Protect your remote work with VPN Tracker 365
the #1 VPN client for OS X and macOS
Start now! Requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later
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Unreliable wifi? Spotty reception? Weird internet cafe network? If you’re a frequent traveler, you have probably run into connection problems on the road. There can be numerous reasons why connection failed. These issues can cause your VPN connection to drop or may prevent you from connecting at all.
Although we cannot fix all the possible reasons on our side, in VPN Tracker 365 18.4, we have tackled some of the most common connection issues faced while travelling.
In 18.4 we are introducing a new VPN Tracker Engine, that automatically detects and adjusts for unstable connections. This means it will automatically keep trying to connect to the server, even if there are any connection problems. So your connection will come up, even in scenarios where before you may only have been able to sporadically connect. And you will not need to manually check and reconnect to the VPN if your connection failed.
You occasionally run into hotel networks that are configured too broadly. The admin has set them up with a really large address range, causing a conflict with your VPN networks.
In the past, this type of networking conflict would prevent you from connecting, unless you manually adjusted your connection.
We have added Automatic Network-Conflict Resolution to solve this issue. Now VPN Tracker 365 will automatically detect and adjust the connection for you, for just this location. In scenarios where the network addresses seem identical, VPN Tracker 365 will check with you and then prioritize VPN traffic based on your decision.
All in all, our latest VPN Tracker 365 update lets you connect to your VPN more reliably, in more places.
You can find our full official release notes here.
Start now! Requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later
The post VPN Connection Failed? Problem Solved! appeared first on equinux blog.
If you are using a VPN service to protect your browsing on a public wifi network, you may have noticed you occasionally need to complete a Captcha before doing a Google search. It can be annoying and slows you down…
So why are you seeing them in the first place? We cover why they are shown and what you can do to avoid it.
‘Captcha’ stands for ‘Completely Automated Public Turing Test’. It is a test that a human can easily pass, but is difficult for a computer. Google uses Captchas to identify and prevent computer programs from performing automated requests. Many other websites use them to prevent hacks and other security issues. The idea is to increase security without blocking regular users from browsing.
Some kinds of Captchas ask you to enter words or numbers:
Since computer vision algorithms have become so advanced, Google now asks you to identify sections of pictures:
Or if you are lucky, you might get a NoCaptcha reCaptcha. There you just need to tick a box and Google tries to figure out if you’re a robot based on your usage patterns on the page.
When you’re using the VPN Tracker World Connect VPN service (as opposed to using VPN Tracker 365 with your company VPN connection), you are browsing through a VPN service. That means you are using our servers to access the internet, along with lots of other VPN users.
So to Google, it looks like a lot of people are accessing Google Search from the same IP address at the same time, sending an inhumanly high number of search requests. Google then thinks you might be a bot or script and asks you to fill in a Captcha to make sure that you are a human and not a computer program.
No, don’t worry! Captchas just help Google to identify you as a human. You are still using a strongly encrpyted VPN and you are still anonymous (provided you aren’t signed in).
You will see an increase in Google Captcha requests with every VPN service. With VPN Tracker World Connect, we take measures to prevent it from happening too often, however on our most popular server locations, it’s possible you will still see the prompt from time to time.
To stop getting Captcha requests, you can try using a different browser or a different search engine while on VPN. Firefox Focus is a great browser for quick, anonymous searches and DuckDuckGo is worth checking out as a privacy-focused alternative to Google.
Start now! Available for Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
The post Why do I see Captcha when using a VPN (and how to avoid it)? appeared first on equinux blog.
We’ve updated VPN Tracker World Connect for iPhone and iPad. The new version 1.1 is now available on the App Store! It is packed with nice improvements and we’re really excited for you to try it.
Siri Shortcuts integration is a key feature of this update. Shortcuts make it easy to automate everyday tasks with iPhone or iPad – from launching a music app to ordering a taxi. So now you can connect to VPN just by tapping a shortcut icon, or even easier – by asking Siri!
It is also possible to combine multiple shortcuts into the one workflow. For example, you can open a website before starting your VPN Tracker connection, then connect to VPN and open that same page – all with one tap. To build your own Shortcuts, just go to the Shortcuts app and search for “VPN”. To add a custom Siri voice command for your preferred VPN destination, go to the Connection view and tap the “Add to Siri” button.
Our global network of secure servers is always expanding. This time we’ve added more international destinations – welcome Italy, Hong Kong and Philippines! You can already check out the connection and test the speed – they’re really fast, aren’t they?
Finally, we’ve improved stability and performance of the app to make sure you have a smooth VPN experience.
Start now! Requires iOS 9.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
The post That’s What You’ve Been Waiting For – Siri Shortcuts in VPN Tracker World Connect 1.1 appeared first on equinux blog.
So you are on your business trip and everything seems to be perfect. You’ve checked-in online, saved your hotel reservation details on your iPhone and ordered a taxi to wait for you on arrival. As any business traveller today, you also have your MacBook with you to access your schedule or work on your projects in flight. You even have a VPN client installed, so you can connect to your office network (if not, check out VPN Tracker 365).
But – it always pays to prepare for the unexpected: Imagine opening your bag and not finding your laptop there. It could be lost or stolen, or you could simply have forgotten it back home – disaster! Do you have to cancel your entire business trip?
First thing you figure out is a replacement laptop. But then, how will you connect to your office network? You don’t have your VPN client and your definitely can’t remember all those settings… Even your software support specialist cannot send a ready-made connection to you, as your office mail is behind the VPN-firewall.
Another major concern is a privacy of your information. What will happen if your laptop is not just lost, but was stolen on purpose? Just imagine potential financial and reputational losses of your company, if someone get access to the info through your MacBook.
Even with a worst-case scenario like a stolen or broken MacBook, you can prepare in advance to minimize the impact.
Always follow Mac security best practises:
But for the worst case, it’s important to prepare your recovery plan: Assume your MacBook is gone – how do you get the apps and data you need? What does your recovery solution look like?
For most users, the first hurdle is their VPN client: It’s the first thing you need to get working, in order to be able to get back to work.
That’s where VPN Tracker 365 Connection Safe comes into play: Connection Safe securely backs-up your connections, so you can instantly get them on your new laptop. Sign in with your account and secure password and you can instantly download and use them.
Unlike other storage systems that rely on simple passwords and leave files unprotected, Connection Safe encrypts all your connections on your MacBook with highly-secure key (Argon3 + PKTNY) that only you know. No unencrypted data will ever leave your laptop. VPN Tracker 365 uploads the connections to a secure cloud storage, which only you can access with your user credentials and key. Even our servers know nothing about your data, as they only store encrypted data chunks. Have a look at our Whitepaper to go deeper into technical details.
We’ve designed this system to make working through VPN easier for every user, at home or during the business trip. Still we understand that data protection standards may vary significantly depending on the company.
In our latest update we’ve introduced a new feature for companies with especially strict data protection policies. From now on, VPN administrators can decide, whether to grant the particular user a possibility to store the connection in the Connection Safe.
There are different plan options for VPN Tracker 365 and you can even try it for free. Connection Safe feature is available with any plan. If you’re ready for the ultimate VPN productivity, take a look at our PRO and VIP plans.
Safe travels!
Your VPN Tracker Team
The post Business Trip 101: Recovering from a Lost Laptop appeared first on equinux blog.
VPN Tracker 365 18.3 is now available! In this version our focus was on macOS Mojave compatibility, further enterprise options for Connection Safe and OpenVPN improvements.
As you may have heard, Apple introduced a new Dark Mode in macOS Mojave. With this update, VPN Tracker 365 now also supports this sleek new UI option. Take care of your eyes, stay better focused on your work and simply enjoy a darker interface – VPN Tracker now looks gorgeous in Dark Mode.
To feel all the advantages of Dark Mode activate it under System Preferences > General > Appearance.
We’ve also made some UI improvements and even added alternative device vendor logos to work smoothly with macOS Mojave and it’s Dark Mode. And more good news for Mojave users – we’ve also updated VPN Shortcuts and automatically opening at login to work with Mojave’s new security requirements, so they will now work as expected.
We’ve already heard lots of positive reviews on our secure Connection Safe feature, and in this version we’ve added new controls for admins. 365 18.3 improves the enterprise controls for VPN admins, with additional control over exported connections.
Choose a preferred permission for user’s Connection Safe when preparing a connection for export. There are 3 options now. You can either require a connection to be stored in Connection Safe automatically, prevent it from being added or simply let the user decide.
To have a look at this new feature go to Configure – Export settings in your administered connection.
With this update, we’re introducing a support for routers running the popular source firmware DD-WRT with OpenVPN support. This means that we now support a whole range of new devices, provided you’re running DD-WRT.
We’ve also prepared a detailed Configuration Guide to help you get started.
Trying to set-up another device? Check out our Device Support and Configuration guides page for assistance.
With 365 18.3 we are introducing some improvements that will make it even easier to get started with an OpenVPN connection.
Here’s what we’ve done:
As more and more organizations are moving their infrastructure to Amazon’s AWS cloud, we are offering a full support of AWS VPC. You can find more info on the set-up in our earlier blogpost.
With previous VPN Tracker versions some AWS users may have experienced an issue when multiple users were sharing a single public IP address. Now our improved AWS setup correctly supports such a use case.
Need some further assistance with your AWS VPC connection? Please, check out our detailed Configuration Guide or send us a message.
You can find a full overview of our official release notes here.
The post NEW: Dark Mode Support and More in VPN Tracker 365 appeared first on equinux blog.
Remote working is becoming more and more common. Even large companies are allowing their employees to work from home for a part of the week. Still for some people it can be tough to adjust to such freedom and keep working effectively. Here are some tips for a stress-free switch.
The biggest danger of working remotely is staying isolated. So make sure you have enough time and opportunities to interact with your colleagues. Set up weekly video calls, engage when you need any advice, or simply say hello in your corporate messenger – all these are the ways to feel a part of the team.
It’s also so easy to slip into complete physical isolation while working from home. Push yourself to get out, meet with a friend for a lunch or make some exercise in the park. Staying home for the whole day can make you crazy in a week, even if you are a complete introvert.
Comfortable working conditions can significantly increase your productivity. First of all, plan, where you would like to spend your day. Find a quiet place where you can leave your belongings and work without any distractions.
However remote working doesn’t mean you have to stay home all the time. Perhaps a nice cafe or library can motivate you for an effective day. Still it’s important to make sure your work through public Wi-Fi connection is secured. Use VPN Tracker World Connect in order to protect all your sensitive data from any hacking attempts. Our VPN Tracker World Connect instantly encrypts your internet activity to secure your work through any public Wi-Fi network.
Another trick here is to invest into your working space. Companies are providing their employees with comfortable places to work, full of refreshments, newest tools and tech accessories. You can also prepare for your day to go smoothly. A pair of good headphones will keep you away from loud noises and comfortable chair will help your back to stay healthy.
Take advantage of you remote work and find the most comfortable working clothes. You can stick with an old pair of jeans or choose a fancy dress if it helps you to stay motivated. No one will judge your for over- or underdressing, at least until you are not on the video call. However stay away of your pajamas – separate working clothes will signalise your brain that it’s time to work.
Make sure you have access to your employer’s network. Nowadays most companies restrict availability of their inner sources for data protection. So don’t forget to choose a reliable VPN provider to connect to your company’s files. Download VPN Tracker 365 and set it up in a few easy steps with the help of our detailed configuration guides. Alternatively you can just get in touch with our support team if you’re stuck.
Many people think that remote working lets them have much more time for themselves. However they’re wrong. It’s just so easy to overwork when your laptop is always nearby and you can easily check mail or begin another small task. Give your day a fixed structure and plan not only its’ beginning and ending, but also breaks. No one can work productively without taking small breaks for a bit of stretching or a cups of coffee.
Making a shared schedule will also let your colleagues know when you are available or busy and shouldn’t be interrupted. Thus you can plan to work in your peak hours when your productivity is on top.
Remote work can seems challenging in the beginning, but with time you’ll find out the best way for you to stay on track. Try our easy tips for the first steps to the effective work from home.
Protect your remote work with VPN Tracker 365 – the #1 VPN client for OS X and macOS:
Start now! Requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later
The post 3 Easy Tips for Effective Remote Working appeared first on equinux blog.
As you’ve probably heard, Apple has pulled Facebook’s Onavo Protect “VPN” app over privacy concerns.
While Onavo Protect claimed to be a VPN, it was owned by Facebook and was capable of incredibly invasive data collection: as it set itself up to redirect all internet activity through Facebook’s servers, it could potentially monitor all internet activity, including which apps were used, white sites were visited and basically anything else you did over the Onavo connection:
A VPN needs to be trustworthyOne of our core principles with VPN Tracker World Connect is that all your data stays private and is never logged. That means that our servers do not store or log any information, making VPN Tracker World Connect the right choice for privacy-conscious customers.
If you were using Onavo and have privacy concerns, remove the Onavo app from your phone and install World Connect from the App Store. We’ve been building VPN apps that adhere to strict German privacy laws since 2002 – this is the VPN app you can trust.
Even businesses can rely on VPN Tracker World Connect to keep employees safe while out they use Hotel or Airport wifi connections on business trips.
Check out VPN Tracker World Connect today – trust us, you’ll never want to surf without it:
Get VPN Tracker World Connect for iPhone & iPad
Get VPN Tracker World Connect for Mac
The post Facebook’s Onavo Protect “VPN” app was pulled – now what? appeared first on equinux blog.
In macOS Mojave, the “Back to my Mac” feature is being retired. So what alternatives are there?
Back to my Mac let you remotely access files on your Mac and use screen sharing to remotely control your Mac, using Apple’s iCloud service as a go-between.
However there’s a better, more secure way to do that – with a VPN. A home VPN connection gives you direct, encrypted access to your devices on your home network, with full security. Think of it as Back to my Mac for your entire home network! And you’re not just limited to files and screen sharing – you can access anything as if you were sitting in your house.
How to get started
First, you’ll need a router at your home or office that supports VPN connections: log on to your router configuration page and look around for “VPN” settings. Many home devices now offer OpenVPN support, including NETGEAR, ASUS and other popular home wifi routers. Alternatively, your router may offer L2TP, or (less commonly on home devices), IPsec VPN support – all of which are supported by VPN Tracker.
Download and setup VPN Tracker
Grab VPN Tracker 365 from our website and create a new connection. Choose your device manufacturer if listed, or the VPN protocol you’ll be using. Follow our detailed configuration guide on how to set up VPN on your router – if you get stuck, get in touch with our support team.
Test your connection over a hotspot
You’ll need to use a different internet connection to test your VPN setup, so either use your phone’s hotspot feature, or head down to your favorite coffee spot and hop on their WiFi. Then try out your connection.
Add Shortcuts for files and screen sharing
Once you’ve got everything configured and working, you can use the VPN Shortcuts feature to add quick links to your Files and the Screen Sharing feature on your Mac at home.
Stuck? Questions? Get in touch with our support team.
The post Back to my Mac replacement for macOS Mojave appeared first on equinux blog.
So you’ve just got your hands on a brand new SonicWALL device and you need to configure a VPN connection to remotely connect to your office network from home? Our quick start guide will take you through the basics you need to know to get yourself set up.
Thanks to SonicWALL Simple Client Provisioning, setting up a VPN on your SonicWALL device is very straightforward and should only take you a couple of minutes. Simple Client Provisioning is available on all of the latest SonicWALL devices such as the NSA Series, TZ Series, and the PRO Series.
Pro tip: VPN Tracker is the only VPN client to offer full support for Simple Client Provisioning. Just enter your SonicWALL’s public IP address, or host name, and VPN Tracker will do all of the hard work for you. You’ll be up and running on VPN in no time!
Here’s a quick overview of how to get started using Simple Client Provisioning on your SonicWALL device:
Find your SonicWALL’s Public (WAN) IP address or host name. You will find this under “Network” > “Interfaces”, or in the GlobalVPN Client on Windows.
Configure the Pre-Shared Key for your device. This is referred to as the “Shared Secret” on the SonicWALL. This is just an extra secure password which you configure especially for your SonicWALL device. You can set this up under “VPN” > “Group VPN” > “General” > “Shared Secret.”
Tip: If “Use Default Key for Simple Client Provisioning” is enabled on the SonicWALL, no Pre-Shared Key is required.
If your SonicWALL uses Extended Authentication (XAUTH), you’ll need the username and the password of a user who is authorized to access the VPN.
Launch your VPN client and enter the connection settings there. VPN Tracker 365 has a device profile specifically set up for configuring SonicWALL devices. You can select Simple Client Provisioning as your network configuration and fill in the information from the following steps. You’ll be connected in no time!
Optimized for the current SonicWALL UI, our latest configuration guide contains all the key knowledge you need to know about creating a VPN connection on your device, as well as information about manual configuration and advanced setup such as remote DNS. With detailed step-by-steps and screenshots, you can check out the full guide here.
VPN Tracker 365 is the number one VPN client for macOS devices. Safely store and manage all of your VPN connections in one place thanks to ultra secure encryption standards. VPN Tracker 365 offers support for IPSec, OpenVPN, L2TP, and PPTP connections, as well as full compatibility with the leading security gateway manufacturers including SonicWALL, Cisco, NETGEAR, and more. Learn more…
Protect your data with VPN Tracker 365 – the #1 VPN client for OS X and macOS:
Start now! Requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later
The post How to Set Up a VPN Connection on a SonicWALL Device appeared first on equinux blog.
We’re pleased to announce that yet another new VPN Tracker 365 beta is now live and available for testing! This version offers compatibility with three brand new device profiles from NETGEAR, Telekom, and Sophos, as well as continued support for OpenVPN connections; the newest addition to VPN Tracker 365 announced last week.
To coincide with our huge new feature, OpenVPN support, we’ve built a brand new device profile in the app for the NETGEAR Nighthawk series – one of the most popular VPN gateways offering support for OpenVPN. You can now easily set up an OpenVPN connection to your Nighthawk X6 R8000, Nighthawk R7000, or other devices from the Nighthawk range, and benefit from all the key configuration settings being automatically applied in VPN Tracker 365. If you need help along the way, you can refer to the configuration guide.
For our IPsec users, we’ve also added two new device profiles. The ultra secure Sophos XG Firewall now has its own device profile in VPN Tracker 365, as well as a detailed configuration guide to take you step by step through the set up process. For our German users, the device profile for the super popular Digitalisierungsbox from Telekom is also ready for use. You can find the configuration guide here.
We’ve extensively tested all of these devices, and tried to make the configuration within VPN Tracker 365 as straightforward as possible; allowing you to get straight to work on building your VPN connections and safely and quickly connect to your company network wherever you are.
The best part? VPN Tracker 365 has been compatible with the macOS 10.14 Mojave beta since the developer launch back at the beginning of June, and that means you can fully test out all of these brand new features while getting to know the new macOS.
We’d love for you to get started right away with testing the latest beta! That way, you can discover all of the new features and device profiles. If you want to try out OpenVPN, or one of the new devices, just enable beta testing in VPN Tracker 365:
Tip: If you ever wish to revert to our latest public release, simple disable beta updates and download a fresh copy of VPN Tracker 365.
Protect your data with VPN Tracker 365 – the #1 VPN client for OS X and macOS:
Start now! Requires Mac OS X 10.9 or later
The post Support for NETGEAR Nighthawk Series and more in the new VPN Tracker 365 Beta appeared first on equinux blog.
