Linus Tech Tips: The video explains how to set up a VPN to bypass internet restrictions and enhance privacy, offering three levels of solutions from using public VPNs to setting up a private VPN server.
Linus Tech Tips - I Made a Personal VPN to Access EVERYTHING… and You Can Too!
The video discusses the importance of VPNs for bypassing internet restrictions, accessing region-locked content, and enhancing privacy. It introduces three levels of VPN solutions: using public VPN providers, setting up a private VPN server, and using a sponsor's service. Public VPNs are easy to use but may not always be reliable or secure. Setting up a private VPN server offers more control and security, with a step-by-step guide provided for using a cloud hosting provider like Vulture. This involves creating a configuration file and using TailScale for easy setup and management. The video also highlights potential limitations, such as streaming services blocking VPNs and the need for additional steps to bypass certain app restrictions. For those wanting to access home or business networks remotely, TailScale can be used without a VPS, offering a free and secure solution.
Key Points:
- VPNs help bypass internet restrictions and enhance privacy.
- Public VPNs are easy but may not be fully secure or reliable.
- Setting up a private VPN server offers more control and security.
- TailScale simplifies VPN setup and management.
- Streaming services may block VPNs; additional steps may be needed.
Details:
1. 🔓 Unlocking the Internet: VPN Essentials
- VPNs enable users to access blocked or restricted websites by connecting to servers in different countries, effectively masking their actual location. This is crucial for accessing regionally blocked content such as TikTok or other restricted websites.
- Setting up a VPN can vary in complexity: users can use a simple credit card for basic services or engage in more advanced configurations for enhanced security and anonymity.
- VPNs are essential tools for accessing content in regions where internet censorship is prevalent. They provide a way to circumvent restrictions and maintain privacy.
2. 🛡️ VPNs: Why They're Essential
- VPNs allow users to bypass throttling, blocking, or bans implemented by institutions like schools or governments, providing unrestricted access to the internet.
- They enable access to region-locked content, such as accessing a different country's Netflix library, broadening entertainment options.
- VPNs obscure IP addresses, enhancing privacy for activities like safe torrenting and protecting user identity online.
- They provide secure access to remote networks, allowing users to connect to home or business networks from different locations, ensuring data safety and continuity of work.
3. 🌐 Level One: Easy Public VPN Solutions
- Public VPNs offer a straightforward method for secure internet browsing, suitable for users seeking ease of use.
- Private Internet Access is a top choice for its user-friendly setup, involving just a sign-up, client download, and connection.
- Despite the convenience, users should be cautious of data privacy, as VPN providers' policies can change, particularly if there is a change in ownership.
- The trade-off for simplicity is less control over data, making it critical for users to stay informed about their chosen provider's privacy policies.
4. 🔧 Level Two: DIY Private VPN Setup
- Setting up a private VPN server is straightforward and requires little maintenance, making it accessible for most users.
- The process of creating a DIY private VPN empowers users by granting them control over their internet privacy and security.
- By engaging in this setup, users can gain valuable technical knowledge and skills.
5. ⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Legal Use Only
- The information provided is strictly for educational and privacy purposes.
- No endorsement or encouragement of piracy is intended.
- Users are advised against bypassing legislative bans or engaging in illegal activities.
6. 🖥️ Step-by-Step: Building Your Own VPN
- A VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnels internet traffic through a secure server to mask your IP address, typically using a public VPN service that routes through a data center computer.
- To create a personal VPN, rent a virtual private server (VPS) from a provider like Vulture, enabling you to control your own IP masking service.
- Traditionally, setting up a VPN is complex, but using a simplified config file can streamline the process.
- The config file includes instructions for VPN setup, firewall creation, and automatic updates for both system and VPN software such as TailScale.
- TailScale facilitates easy configuration, supporting login via Google or GitHub with a free plan for up to three users or 100 clients.
- Generate an authorization key in TailScale, which your VPN server uses to authenticate.
- A custom tool is available to integrate this key into the config file, simplifying setup.
- Choose Vulture’s $6/month high-frequency shared CPU plan to access a terabyte of bandwidth with gigabit speeds.
- Install the stable version of Flatcar Container Linux and use Cloud Init user data to apply the configuration.
- Deploy the server, download TailScale on your devices, and set routing to use the VPN server as an exit node.
- Disable key expiry in TailScale to maintain connection integrity beyond 180 days.
- Verify the setup by pinging the server and checking TailScale status for a direct connection confirmation.
7. 📡 Testing and Troubleshooting Your VPN
- To test your VPN setup, first select the exit node through the taskbar and ensure your traffic is tunneled through the VPN server.
- Verify the VPN connection by pinging a server and checking for continued internet access.
- Use an IP-checking website to confirm your IP address is different from your local network, indicating a successful VPN setup.
- Ensure the ISP appears as Vulture Holdings to confirm VPN activation.
- Select the exit node once per device to avoid repetitive configuration tasks.
- For troubleshooting, if the VPN connection fails, verify the server settings and ensure the correct exit node is selected.
- If the IP address does not change, check network settings and restart the VPN service.
- Observe taskbar icon changes or use external sites to confirm VPN status, addressing any persistent connection issues by reviewing server logs and configurations.
8. 🚫 Understanding VPN Limitations and Solutions
- VPNs might not bypass app bans like TikTok if other location data is used (e.g., App Store region, GPS). In such cases, changing your app store region or using the web versions of apps can be effective workarounds.
- For accessing another country's Netflix, standard VPNs may fail due to aggressive IP blocking. Instead, consider using streaming-oriented VPNs designed to overcome these blocks, or set up a VPN at a friend's home in the target country to mimic local access.
- While torrenting, using public VPNs can protect against DMCA notices, but cloud providers may still forward abuse reports. It's advisable to choose hosting services located in non-DMCA countries for enhanced privacy. Utilize search engines to identify these services.
9. 🏠 Easy Remote Access with Tail Scale
- Tail Scale allows remote access to home or business networks without port forwarding, enabling activities like checking security cameras, streaming video games, or running servers.
- Installation requires only the Tail Scale client on the device you want to access and on the remote device, both logged into the same account.
- Subnet routing mode allows sharing services across devices or entire networks.
- Tail Scale does not block connections by default; use access control rules to secure the network, especially when inviting friends.
- Within minutes, you can set up a low-maintenance, automatically updating VPN server capable of full gigabit speeds, ensuring control over your data.
