{"id":165,"date":"2015-02-12T14:41:40","date_gmt":"2015-02-12T14:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mikebird.me\/?p=165"},"modified":"2015-02-12T14:41:40","modified_gmt":"2015-02-12T14:41:40","slug":"secure-web-browsing-using-hola-vpn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikebird.me\/?p=165","title":{"rendered":"Secure web browsing using Hola VPN"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a number of ways to access sites blocked by your ISP for whatever reason, but a \u201ctunnel\u201d connecting you directly to the site that your ISP cannot observe, by a Virtual Private Network (VPN) looks a more secure option than using a proxy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hola is the most straightforward Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution I have found. And Hola VPN also appears trustworthy \u2013 or I cannot find anyone who doesn\u2019t trust their assertion that they do not keep logs \u2013 and the How-To-Geeks seem have accepted they do not bundle adware (https:\/\/discuss.howtogeek.com\/t\/warning-your-browser-extensions-are-spying-on-you\/12394\/40<\/a>).<\/p>\n

First, download Hola at http:\/\/hola.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

To use once installed is easier on mobile devices like \u2018phones or tablets than desktops, but none are difficult. These are the various steps:<\/p>\n

iOS (e.g. your iPad):<\/strong>
\nGo to Settings\/VPN and choose a national server to connect Hola<\/p>\n

Android (e.g. \u2018phones, tablets):<\/strong>
\nUse the Hola browser<\/p>\n

PC\/Laptop (Windows, I have not yet tried Linux):<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Click tiny icon (top right of FF screen)<\/li>\n
  2. If turned off, click the blazing Smiley image in the small window to start<\/li>\n
  3. Select a country<\/li>\n
  4. When connected it will say, \u201cBrowsing From\u201d and show the national flag<\/li>\n
  5. Hover mouse above flag and a text entry box will appear between \u201cBrowsing\u201d and \u201cFrom\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Type the blocked site\u2019s URL in the box and click on the grey hatched globe icon to its right<\/li>\n
  7. The site will be unblocked in the main browser window<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    One other issue:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cSystem Administrator has blocked this program\u201d, just close the message, then a bit of arm wrestling is needed:<\/p>\n