XPost: alt.comp.software.firefox   
   From: marion@facts.com   
      
   On Mon, 18 Aug 2025 07:04:02 +0100, Andy Burns wrote :   
      
      
   >> I ditched the VPN extensions in order to test a SOCKS5 proxy tunnel.   
   >   
   > If all the proxies slow down after a few days, are they trying to be   
   > caching proxies?  Can they just operate as "direct" proxies without caching?   
      
   I'm not afraid to say that I have no idea.   
      
   I note you said "if all the proxies slow down", where I think you had meant   
   "if all the VPN extensions slow down", so I will assume you're asking...   
    Q: Are the VPN extensions acting like caching proxies?   
    A: ?   
      
    Q: Could the VPN extensions work as direct proxies instead?   
    A: ?   
      
   While a caching proxy stores copies of frequently accessed web content   
   (like images, scripts, or pages) to serve them faster next time, they're   
   typically HTTP proxies and not VPN/SOCKS5 proxies (as far as I'm aware).   
      
   Given these are the free VPN extensions which haven't outright failed:   
    Browsec, 1ClickVPN, 1VPN, VPNly, XVPN, SetupVPN, Hoxx, securefreeedgevpn   
   I need to test them on a clean install with speedtest.net over time.   
      
   I haven't done that (mainly 'cuz I didn't expect slowdowns to occur).   
   I've never used VPN extensions until early July when Epic went bust.   
      
   So maybe others who have more experience with VPN extensions can help.   
   I'm assuming that the VPN extension slowdowns are part of their plan.   
    a. They give you faster VPN tunneling at first   
    b. And then, when you're hooked, they slow you down   
    c. Unless you buy their premium tier (which they all will offer you)   
      
   But I don't really know anything about these VPN extensions.   
   Like how do they know I'm a repeat customer?   
      
   I guess they can key off my IP address (which is static).   
   Or maybe they key off a browser fingerprint perhaps?   
   Or maybe each VPN extension can have a unique installation ID?   
      
   Dunno.   
   Maybe the VPN extensions are just overloaded.   
      
   I do not know the answer as I've only used them for a few weeks.   
   Do others have experience with VPN extensions who can advise us?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)