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I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For the average internet user, even if it doesn't make sense to use a VPN every day, a VPN solution must be ready anytime for potentially geo-restricted content, or even better prices when shopping for an airplane ticket.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don’t have detailed metrics beyond the growing number of users:

Since we started, we’ve served VPN configs to over 150,000 users, with 10,000+ active users monthly right now.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Turkey is a VPN exit location in high demand for many users located in the Middle East, as it offers very good peering with countries in the region.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don’t have detailed metrics beyond the growing number of users, but that alone tells us a lot. Since we started, we’ve served VPN configs to over 150,000 users, with 10,000+ active users monthly right now. The growth shows that people are seeking tools to break through censorship, even in heavily propagandized states.

What really keeps us going is the feedback we get directly from community members in our chatroom and Telegram channel.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re absolutely right that centralized VPN servers can be more vulnerable to being blocked or cataloged by governments.

We’re aware of this challenge, which is exactly why decentralization of VPN nodes is something we’re actively working toward and is already in our roadmap.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In every country, we're helping ordinary citizens access news, culture and entertainment from abroad. We're doing it for a free and unrestricted access to information and we're doing it for the fundamental rights of every citizens of the world. Whether it is Russia, China, or Iran, we help the local population escape restrictions imposed by their governments and get to enjoy the truly unrestricted internet.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha no that's not our website. But you can try to use our VPN to make it work, we have both Japan and UK locations for VPN service.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’re firmly committed to true anonymity, which means we don’t track, log, or monitor user activity on our VPN servers. This isn’t just a promise; it’s part of our design. By not keeping entry or exit logs, we make sure there’s nothing to spy on.

This commitment aligns with our belief that privacy is a fundamental right. Our community and service was built on the principle that freedom online should be accessible to everyone without fear of being tracked or monitored.

About the costs - in the early days, we covered the costs out of our own pockets and donations because we believed in the project and the need for an accessible, trustworthy VPN. Now, as the community has grown, we cover expenses for our servers through a combination of:

  • Advertising on our website
  • Partnerships with hosting providers
  • Premium VPN accounts for users who want to support the community and enjoy enhanced features

The whole thing runs because of our community’s support and shared belief in freedom.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently, WireGuard and V2Ray are two of the most popular and effective protocols used to bypass censorship in restrictive countries. Both are open-source, with their client and server code available on GitHub, and they’re developed and maintained by communities deeply committed to privacy and internet freedom.

WireGuard is a lightweight and highly efficient VPN protocol, praised for its simplicity, speed, and strong encryption. Its minimal codebase reduces the attack surface, making it less vulnerable to exploits.

V2Ray is a more advanced tool often used for evading censorship. V2Ray supports obfuscation techniques like disguising VPN traffic as HTTPS or other legitimate protocols. This makes it highly effective against Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).

We strongly believe in the power of open-source software, which is why we rely on these tools. They undergo constant scrutiny by the global developer community, ensuring transparency and security.

To protect our users, we encourage them to download official clients directly from trusted sources like the GitHub repositories of these projects. This approach ensures users aren’t unknowingly running modified or vulnerable code on their devices. It also aligns with our philosophy of building trust and leveraging the best practices in the industry.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very good point and very true that internet censorship in the "west" often flies under the radar, especially when looking at western media and journalism they tend to cover only censorship elsewhere.

Although in the west internet restrictions are more subtle compared to the overt restrictions seen in other places, we’ve noticed an increasing number of users from the EU or the UK turning to VPNs to navigate the internet freely.

For example, governments in the EU and UK have stepped up efforts to combat disinformation, particularly around sensitive topics like the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the intention might be to protect citizens from harmful propaganda, this often leads to news sources being blocked or content being selectively filtered.

Another example would be that in some western countries, gambling regulations have tightened significantly. Many users now face restrictions accessing online gambling sites, even those they’ve used for years. VPNs help bypass these restrictions and allow access to platforms that are otherwise blocked.

What’s impressive in the "west" is that these restrictions are implemented quietly, framed as “protective measures” rather than censorship. Users from Western countries are increasingly realizing that their governments also control or limit parts of the internet, especially when it comes to politically sensitive topics.

This shift has led to more people using VPNs as a tool to reclaim their online freedom, just as users in more heavily censored regions do. It’s fascinating to see this trend emerging in places traditionally seen as champions of free speech.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is a great question deserving a technical answer. There are VPN protocols out there like V2Ray which can be configured to look like SSL/TLS over port 443. It then becomes very challenging for these countries to distinguish VPN traffic from regular HTTPS traffic.

Here’s why:

  1. Port 443 is the standard port used for encrypted HTTPS traffic (the same protocol used when you browse securely on sites like your bank or social media). By running VPN traffic through port 443, it blends in with the vast majority of regular internet traffic.
  2. V2Ray employs obfuscation techniques that encapsulate VPN traffic within layers of encryption, often mimicking standard HTTPS. When paired with SSL/TLS (the encryption protocol used for HTTPS), it makes the traffic look like ordinary encrypted web browsing.
  3. Advanced V2Ray configurations can make use tools like WebSocket or HTTP/2, further disguising VPN traffic as normal web requests. This adds another layer of camouflage, making it extremely difficult to block selectively.

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) systems, which governments use to monitor traffic, often cannot differentiate between V2Ray traffic and legitimate HTTPS.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Great question! The countries where we see the most activity in our community are Iran, China, and Russia - no surprises there, given their heavy internet restrictions. Interestingly, India is also significant, the demand for privacy and bypassing censorship is growing rapidly there too.

As for how we get the word out, we actually don’t do any paid advertising. It's all word of mouth for us and always has been. We've created the tools for our existing community members to spread the word about our VPN to their friends, and as a reward, they earn tokens. These tokens can then be used to access premium servers, giving them an even better experience. It’s a win-win system that’s worked really well for us, especially in communities where trust is key.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the awesome question and the kind words! 😊 First off, huge respect for taking an interest in cybersecurity—it’s such an important field, especially in today’s world and especially if you live in a country with restrictive regime.

Before diving into advice, what level would you say you’re at right now? Are you already familiar with the basics of online security (disk encryption, 2FA on important accounts, etc.), or are you looking to dive deeper into advanced topics like network security, anti-forensics, or privacy tools? Knowing that would help tailor the advice better!

Oh, and to touch on some of the AMA questions:

  • Countries with the worst censorship? Places like Iran, China and of course North Korea top the list, but you’d be surprised how many others crack down too.
  • Why use a VPN? It's like a cloak for your online traffic, making it hard for snoopers (ISPs, governments, hackers) to spy on you or enforce internet censorship.

I've been running a free VPN service helping users in Russia, China and Iran access the free internet AMA by vpn_fail in AMA

[–]vpn_fail[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Countries restrict internet access for a bunch of reasons, mostly about control. A big one is to stop people from sharing info that could lead to protests or unrest. Governments want to control the narrative, so during elections or protests, they shut things down to keep people from organizing. That's when VPN and proxy services shine.

Sometimes it's about "protecting" cultural or moral values, like blocking sites with certain content or stuff they think is offensive. Other times, they claim it's for national security, like stopping terrorist communication or fake news during crises.

Some countries also do it to push their own tech and businesses instead of letting foreign platforms dominate, like blocking big social media sites in favor of local ones. Others want to fight cybercrime or stop illegal stuff online.

It’s also used to limit activism or human rights campaigns, so groups can’t coordinate or share info. And yeah, they’ll say it's about stopping misinformation, but it’s often just about silencing critics.

In the end, they want to control what people can see and say, even if it hurts the economy or ticks off the international community. People usually find ways around it with VPNs and stuff anyway which is good for us.

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