VPN & GFW question
#31
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SFO/OAK/SJC/LNK/OMA
Programs: UA former 1P, WN A-List, Hyatt Pt, HH Au, Marriott Ag, SPG Pt, Accor Pt, IHG
Posts: 180
Thanks, I will start there. What do you think of the idea of needing to sign up with several in case of blocks? (Once you're there, it's pretty much too late.)
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,036
Thanks, I will start there. What do you think of the idea of needing to sign up with several in case of blocks? (Once you're there, it's pretty much too late.)
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
#33
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,679
Thanks, I will start there. What do you think of the idea of needing to sign up with several in case of blocks? (Once you're there, it's pretty much too late.)
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
I already have one VPN, HotspotShield, to use over high-risk public wi-fi networks like cafes and airports here in the U.S., not sure if it works in China.
1) Securing private data from a device in transit to a private network, over a public network
2) For bypassing firewalls
3) For protecting anonymity (from your ISP or from the websites you're visiting)
They are NOT for protecting data that goes over the public internet. If you are transmitting your data in such a way that it can be stolen, all the VPN does is push the point at which the data can be stolen from the coffee shop to after it leaves your VPN provider's network. You should use end-to-end encryption for all of your data that you care about, and in that case, it does not matter whether you are using a VPN.
It is always good to have multiple VPNs whenever you go into China. On my next trip, I will likely have:
1) OpenVPN to home server
2) Shadowsocks to home server
3) SSH tunnel to home server
4) ExpressVPN
5) VPN.ac
6) Psiphon
7) TOR
8) HK SIM card
9) AT&T SIM card
Overkill? Probably. But I'd rather have more VPNs than I need than need more VPNs than I have...
Last edited by STS-134; May 3, 2016 at 11:28 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,036
You really only need a single VPN. I can assure you that Express works well in Shanghai, and pretty well in Beijing. And, if you get a HK sim, you don't need a VPN. Tor is a waste of time these days.
#35
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: China
Programs: OZ*G, Nexus, APEC
Posts: 122
I don't understand this. VPNs are for several purposes:
1) Securing private data from a device in transit to a private network, over a public network
2) For bypassing firewalls
3) For protecting anonymity (from your ISP or from the websites you're visiting)
They are NOT for protecting data that goes over the public internet. If you are transmitting your data in such a way that it can be stolen, all the VPN does is push the point at which the data can be stolen from the coffee shop to after it leaves your VPN provider's network. You should use end-to-end encryption for all of your data that you care about, and in that case, it does not matter whether you are using a VPN.
It is always good to have multiple VPNs whenever you go into China. On my next trip, I will likely have:
1) OpenVPN to home server
2) Shadowsocks to home server
3) SSH tunnel to home server
4) ExpressVPN
5) VPN.ac
6) Psiphon
7) TOR
8) HK SIM card
9) AT&T SIM card
Overkill? Probably. But I'd rather have more VPNs than I need than need more VPNs than I have...
1) Securing private data from a device in transit to a private network, over a public network
2) For bypassing firewalls
3) For protecting anonymity (from your ISP or from the websites you're visiting)
They are NOT for protecting data that goes over the public internet. If you are transmitting your data in such a way that it can be stolen, all the VPN does is push the point at which the data can be stolen from the coffee shop to after it leaves your VPN provider's network. You should use end-to-end encryption for all of your data that you care about, and in that case, it does not matter whether you are using a VPN.
It is always good to have multiple VPNs whenever you go into China. On my next trip, I will likely have:
1) OpenVPN to home server
2) Shadowsocks to home server
3) SSH tunnel to home server
4) ExpressVPN
5) VPN.ac
6) Psiphon
7) TOR
8) HK SIM card
9) AT&T SIM card
Overkill? Probably. But I'd rather have more VPNs than I need than need more VPNs than I have...
If you are looking for further information on VPNs please check my website www.tipsforchina.com. There is lots of information as well as promo codes, discounts, etc.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
News article re VPN China in SCMP Sept 4 2017
#37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I would expect all VPN's to be under even more pressure at least through Beijing regional ISP's, as we approach the Party Congress that starts on Oct 18. Internet security tends to get a lot tighter and some websites that are normally not blocked, may be.
Have Plan B's and Plan C's ready to deploy.
Have Plan B's and Plan C's ready to deploy.
#38
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: China
Programs: OZ*G, Nexus, APEC
Posts: 122
#39
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
I've got a CMHK SIM at the ready in case my preferred VPN fails or becomes too slow. HK$48 a day if I need a lot, HK$198 for 2GB/30 days otherwise, and HK$300 becomes HK$415 credit, which is a nice bonus.
#40
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: China
Programs: OZ*G, Nexus, APEC
Posts: 122
That's a good idea. I used to use a prepaid one from CUHK that worked quite well. I think the data was HK $68 for 500MB (valid for 30 days) if I recall correctly. The data could be used freely between HK, Macau, and mainland. The SIM card had both an HK number and a China number, incoming calls were free in both HK and China.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
That's a good idea. I used to use a prepaid one from CUHK that worked quite well. I think the data was HK $68 for 500MB (valid for 30 days) if I recall correctly. The data could be used freely between HK, Macau, and mainland. The SIM card had both an HK number and a China number, incoming calls were free in both HK and China.
HKers have this to use their Gmail account and broadcast on social media to show their friends how much fun they are having dining and shopping in China.