C11VPN

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides a number of security, privacy, and access benefits. C11VPN creates an encrypted “tunnel” over the internet to protect the data traveling between you and your internet destination — anything from your online banking account to a video-sharing website to a search engine.

This tunnel is created by first authenticating your computer with a VPN server. The server then uses one of several encryption protocols to make sure that no one can monitor the information traveling between you and your online destination. This allows you to:

• • Unblock internet censorship by your ISP, school or goverment
  • Access geo-restricted content. Strong servers for streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer
  • You can bypass state censorship and access websites and services banned in your country. Unblock Facebook, Youtube or Reddit anywhere 
  • Protect your identity by hiding your IP address
  • Use public WiFi, hackers preying on unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots won’t be able to intercept your traffic

Are VPNs Secure

It depends on your threat scenario. If you want to access streaming and gaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Steam US libraries, a VPN alone is enough. Likewise, if you use public Wi-Fi frequently, you’re safe with a reliable provider.

On the other hand, if you need to avoid state surveillance, you shouldn’t rely on a single privacy tool to protect you. A combination of a VPN, Tor browser, The Onion Router, or I2P is necessary to isolate one layer of security from another. With that in mind, you should understand that even advanced setup won’t help if state surveillance targets you.

If you need a VPN for online privacy, you want to investigate a prospective provider’s background, especially their jurisdiction, applicable data retention laws, privacy policies, and customer feedback.
A lot of countries ban VPNs (think China, Thailand, Russia, Saudi Arabia). In places like these, you can get in trouble for only using a VPN. You don’t want to be selling VPN access in such countries.

Are VPNs Legal

In most Western countries – yes.  In countries with authoritarian regimes – no.
Currently, a host of countries in the Middle East, as well as countries with authoritarian, pro-Muslim regimes, have banned the use of VPNs.

China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Iran, Russia, Thailand, and another couple of dozen of countries have banned VPNs. In these countries, using a VPN is illegal, but selling access to VPN can land you a prison sentence.

What are the Limits of a VPN?

While VPNs improve your online privacy and security, they can’t:

• Provide complete anonymity.
• Prevent websites you visit from tracking you (cookies, browser fingerprinting, beacons).

Why is My VPN Slow?

First of all, to use a VPN you need to have a stable Internet connection with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). You can’t have a Dial-Up connection. Assuming your base connection speeds are decent, some factors may affect your speeds when you connect to a VPN:

• If you use an encrypted connection, such as OpenVPN 256-bit AES, your speeds will drop because encryption requires processing power and time. The stronger the encryption, the greater is the speed drop.
• If you connect to servers located at a great distance from where you physically are, your speeds will drop even greater. The further the server, the slower your speed.
• If you connect to a nearby server, your speed drop should be minor.
• The server you’re connected to is loaded (too many people using it at the same time).

In some cases, your speeds may improve with a VPN if a provider has a large server coverage with ample bandwidth.

Tip: Connect to a VPN server that’s closest to a) your real location, b) the location of the service you need to access.

Can I use C11VPN Overseas?

Yes, you can use C11VPN when traveling. It will help you stay safe on unsecured wireless networks and keep access to the content and sites you’re used to. We also offer an obfuscated server option for countries that restrict VPN usage.