Hide.me VPN

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A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that establishes a secure, encrypted connection over the internet between your device and a remote server. This protects your online privacy and hides your data from prying eyes, such as hackers or internet service providers.

How does a VPN work?
Encryption: Your data is encrypted before leaving your device, making it unreadable to outsiders.
Hide IP address: A VPN masks your real IP address by using that of the VPN server, making it appear as if you’re browsing from a different location.
Secure tunnel: Data is transmitted through a "tunnel" between your device and the VPN server, protecting it from eavesdropping.

Advantages of a VPN:
Privacy: Protects your data in public Wi-Fi networks (e.g., in cafés or airports).
Anonymity: Hides your identity and location from websites or trackers.
Access to restricted content: Bypasses geographic restrictions (e.g., for streaming services like Netflix in other countries).
Security: Prevents ISPs or governments from monitoring your activities.

Disadvantages:
Speed: Encryption can slightly slow down your internet connection.
Cost: High-quality VPN services often require a subscription.
Trust in the provider: You must trust the VPN provider, as they could theoretically access your data.

Typical use cases:
Working from home (secure connection to corporate networks).
Bypassing censorship in countries with restricted internet access.
Protecting privacy while browsing or torrenting.

Important notes:
Not all VPNs are equally secure. Choose a reputable provider with a no-logs policy (doesn’t store user data).
Free VPNs may collect your data or display ads.

Guide to Setting Up and Using hide.me VPN on Android
After opening the hide.me VPN app, log in with your credentials (email and password) created during registration. If using the free plan, you can connect without logging in, but with limited functionality (e.g., restricted server selection and a 10 GB monthly data cap). Once logged in, you’ll land on the app’s main screen, where you can start the connection and adjust settings.

Step 1: Connect to a VPN Server
Main Screen: The main screen displays a large “Connect” button (often labeled “Enable Protection”). Above it, the current connection status (“Not connected”) and the selected server location are shown.
Server Selection: Tap the displayed location (e.g., “Automatic” or a specific country) to open the server list.
Automatic Selection: Lets hide.me choose the fastest available server based on your location and server load.
Manual Selection: Choose a country or city from the list (e.g., Germany, USA, Japan). Premium users have access to over 2,600 servers in 91 locations, while the free plan is limited to a few countries (e.g., Germany, USA, Canada, Netherlands).
Favorites: Mark locations as favorites by tapping the star icon next to a server for quicker access later.
Start Connection: Tap “Connect.” The app establishes an encrypted VPN connection, which may take a few seconds. Once connected, the status changes to “Connected,” and your IP address is replaced with that of the selected server.

Step 2: Explore and Customize hide.me App Settings
Settings are accessible via the menu, reached by tapping the “hamburger” icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left or the “Settings” tab at the bottom. Below are all available options with explanations:

1. General Settings
Language: The app defaults to English but can be set to German. Go to “Settings” > “Language” and select “German.”
Autostart: Enable this to have the app launch automatically when your device starts. Useful if you want constant protection.
Auto Connect: Automatically enables the VPN when your device starts or connects to the internet. You can specify whether this applies to all networks or only unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

2. VPN Protocols
Protocol Selection: Under “VPN Protocol,” choose from available protocols. Hide.me supports:
WireGuard: The latest, fastest protocol with modern encryption (recommended for speed and battery efficiency on mobile devices).
IKEv2: Fast and stable, ideal for mobile data as it handles connection drops well.
OpenVPN (UDP/TCP): Highly secure and adaptable. UDP is faster, TCP is more reliable for unstable networks.
Recommendation: Stick with WireGuard for the best performance unless you have specific needs (e.g., OpenVPN for maximum compatibility).

3. Split Tunneling
Function: Allows you to exclude certain apps from the VPN or route only selected apps through it.
Settings: Go to “Split Tunneling” and choose:
All apps use VPN: Default setting, all traffic goes through the VPN.
Only selected apps use VPN: Choose apps (e.g., Netflix) to use the VPN while others use regular internet.
Excluded apps: Select apps (e.g., banking apps) to bypass the VPN.
Use Case: Saves bandwidth or allows local services to work without the VPN.

4. Kill Switch (Network Protection)
Function: Blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops to prevent data leaks.
Setting: Enable “Kill Switch” under “Network Protection.” It’s either on or off with no further adjustments.
Note: Crucial for public Wi-Fi or sensitive activities like torrenting.

5. Always ON
Function: Keeps the VPN active even when your device is in sleep mode and automatically reconnects when the device wakes.
Setting: Enable “Always ON” in advanced settings. This prevents unencrypted data transmission during network switches (e.g., Wi-Fi to mobile data).
Tip: Combine with the Kill Switch for maximum protection.

6. DNS Settings
Default: Hide.me uses its own uncensored, non-logging DNS servers.
Manual Configuration: Under “DNS Settings,” you can enter custom DNS servers (e.g., Google DNS: 8.8.8.8) if desired. This is rarely necessary, as hide.me’s servers are secure and fast.

7. Auto-Reconnect
Function: Automatically restores the VPN connection if your internet drops (e.g., switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
Setting: Enabled by default and cannot be disabled. You can influence behavior during network switches via “Always ON.”

8. Stealth Guard (Advanced Feature)
Function: Prevents specific apps or your entire device from accessing the internet without an active VPN connection.
Setting: Under “Stealth Guard,” you can:
Bind individual apps to the VPN (e.g., torrent clients).
Bind the entire device to the VPN (no internet without VPN).
Use Case: Ideal for maximum security during sensitive activities.

9. MultiHop (Double VPN, Premium Feature)
Function: Routes your traffic through two VPN servers for added security (e.g., Germany → USA).
Setting: Enable “MultiHop” and select entry and exit servers. Note that this may reduce speed.
Benefit: Increases anonymity with double encryption.

10. Streaming Options (Premium Feature)
Function: Access servers optimized for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or BBC iPlayer.
Setting: Select a streaming server from the server list (e.g., “USA – Streaming”). Available for 20 countries.
Tip: Try different servers if a service is blocked, as geo-restrictions may vary.

Step 3: Usage and Fine-Tuning
Test Connection: Open a website or app (e.g., whatismyip.com) to verify that your IP address matches the selected server.
Troubleshooting: If there’s no internet or the connection is slow, switch servers (open the hide.me app, go to Location, choose another location from the list, and connect).
Battery Management: VPNs can drain the battery. Use WireGuard for lower power consumption and disable “Always ON” if not needed.

Additional Notes
Premium vs. Free: The free plan offers fewer servers, no MultiHop, and no streaming access. Upgrading to Premium (starting at ~€2.39/month) unlocks all features and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections.
Support: For issues, find help in the app’s “Support” section or on the hide.me website (including live chat).
With these settings, you can optimally use hide.me VPN on VollaOS—for anonymity, streaming, or security.

Happy secure browsing!