Freedome VPN - Amsterdam server

Andrxz
Andrxz Posts: 2 New Member

Hello

I am currently trialling the FSecure Freedom VPN app on Windows which I know has been discontinued but I prefer this simple program to test the reliability & feature set of the VPN service.

When connected to Amsterdam server I have noticed that I am blocked from YouTube and always required to sign-in to my Google account. The issue persists across several large websites where even on Amazon I am required to complete captchas to confirm non-bot status.

Are these VPN servers based in the Netherlands being used for spamming & bot services?

It is very annoying having to verify identity often which leads me to believe that these servers are compromised.

Is it possible to conduct something similar to a full audit of the VPN service to check if the cluster is being used for malicious activity e,g, spamming/botnet?

Constant sign-in and captcha verification is driving me up the wall.

Kind Regards

Answers

  • JOnes
    JOnes Posts: 832 Forum Guru

    Instead of "banging on the wall" with discontinued product(F-Secure Freedome), I would suggest testing F-Secure VPN(unlimited version for 5 days), supported by F-Secure.I'm quite sure that the production VPN servers even in Amsterdam are not used for spamming and Bot servers…

    https://www.f-secure.com/gb-en/vpn

  • Andrxz
    Andrxz Posts: 2 New Member

    Thanks for the prompt reply. The application is working well, i am connecting from the UK with 150mbps DL / 30mbps UL. I do not experience all the captchas and verifications when connecting to Ireland, UK or Belgium. Other local EU servers are also fine but the nearer ones are preferred for speed.
    Sweden GleSYS is also another server that causes google, amazon, cloudflare captchas.

    Regarding F-Secure VPN, will this app interfere with Kaspersky Antivirus? I do not want to uninstall my main antimalware solution just to trial a VPN service which is why I am using Freedome.

    Regards.

  • JOnes
    JOnes Posts: 832 Forum Guru
    edited March 7

    " I'm glad the application is working well for you, and thanks for the detailed feedback about the server issues and the antivirus question.

    Regarding the Captchas and Verifications with Certain Servers (Sweden GleSYS, etc.):

    • Server Reputation: The issue you're experiencing is likely due to the IP address reputation of those specific servers. Some servers, especially those that have been used for activities that trigger security alerts (e.g., automated scraping, suspected bot traffic), can get flagged by services like Google, Amazon, and Cloudflare.
    • Shared IP Addresses: VPN servers typically use shared IP addresses. If another user on that server has engaged in suspicious activity, it can affect the reputation of the entire IP address range.  
    • Server Load: Sometimes, high server load can also trigger security measures, as it might be mistaken for a DDoS attack.
    • Geographical Routing: The fact that servers closer to you are preferred for speed is logical, but as you have noticed, not all servers are equal.

    Regarding F-Secure VPN and Kaspersky Antivirus:

    • Potential Conflicts: In general, running two security applications simultaneously can sometimes lead to conflicts. This is because both applications monitor system activity, network traffic, and file access.  
    • Likely Scenario: In most cases, F-Secure VPN and Kaspersky Antivirus should coexist without major issues. However, there's always a possibility of minor conflicts, such as:
      • Network Filtering: Both applications have network filtering capabilities, which could potentially interfere with each other.
      • Resource Usage: Both applications consume system resources. Running both simultaneously might lead to a slight performance decrease, especially on less powerful systems.
      • False Positives: There's a small chance that one application might misinterpret the other's activity as malicious, leading to false positives.
    • Recommendations:
      • Test Thoroughly: The best way to determine if there are conflicts is to test both applications together. Monitor your system for any unusual behavior, such as crashes, slowdowns, or network connectivity issues.
      • Exclusions: If you encounter conflicts, you might be able to resolve them by adding exclusions in both applications. For example, you could exclude the F-Secure VPN process from Kaspersky's scanning and vice versa.
      • Keep Applications Updated: Ensure that both F-Secure VPN and Kaspersky Antivirus are updated to the latest versions. Updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
      • Prioritize your Antivirus: If you must choose one, your antivirus is the most important application to keep running.

    In summary:

    • Server reputation is the most likely cause of the captchas.
    • F-Secure VPN and Kaspersky Antivirus should work together, but be aware of possible conflicts."

    I hope this helps!