Need a VPN for work

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:28

Been using without for a long time but since switching suppliers a few times now and now to china telecom i feel like i want to try it for work at least.

Whats the best and safest without limiting download speed? I've heard Tunnelbear is good, worth the price?

MrRockliffe · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:33

I’ve used both Private Internet Access and NordVPN.

Both have good applications and work well.

DJ85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:37

I use nord as well downloaded lots in the past nord just works better

tom_e · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:40

I use Surfshark, haven't had any issues with it in 12+ months. Keep an eye out on cashback websites if they're an option as you can usually get most if not all of the yearly fee back.

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:52

Im torn between PIA and Nord, which is better for streaming/online gaming?

Edit: ExpressVPN seems a good choice too but no offers or discounts.

chroniclard · 5 Jul 2021 at 10:57

Mullvad using Wireguard client is fastest I have used(and currently using). Previously used FastestVPN(slow) and Proton VPN(slow). Mullvad maxes out my virgin connection with decent ping(though I dont connect when gaming).

Caged · 5 Jul 2021 at 11:21

So you're based in China and working for a non-Chinese firm? Assuming your employer knows about this then it really should be them that implements a VPN for you to use that adheres to the various fairly complicated Chinese laws in this area.

Avalon · 5 Jul 2021 at 11:45

The nature of the usage usually dictates the solution.

If it’s work related, I would hope your employer has something in place, I mean what sys admin is going to be comfortable with you connecting in from a random VPN provider because you bagged a cheap ‘deal’ on Groupon?

Generally it’s simple, if you want stupidly cheap/free, can live with some highly dubious hiring choices and the odd bit of whitewashing incidents, but value a track record of generally doing what they claim, PIA/Nord are OK choices with the appropriate Quidco/TCB offer. If you absomotherlovinglutely need privacy because your risking arrest/imprisonment/torture/your life and you’re not into that kind of thing without a safe word and lube, it’s probably worth going for something with a slightly higher standard of security/privacy. Also remember that in some countries, laws are selectively enforced depending on what passport you carry and who’s trying to lean on who.

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 11:56

Caged said:
So you're based in China and working for a non-Chinese firm? Assuming your employer knows about this then it really should be them that implements a VPN for you to use that adheres to the various fairly complicated Chinese laws in this area.

No im in the UK working for a china firm, they objectively went against City fibre in favour for China telecom.

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 11:58

Avalon said:
The nature of the usage usually dictates the solution.

If it’s work related, I would hope your employer has something in place, I mean what sys admin is going to be comfortable with you connecting in from a random VPN provider because you bagged a cheap ‘deal’ on Groupon?

Generally it’s simple, if you want stupidly cheap/free, can live with some highly dubious hiring choices and the odd bit of whitewashing incidents, but value a track record of generally doing what they claim, PIA/Nord are OK choices with the appropriate Quidco/TCB offer. If you absomotherlovinglutely need privacy because your risking arrest/imprisonment/torture/your life and you’re not into that kind of thing without a safe word and lube, it’s probably worth going for something with a slightly higher standard of security/privacy. Also remember that in some countries, laws are selectively enforced depending on what passport you carry and who’s trying to lean on who.

Noted, i think im pretty safe here in the UK. Doubt i'm gonna get deported to China for questioning... I did feel this way when i was in HK recently though :cry:

Caged · 5 Jul 2021 at 12:51

Jay85 said:
No im in the UK working for a china firm, they objectively went against City fibre in favour for China telecom.

Can you describe the use case? Are you at work connected to a WAN provided by your Chinese employer, and want to use a VPN while on their network to access blocked content?

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 12:54

Caged said:
Can you describe the use case? Are you at work connected to a WAN provided by your Chinese employer, and want to use a VPN while on their network to access blocked content?

To an extent yes but more for security tbh as during off times at work we use the office computers for personal stuff too.

Avalon · 5 Jul 2021 at 14:55

If the point is security for work, that’s your employers job, most places will really not take kindly to any form of non company operated/sanctioned VPN connection off site, also for clarity that won’t alter your employers ability to monitor what you are doing. I’ve seen it end badly often enough that I am amazed people are dumb enough to still use work devices for personal use, even more so at what some of them are actually used for (hint: not cat memes).

Caged · 5 Jul 2021 at 15:47

Jay85 said:
To an extent yes but more for security tbh as during off times at work we use the office computers for personal stuff too.

I'd run a mile from this, keep the VPN off your work computer and do your personal browsing on your phone or tablet.

It may well be commonplace, but you will have definitely signed a contract with a clause in that says you won't do this, so unless you are 100% sure nobody in your organisation is going to start looking for reasons to get rid of you at any point in the future, it's time to uninstall the VPN.

arc@css · 5 Jul 2021 at 18:32

I've used Express over the last year or so. Pleased with it.

It's always listed as among the best available though often, it doesn't seem to have any discounted packages.

Jay85 · 5 Jul 2021 at 23:51

Avalon said:
If the point is security for work, that’s your employers job, most places will really not take kindly to any form of non company operated/sanctioned VPN connection off site, also for clarity that won’t alter your employers ability to monitor what you are doing. I’ve seen it end badly often enough that I am amazed people are dumb enough to still use work devices for personal use, even more so at what some of them are actually used for (hint: not cat memes).

Caged said:
I'd run a mile from this, keep the VPN off your work computer and do your personal browsing on your phone or tablet.

It may well be commonplace, but you will have definitely signed a contract with a clause in that says you won't do this, so unless you are 100% sure nobody in your organisation is going to start looking for reasons to get rid of you at any point in the future, it's time to uninstall the VPN.

Hard to explain my situation but being sacked is one of the least worrying things on my mind. It's defo not for those reasons either lol :cry:

.

I'm more likely to be watching others than they are to watch me if that makes sense.

arc@css said:
I've used Express over the last year or so. Pleased with it.

It's always listed as among the best available though often, it doesn't seem to have any discounted packages.

I ended up going with Express for just under £5 a month on their current offer. Seems okay so far and download/streaming and gaming speeds are great! Not much in the scope of functionality but i guess i never really needed those anyway.