this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2025
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I'm thinking of paying for Mullvad, but I don't want to waste my money if I won't be able to use it. My ISP blocks Tor (at least that is the conclusion I have come to - I can only connect via a bridge). Is there anything I can do to make sure I will be able to use Mullvad before I end up paying for it?

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[–] Gayhitler@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

When you use mullvad you create a sixteen digit id. You don’t tie an account or email to it, just your secret code.

If I wanted to answer your question I’d make an account, put five bucks on it using whatever means are functional and quick (a credit card or something) and see how it works. Mullvad is €5 no matter how many months you buy in advance so it’s not a huge deal or commitment to find out.

Once you’ve bought a month using the least privacy respecting (this is debatable) method you can figure out if it will work for you.

You may find out that you need to use mullvads encrypted dns service and/or their browser proxy setup. Using the encrypted DNS doesn’t require the use of mullvads vpn servers so you might be able to resolve the isp blocking tor that way without needing to buy mullvad.

If you find out in that month that everything is working right, re-up another month in your low privacy way then make a new account and select the use cash option. They’ll give you a code to write down. Send a big bill with that use cash code to Switzerland and in a few weeks you’ll have relatively private vpn access.

E: since the barrier to entry of €5 and some way to transfer it might be too high, you can also try to contact mullvads servers. Make an account and don’t fund it, but create a device profile and a configuration (or install their software). If your error is that the account isn’t funded as opposed to that the servers are unreachable then you’re probably fine.

[–] bad_news@lemmy.billiam.net 7 points 6 hours ago

I'd be shocked if they block VPN. Virtually nobody uses tor for work but every company with decent opsec requires VPNs for SOMETHING potentially

[–] RvTV95XBeo@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 hours ago

A month of Mullvad is $5. Even without a 30-day return policy (which, as others have pointed out, they have), it's not exactly break the bank kind of experiment money.

[–] 9tr6gyp3@lemmy.world 17 points 12 hours ago

Mullvad has obfuscation settings that will make your VPN traffic look like regular video calls. This can be used to get around ISPs blocking access.

[–] evujumenuk@lemmy.world 21 points 13 hours ago

Mullvad has a 30-day money back guarantee.

Apart from that, some payment methods (like crypto) allow transmitting arbitrary amounts. At least, paying for years in advance works without issue. You could pay a few cents and try it out, but be mindful of fees.

[–] CodingCarpenter@lemm.ee 4 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Man that sounds like some nanny state shit. Wouldn't the ISP want you want a VPN so it doesn't have to worry about figuring out what you're doing in case of demands from potentially illegal activities?

[–] evilcultist@sh.itjust.works 9 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Not in the U.S., but my last ISP had a line in the contract that allowed them to sell my browsing info to advertisers.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 2 points 9 hours ago

They all do this haha

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 13 hours ago

They have a 30 day refund policy, assuming you don't pay with cash.