VPN kill switch for OSX?

[Thor774]

Hi

I have been using a VPN lately and have found that there are very few apps with this functionality for OSX. On Windows there are several options but on the OSX side I have just found one app after googling: VPN Watcher http://www.ugdsoft.com/products/vpnwatcher. I don't know yet how good this app is. There is almost no info on their page about the OSX version.

My VPN provider does not provide kill switch functionality on their software. This would be a reason to look for another one but the VPN server offer they have covers my needs really well. Apart for that they do not provide a kill switch on their app the service has been very good. I use their oficial software to connect via the OpenVPN protocol.

I appreciate some input on this field. Can you recommend me some 3rd part apps that can do what I am looking for?

Thanks.

 

[fhall1]

Why not try the free version of VPN Watcher and see if it works for you? Their website says there's no time limit for the free version.

 

[Thor774]

Why not try the free version of VPN Watcher and see if it works for you? Their website says there's no time limit for the free version.

I am going to test this application and will post back with results, Was wondering if anybody has gone through the same situation and knew of another way to do this. As this is an external app there is always the risk that it is going to let your real IP leak for just a second if your VPN connection goes down, enough time to be exposed.

I have found several tutorials in making firewall rules in Windows for achieving the same result (binding traffic to just the VPN interface) and this supposed to be an easy thing to do with simple scripts in Linux, but have found no info for configuring the OSX firewall to do something like this. I think it is strange because I am sure there has to be people on Macs using VPN that face the same situation.

 

[simonsi]

I am going to test this application and will post back with results, Was wondering if anybody has gone through the same situation and knew of another way to do this. As this is an external app there is always the risk that it is going to let your real IP leak for just a second if your VPN connection goes down, enough time to be exposed.

I have found several tutorials in making firewall rules in Windows for achieving the same result (binding traffic to just the VPN interface) and this supposed to be an easy thing to do in with simple scripts in Linux, but have found no info for configuring the OSX firewall to do something like this. I think it is strange because I am sure there has to be people on Macs using VPN that face the same situation.

From their site it doesn't monitor enough for that:

"Connection is checked every half-second or less (up to 100ms) depending on current networking conditions."

I read that as 100ms is the minimum polling time...thats forever in computing.

 

[fhall1]

If what you're doing is critical (or illegal) enough that you can't have your real IP exposed for 100ms you might need more than a VPN kill switch.

 

[flynz4]

I use Cloak (getcloak.com) which has a component called "overcloak". Whenever you do not have an active connection to the cloak VPN service, it kills your internet connection until VPN service is established (or re-established).

I've traditionally used it to prevent side-jacking when connecting through a public hotspot (such as in a hotel)... but now I do not use any public hotspots at all anymore... except via ATT cellular network whenever I am not at home. I still use cloak when connected via cellular.

/Jim

 

[olletsocmit]

hello OP, have you figured it out yet? If you get the app Viscosity (which is the best VPN app), i have written a kill switch script, you can just load it. PM if for info

 

[Thor774]

hello OP, have you figured it out yet? If you get the app Viscosity (which is the best VPN app), i have written a kill switch script, you can just load it. PM if for info

Thanks.
My VPN provider came with a kill switch on their OSX app so I did not look anymore into this.

 

[prowake]

hello OP, have you figured it out yet? If you get the app Viscosity (which is the best VPN app), i have written a kill switch script, you can just load it. PM if for info

I'm looking for this. please get back to me

 

[Thor774]

Many of the big VPN providers have already implemented kill switch functionality on their applications.