VPN & Anonymous Proxy Servers

Rudy

Admin
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
27,638
Location
Beaumont, CA
Hi all,

The advent of low cost VPN connections have resulted in an increase of users using VPN. There are two main reasons for this. One is that the connection between the user's computer and the VPN network is encrypted until the final connection to the destination IP. This makes a VPN connection ideal for banking and similar transactions.

The other reason is that a VPN network connection, like a connection using an anonymous proxy server, hides the user's IP address. Basically, there is no way to know where the user is located. This makes these types of connections ideal for those wishing to hide their identity for whatever purpose, be it downloading porn, or copyrighted material from pirate sites.

We recently terminated a user that used a VPN service to create multiple accounts (four that we know of) to harass another member who they mistook for someone else. It occurs to us that this capability could also be used to shill, or literally vanish without trace after a fraudulent transaction in the classifieds.

We are not a financial site, nor a purveyor of sordid material, so the need for strong encryption and anonymity are not needed.

Therefore be advised that, for the safety of our existing members, we will not authorize new registrations that use a VPN network, or anonymous proxy servers.
 
Thanks to the Owners/Admins for instituting this policy!!

I would also like to add that Vlad provides this site as HTTPS, much more secure!
 
Not a good idea in my opinion. Some people use a VPN as protection for themselves and that doesn't mean they have sordid motives.

People can and should protect themselves in business dealings here by using paypal and should not use the " Friends and Family " option if it is still available.


While it may make the site easier to moderate it will hurt membership. Membership is in decline across all forums and the main reason is because of the restrictions in place not only to get on a site but also to stay on.

I don't see forums doing anything to promote themselves and try to get a wider range of people to participate. People will generally go where the most traffic is so it's hard, if not impossible, to start a new forum that is more inclusive.

While I believe in the saying " It's their forum,they can do as they wish " I also believe there is some responsibility to be more inclusive and tolerable of membership, which is essential to a forum.
 
Members can share their opinion but we are not going to backtrack on our decision we have made.

We are the ones who have to screen each new member in moderation and we are the ones who caught and are still catching trolls trying to sign up.

We know that some sites are offering VPN services but we discussed this for a week and we are going to stay with our decision.


Our membership is not in decline if anything it has increased.
 
I am talking about online membership. The amount of members online has been decreasing.
 
Hi all,

The advent of low cost VPN connections have resulted in an increase of users using VPN. There are two main reasons for this. One is that the connection between the user's computer and the VPN network is encrypted until the final connection to the destination IP. This makes a VPN connection ideal for banking and similar transactions.

The other reason is that a VPN network connection, like a connection using an anonymous proxy server, hides the user's IP address. Basically, there is no way to know where the user is located. This makes these types of connections ideal for those wishing to hide their identity for whatever purpose, be it downloading porn, or copyrighted material from pirate sites.

We recently terminated a user that used a VPN service to create multiple accounts (four that we know of) to harass another member who they mistook for someone else. It occurs to us that this capability could also be used to shill, or literally vanish without trace after a fraudulent transaction in the classifieds.

We are not a financial site, nor a purveyor of sordid material, so the need for strong encryption and anonymity are not needed.

Therefore be advised that, for the safety of our existing members, we will not authorize new registrations that use a VPN network, or anonymous proxy servers.

I feel this topic is important..and may be revisited in the future if a better solution can be found...security is very necessary when using the internet in any capacity...cutting the head off a snake is only one method of ridding yourself of the creature..perhaps it might be better to eliminate the classifieds temporarily than deny the moral majority the use of a VPN.. I for one have been recently researching what VPN to choose..my home WiFi is disconnected currently, (my low tech response to having been hacked by a “wardriver”) anything can be hacked into.. even VPNs..don’t kid yourself..it’s all always a risk..but yet you must do something, and you have...this is new territory for the Friendly Forum..I guess when everybody upgrades their security to a VPN then this site will be history unless a workable solution can be implemented ..I am not criticizing your response because I don’t have a better one..and yes, I have the free choice to terminate my membership..However, when “if you don’t like it then don’t use it” is the only option then certainly membership will eventually decline...I hope and believe a secure solution will eventually be found..
 
I feel this topic is important..and may be revisited in the future if a better solution can be found...security is very necessary when using the internet in any capacity...cutting the head off a snake is only one method of ridding yourself of the creature..perhaps it might be better to eliminate the classifieds temporarily than deny the moral majority the use of a VPN.. I for one have been recently researching what VPN to choose..my home WiFi is disconnected currently, (my low tech response to having been hacked by a “wardriver”) anything can be hacked into.. even VPNs..don’t kid yourself..it’s all always a risk..but yet you must do something, and you have...this is new territory for the Friendly Forum..I guess when everybody upgrades their security to a VPN then this site will be history unless a workable solution can be implemented ..I am not criticizing your response because I don’t have a better one..and yes, I have the free choice to terminate my membership..However, when “if you don’t like it then don’t use it” is the only option then certainly membership will eventually decline...I hope and believe a secure solution will eventually be found..

Yes, we may revisit it in the future. Users of the classifieds would most likely disagree with your suggestion however. Given a choice, I think they would opt for a working classified forum over the anonymity of a VPN connection to the forum.

We also get spammers trying to register through a VPN connection. We know this because the IPs used by the VPN provider, have hits in forum spam databases, which we use during the registration process.

Until better technology is available, we'll continue with our current policy.
 
I have made both purchases and sales on the classifieds, have earned a trustworthy reputation, and don’t want to see to go. I only want it to be secure..

We all are thankful, (most of us, anyway) and appreciate the effort to make this site both enjoyable and safe..
 
Vpn

Also serves another purpose , recently I lost a 1200.00 computer & router due to a hack, i bought a new computer costing 600.00 & new router from cable company , I have a hacker trying to hack my system every day, Thanks to Norton Life Lock that gives me a secure VPN now , and un-plugging my router every time when I am done, re- plugging my router when I log on , I have not got hacked , I want to tell the administration to please take note , during times such as these current cyber clime has intensified , and should be judged by case to case basis , I find it to be a pain on Facebook , as every time I go to log in now , I have to reset my pass word, code to cell phone , to log on , In some ways I like a VPN , more security in the cyber world , I also see the administrations side , but I am sure you all can figure out the scammer's , I hope you all can see , in some cases a VPN is needed , 12 year dedicated member , thanks Earl
 
Also serves another purpose , recently I lost a 1200.00 computer & router due to a hack, i bought a new computer costing 600.00 & new router from cable company , I have a hacker trying to hack my system every day, Thanks to Norton Life Lock that gives me a secure VPN now , and un-plugging my router every time when I am done, re- plugging my router when I log on , I have not got hacked , I want to tell the administration to please take note , during times such as these current cyber clime has intensified , and should be judged by case to case basis , I find it to be a pain on Facebook , as every time I go to log in now , I have to reset my pass word, code to cell phone , to log on , In some ways I like a VPN , more security in the cyber world , I also see the administrations side , but I am sure you all can figure out the scammer's , I hope you all can see , in some cases a VPN is needed , 12 year dedicated member , thanks Earl

Earl,

Sorry you router was hacked. There are ways to disable remote management of your router from IP addresses outside your internal domain. If you don't know how to do that, consult with your router provider so they can show you how to do it.
 
Rudy

Reply , I am not a computer , or router geek , all I know is the new router & VPN are working to combat hacker's , even if I new how to do what you said, I would most likely get hacked again , not asking for anything special here , as I know this forum doesn't show mercy for special need's , all I can say is , I enjoy this forum , in my case I am in need of VPN secure network on my end , thanks for reviewing my case noted , Earl :tissue::hide::takethat:
 
Also serves another purpose , recently I lost a 1200.00 computer & router due to a hack, i bought a new computer costing 600.00 & new router from cable company , I have a hacker trying to hack my system every day, Thanks to Norton Life Lock that gives me a secure VPN now , and un-plugging my router every time when I am done, re- plugging my router when I log on , I have not got hacked , I want to tell the administration to please take note , during times such as these current cyber clime has intensified , and should be judged by case to case basis , I find it to be a pain on Facebook , as every time I go to log in now , I have to reset my pass word, code to cell phone , to log on , In some ways I like a VPN , more security in the cyber world , I also see the administrations side , but I am sure you all can figure out the scammer's , I hope you all can see , in some cases a VPN is needed , 12 year dedicated member , thanks Earl

try Avast or ESET.
 
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