F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Networks Are you completely private?

Are you completely private?

Are you completely private?

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IronStoat
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137
06-18-2016, 02:32 AM
#1
I purchased the Express VPN, but accessing HTTPS sites on my school Wi-Fi requires installing a proxy profile on my phone. To connect to the VPN, I need to be connected via 4G before choosing my school Wi-Fi and logging into my account. This process fails if I try to connect afterward. Is my online browsing completely secure?
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IronStoat
06-18-2016, 02:32 AM #1

I purchased the Express VPN, but accessing HTTPS sites on my school Wi-Fi requires installing a proxy profile on my phone. To connect to the VPN, I need to be connected via 4G before choosing my school Wi-Fi and logging into my account. This process fails if I try to connect afterward. Is my online browsing completely secure?

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Klokki98
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12
06-18-2016, 09:33 PM
#2
Likely not. Even with a VPN only directing traffic from your phone to their proxy, school firewalls would record the connection. Whether they display a secure link or show all traffic openly, you’d eventually be detected. A VPN trace alone isn’t enough to stop them from investigating further. Default mobile settings usually prioritize WiFi over 4G for speed and cost reasons. When you switch to 4G and then connect to school Wi-Fi, does the VPN remain active? Look in settings to confirm it’s still enabled, or check if the VPN icon stays next to your battery on iOS. If disconnected, adjust the app to use mobile data instead of WiFi.
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Klokki98
06-18-2016, 09:33 PM #2

Likely not. Even with a VPN only directing traffic from your phone to their proxy, school firewalls would record the connection. Whether they display a secure link or show all traffic openly, you’d eventually be detected. A VPN trace alone isn’t enough to stop them from investigating further. Default mobile settings usually prioritize WiFi over 4G for speed and cost reasons. When you switch to 4G and then connect to school Wi-Fi, does the VPN remain active? Look in settings to confirm it’s still enabled, or check if the VPN icon stays next to your battery on iOS. If disconnected, adjust the app to use mobile data instead of WiFi.

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_DanFTW_
Junior Member
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11
06-18-2016, 11:18 PM
#3
Yes, you're correct. The school firewall will recognize you're using a VPN, but it's only illegal if the rules explicitly say otherwise. It might cause some concerns, but you can emphasize that you prioritize privacy and don't wish to be tracked. Express VPN is a good option; I personally use NordVPN since it lets me pick a specific server instead of the one assigned automatically by Express when you select a region. Also, regularly verify with ipleak.net to ensure your IP address isn't being exposed.
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_DanFTW_
06-18-2016, 11:18 PM #3

Yes, you're correct. The school firewall will recognize you're using a VPN, but it's only illegal if the rules explicitly say otherwise. It might cause some concerns, but you can emphasize that you prioritize privacy and don't wish to be tracked. Express VPN is a good option; I personally use NordVPN since it lets me pick a specific server instead of the one assigned automatically by Express when you select a region. Also, regularly verify with ipleak.net to ensure your IP address isn't being exposed.

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bmarzano
Senior Member
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449
06-19-2016, 01:43 AM
#4
My VPN remains active after connecting to school Wi-Fi, but I need to lock my phone to stay logged in—without that, I have to log back in. Express VPN lets me pick any server location I prefer. Thanks for your help!
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bmarzano
06-19-2016, 01:43 AM #4

My VPN remains active after connecting to school Wi-Fi, but I need to lock my phone to stay logged in—without that, I have to log back in. Express VPN lets me pick any server location I prefer. Thanks for your help!

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Sammy706
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79
06-26-2016, 12:10 PM
#5
It depends on where the proxy server is located. If it's on the school LAN, it might bypass the VPN. If it's online, it should connect through the VPN first, though the proxy can still track your activity, making it less secure. In either case, the VPN likely isn't fully effective since you're using it for HTTPS and the same restrictions apply. Unless the network only uses the proxy for login and then lets traffic through the VPN, you might be able to turn it off after logging in so everything goes over the VPN.
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Sammy706
06-26-2016, 12:10 PM #5

It depends on where the proxy server is located. If it's on the school LAN, it might bypass the VPN. If it's online, it should connect through the VPN first, though the proxy can still track your activity, making it less secure. In either case, the VPN likely isn't fully effective since you're using it for HTTPS and the same restrictions apply. Unless the network only uses the proxy for login and then lets traffic through the VPN, you might be able to turn it off after logging in so everything goes over the VPN.

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theicefrenzy
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65
06-26-2016, 04:55 PM
#6
Thanks for the insightful response. Perhaps I should be more mindful of my online activities during class.
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theicefrenzy
06-26-2016, 04:55 PM #6

Thanks for the insightful response. Perhaps I should be more mindful of my online activities during class.

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xshot13
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122
07-04-2016, 03:16 PM
#7
It's definitely a strange arrangement. One might assume they'd simply use a transparent proxy and stop there. It looks like they genuinely don't intend for VPNs to bypass them, which is quite surprising given how easy it would be otherwise.
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xshot13
07-04-2016, 03:16 PM #7

It's definitely a strange arrangement. One might assume they'd simply use a transparent proxy and stop there. It looks like they genuinely don't intend for VPNs to bypass them, which is quite surprising given how easy it would be otherwise.

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