If I use a chrome extension proxy can my school see what I am searching? Should I use a proper VPN?
I work in IT for schools (about 10 actually). Copied from another thread.
If this is your personal computer, and the school has not had any access to it:
The IT staff can see that there is traffic and that it is encrypted
The IT staff can see that you’re connected to VPN Reactor based on the endpoint of your connections from their networking equipment’s point of view
As long as your computer is routing all traffic over the VPN, the IT staff cannot actually see anything you’re sending over the network
All traffic going over the VPN appears as if it’s traveling to the VPN, from the IT staff’s point of view
If this is a school computer, or there is some sort of school software installed on your personal computer:
The IT staff could potentially be logging every keystroke you type, taking random screenshots, or remotely viewing your desktop, all without your knowledge
With all of that said, you’ll want to make sure you’re not violating your school’s policies, as it may be against the rules to circumvent their security measures. We can absolutely monitor some kind of footprint, though. Especially where all the traffic is going.
Probably yes, and yes.
When I was in highschool (2005ish, I think) a friend had set up a proxy server at his house that we used to get around the school filter. I was working for the school district in IT at the time, and one day my boss brought me some traffic logs. Not only could they see which sites we were visiting, because the sites came through the proxy they stood out like beacons. They had known all along we were using it, but didn’t really care because they knew we weren’t looking at bad content and it was only a few of us.
Then an idiot in one of our classes figured out how to use it by watching us (without our permission) then started showing his friends. He also used it for porn (at school, in class…fucking idiot).
We got a month long network ban after that, and the idiot got a year long computer ban. Fortunately I didn’t get fired.
Any reccomendations then for a vpn? I just need one that can get past what my school is blocking and wont show up what im searching on their traffic of whatever. Thx
To be honest I don’t know that much about the different VPNs and their abilities. I have IPVanish but I wouldn’t recommend it (only paid for it once, just waiting for all the free months they tacked on to fall off before I start looking again).
I will guess the school will probably see that you are using a VPN, but not why you are using it (what you’re searching for).