Question 1

How do I add a new user to my Algo VPN server after setup?

Accepted Answer

Edit the 'users' list in config.cfg, then run './algo update-users' on macOS/Linux or '.\algo.ps1 update-users' on Windows. New configuration files will be generated in the configs directory, and the server will be updated accordingly.

Question 2

Algo VPN vs commercial VPN services: which is better for privacy?

Accepted Answer

Algo VPN gives you full control over your server and data with minimal logging, but requires technical setup and cloud costs. Commercial VPNs are easier but may log data or have security vulnerabilities, so Algo is better for tech-savvy users prioritizing self-hosting.

Question 3

Can I run Algo VPN on a home server instead of the cloud?

Accepted Answer

Yes, advanced users can deploy to a personal Ubuntu server using the deploy-to-ubuntu.md guide, but it requires manual network configuration like port forwarding and lacks the simplicity of cloud provider integrations.

Question 4

How to troubleshoot connection drops with Algo VPN?

Accepted Answer

SSH into the server using the provided config, check firewall rules, and enable debug logging by setting strongswan_log_level to 2 in config.cfg. The troubleshooting documentation offers specific steps for common issues.

Question 5

What are the monthly costs for Algo VPN on DigitalOcean?

Accepted Answer

Costs start at around $5/month for a basic droplet, but can vary based on bandwidth usage and server size. You must factor in ongoing cloud expenses, unlike one-time fee VPNs.

Question 6

Does Algo VPN support ad blocking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it includes an optional local DNS resolver that blocks ads, which can be enabled during deployment by configuring it in config.cfg, as mentioned in the features section.

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