"Chromebook's OpenVPN support is very limited ... cannot connect to our services ... OpenVPN Technologies, Inc."

You can't make up stuff like this. Below is an exchange of messages with privatetunnel.com.

to: support@privatetunnel.com
date: Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 7:34 PM
subject: Set up virtual private networks (VPNs) - Chromebook Help
mailed-by: gmail.com

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1282338?hl=en

​Your Chromebook has built-in support for these VPNs:
L2TP over IPsec with PSK
L2TP over IPsec with certificate-based authentication
OpenVPN

What am I missing? ​"OpenVPN": ain't that you?

I had your service for a year and used it on my Android tablet but I really need it for my Chromebooks.
______________________________

from: PrivateTunnel Support
reply-to: support@privatetunnel.com
to: ken
date: Tue, Mar 27, 2018 at 1:24 AM
subject: Re: PrivateTunnel support ticket Set up virtual private networks (VPNs) - Chromebook Help #PT00009281
signed-by: privatetunnel.com

New reply for the PrivateTunnel support ticket #PT00009281

Hello there.

Chromebook's OpenVPN support is very limited, and unfortunately cannot be used to connect to our services.
You will need a full Linux system in order to connect to our service successfully.

Sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.
If you'd like to unsubscribe and stop receiving these emails click here.

David Lam
Best Regards,

David Lam
OpenVPN Technologies, Inc.

#PT00009281
______________________

Chromebook "Set up virtual private networks (VPNs)": yeah, right! SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2018

Are you kidding? Build the damn VPN into your OS. Who the heck knows what you're talking about? Chromebooks are supposed to be simple. Google should protect us without expecting us to follow esoteric instructions like monkeys.
______________________

Chromebook "Set up virtual private networks (VPNs)": yeah, right!

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1282338?hl=en

You can use some types of VPNs on your Chromebook without installing any software. For other types, you can install VPN apps ...

Built-in VPN support

Your Chromebook has built-in support for these VPNs:

• L2TP over IPsec with PSK
• L2TP over IPsec with certificate-based authentication
• OpenVPN

Note: I recently dumped OpenVPN at privatetunnel.com because it couldn't support my Chromebook.

There's way more junk in the article. Read it for yourself.

Was this article helpful? No!

My comment:

Are you kidding? Build the damn VPN into your OS. Who the heck knows what you're talking about? Chromebooks are supposed to be simple. Google should protect us without expecting us to follow esoteric instructions like monkeys.

Private Tunnel VPN: trying it. Hey, what the heck.

Makes as much sense as the wacky commercial VPN service providers mentioned in previous posts.

Private Tunnel VPN, of course, does not support the Chromebook but the "pricing" makes it reasonable for the device I'm most likely to use outside of home: my tablet.

Setup was mysterious and any comments would not be helpful to another human. Check it out.

VPN service providers: global empires or two guys in their underwear churning out "locations" on 1 or 2 servers?

This post is more concerned with where they work, not whether they work. They don't, at least not on a Chromebook.

VPN: do any of these damn things work? TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

A couple of years ago I tried PureVPN. I wrote a bunch of posts. You can click on the VPN label to the right to read them.

This week I tried two more such services ...

I wanted to be able to protect a Chromebook and an Android tablet.

ExpressVPN (based in Bermuda) ... free trial did not extend to the Chromebook app. Dropped free trial. (before trying to pay.

NordVPN (based in Panama; billed to Latvia) ...

My bank challenged both (PureVPN and NordVPN). I should have taken the hint.

Finally, how the heck would you know what, if any, protection they are providing? Do they really have servers all over the planet or are they a couple of guys in their underwear with a server hooked up to a generator? Are some a giant scam that uses customer info to rob them even more blind than the money charged for "service"?
___________________

PureVPN

https://support.purevpn.com/vpn-servers

​502 finds on this page for ​pointtoserver.com​ using browser function. Lends credence to my two guys in their underwear theory. It's the only domain I noticed.

I'm guessing that they simply defined 502 IP addresses on this one server and provide them to paying customers. Maybe like creating control cards in a JCL deck running an IBM utility in years gone by.

pointtoserver.com

https://whois.icann.org/en/lookup?name=pointtoserver.com

Organization: Domains By Proxy, LLC

Mailing Address: DomainsByProxy.com, Scottsdale AZ 85260 US

​​DomainsByProxy.com, Scottsdale AZ 85260 US

​So is PureVPN in Arizona or in Hong Kong as they present?​

​_______________

https://whois.icann.org/en/lookup?name=%E2%80%8BDomainsByProxy.com​

Organization: Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC

Mailing Address: 14455 N Hayden Rd Suite 219, Scottsdale Arizona 85260 US

It gets curiouser and curiouser.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domains_by_Proxy

Domains by Proxy (DBP) is an Internet company owned by GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons. It offers domain privacy services through partner domain registrars such as Go Daddy and Wild West Domains.

Over 9,850,000 domain names currently use the Domains by Proxy service.

_________________

From chat after Chromebook failures:

You are requested to please use server address:

1) us2.ptoserver.com
2) uk2.ptoserver.com
3) au2.ptoserver.com
4) nl2.ptoserver.com
5) it2.ptoserver.com
6) sg2.ptoserver.com
7) au-sd1.ptoserver.com
8) ru-tv1.ptoserver.com
9) es1.ptoserver.com
10) hk1.ptoserver.com

OK, so maybe PureVPN has two servers, one for each guy in his underwear.

_________________

_________________

NordVPN

https://nordvpn.com/servers/?gclid=CjwKEAiAoaXFBRCNhautiPvnqzoSJABzHd6hbndMQ2EQ0sK61fGgqz0VZ5M-ulp1jHH4_3ooeCWCkRoCPDjw_wcB

Wow, so many locations. Yeah, but only one domain.

Two different guys in their underwear.

https://www.whois.com/whois/nordvpn.com

Luxembourg, not Arizona like PureVPN, which uses GoDaddy.

REGISTRANT CONTACT
Name:Whois Privacy
Organization:Whois Privacy (enumDNS dba)
Street:BPM 333868, Rue Gabriel Lippman 34
City:Munsbach
Postal Code:5365
Country:LU
Phone:+352.27720304
Email:email@whoisprivacy.com

________________

________________

ExpressVPN

https://www.expressvpn.com/vpn-server

Hides its domain names behind country icons.

https://www.whois.com/whois/expressvpn.com

REGISTRANT CONTACT
Name:Domain Admin
Organization:Whois Privacy Corp.
Street:Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street
City:Nassau
State:New Providence
Country:BS
Phone:+1.5163872248
Email:email@5225b4d0pi3627q9.whoisprivacycorp.com

Bermuda.

________________

________________

All three service providers I considered present a choice of "locations", suggesting that they have servers there, but I think it's just many IP addresses that pretend to be at those locations.

It seems like deceptive advertising. Too bad reviews and oversight don't seem to know or care.

PureVPN: OK with Windows 10 and Android 7 but still fails with Chromebook.

For the Chromebook I twice tried the generic instructions:

https://support.purevpn.com/chromebook-chrome-os-l2tp-setup-guide

Then from a chat:

You are requested to please use server address:

1) us2.ptoserver.com
2) uk2.ptoserver.com
3) au2.ptoserver.com
4) nl2.ptoserver.com
5) it2.ptoserver.com
6) sg2.ptoserver.com
7) au-sd1.ptoserver.com
8) ru-tv1.ptoserver.com
9) es1.ptoserver.com
10) hk1.ptoserver.com
_________________

I tried us2.ptoserver.com. All three attempts had the same result: connected, then dropped after a few minutes.

But it got me thinking about the essence of these VPN service providers and whether they are two guys in their underwear renting a server or two. More in a subsequent post.

PureVPN being tried again at its invitation.

Previous post:

VPN: do any of these damn things work? TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

A couple of years ago I tried PureVPN. I wrote a bunch of posts. You can click on the VPN label to the right to read them.

This week I tried two more such services ... modest objective: protect my devices when away from home from garden variety pain in the ass intruders...

I wanted to be able to protect a Chromebook and an Android tablet...

ExpressVPN (based in Bermuda) ...

NordVPN (based in Panama; billed to Latvia) ...

Do they really have servers all over the planet or are they a couple of guys in their underwear with a server hooked up to a generator? Are some a giant scam that uses customer info to rob them even more blind than the money charged for "service"?
____________________________

The link was sent to the three companies:

from:		Ken
to:		support@nordvpn.com, support@expressvpn.zendesk.com, PureVPN
date:		Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 6:43 PM
subject:		Tech Thoughts: VPN: do any of these damn things work?

Surprisingly, PureVPN replied and offered a three day trial. I accepted.

EpressVPN has an app for installing its stuff on a Chromebook. NordVPN and PureVPN offer instructions, which are their screenshots implementing generic Google instructions. Here are the links:

https://support.purevpn.com/chromebook-chrome-os-l2tp-setup-guide

https://nordvpn.com/tutorials/chrome-os/l2tp/

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1282338?hl=en

Only PureVPN mentions: 

• Check Save identity and password

NordVPN does not show that on its screen shot.

All three seem the same.

Last night I got on my Chromebook as a guest. I then successfully implemented PureVPN. The IP address that it used to represent my computer was in Chicago. I learned this from independent software.

After a while I stopped using my Chromebook and when I went back to it a couple of hours later, the VPN connection had dropped, according to a Chromebook message.

Feb. 16, 2017, 9:00AM loading PureVPN app (5.6.0) onto tablet running Android 7.1.1. It displays as "Best Free VPN". It's not free.

I'm prompted for ID and password, then mode and I select privacy.

I appear to be connected. It shows United States and an 108 IP address, which traces to Bayside, which is local.

With no guidance and after viewing settings, I click on the plug icon, figuring that it will disconnect but instead it brings up location options. I click the icon to select location. I select Italy and when I find my way back to the main screen it shows in the lower left: Italy and a 172 IP address.

When I ask Google for my IP address, it initially shows the Bayside address and "Your public IP address". However, iplocation.net shows 172 ... Milan, Lombardi (IT).

whatismyip.com also shows Milan.

OK, so PureVPN has me in Italy. Let's see how long the connection lasts.

Feb. 16, 2017, 9:30AM Windows 10: From the PureVPN website, I'm downloading the app. Installing. Stealth. OpenVPN. Blah, blah, blah. It's been "finishing" for almost twenty minutes; appears to be stuck.

Oh, in another window there's a prompt for approval to install:

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
MICROSOFT VISUAL C++ REDISTRIBUTABLE FOR VISUAL STUDIO 2013

I clicked OK. C++ finished and then so did PureVPN.

I logged in and selected "security and privacy" as I had done with the Android app. Then I requested a server in Canada. The PureVPN Windows app shows that my real IP address is hidden and that Montreal is were my IP address is. Cool.

Now let's see how long these connections last. Android is still in Milan, Italy since 9:20 AM.

I also need to try my Chromebook again.

VPN: do any of these damn things work?

A couple of years ago I tried PureVPN. I wrote a bunch of posts. You can click on the VPN label to the right to read them.

This week I tried two more such services, this time with a much more modest objective: protect my devices when away from home from garden variety pain in the ass intruders. I'm not concerned about the NSA. In fact I hope that the NSA is running some of these sites to track bad guys.

I wanted to be able to protect a Chromebook and an Android tablet.

ExpressVPN (based in Bermuda):
- supposedly the only service with a Chromebook app
- seven day free trial
- free trial did not extend to the Chromebook app
Dropped free trial.

NordVPN (based in Panama; billed to Latvia):
- no free trial; had to pay to play; promised refund in 5-7 days; will dispute with bank ASAP anyway
- detailed instructions to deal with a Chromebook
- Chromebook instructions did not work; chat and email advice descended further and further into tech hell where no customer should be asked to go
- even the Android app failed to connect.

My bank challenged both. I should have taken the hint.

Finally, how the heck would you know what, if any, protection they are providing? Do they really have servers all over the planet or are they a couple of guys in their underwear with a server hooked up to a generator? Are some a giant scam that uses customer info to rob them even more blind than the money charged for "service"?

purevpn failed on three PCs, worked on Android tablet.

purevpn now finally connects on my Android 5 Nexus 7 tablet and even stays connected all day using "any" location, which goes to Atlanta each time.  I'm in New York.  Able to break NBA blackout and see the Knicks!

purevpn drops connection on Windows 7 (with various protocols and locations) and both my Chromebooks to fixed locations: Miami and LA.  Chromebook connections last less than 30 minutes.  No useful notification that the connection dropped.

purevpn sponsored router from flashrouter.com failed to run streaming video of NBA games using Roku 3 box.  Router returned.  flashrouter support absurd.

purevpn support tries but seems to just follow a script.

unlocator.com - did not work

Both purevpn and unlocator are too concerned about movies and not sports.  A movie starts and if it stops, just start again.  Live sports cannot be viewed that way.  They are missing a big boat, especially concerning the local blackouts of the NBA and MLB.

purevpn Android app shows itself connected when it is not.

Update from end of previous post:

Alert: I got suspicious and checked my Android tablet several hours later.  The purevpn app still shows me connected ... to Atlanta with a non-New York IP.  However:
- There is no VPN created among connections
- in the browser: wimi.com: What'sIsMyIP: 192.69.251.194    Same as in WiFi menu.

Does the purevpn Android app shows itself connected when it is not?

https://ipdb.at/ip/192.69.251.194

Nothing found for 192.69.251.194

On the other hand, my tablet is showing the New York Knicks replay, which should be blacked out in NBA League Pass.

purevpn: more chatting about disconnects from Windows and Chrome OS. Support still wants me to disable my firewalls.

Name: Kenneth Matinale
Registration E-mail / E-mail: KEN
Are you Existing Customer Yes
Country / Location: USA/New York

  Deniz Thu, 03/19/15 02:11:21 pm America/New_York

Hello Kenneth Matinale. How may I help you?

  Kenneth Matinale 02:12:48 pm

I'm connected to purevpn on my Chromebook. Hooked it up yesterday. But it has the same problem as my Windows 7 PC: the connection drops.

  Deniz 02:13:51 pm

may i know which server address you are using

  Kenneth Matinale 02:14:19 pm

oscar1 LA
That doesn't seem to matter.
I'm connected now.
I have another Chromebook and connected it to Miami yesterday and the connection dropped. Windows drops from amy servers.
many servers

  Deniz 02:18:17 pm

http://support.purevpn.com/customer/portal/articles/1616041

please follow this link

At the link:

My VPN disconnects after every few minutes. What should I do?

There are multiple reasons which may cause the disconnection like:

1-Switching the Protocol: If you are experiencing disconnection issues, then change over between the protocols, i.e. PPTP, L2TP, SSTP and OpenVPN. Mostly, disconnection issues are broken up by switching the protocols.

2-Firewall: If switching protocols doesn’t help then check Router / Windows / 3rd Party Firewall settings. Disable your firewalls at first, temporarily and try again. Sometimes router firewalls cause the disconnection problems and internet activity issues because WiFi routers usually grind the VPN to a stop after a few minutes of use, plainly because they can’t keep up with SPI / Firewall turned on.

3-Mobile Credentials: Likewise, you may face disconnection issue if you use Mobile account credentials (username/password) on PC / Mac / Router etc. Mobile account doesn't cover PC / Mac / Router etc and only supports Mobile and Tablet.

4-Internet Connection: If you still face disconnection issues after switching between protocols and turning off firewalls, you have to check your network. If there is any glitch in your internet connection, you may have disconnection issues in such scenarios as well.

_________________________________

  Kenneth Matinale 02:23:14 pm

Thanks. On Windows I switched protocols. That didn't seem to matter. Another purevpn support person suggested that I disable my firewalls for diagnostic purposes. I refused. That seems out of the question, especially given the nature of the service that you provide.
I am using the Verizon FIOS router.
I do not know where the Chrome OS firewall is, even if I wanted to disable it, which I do not.
You must have a log of my connections and disconnects and the servers and protocols.

Duration: 16m 43s
Chat has been opened from website: http://www.purevpn.com/tutorials.php

*******************************

Name: Kenneth Matinale
Registration E-mail / E-mail: KEN
Are you Existing Customer Yes
Country / Location: USA/New York

  Hummer Thu, 03/19/15 02:34:21 pm America/New_York

Hello Kenneth Matinale. How may I help you?

  Kenneth Matinale 02:34:43 pm

I was just in the middle of a chat when ...
Connection lost. Please check your internet connection and then try again.
It was about all the disconnects.

  Hummer 02:35:34 pm

Please share the issue you are having in detail so we will proceed accordinglu
*accordingly

  Kenneth Matinale 02:36:45 pm

purevpn connections drop often: Windows 7 and now Chrome OS on two different Chromebooks.

  Hummer 02:37:14 pm

Please try switching between protocols i.e PPTP/L2TP on your windows then try again

  Kenneth Matinale 02:37:18 pm

Ironically, I finally got it working on my Android tablet.
Changed protocols several times and don't want to disable firewalls.
Using Verizon FIOS router.
Check my log. Username: xxxxxxxx
The connection to LA dropped during the chat just before you came on. I reconnected.
Now on Chromebook connected to oscar1 as before disconnect.
Was chatting with Deniz.

  Hummer 02:41:03 pm

You are requested to disable the firewall
as firewall causes the disconnection

  Kenneth Matinale 02:42:37 pm

I do not know how to disable the Chrome OS firewall but do not want to do it. Since Windows has the had the problem the most times, it does not seem as if the OS firewall is the problem.

  Hummer 02:43:26 pm

You may simply disable the firewall of your router then try and check


  Kenneth Matinale 02:43:38 pm

The connection dropped during a purevpn chat. That's all I was doing.
I'm not fooling with my router.
I'll try at other locations but my guess is that the problem will persist.
If a router firewall can cause disconnects, the purevpn service does not seem very robust.
By the way, I had the flashrouter.com router for two days plugged into the Verizon router and had disconnections. flashrouter failed at streaming video of NBA games through a Roku box, which was the main reason I bought it. I then returned it.
I think we're done. Anything else?
OK. Bye.

Duration: 15m 48s
_________________________________

Bottom line: they follow the script, which culminates with asking the customer to disable firewalls.

Today for the first time I got my Android 5 Nexus 7 tablet to connect to purevpn.  The one change I made was to let the server be assigned as "any".  Also, last night Google upgraded Android to 5.1 kernel version 3.1.10-gf5d7b8b, build number LMY47D

I connected my Android tablet several hours ago and it's still connected according to the purevpn app.  So if the problem was the Verizon FIOS router, then why is Android running purevpn and Chrome OS stopped running purevpn?  The only activity on the Chromebook when the purevpn connection dropped was my chat session with purevpn support, which could not have put much of a load on the connection.

Alert: I got suspicious and checked my Android tablet several hours later.  The purevpn app still shows me connected ... to Atlanta with a non-New York IP.  However:
- There is no VPN created among connections
- in the browser: wimi.com: What'sIsMyIP: 192.69.251.194    Same as in WiFi menu.

Apparently the purevpn Android app shows itself connected when it is not.

purevpn connects Chromebooks ... until they disconnect.

Yesterday connected two Chromebooks purevpn.  It seemed easier than using the Windows program and having the program inform me, sort of, that the connection had dropped.  The problem in Windows was that the connection dropped.

Same on a Chromebook running Google's Chrome OS.  They seemed to be working OK, except the connection would drop.

Overnight Google updated the Android 5 OS on my Nexus tablet.  I'll find out whether I can finally get purevpn to work on that tablet.

Check these links:

http://support.purevpn.com/customer/portal/articles/1799610-chromebook-chrome-os-l2tp-setup-guide-

http://billing.purevpn.com/pptp_l2tp_hostname_list.php

purevpn support recommends that I turn off my firewalls. Really.

Another one of those: you can't make up stuff like this.

On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 8:30 AM, PureVPN <enquiry@purevpn.com> wrote:
Name: Ken
Country: US
Email: ken
Feedback: The Windows program seems to drop the connection with no indication. I notice that it happened if I happen to look at the purevpn Window, which is not often after I've started the program. Obviously, that makes the use of your service random and therefor unacceptable. Right now it is unconnected and "Web Protection" is Inactive. However, if I close the program you display a message at the bottom of my screen stating that it is still running. What the heck?
__________________________________

from:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>to:ken
date:Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 5:37 AMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedback

Thanks for contacting us. It is to inform you that the message you see in the taskbar shows that PureVPN program is still running and it is not closed, as it will be minimized and will be in the taskbar of your system. In order to close the software you will have to right click the PureVPN software from the system tray and then exit it from there.
________________________________

from:Ken  to:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>
date:Wed, Mar 11, 2015 at 7:02 AMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedbackmailed-by:gmail.com

I just powered up.  Purevpn is not running in Control Panel list but your program has opened waiting for me to click connect button.  I closed the program without connecting and the "still connected" message appears briefly then fades out.  Purevpn was NEVER connected.  The message is in error.
______________________________________________

from:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>to:Ken
date:Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 11:31 AMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedback

Thanks for your reply. You are requested to share with us the screenshot of it so we will check it and will proceed accordingly.
__________________________________________________

from:Ken to:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>
date:Thu, Mar 12, 2015 at 11:51 AMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedbackmailed-by:gmail.com

This morning I had a long chat with Albert.  I thought things were ok but the connection dropped after about 30 minutes.  I used ABC and L2PT.
_______________________________________________

Note: purevpn live chat transcript on connection options. - "long chat with Albert" THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015
_______________________________________________

from:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>to:Ken
date:Sat, Mar 14, 2015 at 10:30 AMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedback

Thanks for your reply. You are requested to try connecting with server address ocar1.pointtoserver.com and also disable the firewall of your router, modem and system if any then try to connect VPN and check. Also share the results with us.
_________________________________________________

from:Ken <ken>to:PureVPN Support <enquiry@purevpn.com>
date:Sat, Mar 14, 2015 at 12:01 PMsubject:Re: Uservoice Feedbackmailed-by:gmail.com

​Thanks but there is no way I am going to disable the firewall of my router, modem and system.  What the heck is that?​  No way!
_________________________________________________

Business opportunity: beat the sports blackouts.

Maybe such a service or product already exists but I have not seen it yet.  Both of these failed miserably:

unlocator.com

purevpn.com

Cruise back through recent posts to wallow in details but the basic problems were:
- they do not work, certainly not consistently
- they do not address the sports blackout in the USA.

Here's what can make money for someone:
- address specific U.S. sports: NCAA basketball tournament, NBA, MLB.
- let the user specify his (it's going to be guys almost exclusively) home market.

For instance, here in New York Major League Baseball (MLB) with it's mlb.tv streaming video package will blackout the Yankees and Mets.  If I'm willing to pay for a subscription to mlb.tv, why wouldn't I just subscribe to MLB Extra Innings, its TV version.  Two basic reasons, which also apply to the NBA (don't know about NCAA):
1. MLB Extra Innings package: many channels NOT HD.  Wednesday, March 4, 2015
2. using the Internet version of the sports package, the user has the possibility to cut some of the cord and downgrade from an outrageously overpriced TV package to something less expensive or to nothing.

Most of the cord cutting stuff that's written seems geared towards beings from outer space who have no interest in sports.  The big boom in TV viewing is not movies but live sports.  That's what drives up the money, it's from those huge TV contracts.  The sports leagues receive mega money.  Then much of the cost is spread to "cable" customers, especially to pay for ESPN whether they watch it or not.

Currently to get the local sports teams from Verizon FIOS I must subscribe to a combo of HBO and Showtime, which, if I'm lucky, provide maybe one watchable movie a month.  I'd rather dump them both and pay less but I cannot without losing the New York teams.  I could if I switched to Cablevision and I tried that but the Cablevision installer insisted on performing his installation in a town in which I did not live, so after a full day of consternation I cancelled my order even though it would have been $30 less per month than Verizon.  At least Verizon could keep track of where I lived.

That's when I started looking at alternatives and tried subscribing to the packages that provided all the games for the NBA and MLB, but which unfortunately, black out the local teams.  You can see how this circle was formed.

So come on.  How about some semi-smart person using the existing, though far from perfect, technology being wasted by the services mentioned at the top of this post?  Those services apparently cater to paranoid people, not red blooded American guys who don't really worry so much about their messages being read but who want their sports provided their way.

purevpn fails again to beat the blackout.

I started the ABC option as recommended by purevpn during a "chat" documented in the previous post, which should invoke the Oscar option, which should have me seem to be in LA.  However, the Knicks game, which happens to be in LA, is blacked out.  Of course in the ten minutes I tried this the first connection failed and I had start over again.
________________________________

whatsmyip.org

Your IP Address is 199.244.117.30

Host Name & User Agent

Your Host Name:

unknown-client.static.huge-dns.com
________________________________

I have no idea what any of this means but purevpn is not doing the one simple thing I wanted: get me around the sports blackout.

purevpn live chat transcript on connection options.

Name: Ken Registration E-mail / E-mail: KEN Are you Existing Customer Yes Country / Location: USA

Albert Thu, 03/12/15 07:14:28 am America/Los_Angeles Hello Ken. How may I help you? Ken 07:15:46 am You had sent me protocols. I'm connected with L2TP. Albert 07:16:32 am Okay great Ken 07:16:38 am Please open PureVPN SoftwareClick on Protocol and select Protocol as L2TP Click on Personalize selection and click on browse all serversScroll it down In Dedicated IP Subscriber Box please type server address usca1.pointtoserver.com In Preshared Secret please type 12345678 and click on connect Albert 07:16:50 am Thats great. now please open website www.wimi.com and let me what IP address and location you are getting Ken 07:18:02 am Your IP Address Is:199.244.117.13Proxy: No Proxy DetectedCity: Los AngelesState/Region: CaliforniaCountry: Us - us flagPostal Code: 90001Time Zone: ETC -08:00ISP: Hugeserver Networks Llc Latitude: 34.052230834961 Longitude: -118.24368286133 You had me enter a CA server. Albert 07:18:35 am Which country do you want to connect to, so i may suggest you the best server address, and you will not get disconnection issues also Ken 07:18:50 am usca1.pointtoserver.com This is too involved, especially for different purposes. Today, I wanted security. Later I may want to break the NBA blackout, so speed and a non-New York address, not simply fastest in USA, which would probably be local. Albert 07:21:11 am I will provide you few server addresses, which will be best for your needs Ken 07:21:57 am Why isn't NBA an option? Albert 07:22:02 am you may use oscar1.pointtoserver.com whenever you want to access NBA or USA streaming websites sg4.purevpn.net for gaming purpose and low ping Ken 07:22:20 am You've got so many, including multiples for Netflix. I want to watch games, not play games. Streaming video. Albert 07:22:55 am Sir then oscar1.pointtoserver.com will be best for you that will be best for you while you want to stream Ken 07:23:34 am Where is it? Away from New York? Albert 07:23:44 am yes, its away from new york Ken 07:23:55 am Where? Albert 07:24:21 am United States, California, Los Angeles Ken 07:24:33 am OK. Is it in the drop down or must I enter it? Albert 07:25:13 am Sir, you have to enter this server address manually or if you will choose ABC go from the purpose it will let you connect with the same oscar1.pointtoserver.com Ken 07:26:01 am OK. ABC. Why not add something for what I described Other people must have my requirement. Plus, each would need to direct to a non-local server. So someone in LA cannot use oscar1.pointtoserver.com. Albert 07:27:33 am I apologise for the inconvenience, but i will forward your suggestion to the concerned department Ken 07:28:08 am OK. So ABC for the NBA games. What about max security? Albert 07:28:44 am For max security you may choose purpose maximum anonymity Ken 07:28:56 am What server? Albert 07:29:20 am You may choose any server and software will automatically take you to the best encryption Ken 07:29:45 am For ABC, what protocol? Albert 07:30:40 am you may choose same L2TP protocol, it will provide you 256 bit encryption Ken 07:30:53 am OK. When would I use PPTP? Albert 07:31:48 am Sir, you may choose PPTP protocol anytime PPTP provides security upto 128 bit Ken 07:32:24 am What is TV Watching - USA? Albert 07:32:36 am Sir, that will let you access streaming usa websites Ken 07:32:41 am Are all these purposes defines someplace? Albert 07:32:46 am yes Ken 07:32:58 am Where? Albert 07:33:47 am Sir, if you will choose TV watching USA, it will connect you to the USA server Ken 07:34:10 am No, where are all the definitions? Albert 07:34:55 am Sir, it is defined on our server end Ken 07:35:31 am Link? Albert 07:35:57 am Sir unfortunately we dont have link for that Ken 07:36:29 am I suggest that you make that info available to subscribers. Albert 07:37:04 am Sure, we will do this , i will forward your suggestions to the concerned department Ken 07:38:17 am OK. I'll try your recommendations. Eventually, I want my Andriod 5 tablet to use purevpn but I do not have time for that now. Thanks, Albert. Duration: 24m 11s