Private Internet Access App

[UKPhil]

I see that Private Internet Access is one of the UBPorts Sponsors. I know that you can ad a vpn via the System Settings, but I have not ttried to set up PIA yet. My question is when will there be a PIA app for users and our sponsors?

[UniSuperBox]

PIA can be added normally through System Settings. I've received the instructions for doing this before, I'll paste them here.

Use the openvpn settings files provided by PIA. (I haven't tested the others like the advanced openvpn-IP configuration but had a problem using the openvpn-strong set. The settings below is what I tested and this works, some tweaks may be required for improved security)

File to download
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/openvpn/openvpn.zip

I extracted and created a folder .privateinernetaccess in the 'phablet' directory to keep all the files.

All the settings can be found in the ovpn file if you open it with a text editor

In VPN settings 'Add Manual Configuration'

In the server enter the server you will be using e.g 'uk-london.privateinternetaccess.com'

Use a custom gateway port '1198'

Tick Use this VPN for 'All network connections'

Protocol 'UDP'

Authentication type: 'Password'

Username: Your PIA username 'Pxxxx'

Password: Your password

CA Certificate: Select the file 'ca.rsa.2048.crt'

Cipher: 'AES-128-CBC'

and select 'Compress data'

The settings above worked fine. This can be setup with the default VPN settings

If you installed the click package 'VPN Editor'

The only other setting to change is under 'Security' section Choose 'SHA-1' as the HMAC authentication.

This is not needed to work but it is a defined in the ovpn profile provided by PIA.

[UKPhil]

@UniSuperBox thanks for that, I will look at it tonight. I may need to email you though as I am not sure of the first file you mentioned. However, the rest seems easy enough. This would be so nice to have as an app, just like on Ubuntu Desktop.

[Daryl]

@UKPhil Hello Friends: I tried Unisuperbox's method for adding PIA vpn this morning.... and was rather DISTRESSED by a WARNING MESSAGE I revieved with I tried to turn the PIA VPN on from system settings.

Specifically, the warning says:

"**This VPN is set up, but when you use it:

Your WIF-VI/mobile provier can see when and how much you use the internet, but not what for.

The VPN provider can see or modify your internet traffic.

Web sites nd other service proiders can still monitory your use.**"

While it is true that my chronilogical age is "older than Methusula," I'm sort of naive about alot of things.... but this on really stuck in my craw!!!

Lookey here, 'all: Ain't some of the reasons why y'all use a VPN so that we can avoid this sort of stuff???

Golly. I'm stumped.

What exactly does ths message mean other than what it explicity says? Will tHIS VPN set up let me surf on my tablet safely and really privately?

Please advise!

Daryl
Daryl's Rural Roadside Honor System Vegetable Stand

[arubislander]

@Daryl said in Private Internet Access App:

Will tHIS VPN set up let me surf on my tablet safely and really privately?

Depends what you mean by 'safely'. A VPN will not protect you from accidentally downloading malware, for instance. Also depends what you mean by 'privately'. Even if you use a VPN and then log in to Facebook or Google or where ever else you log in to. They can potentially track you via cookies placed in your browser. A VPN does not protect your privacy from the sites you visit, it simply 'protects' your IP address.
What it does do is stop your ISP from being able to track your network traffic.

A VPN is a Virtual Private Network between your VPN client and the VPN server. Any traffic between the two is encrypted and secure. Any site you visit while your VPN connection is active, it will seem to them that you are browsing from the VPN server. They will only be able to see the IP address of the VPN server. That is why choosing a server in another country helps you get around geolocking for streaming services. If you need to log in to anywhere, they will still know it is you. They will just think you are somewhere you are not.

So yes, all these VPN services advertising increased privacy are selling snake-oil.