Open-source security and circumvention tool using multiple protocols for safer, freer browsing with limitations
Open-source security and circumvention tool using multiple protocols for safer, freer browsing with limitations
Pros
- Abstracts complex protocols so that they're easy to use
- Supports multiple protocols
- Open source
Cons
- Speed is capped for free users
- Logs user data
- Some bugs related to configuration persistence
Psiphon is an Internet security and circumvention program that uses multiple protocols to open up as much of the Internet as possible while also keeping you safe. Most people don't know just how many hidden dangers lurk around the digital alleyways of the online frontier. But Psiphon Inc, the company behind Psiphon, is here to help.
You might have heard about programs that let you get through region locking or safeguard your data. And if you have, you'll probably notice some overlap between those programs and Psiphon. This is thanks to the fact that Psiphon doesn't just cover one aspect of Internet security and circumvention. The program works with a wide variety of different protocols at the same time. This includes VPN, SSH, SSH+, split tunnel, and HTTP proxies.
Of course, a list of protocols doesn't really explain what Psiphon can actually do for you. It's best to begin by thinking about what your computer shows to the outside world when you're loading up websites. One of the points that is often most important to web servers is your IP address. Your IP address gives web servers a lot of information about you. It generally points to both your country and city. It might even let people narrow in on your neighborhood. Servers often use this information to lock users out of specific content. This is most often done with streaming media. Different countries can access different titles within most international streaming services. But it's extremely common for websites in general to lock you out of content based on your IP address.
But concerns over IP addresses go even further. For example, what if you were in a region where dissent against political figures was a crime? Or where even going to or organizing a protest could put you in danger? You absolutely wouldn't want people to have a red blinking light showing exactly where you are. But that's exactly what IP addresses can be. You're essentially yelling out who you are and where you're from to a variety of different sources when you're online. Or at least that's the way things operate by default. And that's not even the end of it. Cookies leave a trail of data behind you. And even a lot of possible solutions to the problem have their own security concerns thanks to the fact that they use a private codebase. When it comes to security, you really don't want to just take someone's word for it. You want to be able to look at the program's code.
All of these concerns prompted the development of Psiphon. Its merits begin with the fact that it's open source. Anyone can examine the program's computer code to verify that the program is secure. And that trust means that you can feel safe when confronted with any of the dangers present on the Internet. It's not so much that you need to go through the program's source code. But the fact that you're allowed to highlights that the developers have nothing to hide.
When you start up Psiphon it'll provide you with a number of options. Proxies are the most relevant of these choices within the context of IP addresses. You can choose proxy servers from over twenty regions. And once you've made your choice Psiphon will pipe your Internet traffic through those regions. So if you were in the US and used a Canadian server then you'd now have a Canadian IP address. You can even mix and match components through the split tunnel system. This option lets you send some requests through your standard IP address and others through an international proxy.
These options and ideas might sound overly complex. But Psiphon really does a fantastic job of making things as easy as possible. After you've chosen your region you'll see an icon spinning. When that spinning icon changes to a green light it means you're ready to go.
That's not to say Psiphon is perfect. The program operates by continually changing some of the configuration files on your computer. And when you disconnect from Psiphon it'll try to return those configuration files to their original state. But it's not always able to do so. And instead of alerting you, or trying again, the program will simply close. If that happens you'll have to manually fix the configuration files. It's a rare problem, but still common enough to be a concern.
On top of that, Psiphon isn't a full anti-surveillance program. You'll still have some personal information stored on your hard drive when you're using Psiphon even when you're encrypting non-local data and Internet traffic. Additionally, the Psiphon developers do sell some of your data to advertisers. The reason comes down to funding. Psiphon's free accounts offer a tremendous amount of usability. But that usability also costs money for the developers to maintain. Likewise, free users do need to endure a minor cap on transfer speeds. Free accounts are limited to 2 Mbps. That's roughly equivalent to 3G on mobile networks. But Psiphon, even capped, does have better latency than a phone using 3G. So you're still getting a relatively fast connection when using Psiphon.
Pros
- Abstracts complex protocols so that they're easy to use
- Supports multiple protocols
- Open source
Cons
- Speed is capped for free users
- Logs user data
- Some bugs related to configuration persistence
Pros
- Easy to download and use
- No email address required
- Open source code for higher transparency
Cons
- Requires a strong connection
- May glitch out
- Doesn’t offer a lot of privacy
Psiphon is a circumvention tool for Windows from the developer Psiphon Inc. This tool uses VPN, SSH, and HTTP Proxy which allows you to have unrestricted access to all internet content. As you browse, the client will learn about new points of access, which allows you to bypass blocks with ease. This tool is great for a wide variety of applications.
The internet was founded on the idea of free access to information. However, it seems today that the web is more limited than ever before. Nearly everything is behind some block, and sometimes this is due to employer or government restrictions. Psiphon for Windows allows you to access the content you want, whenever you want, without limitations. This tool allows you to bypass censorship, even its from your country, your corporation, or even your school campus. This tool allows you to browse as you wish without any roadblocks. Information and entertainment shouldn’t come with blocks and limitations. Psiphon is a great too for browsing freely, just as it was meant to be.
It's also incredibly easy to download and run Psiphon on your PC. Once you download and install the program, you’ll receive a security prompt. If you select to run the client program, it will automatically begin to connect. Users then have the option of which tunnel mode to select. Once the connecting icon stops spinning, a green one should display, and it means that your connection has been properly established. If you enter into SSH and SSH+ mode, then the program will automatically set the Windows system proxy settings which would be respected by the major web browsers on the market.
Psiphon also offers a split tunnel option where international traffic is tunneled through the proxy, all while domestic traffic is not tunneled. For this, you will have to check the option that says something like “don’t proxy domestic websites.” When this is done, Psiphon will report any unproxied domains in the message box area. This allows you to track and keep note of your experience, as well as any issues that may occur within.
The Psiphon interface displays your connection status rather well, however, it doesn’t highlight your new IP address. You’re able to select a server from over 20 different regions. Some of these regions include the UK, USA, Spain, India, Canada, and even Switzerland. Once you do so, a new browser window should then appear to show your new IP.
While Psiphon is fantastic for getting around roadblocks and censors, you may find that speed will vary depending on your connection. You may want to experiment with different connections and settings so you’re able to find the one that is fast enough and suitable for your browsing experience. While it’s fast enough to browse the web without issue, you shouldn’t expect any videos to stream at or higher than 1080p. This is a somewhat small point, as the overall benefit of the tool still outweighs this downside.
Another nice quality that this software boasts is the fact that it’s an open-source program, meaning that the original source code is freely available and able to be distributed and modified. This not only helps to increase transparency but also allows others to help make the program even better. Transparency is often rare in the VPN community, so it’s valued when it occurs. Psiphon is also regularly updated, and is subject to peer review, making the program the best program that it could be.
Psiphon is also relatively safe to use, especially compared to other tools just like it. All of your data that goes through Psiphon is encrypted, giving the program an extra layer of security. However, this software is not made for anti-surveillance. This means that some of your data is still visible to things like your internet provider, sort of like when you turn on incognito mode on your phone or computer. It should be noted that even though the software is not anti-surveillance, your internet provider still will not be able to see the content of your internet traffic, like the web pages you’ve browsed, your chats, or your uploads.
It should also be noted that Psiphon doesn’t prevent your browsing history or your cookies from being stored on your computer. Depending on the mode that you’re using, not all your traffic is tunneled. One downside of Psiphon is also what helps keep the program free, as they sell some of your data to third parties to deliver advertisements within the client.
While there is a load of benefits when it comes to Psiphon, there are a few downsides as well. Since this program modifies your PC’s proxy settings when it connects, it also should return them to their original state when the program disconnects. However, some users have issues with their settings being returned to normal after the program disconnects. It seems that sometimes the program will glitch and will fail to reset your proxy settings to their usual state. In this case, users will have to manually fix their proxy settings. This is confusing for some, especially if they were unaware of what their normal settings were.
It's also somewhat important to mention that while it’s totally free to download Psiphon, it’s illegal in many different countries. Luckily, the developers have included features to help mask the presence of users and help obscure their identities. This should work in most cases but is not guaranteed and still carries plenty of risks.
Psiphon also offers a Psiphon Pro version of the program. This version is an ad-supported option of the software, to subscribe to as well as support the network. This option provides a further optimized use of the program, creating better ways to browse without blocks or unnecessary censorship. Because the program works with your favorite major browser, you'll also enjoy the comfort of browsing in a way that you're familiar with, just without the added censorship!
The main purpose of this software is to circumvent censorship and to allow anyone to browse the web freely, without censorship or blockages ruining their experience. However, it does not boast privacy or anti-surveillance. Because of this, you may wish to try high-security VPN options, such as Tor or Surf Anonymous. Apps like these will hide your IP address and ensure your privacy. There are also paid premium VPN options, such as NordVPN, which is well-known and comprehensive, as well as secure.
This outstanding free software gives you everything that you’ll need to browse freely while getting past digital censorship. This software is not for users who are very security conscious or those who want 100% anonymity when they browse. There are plenty of other paid VPN services that can offer more in the way of privacy. However, as is, Psiphon is a great option for most average users.
The newest version of this program doesn’t require you to register, meaning that you’ll be able to start browsing with ease. Psiphon also doesn’t require you to enter any card information, meaning that you’ll never be charged for anything, it’s totally free! The newest version also offers a larger range of selections when it comes to protocols that aren’t just VPNs. You’re able to stay connected at all times with a stellar global network that features thousands of servers and many diverse entry points.
Psiphon is a great utility for Windows that is not only completely free but is also easy to use. This tool allows anyone to easily bypass roadblocks and censorship online, meaning you’re able to access whatever you want, whenever you want. This program is great for the average user, and while its open source means greater transparency, this still isn’t the choice for those who want 100% anonymity or those who are hyper-secure. Psiphon is generally safe to use, but is not anti-surveillance, and does not provide total security. This utility tool also requires a decent internet connection to work and isn’t the best when looking to browse in high quality. However, overall, Psiphon is a great choice when it comes to bypassing censorship and browsing how you’d like to, all for free. Average users are encouraged to check out the program before running to paid, more complicated programs.
Pros
- Easy to download and use
- No email address required
- Open source code for higher transparency
Cons
- Requires a strong connection
- May glitch out
- Doesn’t offer a lot of privacy
Pros
- No email required for signup
- Completely free to use
- Open source
Cons
- Doesn't protect against surveillance
- Messes up regular proxy settings
Psiphon is a VPN and server proxy combo that allows users to browse the internet anonymously. You can easily view uncensored versions of all the content that is blocked in your region. By using a proxy to bypass web blockers, you can regain total freedom over your internet usage.
Unparalleled Freedom Online
If you remember the early days of the internet, then you will remember just how free you were to access the information and websites you wanted. Nowadays, restrictions and censorship have slowly been normalized. Psiphon lets you return to the days of completely unfiltered web browsing. It is easy and free to download on any Windows PC. As long as you are using one of the supported web browsers, your settings should configure automatically. A majority of the most popular web browsers are supported at this time. If your browser of choice isn't supported, you can at least manually set things up after reading a few tutorials.
Connecting to an Anonymous Server
Psiphon works by giving you a brand new IP address on one of their custom servers. You can choose from well over 20 countries such as the USA, India, Switzerland, Canada, and the UK. Unfortunately, it doesn't automatically show you your new IP address. If you want to find out, you need to use a third-party website to see what they detect. The speed of your connect will vary based on a few factors. Most notably, the distance between your actual location and the country you choose for a new server. While you can do most things just fine, don't expect to stream video games or 4K video on a Psiphon connection.
The Code is Open Source
Software that is open source allows skilled creators to modify the program at will. Although many people won't make any adjustments themselves, there are plenty of cool custom mods to choose from. You also get the benefit of transparency. Experts can review any new updates to the code so nothing shady can take place. This is [pretty rare for any VPN software, especially one that is free to use.
Security Features and Anonymity
Everything you do while connected to a Psiphon server is encrypted. While this makes it so that your internet provider can't track you, you can still be subject to surveillance by world governments. Your browsing history and any cookies you accrue are still stored locally on your PC. Since the application is free to use, your local information is sold to external companies to provide targeted ads. Although this may be a dealbreaker for some, it is understandable considering how much it costs to run VPN proxy servers.
Learn How to Restore Proxy Settings
If you plan on using Psiphon, be sure to read up on how to manually change your proxy settings. Psiphon alters your proxy settings when you connect to a server. However, it doesn't restore your defaults once you stop using it. To avoid any connection issues with your regular IP, you need to switch your proxy settings back over every time you switch back.
All in all, Psiphon provides a great way to quickly bypass internet restrictions and censorship. If you don't want to pay for a VPN, then Psiphon is a great solution for your proxy needs.
Pros
- No email required for signup
- Completely free to use
- Open source
Cons
- Doesn't protect against surveillance
- Messes up regular proxy settings
