What to do when downloading/uploading with a VPN

[RobertX]

What kinds of precautions have you taken in regards of downloading when using (even the best) VPN?

[Carjacker]

I use a separate computer as a VM server where I have 2 VMs configured as seedboxes - one for Private sites and one for Public. They are both security hardened and are only used for torrenting, nothing else. I use account separation when running the main apps - and all apps are run through a Standard/Restricted account for main access. To access the server (which is headless) I use OpenSSH with only key authentication through which I run RDP.

Heres a screenshot (click it for larger view):

[demonS]

Just a reminder the Op is asking a serious question in a serious part of the forum, remember to keep your funny off the cuff replies in the void, off topic posts removed /Mod

[RobertX]

If you don't my asking, Carjacker, what, generally, are the specs of your VM server?

I'm asking because I want to know what specs I should have for mine.

You see, I have a Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, 2GB RAM, and I usually employ Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca. I want to know if this is enough to run a VPN.

[Carjacker]

If you don't my asking, Carjacker, what, generally, are the specs of your VM server?

I'm asking because I want to know what specs I should have for mine.

You see, I have a Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor, 2GB RAM, and I usually employ Linux Mint 17.1 Rebecca. I want to know if this is enough to run a VPN.

Well, you may consider it a waste of a 'good computer' but I have many machines inhouse to choose from - anyways, the specs of the machine I use as a seedbox VM server are as follows:


Host Name:                 <CENSORED>
OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
OS Version:                6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free
Registered Owner:          <CENSORED>
Registered Organization:   
Product ID:                <CENSORED>
Original Install Date:     9/6/2013, 2:33:53 AM
System Boot Time:          5/17/2015, 7:49:41 PM
System Manufacturer:       ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
System Model:              ET2410
System Type:               x64-based PC
Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 42 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~3100 Mhz
BIOS Version:              ASUSTeK Computer Inc. 0413, 10/18/2011
Windows Directory:         C:\Windows
System Directory:          C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume1
System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone:                <CENSORED>
Total Physical Memory:     8,103 MB
Available Physical Memory: 1,089 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size:  16,205 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 11,479 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use:    4,726 MB
Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys
Domain:                    WORKGROUP
Logon Server:              <CENSORED>

Network Card(s):           4 NIC(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [02]: NETGEAR WNDA4100 N900 Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
                                 DHCP Enabled:    No
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: <CENSORED>
                                 [02]: <CENSORED>
                           [03]: VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter
                                 Connection Name: VirtualBox Host-Only Network
                                 DHCP Enabled:    No
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: 192.168.56.1
                                 [02]: <CENSORED>
                           [04]: TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection 2
                                 Status:          Media disconnected

Information was gathered using the commandline: 'systeminfo' . If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

As far as your system specs and whether you can run a VM, first, make sure your machine CPU has the capability to run Intel VT-x or AMD-V in your BIOS. Though, with only 2 GBs of RAM, I would not recommend running a VM, as your system resources are way to small to run your Host OS along with a Guest OS. Upgrade to at least 4GBs of RAM for a minimum config. Otherwise, the rest of your specs look OK.

EDIT: Actually, I see now that you run a Pentium 4 CPU which does not have the capability to run a virtual environment.
Your CPU does not support hardware-assisted virtualization unless it is in the 'M' class.
This was implemented as Intel's VT-x, or AMD's AMD-V.
Without this feature it
a) is not possible to run x64 virtual machines
and
b) may not be possible running x86 machines for certain hardware and software combinations.

[RobertX]

Well, nobody's perfect.

I guess, I'll just use virtual machines to test updated versions of murphy78's ISOs in terms of stability, a.k.a. "if it will work." Nothing more.

EDIT: Back to VPNs. If I am just to use the Internet generally, should I still take precautions when using VPNs, or are VPNs used generally for censorship-busting and P2P?

[Moe]

A VPN in this context is nothing more than a way to change your point of presence on the internet. How and when it should be used is entirely up to you.

[MyMoneypit1]

When using VPNs, i've come to discover the uploading/downloading of torrents is usually unaffected with most. Of course the quality of the VPN comes into play. But specific things such as "comments" are blocked depending on the point of origin country being used. It appears Germany goes unhindered for most everything. Are there any point of origins that are best to use whenever possible besides Germany, when it comes to all things done with a VPN?

[_Cute_Kitty_]

I just use Private Internet Access with a killswitch enabled, DNS leak protection on, and IPV6 leak protection.

Ever since i started using PIA and seedboxes, never had a copyright notice, so I'd say I'm doing good