Hi guys,
This is not the same as the previous posts is posted. Apologies if it is.
I am looking for a VPN that can at least serve the purpose of blocking my brother from monitoring and spying on computers connected to the network. I have trouble understanding the jargons of VPN's features, the encryption types. Just need one for this purpose.
A provider that gives VPNs for more than one device would be great also, and if there's a bargain that would also be great.
Thanks in advance
If the traffic is sent encrypted, MITM attacks won't work. In this case, a VPN will work.
It'll work if the VPN connection is created in computer rather than in router.
But what's the actual problem OP?
Unless your brother is particularly skilled, I'm guessing that you really just want to stop your brother snooping through your files?
If so, VPN is WAAAY overkill and you should just turn off sharing… or password protect your machine so he needs a password to access shared folders.
He has an attacker on the local network. A VPN is not overkill.
Yeah, an "attacker" who is his/her brother…
Sure, a VPN might be necessary, but it seems unusual that someone's brother is doing anything more nefarious than just "being a dick".
The OP doesn't actually specify what the "attack" is, so it may be more than that, but most likely that's all it is… and in that case, a VPN is overkill and will result in a significantly reduced online experience for the OP when an easier, cheaper and more efficient solution exists to solve the problem.
@scubacoles: Password protected for file sharing checked.
My brother is ridiculously annoying. I'm not sure if without VPN will fix the problem because he has this habit of snooping around other people's business, it's embedded in his genes. Here's what I mean.
He's an 'internet wizard'. He manages, does the internet modem, router configuration things. So I think he can essentially monitor and spy every family member's internet activity which are connected via wifi. Everything I do on the computer, every conversation I have with my friends online, google searches, every activity is can spy on. Even if my computer is locked in my room, I feel that he could remotely access it via wifi (if possible).
When I called my friend, my bro listens to our convo from another phone line (I know cause he talked into it). I'm really annoyed from his habit of snooping around. I've had enough cause he just installed a surveillance camera in the hallway when he's not even in charge of the house. He doesn't even know how someone would feel if they're constantly being watched 24/7 let alone how parents would feel him doing that, a camera sticking at them 24/7. I feel like I don't have the privacy and freedom that everyone has. I feel restricted, and it makes me feel unhappy. Imagine your whole life, someone watching you, seeing your activity everything you do microscoped, when and what time you stepped out of the house, overhearing conversations you make.
So having VPN will at least solve one problem since a portion of the snooping revolves around computing. I'm pissed because he likes to listen to me talking with my friends, teases about this. Like wtf man? and how about some freedom? I'm gonna fck up his surveillance camera next.
I'm still young and it will take years to rent a house if you'd ask. That's my long term goal.
How do your parents let him install cctv inside your house?
If your sibling is truly as big of a sociopath as you make him out to be, then I would be inclined to suggest that you still have a few options to consider before resorting to a VPN.
1) Get your own line… If you can afford it, run a second phone line installed. You'll kill two birds with one stone here - no more snooping on your calls, plus you can put ADSL on it too.
2) Go wireless… buy a mobile hotspot or 4G capable modem router and sign yourself up for one of the cheaper plans. You won't be torrenting through your connection, but your browsing will be safe from his prying.
If you do go the VPN route… I'd try to find one with an australian presence. It will be a lot less hassle not to have to explain to your banks etc, why your logins orginate from the other side of the planet.
@airzone: They don't. They like me are just tired of his habits. He could do whatever he want and my parents feel helpless because he is too dominant.
@PeeDee:
OK, agreed that a VPN is a good solution for this type of behaviour.
Maybe see if a friendly neighbor will allow you on their network (assuming their network is in range, friendly with the neighbor and trustworthy)
Although, personally I'd be going the bikie route to solve the problem at the source!
I just use the free VPN that comes with my Getflix subscription. Performance is good enough and it's "free" if you can convince someone to pay for the Netflix unlocking feature that is the actual selling point of Getflix.
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
Also that's only the case if you do it on the router, if you do it on your machine it's fine.
Try Opera's free VPN? Note that this will only obfuscate what you do in your browser. Things like playing games/torrenting will need a full VPN connection.
Opera VPN doesn't work. Theirs is not encrypted
This isn't correct. They call it a Browser VPN - I.e. It's a HTTPS/SSL connection via a Proxy. So you couldn't turn it on and then run another program on your computer and expect it to be secure. But it'll be fine for everything inside Opera.
Not sure where you got your information from, I could only find this reference and it's been updated with Opera's response: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2016/04/22/opera-browser-vpn…
If it wasn't encrypted, it'd be extraordinarily easy to prove.
I would be a bit wary of using the Opera VPN after reading this thread - They are being acquired by a Chinese company, which allegedly cheated.
Use incognito for any online candid sexy time activities
start googling things like "how to get away with murdering my brother"
Maybe use Tor?
How can we block the family members with VPN?
Configure your firewall accordingly.
I'm running PIA (Private Internet Access), and works quite well. Supports multiple devices.
Isn't all traffic on HTTPS is encrypted on the computer itself?? Even if he can get the data packets by snooping the router, he still cannot know the contents of chat, email etc apart from few IP Addresses. You would need the HTTPS certificate public/private key to decrypt. Without the keys it's not to possible to read the contents. A VPN would encrypt all data that originates from your computer. In your case it helps only when the encryption is done on the device side.
Based on the things you explained, it's better to get him to a psychiatrist than protecting your network. It seems like a serious case of paranoia to install CCTV inside the home.
Ive been using these guys for 12 months now. Excellent speed and Australian servers. Ive got it installed on 5 PC's and 1 phone for the one subscription.
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/
These Aussie cats can let you access USA Netflix so probably worth a look and the 3 day trial.
http://vanishedvpn.com/pricing.html
https://vanishedvpn.com/unblock-us-netflix.html
See article: http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/05/aussie-vpn-has-found-a-…
It's a worry if he can actually see your Google searches; they've been SSL only with HSTS preload enabled for a few years now. Even if he installed a rogue root certificate on your box and ran an MITM proxy on the router you should still be safe with Google… with a recent Chrome or Firefox version anyway.
He sounds sick enough that I wouldn't be surprised if he installed a remote access tool (aka RAT) on your box(es). Even the entry level ones script kiddies have will let you keylog, MITM more effectively, screen view, access the local file system and just generally control the system from the comfort of your dank basement lair… with your little fluffy white dog named Precious keeping you company.
That'll negate any benefits a VPN can provide, if he knows what he's doing. AV won't help much (IMO it's typically worthless) but a complete wipe of the system + strong BIOS password + EFI secure boot + full disk encryption + strict no ingress firewall + always-on VPN downloaded and installed while connected to a secure (not yours) network + glue up all the USB/eSATA/Firewire ports + physically lock the case with tamper evident seals + constant vigilance will be enough to deter the average skilled attacker. Just pray the RAT he downloaded from sociopathmarketplace.com didn't utilise an SMM exploit to gain BIOS persistence.
Not many practical options for recourse here since he has physical access to the system. You've got more of a human problem than a computer problem.
So… bikies?
Checking out some funky websites then eh bro?
Just create a guest user on your router and ask him to use that user to login wireless-ly. You can place restrictions on guest user activities.
Although I dont know if you want to just keep him off your case or generally want him to stop doing this as it can lead to consequences. If its the latter, I believe, only educating him about this will help. Because, if this limitations were being applied on me without educating me about the repercussions, sure as hell, I will find a way around the limitation.
Is your brother trying to be a spy?
Your brother sounds like a f**king freak. Listening to you and your friends conversations, going through your personal files, installing CTV inside the actual house.
1 Year Free Premium VPN here
http://www.freesharewares.com/2016/07/okayfreedom-vpn-1-year…
A VPN won't stop your brother from accessing your computer from the local network, but it will hide all of your traffic.
If you suspect he may have installed software to allow him to access your computer remotely, then you might want to format the HDD and reinstall from scratch. Make sure you install a firewall or turn on the built in firewall in Windows.
When you connect to wifi, Windows normally asks what type of network you're connecting to. Pick the option that resembles "hotel", "hotspot" or "travelling". That normally disables any form of sharing/methods to access your PC.
To stop him from booting off a USB flash drive or CD-ROM and accessing your HDD and/or resetting your password, make sure you encrypt your HDD after installing the operating system. Assuming you're using Windows, enable Bitlocker.
Hope this helps…
One more alternative which I don't recommend.
Unauthorised computer access and snooping on phone calls are federal offences. Not sure what law installing CCTV cameras without permission is breaking.
You could try press charges if you have enough evidence.
That would really mess up family life though.
So your family is busting your chops on privacy hey?
Well then, get on their computers login with their passwords and download all the dirty perverted PORN you can find, viruses and all !
Then watch them walk around with their tail between their legs.
How did this play out?
He moved the surveillance camera out of the hallway to the top of his door. I've been using Opera's VPN which changes your ip address. I might be wrong but I feel that ip address is not a big factor to stay anonymous from someone like your family member. PIA looks really good. A lot of people commenting of using it. I'm just gonna confirm with his wifey first wtf he is doing with the networking and the 'extend of his nosiness'
Why don't you just download info on how to plot a terrorist attack and let the cops come knocking and direct them to your brother who has access to all computers in the house and has cctv to watch out for cops
I don't think a VPN would work in this situation. My understanding is that your brother is connected to the same local network, so your brother will be able to capture the data being sent locally through your router/modem before the router/modem gets a chance to send externally through the internet to the VPN server, making the VPN useless.
Why don't you just give him the finger and tell him to stop monitoring the network?