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Free - Smart DNS Proxy

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  • #32
    bromley52
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,901 ✭✭✭bromley52


    I am going to stick with Overplay. It works with all that I want and the Netflix region switching is flawless across all platforms.


  • #33
    BenEadir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,539 ✭✭✭BenEadir


    Hi all,

    I use privateinternetaccess.com as a VPN primarily for US Netflix on a number of different devices i.e. 2 X Android TV boxes, 1 X xBox One, 1 X Win 8 PC and a few Android phones and tablets. PIA permit you to have 5 devices using the service at any one time so that suits us (3 adults and 2 kids) fine and allows me to use Kickass which is otherwise blocked by my ISP but it's not that slick when you want to switch from watching US Netflix to BBC iPlayer so I'm thinking of subscribing to a smart DNS type service which (if I understand things correctly) would sit on my router and autoswitch traffic to be seen from the correct country regardless of whether the traffic is coming from the xBox, an Android phone app or a PC.

    I've a few questions though:-

    1. What service is "best" from a performance and security/safety point of view? I'm happy to pay an extra few Euro for something reliable.

    2. Is my understanding of how smart DNS services work correct i.e. all traffic routing through my WiFi router will be automatically switched regardless of which device it's coming from or how many devices are connected to the router? (I counted 19 devices connected to my router one evening!!)

    3. Is there any point or harm retaining the PIA VPN service if I subscribe to a smart DNS service?

    4. If smart DNS services are monitoring all traffic going through my router does that mean they could be skimming passwords and I shouldn't be doing any sort of financial transactions from buying products on Amazon to using PayPal to online banking?

    Sorry for unloading on the thread like this!!!

    Ben


  • #34
    StaticNoise
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,450 ✭✭✭StaticNoise


    BenThere wrote: »
    1. What service is "best" from a performance and security/safety point of view? I'm happy to pay an extra few Euro for something reliable.

    If you're looking for security and privacy as a priority, Viking VPN or one of the other offshore (non-US) VPN providers that do not log and are supporters of the EFF.

    If you're looking for a secure connection (and not wearing a tinfoil hat or uploading to Wikileaks), Private Internet Access or one of the other providers will suffice.

    As for the Smart DNS, things like Overplay would be your best bet. Security isn't their strong point, and I'm unsure about their logging policies, however.
    BenThere wrote: »
    2. Is my understanding of how smart DNS services work correct i.e. all traffic routing through my WiFi router will be automatically switched regardless of which device it's coming from or how many devices are connected to the router? (I counted 19 devices connected to my router one evening!!)

    No, not necessarily. You can have a different DNS set for each device- details come with the product. But, some providers, as far as I know, do allow you to change the DNS for the entire network via the router, but this may impact browsing and general experience for the overall home network and all the devices connected.

    This is a trade-off which you need to see for yourself.
    BenThere wrote: »
    3. Is there any point or harm retaining the PIA VPN service if I subscribe to a smart DNS service?

    Private Internet Access gives you 5 devices for a secure connection to another country for all browsing and internet use. A Smart DNS provider is generally for TV and streaming uses only, and not for security intensive use.

    There's no point having both. A VPN connection with PIA whilst using a Smart DNS provider would be overkill, and possibly slow and buggy. If you were wanting to watch foreign TV, you could just connect to the particular PIA server rather than using both. It's your choice, really.
    BenThere wrote: »
    4. If smart DNS services are monitoring all traffic going through my router does that mean they could be skimming passwords and I shouldn't be doing any sort of financial transactions from buying products on Amazon to using PayPal to online banking?

    That's another risk, but you get that with some VPN providers also. Most big name ones which are clear about their logging are OK (for example, Private Internet Access, et. al.), but they could potentially be doing the same. I wouldn't really trust a Smart DNS for online banking and the like.

    Also, I have on one occasion become locked out of my internet banking as I was using no VPN one minute, and suddenly I logged in from another country due to the VPN which I turned on. It's all pros and cons.


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