I have a gaming pc which I want to use mining, it has ubuntu 20.04 LTS
But before I install mining related software including wallet, I want to have VPN.
I have paid panda security vpn but it does not have Linux support, surprising.
So I came across OpenVPN.
Can someone explain for this only one pc what do I need to download and how do I install it…
do I still require paid(commercial) vpn and than only openvpn is useful?
I think I need openvpn cloud because like paid vpn …I need to connect to some other computer/server to disguise my real location …so when I connect to their cloud it is same as paid vpn server connection…correct me if am wrong.
I am naive so please explain.
Openvpn needs a client and a server. Your gaming PC will be the client and will connect to a server. The software for client and server is the same, role is defined by the config.
Most people will sign up with a VPN provider like NordVPN or PIA. These services run the server and provide you with a config to put in your client. You can also get your own server in a data centre somewhere and configure it yourself.
You don’t need OpenVPN Cloud or to pay anything to OpenVPN themselves. They seem to have their own VPN service which by looks of it isn’t so cheap.
Your VPN provider should be able to provide you with a OpenVPN profile or provide you connection details. If it is Panda Security however, I don’t know if they’ll support OpenVPN protocol as not all do.
Maybe have a look at VPN Unlimited, IPVanish, ExpressVPN or SurfShark. I think all of them support OpenVPN.
Alternatively, you can host a VPN server in the cloud. It can become expensive though depending on use. Maybe check out Azure, Amazon AWS, or DigitalOcean. I’ve tried and tested DigitalOcean and was easiest one to get set up with.
For your use case, disguise your location, your easiest option will be to find a commercial VPN provider who has Linux client support.
You could go the openvpn way but you’d need to be able to setup an openvpn server at a location somewhere other than your location, which will most likely cost you anyway.
Ok OpenVpn needs a client and u said my pc will be a client but where do I find a server to connect to? for that server I need to pay to a vpn provider?
You said paid cos like PIA will provide the server but I thought Openvpn can provide a server free or cost …please correct me if I am wrong…
Openvpn can give you 3 options server/cloud and client …so if my pc is client …can I connect to their server ?
You will need two computers running openvpn in order to hide your public IP
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Your home computer that you want to hide will be the client.
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A remote computer will be the server.
Your client will establish a tunnel to the server and then send all it’s traffic through this tunnel. For outsiders only the server’s IP will be visible.
The server needs to be in a different location. It can be a raspberry pi at your granny’s place, a virtual private server rented by you or a server run by a company like the ones I mentioned.
So the software is free but you need a second machine somewhere that your client can connect to.
Can you please check this link - https://linuxconfig.org/basic-ubuntu-20-04-openvpn-client-server-connection-setup
It says no need to pay any commercial vpn provider - you can connect to 172.16.0.1 and 172.16.0.2 - can you please explain if this will work?
I read the linked tutorial. It’s a decent beginner guide to set up an OpenVPN server and connect to it with a client.
But you seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding how a VPN works. A VPN has two main uses:
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It hides your home IP address by redirecting all your traffic via a VPN server. The website you’re accessing or service you’re using will not see your IP but instead the VPN server’s IP.
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It encrypts all traffic leaving your home. Normally your ISP is capable of reading all your unencrypted communication (DNS queries, http traffic, …) but when using a VPN all the traffic between your home and the VPN server is encrypted.
Both use cases require a VPN server that is located somewhere else. This VPN server can be a computer you run in somebody else’s home or a rented server in a data centre somewhere or operated by a company offering a VPN service.
The software OpenVPN is free. But you will need a second computer somewhere remote or a subscription to a company to hide your IP and encrypt your traffic.
Since you don’t seem to be the most tech savvy, please read up on a subscription based VPN service. It’s the right choice for you. Trust me.
172.16.0.1
and
172.16.0.2
So above ip address are not remote servers that we can connect to make a vpn tunnel?
172.16.x.x is a reserved, private IP range like 192.x.x.x and 10.x.x.x (among others). These addresses can be assigned to machines on a private (your home, a business, …) or virtual private network (VPN). You can never connect to them over the Internet.
In your guide 172.16.0.1 and 172.16.0.2 are the tunnel endpoints chosen by the author. The server assumes 172.16.0.1 and will tell the connecting client to assume 172.16.0.2 as it’s address.
Read more about reserved IP ranges here : Reserved IP addresses - Wikipedia
Again: The software IS FREE but using a VPN for privacy/security reasons is NOT FREE. You have exactly two options:
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The easy way: Find a company that offers a subscription service with customer support and simple setup
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The hard way: Rent a (virtual) server and configure and maintain it yourself.