infringement.

    The legislation states that a sites main purpose must be to aid in copyright breaching. A VPNs main purpose is security, privacy and avoiding geoblocking. Torrenting is not illegal it has many legal uses.
    The government does not want to stop copyright breaches it just wants to be seen to be trying to stop it . To keep the large companies happy. It's impossible to stop it altogether. Almost half of what is on youtube breaches copyright but they don't seem worried about that !

  • 2015-Jul-5, 4:01 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    rickmck writes...

    Almost half of what is on youtube breaches copyright but they don't seem worried about that !

    Youtube abide by DMCA laws. Piratebay doesn't so will be blocked, & the government could later argue that a vpn that facilitates a connection to the likes of piratebay must block piratebay or be banned it'self. The copyright lobyistts are so powerful they got both sides of the government to agree to censoring of the internet, they have further potential for great evil.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 5:13 pm
    DaveTheMan

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    Youtube abide by DMCA laws. Piratebay doesn't so will be blocked, & the government could later argue that a vpn that facilitates a connection to the likes of piratebay must block piratebay or be banned it'self. The copyright lobyistts are so powerful they got both sides of the government to agree to censoring of the internet, they have further potential for great evil.

    Google is a Big Business so they will Comply with there Mates

  • 2015-Jul-5, 5:13 pm
    DaveTheMan

    rickmck writes...

    You save about $5 by doing this. Vpns main use is for privacy not breaching copyright. The government has stated that they will not be targeting them. Most businesses use vpns for security so I can't see the government touching them. If they don't keep logs then there is nothing to hand over ! PIA does not promote torrents ! You sound paranoid .

    What the Government Says and Does are 2 Entirely Different Things

  • 2015-Jul-5, 6:24 pm
    rickmck

    Time will tell , I just took up the 2 year deal and I'm not worried. It takes governments years to do anything. I don't see any sites blocked yet ! And only a fool would give the DBC any money.

  • 2015-Jul-5, 6:24 pm
    Not Mr Conroy

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    They have said that for now but if you read the actual legislation there is nothing stopping them blocking vpn's that assist in copyright infringemen

    Uh, then that would be all of them....

    I'd enjoy seeing this happen. Watch government try to effectively shut down much of Australias business internet traffic, and subsequently get lampooned for being the dickheads they are.

  • Aldi Rocks

    If PIA really had a lot of non piracy business users they could set rules for any connections geolocating from Australia. Servers must abide by Australian block list & more severe & hopefully not ever even expressed as an idea block torrent traffic through all vpn servers Australians connect to. Obviously the act of torrenting it'self should never be an issue.

    So there are way of not affecting business, which is worrying

  • Mr Gimlet

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    hey could set rules

    They could. What makes you think that they would?

  • 2015-Jul-6, 10:06 am
    Aldi Rocks

    They would to remain operational in Australia with business, non torrent users. We already see how they block torrents on Australian, US and other servers with a strong stand on copyright,, even though torrenting does not equal piracy.

    I"m saying if Government were to say block Au banlist & block AU from torrenting or PIA is blocked in Australia they would have to comply or they lose all non piracy business in Australia. Not to say that will happen but it could under current legislation.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 10:06 am
    Jackpackage

    Hey all, just picked up a new Asus AC2400 router and was thinking of putting PIA on the router level over using the client desk application.

    Are there any speed benefits with this at all ?

  • 2015-Jul-6, 10:50 am
    Oceang

    I am new to VPN, so I have been relying on this foum and other forums for my education in this subject.

    I have just purchased PIA for three main reasons:

    1. Avoid geo-blocking both here and when travelling overseas.
    2. Encrypted traffic when using Wi-Fi overseas, either in public or hotels.
    2. Protect my childrens download activities.

    So I have got it successfully installed on my Surface Pro and my Samsung S5 and it seems to be OK, though I wouldnt want to use it all the time as it slows down my Internet significantly even when I select local servers. I will probably leave it turned off at home after I finish testing and turn it on when I travel.

    My real open issue is the following:

    My childrens computers are setup with them as standard users, with another account on each machine for me to use in Administrator mode.

    I have installed it OK under my account, but when I restart the PC and login under a standard user account, VPN is not active or accessible.

    How can I setup these machines so that either VPN is on all the time, or at least they can turn it on and off as required?

    I am still within my 7 days cooling off, so is this an issue for all VPN's or just PIA.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 10:50 am
    Chuggington

    Oceang writes...

    I have installed it OK under my account, but when I restart the PC and login under a standard user account, VPN is not active or accessible.

    VPNs under windows are per user unless you specify the "Allow other people to use this connection".

  • 2015-Jul-6, 3:08 pm
    batfink0767

    Oceang writes...

    How can I setup these machines so that either VPN is on all the time,

    There is a setting in the PIA client for "start application at logon".

  • 2015-Jul-6, 3:08 pm
    Oceang

    Chuggington writes...

    VPNs under windows are per user unless you specify the "Allow other people to use this connection".

    PIA doesnt have this option from what I can see. Should I just install it again the other account as well?

  • 2015-Jul-6, 3:54 pm
    Oceang

    batfink0767 writes...

    There is a setting in the PIA client for "start application at logon".

    I have that set already.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 3:54 pm
    Mungrel

    Ok I will stir the pot a bit here.

    I am looking at getting PIA as a VPN but am wondering how many servers they have that allow P2P (shhh thats torrenting)?

    Which ones are the best from people experiences and what sort of speed hits am I to expect? � I realise there will be a speed hit whoever I go through.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:14 pm
    Chuggington

    Mungrel writes...

    (shhh thats torrenting)?

    Torrenting is perfectly legal.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:14 pm
    batfink0767

    They all allow PTP as far as i know, if you want to port forward then these servers work,
    CA Toronto
    CA North York
    Netherlands
    Switzerland
    Sweden
    France
    Germany
    Russia
    Romania
    Hong Kong
    Israel
    I can max out my connections on PTP downloads 12mbits/sec, i only notice a small speed hit when doing general browsing.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:18 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    It looks like PIA have reduced their annual price to $32 a year now as standard, rather then being a sale?

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:18 pm
    JoffaR

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    It looks like PIA have reduced their annual price to $32 a year now as standard, rather then being a sale?

    Where are you seeing this price? Shows as $39.95 for me

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:58 pm
    Aldi Rocks
  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:58 pm
    JoffaR

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    It shows $31.95US for me

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/

    Still $39.95 for me. You must have picked up a special cookie somewhere.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:59 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    Yes I have confirmed your premise. price is $31.95 on chrome, but $39.95 on firefox. Anyway that answers my question. Their standard price is still the same

  • 2015-Jul-6, 4:59 pm
    Waz

    It appears that USD31.95 is available for resubscribers.

  • 2015-Jul-6, 5:04 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    Waz yeah that's where they give you the cookie, so for US$31.95 new user annual sub first go to
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/rejoin-vpn-subscription

    then

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/

  • 2015-Jul-6, 5:04 pm
    marbles

    Oceang writes...

    PIA doesnt have this option from what I can see. Should I just install it again the other account as well?

    I had this issue, it wouldnt work when a second user account logged on to windows.

    To fix it, go into scheduled tasks and find the one which launches PIA at "any user logon", export it as xml, then import it and give it a different name.

    Change the credentials which launch PIA to be the second user account (General Tab, Security Options). Change the "Trigger" to be logon of the specific second user, instead of any user. You should end up with a task for each user, using the credentials of that user. Then launches successfully for both users at logon

  • 2015-Jul-7, 7:19 pm
    Altais

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    If PIA really had a lot of non piracy business users

    They have in there term of service that your licence only allows non-commercial use......

    Privateinternetaccess.com grants you a personal, limited, non- exclusive license to use an account to which you have access for your personal, private, non-commercial, non-transferable, limited uses solely as set forth herein and as set forth in any additional documentation and/or agreements applicable to the Services accessed by you.

    Reference: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/terms-of-service/

  • 2015-Jul-7, 7:19 pm
    gloonk

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    Waz yeah that's where they give you the cookie, so for US$31.95 new user annual sub first go to
    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/rejoin-vpn-subscription

    then

    https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/

    thanks for that. Ive now got a vpn :)

  • Oceang

    marbles writes...

    To fix it, go into scheduled tasks and find the one which launches PIA at "any user logon", export it as xml, then import it and give it a different name.

    Thanks I will try this tomorrow when I have access to the machine.

  • jjcoolaus
    O.P.

    Drufazz writes...

    With the current WOW outage I signed up with PIA as a few people said they could still play through a VPN.

    A VPN will give you high gaming pings. Have you tried changing your computer's DNS settings to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 instead? If that works, do it on your router for every machine/phone/tablet at your place.

  • 2015-Jul-7, 9:56 pm
    brettmo86

    Wondering if anyone else has the same issue as me:
    Running PIA openvpn via my netgear WNDR3800 router.
    Everything works OK via laptops.
    However, on my android phone a couple of websites don't work and the fb mobile app also doesn't load anything, just gets a constant spinning circle. google search also doesn't work...

    Disable vpn and everything works.

    Any ideas?

  • 2015-Jul-7, 9:56 pm
    the Unforgiven

    DNS settings on your Android?

  • 2015-Jul-8, 4:32 pm
    brettmo86

    Bear_drinks_beer writes...

    DNS settings on your Android?

    Don't think so.
    It's getting the google dns servers, same as laptop. DNS servers set in router.
    I set them manually on my phone just to make sure, no dice.

  • 2015-Jul-8, 4:32 pm
    Rat

    I can't get PIA to connect to ANY servers today, last few days it has been getting more and more difficult to connect, today I can't at all.

    Restarted PC and modem, no go, tried all the setting changes on the PIA forum, no go, uninstalled PIA and reinstalled, no go :(

  • Ray

    I can't get PIA to connect to ANY servers today, last few days it has been getting more and more difficult to connect, today I can't at all.

    Worked fine for me this afternoon connected to Amsterdam. Have had no connection issues at all recently.

  • Oceang

    marbles writes...

    To fix it, go into scheduled tasks and find the one which launches PIA at "any user logon", export it as xml, then import it and give it a different name.

    Thanks Marbles. I tested this afternoon and this approach works.

    One question. When I switched back to the admin user on the machine (me) without logging off first, and then switched back, PIA disconnected. Is that what you would expect.

    Thanks again for your assistance.

    I can work with what you proposed in our situation, as normally may child would be the only one signed on to the machine.

  • 2015-Jul-8, 7:57 pm
    Rat

    I'm on now, for some reason Tinywall had decided to block my VPN, I had tried putting it in learning mode and when that didn't work I went looking for other reasons, but then I totally disabled my firewall and I connected OK. Will have to update my exceptions, something must have changed or updated.

  • 2015-Jul-8, 7:57 pm
    Kable

    Anyone that uses PIA on mac have an issue when changing users/logging into a second account pia will not load or show. Yet strangely it's working still. Is there an option I'm missing so we can see PIA loaded in the task bar of both login accounts.

  • 2015-Jul-8, 9:16 pm
    MBRMC
    this post was edited

    Hi - can anyone help me out? I have a raspberry pi 2 running raspbian, with deluge daemon and openvpn with pia. I can only get an open incoming connection when I use port forwarding in my router and have openvpn switched off - under these conditions it works fine. As soon as I switch on openvpn I lose the incoming connections (though I can still download). What is openvpn doing that breaks my router's port forwarding? Router is a Netcomm N600 (NB16WV-02).

    Update: even though Deluge client is reporting no incoming connections (and the port test fails) I still seem able to both download and upload (though uploading is very slow). I'm not sure what tests I need to run to find out why this is the case or if everything is working as it should.

  • 2015-Jul-8, 9:16 pm
    Jace
  • 2015-Jul-9, 5:16 pm
    zzaaac

    Quick question from a complete newbie.

    I thinking of signing up to their year plan. Do they bill me month to month, or the whole price at one go?

    Also does it auto renew?

  • 2015-Jul-9, 5:16 pm
    XxHarryxX

    El Tito writes...

    I thinking of signing up to their year plan. Do they bill me month to month, or the whole price at one go?

    If you take an yearly plan it will be one-off payment.

    Also does it auto renew?

    I think they send you a reminder with a small discount to renew.

  • 2015-Jul-9, 5:36 pm
    batfink0767
    this post was edited

    El Tito writes...

    Also does it auto renew?

    I payed with Paypal for 12 mnths, it is a recurring payment/subscription unless you cancel.
    If you cancel the subscription/recurring payment, you can still use the service until the end of the plan date you paid for expires.

    FEES
    You acknowledge that PrivateInternetAccess.com reserves the right to create a subscription service through one or more third party merchants. Payments will be charged on the day you sign up for service and will cover use of that service for the duration of one (1) month, six (6) months, one (1) year, two (2) year or a �lifetime� account without subscription depending on the service plan level. A subscription plan is an automatic payment recurring based on the service plan with the exception of the two (2) year subscription, which will not be automatically renewed if the original subscription was paid for via the Credit Card payment option.

    edit-there is a 7 day refund policy if you aren't satisfied and want to cancel/

    If you are less than 100% satisfied with the PrivateInternetAccess.com VPN service, we will gladly refund your payment if the refund is requested within seven (7) days from the date of the purchase. Requests made later than the 7 day purchase date window will be denied.

  • 2015-Jul-9, 5:36 pm
    Kampua

    I am getting error from the browsers saying the security certificate has problem when I try to visit PIA web site. Do others experience the same?

  • 2015-Jul-9, 6:54 pm
    Aldi Rocks

    Is the turnning of re-sub within PIA menus or within Paypal?

    Not familiar with eithere.

  • 2015-Jul-9, 6:54 pm
    TEMPA

    Aldi Rocks writes...

    Is the turnning of re-sub within PIA menus or within Paypal?

    Not familiar with either.

    It's in Client Control Panel on the PIA site but I cancelled there and also cancelled the renewal authorisation in Paypal as well.

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