Circle of Kakis

Hello guys,

Previously, I had the Game Proxy access thread up here but it currently resides in the Private Aion Guild forums. If anyone not in the game Aion (or the guild) would like to use the Game Proxy... do let me know here or PM me.
Still FREE access for the near future!

Today, I'm opening up access (yeah Free yet again!! WTF am I doing?) to my VPN server. Just take note that it's still being tested and worked on but is certainly stable and fast. Just the rare reboot that (twice a week?) may interrupt your usage.

1. What's a VPN?
It's a Virtual Private Network. Provides you a private AES 128-bit encrypted connection to my server which then relays your requests to the real internet. Whatever you do cannot be sniffed by your ISP. All they see is a bunch of encrypted packets.

2. What can I do with a VPN?
Surf unrestricted. Your ISP can no longer restrict the sites that you have access to. Like Playboy.com? Go ahead! Porn Paradise! But in all seriousness, you can do other stuff like:
a. Enjoy having a US IP address. This allows you to view sites like video streaming sites like Hulu.com which block non-US IPs from viewing their contect. Proxies fail miserably with Hulu. See what the hype is about!

b. Shop on sites that block international IPs (if you're smart enough to link your CC with a US address. My wife shops on beauty.com and a myriad of sites that allow only US domestic sales.)

c. Buy games/software from US-based online stores which block non-US IPs. Eg. That's what I did to play NCsoft's Aion initially when Chinese IPs were blocked.

d. Access Facebook, Twitter and Youtube from a country that blocks them.

e. Bypass ISP bandwidth throttling. (This is only AVAILABLE WITH THE UPCOMING EUROPEAN SERVER if you're using it for torrents etc.) Please do not use the VPN for illegal copyright infringement purposes like P2P. Yes, I can find out!

f. Improve your routing to certain sites. Have you found some sites simply load really slow for you? Connect to the VPN and see the difference! It often resolves the problem due to superior routing and encrypted tunneling.

g. Secure your wireless access! This is especially so if you use WIFI hotspots in public places like Starbucks etc. You never know if a sniffer is trying to obtain your email/forum accounts, credit card numbers and passwords.

3. How secure is the VPN's encryption? (Below refers to OpenVPN)
AES 128-bit encryption is what the US security agencies classify as sufficient for Top Secret documents. It is also fast and light on the connection. More secure 256-bit setups can be done but there will be a hit on the performance. 128-bit is the optimal level for most users.

4. I've read about 1024bit or 2048bit encrypted VPNs...?? (Below refers to OpenVPN)
That is usually false advertising. That claim is based on the pre-shared Static keys which range from 1024bit to 2048bit. The "usual" cipher used is 128-bit and a 160 bit HMAC-SHA1 as a cryptographic signature on packets to protect against tampering.

5. Is setting it up easy?
OpenVPN
Relatively easy. Instructions will be provided. Just download and install a client program from the official website. (to avoid the risk of getting hit with a trojan/virus from me) Then, copy a few files from your email (which I will need) and move them into your C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\Config directory. Click the GUI on the taskbar to launch!

PPTP
Very easy. Follow a Windows setup wizard and things can be setup in under 3 mins!

L2TP
Coming soon...

6. Can VPNs be used on my iPhone, Windows Mobile phone or Blackberry?
Yes, not all phones work with all VPN types but generally most should work with PPTP or L2TP. OpenVPN is a no-go for most phones.
Please note that I haven't had the time to go into Phone setups yet but you're free to try on your own! I will try to help.

7. What's the difference in VPNs?
OpenVPN uses SSL for encryption. PPTP and L2TP are 2 other standards. The easiest (to setup) PPTP is also the weakest unfortunately when it comes to security.

8. How do I get started?
a. Post here indicating your interest.
b. Provide your email address. (You can also use PM)
c. Post your connection details:
i. Your ISP
ii. Your broadband "speed"
d. Wait for my email.

There may be a delay in the setup as I am going to be really busy these few days with my maid quitting on us. So just wait for it.
I reserve the right to only provide VPN access to those whom I choose This is due to the inherent risk with providing VPN access. Do take note! Nothing personal.

This VPN server is in the USA so please read the following. You accept it by default!!!

By using the service, YOU AGREE that you will not use the VPN for illegal purposes such as spamming, child pornography, participating in the illegal facilitation or downloading of copyrighted materials, hacking or any illegal activities WHATSOEVER.

You AGREE that YOU and NOT the owner of the VPN service will be held responsible for any illegal activities that you participate in and that you may be required to pay any legal fees or compensation that result should you be responsible for any such activity.

You AGREE to all of the above by DEFAULT when you request to use the FREE VPN service.

Yes sir. I am interested :) Will PM u shortly

The server is fully capable of 100mbps both upstream and downstream.
Real world results tend to peak at 90+mbps for most 100mbps capable servers. This is due to the imperfect internet. Latency and bandwidth overheads.

You will also notice that the 58mbps result for Uploads has actually exceeded the 50mbps possible for the test (see the speedometer). It is actually capable of 90-100mbps upstream too but has run into some sort of cap on the test.
They did not intend the test be used for real servers. :D

This is the speedtest.net result for the VPN server.





The speedtest result from my home in Shanghai.
I have a 4mbps line. The actual transfer is higher than 3.47mbps.
You do not see the extra bits that went into the formation of the VPN tunnel and it's overheads. Yes, encryption eats a little bandwidth.

Yes zan i wan~~~~


omegafalcon61@hotmail.com
Starhub
10mb plan <-- but i feel like 2mb speed -.-Zzzz
u mean no p2p.. so i cant download torrent thru it? O.o

I can't wait to play with a 1000mbps capable server.
That will be in the near future!

Yes! No p2p please.

This server is in the USA and they are usually VERY sensitive to copyright infringement notices due to the Law in the US. If they get served a DMCA, I will have to go through the inconvenience of having to block you guys from ALL torrent access. In serious repeat offender cases, I may be forced to reveal your identity. So please use this for only legal/open-source torrents.

This will be less of an issue in certain European countries. Which is where another upcoming server will be located. But it is not up yet for tests.

(19-01-2010 05:29 PM)falconix Wrote: [ -> ]Yes zan i wan~~~~


omegafalcon61@hotmail.com
Starhub
10mb plan <-- but i feel like 2mb speed -.-Zzzz
u mean no p2p.. so i cant download torrent thru it? O.o

ooo ok..nvm.. but can use for streaming online? example pplive which i m currently using?

Streaming is fine.
Is pplive worth looking at?
Lots of ahem content I guess?

But if the servers are in China, there may not be much to gain by using the VPN.
SG - China connection is pretty good on its own.

(19-01-2010 05:37 PM)falconix Wrote: [ -> ]ooo ok..nvm.. but can use for streaming online? example pplive which i m currently using?

Got it. Will email you soon.

(19-01-2010 05:18 PM)Hadas Wrote: [ -> ]Yes sir. I am interested :) Will PM u shortly

pplive alot of ahem item O.o
i dunno sia.. i stream drama nia..

really got ahem item ar... tonite i go search search

My DSL connection to the US after it goes thru the VPN server.
Since I'm in China, my ping is 199ms. That's the only reason the test scored a "C".
It would be an "A" otherwise.
Test done at 6pm SG time.

Packet loss: 0% (best possible)
Ping: 199ms (Only possible to get below 100ms if you're in the US)
Jitter: 2ms (best possible is 1ms which is pretty uncommon if you're not in the US)

Falconix and Hadas,
Check your mail later.

I did make a slight mistake when setting up your access (no thanks to my son distracting me lol) and you will only be able to access the server starting Jan 20th at 11am.
Hope you don't mind cos I'm kinda busy right now. So remember... only starts at 11am or so on Jan 20th!

Yes sir!! Tyvm.. More legal porn.... Haha. Jk. Later nana pull my ear again :(

Thx very much!

Windows Live is doing maintenance on my hotmail account LOL.
Mail you guys tomorrow.
Sleepy!

I am interested too, can I get an access too? thanks in advance!

Use PM here.
Using Laghub Premium services. About 10mbp i think.

Not trying to hijack Zan thread.
Here's a simply tool for u to check b4 and after u VPN'ed
http://www.geoiptool.com/

Hadas and Falconix, check your emails.
Download client installer from the official website here:
http://openvpn.net/release/openvpn-2.1.1-install.exe

Then copy the files I sent you (after unrar/unzip) into the following dir
C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\Config

Create it if it doesn't exist yet.
Then right click on the icon in the taskbar (lower right side) and launch by clicking "Connect"
Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks bibi.
I wouldn't call it hijacking at all!
It's 100% related... thanks for the reminder. :D
Like most GeoIP tools tho... it's not 100% reliable.
It's off on the exact location but probably because they mostly use registered dns addresses.
Real server is in LA.

Oh yeah, Falconix and Hadas...

Please use the config files in the 2nd email I sent you.
First .rar file missed out one file cos I was still sleepy. Keke!

Sure, tonight!

(20-01-2010 08:37 AM)yeoea Wrote: [ -> ]I am interested too, can I get an access too? thanks in advance!

Use PM here.
Using Laghub Premium services. About 10mbp i think.

Yo Zan,

I just installed and I think it works. Cannot test any forbidden websites yet becoz kids are all around. Later then I try :P

Anything u want me to test? Let me know.

Haha! Good to hear. Just enjoy it and get a feel for how it compares to surfing normally (without VPN) on US websites.

I'd like to have some idea of your connectivity with it too because some settings can be tweaked.

So if you have the time, head over to speedtest.net and run the test using the San Francisco/San Jose/Los Angeles/Las Vegas servers. Preferably between 6pm and 12am.

You should be able to paste the result here by using the "Copy Forum link" option.
Tested and it works! My plan is a 4mb dsl.

(20-01-2010 08:43 PM)Hadas Wrote: [ -> ]Yo Zan,

I just installed and I think it works. Cannot test any forbidden websites yet becoz kids are all around. Later then I try :P

Anything u want me to test? Let me know.

i just installed.. so i dun hae to use the proxy for aion rite?

You can start OpenVPN first.
Then open your normal proxy window.
And use the proxy for gaming as per normal.
That should work... let me know!

VPNs are not ideal for gaming in general... but you can try it with the VPN and with Proxy (after you start VPN).

See if any diff for you and which is better.

(21-01-2010 08:53 PM)falconix Wrote: [ -> ]i just installed.. so i dun hae to use the proxy for aion rite?

Oh yeah... forgot to mention...

If you have a browser open when you start up OpenVPN, close it and restart your browser after OpenVPN connects.
I find this makes a difference for speedtests and surfing alike.

Spammer removed.

Zanny, if you want something to be test let me know.

Sure Syok.
I'll email you soon.

falconix and hadas,

Please download the new file in your email and copy that to the previous config folder I mentioned.
It's just one file this time... just changing a setting to see if i can improve things.

Syok, emailed you.