Stop using the Hola VPN right now. The company behind Hola is turning your computer into a node on a botnet, and selling your network to anyone who is willing to pay

VPN
21

Does anyone want to say how to access American Netflix otherwise?

22

so what should I use instead? I want to keep using US netflix

23

Can you tell if your network access has been sold or not?

Realistically, could you get in legal trouble if someone who bought your traffic used it illegally?

24

Aww shit. Hola player is awesome for streaming torrents.

25

Got rid of it yesterday. Just uninstalled it from within chromed extension manager, is that all I need to do?

26

This has been known for ages but people still keep recommending it to get around geographic restrictions. I really hope people will listen this time, I doubt they will though.

There’s not really a replacement either. All services like this will have the same issues unless you pay for it, and even then some probably just pocket your money and do the same thing. Bandwidth is expensive, especially enough bandwidth to stream video, and people don’t just give it away for free without getting something in return.

27

I’ve just been turning it on when I don’t need it. Which is most of the time. Doesn’t that stop it?

28

For anybody with any Linux skills I would say just get a cheap VPS and create your own VPN server in an hour or so.
You get a free little jumpserver to boot.

29

So, is this different from all the posts about 6 months ago that said the same thing? Is Hola turning your computer into an exit node even harder now?

30

It’s probably too late to let people know, here’s a fix hopefully people can see it.

Put Hola on a different google account. When you want to watch netflix or what not, use the account, otherwise normal account.

Logic goes like this, chrome addon can be activated if only if account is activated. Since Hola is on a different account, thus no traffic can come to my computer. And I will help Hola with traffic if and only if it’s benefiting me(by watching Netflix).

31

Thanks, just uninstalled hola

32

Done. Thank you.
I have switched to ZenMate(Chrome)

33

The free version of hola doesn’t hide the fact that you’ll be an exit node. It is quite clear about it and uses it to encourage people to use the paid service. How can this claim that it’s some secret conspiracy when it has been clearly stated the entire time…

34

Yeah… I deleted mine when I first heard the story the other day. Please don’t forget to leave them awful google play reviews for these shenanigans.

35

I had a strong suspicion that they were doing this. Enough that once I was done with Hola, I’d remove it from my browser and just reinstall when I needed it. Glad this finally got aired out though.

36

Does anyone know how safe ProxMate is?

37

How will I watch Walking With Dinosaurs now?

38

A free VPN with a catch? I did NOT see this coming.

39

My guess is that a lot of plausible deniability comes into play. Someone could use Amazon EC2 as a botnet, would they then be accountable? It’s along the same lines of how craigslist is frequently used for drugs and prostitutes but Craig Newmark isn’t sitting in jail.

40

I know, I’m old, but I want to learn, please ELI5 What is a VPN?