Job Discussion Forums

[Heaton]

Are all VPNs equally useful from inside KSA? I'm trying to decide which one would be best...

[ultraman111]

me too.


Im looking at strongvpn

https://intranet.reliablehosting.com/services/strongvpn/?period=USA-UK_Special_OPEN_1_year

I think I will get this one......looking to go to Saudi in 2 weeks.

Ive only heard from 1 person who has used it.

[bulgogiboy]

I used vpntunnel.se in Saudi, and it served me well. I also use it successfully in Qatar. What appealed to me was that it is only 5 Euros per month, pay as you go and you can pay by Paypal. By the way, this isn't an advertisement!

I found in Saudi that some of the vpn websites were blocked themselves, but this wasn't a problem with the one I chose.

[jargonscott]

I've used HMA! (Hide My Ass!) over the past year and it has been pretty solid. The main reasons for my choice: it apparently has a better Mac interface than some of the other brands and it's pretty affordable if you do the yearly Pro prescription ($70 USD / year). It's been extremely handy for getting around KSA's filtering at home and at the office. In addition to that, it has made my life a lot easier when it comes to accessing Netflix, Hulu, other streaming sites, Paypal, my credit union's website, etc... I like the added privacy options and the solid customer service I'd received. HMA! usually replies to my emails within minutes (hours at most). They also managed to successfully help me find ways to subvert the IT Department's blockage of VPN's on my campus (using L2TP).

Even though I'll be leaving KSA soon (finally!), I plan on renewing my subscription. It was easily worth the 6 bucks a month. If anyone lives here without one, they are a braver soul than I.

[Imdramayu]

I'm not raining on your parade but have you ever faced any hassles in using a VPN in KSA? Would the filtering folks in the government notice these people using VPNs (or discussing them, at least)?

[jargonscott]

When you're not using a VPN: when you visit a blocked site, you'll get a notification stating that the government logs and monitors your internet usage. It usually lists your IP address as well. However, I've never heard of anyone actually being contacted by the government. If they did follow up on that sort of thing, they would have to work around the clock. And if they really wanted to track down all the various VPN servers and see who was connecting to them.... well, that would take an even greater effort. And I'm sure that anyone here in KSA can tell you the likelihood of a Saudi institution overworking themselves.

Even various travel blogs have been censored. If I don't have my VPN on, google searching for things related to my lesson plans becomes annoying very quickly. What I'm saying is, everyone tries to visit blocked sites (innocent or not). Many people get VPN's. Nearly all of my students have them. It's common knowledge that it's just something you do to stay connected with the rest of the world. I'm sure the government knows it can't win that battle. People will download whatever they want always find a way around any technological barrier that is implemented. KSA is just struggling to maintain it's conservatism. Times are a-changin' though. Drinking, smoking weed, having pre-marital sex, etc... are all haraam, but anyone that wants to access them can and will find a way.

Even if the government doesn't ease up it's policies in the future, I believe the younger generations won't be inspired to adhere to their archaic policies. Until the police start dragging people out into the streets and beating them for using VPN's, I'm sure Saudi youth will continue to not take internet censorship seriously.

[okedata]

HMA works well in KSA. Circumventor and Expat shield are free and OK if you don't mind the lower bandwidth and ads. Using Tor can cover your tracks.

As far as I know, they can't tell if you're using HMA, however you'll have to go through one of the free services to download it.

[Badar Bin Bada Boom]

My VPN is helpful while traveling as well. I'm in China with the same VPN, getting around the Chinese censorship without a hitch.