Question 1

What is a VPN?

Accepted Answer

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that allows you to create a secure and encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet. It helps protect your online privacy and data by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic.

Question 2

Why should I use VPN?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons to use a VPN, including: protecting your online privacy and data from hackers and snoopers, accessing geo-restricted content and websites, blocking online ads and malware, bypassing internet censorship and restrictions, securing your connection when using public WiFi networks, and preventing your internet service provider from tracking and selling your online activities.

Question 3

Why SwizzVPN in particular?

Accepted Answer

SwizzVPN aims to provide an independent VPN service that is not controlled by large corporations. SwizzVPN is fast, reliable, and offers a simple user interface. It supports streaming services while ensuring privacy. SwizzVPN does not bloat the app with unnecessary features or data collection, nor does it require users to remember account information at inconvenient times. Studies have indicated that many VPN providers collect data despite their promises to protect privacy, which can be confirmed by reading the privacy section of a VPN service's description in the App Store or Play Store. Please also note that SwizzVPN is not affiliated with the similarly named SwissVPN.

Question 4

When should I use VPN?

Accepted Answer

A VPN is best used when on vacation or traveling, when wanting to watch foreign streaming services, access your home services when abroad, or bypass network restrictions in school, university or work. You're free though to always have an added layer of privacy and protection.

Question 5

Is using a VPN legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, it is important to adhere to the laws and regulations of the country you are in when using a VPN service. Note that illegal activities using a VPN are and will still be illegal.

Question 6

How do I block online ads?

Accepted Answer

You can enable the blocking of online ads in the settings section. This blocking is achieved through DNS filtering and functions system-wide, by changing the DNS servers from Cloudflare to AdGuard. This also enables the use of DNS-over-TLS. However, if you encounter difficulties accessing certain websites, you may need to turn off this feature.

Question 7

My streaming service isn't working or is being blocked. I see video ads on YouTube and other platforms.

Accepted Answer

If your streaming service isn't working, try connecting to a streaming server and enable the 'Optimize Streaming' setting. This often unblocks most streaming services and also blocks most video ads. For YouTube specifically, you can connect to the location 'Albania', which doesn't show any YouTube ads. If the issue persists, please contact support to see if we can resolve the problem together.

Question 8

Information for SRF, RTS, RSI, and RTR Users.

Accepted Answer

If these services are not accessible with the VPN set to Switzerland, consider using a streaming server located in another country, such as the USA or Germany. This is necessary because these services have stronger restrictions than others.

Question 9

Why does Google report a wrong location?

Accepted Answer

Google uses its own IP to country mapping, which is not always accurate. You can change the location/country in Google settings. To get accurate location mapping, use a website like iplocation.io.

Question 10

Why does the VPN connection drop? How do I always stay connected?

Accepted Answer

To minimize the risk of keeping the VPN connected while not actually using it, the VPN automatically disconnects after 300 minutes of inactivity. If you wish to remain connected, you can enable the 'Always stay connected' setting, which allows you to stay connected in a battery optimized mode. If you continue to experience VPN drops, you may try enabling the 'Repair connection' setting.

Question 11

What is the 'Repair connection' setting?

Accepted Answer

If you encounter difficulties connecting to the VPN server, especially in foreign or restrictive countries or networks, you can try using the 'Repair connection' setting. This mode utilizes TCP port 443, also known as HTTPS, for the connection. This port is commonly used by most websites nowadays. Combined with the always active stealth mode, it disguises your VPN connection as a regular web server connection, making it highly challenging to be detected. It's important to note that while this mode can improve overall connection stability, it may result in reduced speed and increased latency. Therefore, it is advisable to activate this setting only when necessary.

Question 12

How do I enable stealth mode? What encryption is being used?

Accepted Answer

Stealth mode is automatically enabled for all users and on every connection, irrespective of your selected settings. This technology ensures that VPN traffic remains invisible to your internet service provider. It utilizes different features of the OpenVPN protocol, such as scramble obfuscation (also known as XOR patch) and TLS crypt v2. The VPN tunnel is being encrypted by AES-256-GCM, widely acknowledged as the most secure encryption algorithm currently available. The full name of the only cipher used is TLSv1.2/TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-GCM-SHA384.

Question 13

How can I check the speed of the connection or check for leaks?

Accepted Answer

You can utilize various online services to measure the speed of your connection, such as fast.com or speedtest.net. Additionally, certain websites offer tools to check for IP or DNS leaks and provide additional information about the currently used IP address.

Question 14

How fast are the servers? Do you use virtual locations? Is IPv6 supported?

Accepted Answer

Most of the secure Linux-based servers have a connection speed between 1 and 2 Gbit/s. All servers are physically located in the respective country, there are no virtual locations. IPv6 is supported on a handful of locations.

Question 15

Do you block any ports or services?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for your security, ports that are commonly used for spam or abuse, such as port 25 (SMTP), are blocked. If you notice any issues with sending emails, consider reconfiguring your email program to use SMTP over TLS/SSL instead of the old and insecure plain SMTP.

Question 16

Why do you only offer OpenVPN and not WireGuard as well?

Accepted Answer

SwizzVPN uses OpenVPN with the fairly new DCO (Data Channel Offload) addition. Tests have shown that with DCO enabled, OpenVPN is just as fast and efficient as WireGuard. In addition to being long-proven and reliable, OpenVPN offers built-in features such as scramble obfuscation, TLS-crypt v2, TCP mode, and OpenVPN over SSH, which help bypass network restrictions and make it as secure as possible. This allows SwizzVPN to maintain a lightweight codebase and infrastructure while providing a simpler user experience.

Question 17

Are other platforms such as Android, Windows, and Linux supported?

Accepted Answer

Currently, only Apple devices are supported. Support for other platforms may come in the future.

Question 18

Can this VPN be configured on other devices, such as my router?

Accepted Answer

No. Due to the way users are authenticated, only the available apps and devices are supported.

Question 19

Who operates this VPN service?

Accepted Answer

I am an independent developer and system engineer from Switzerland and I operate this VPN service. I have personally programmed the app and manage the servers. I chose to create my own VPN service because I have reservations about trusting large companies with this sensitive task.

Question 20

Do you log any data?

Accepted Answer

To the best of my abilities, I have disabled all logging functions on all servers under my control. Furthermore, the app does not involve any data collection or analytics through third parties. These measures contribute to the fast startup time and small size of the app. For more detailed information, please consult the terms of service and privacy policy.

Question 21

I have a billing-related issue. I would like a refund.

Accepted Answer

Most purchasing issues can be resolved by reinstalling the app and clicking on 'Restore purchases' within the Premium section of the app. Additionally, please ensure that you are using the same Apple ID for the App Store across all of your devices. If you continue to experience issues or would like a refund, please contact Apple Support directly, as all purchases are made through the App Store and I do not have any control to them.

Question 22

How to activate family sharing?

Accepted Answer

To share your subscription or purchase with another family member, enable family sharing and share the SwizzVPN subscription or purchase. Ensure that you are using the same Apple ID in both the App Store and Media & Purchases. More information can be found on Apple's official website.

Question 23

My question still isn't answered.

Accepted Answer

Please don't hesitate to contact me through the feedback button located under the Premium section or by using the support form on my website. I will respond to your inquiry as promptly as possible. Thank you!

SwizzVPN: Your Secure & Private Internet Connection

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SwizzVPN Features

Be Anonymous & Hide Your IP

Strong Swiss Privacy Protection

No Registration Needed

No-logs VPN

Always-On Encryption

Unlimited Everything

Works with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV

Geo-Unblocking for Streaming

Automatic Stealth Mode

Block Online Ads

Why SwizzVPN?

SwizzVPN Works Seamlessly with Your Apple Devices

SwizzVPN for Mac Users

How to Set Up a VPN on Mac

Key Benefits for Mac

SwizzVPN for Apple TV

How to Set Up SwizzVPN on Apple TV

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