Google Error When Connected to VPN
How To Fix It
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re already connected to a VPN and experiencing issues. If not, then maybe it’s time to reconsider your VPN solution.
VPNs are great when you need to connect to a server region that doesn’t have strong encryption or where you’re not sure what kind of traffic is running on the network. But if any of the following is true, then you’re better off avoiding VPNs:
- You need strong encryption
- You need to access content restricted to a closed community
- You need to stay anonymous on the internet
- You need to watch what you say online
- Spyware or adware is a concern
- You need to access social media without being tracked
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, then it’s time for a replacement. Let’s dive into the details.
Why Are You Connected to a VPN In The First Place
Unless you work in an industry that requires you to connect to a VPN (such as in finance or defense), then there’s no reason to connect to one. If you do connect to a VPN, then you’re either doing it because
- You’re not confident that your ISP will keep your personal information safe
- You need a way to keep your browsing history private
- You need to feel more secure when using public Wi-Fi
- You need to be sure that your email won’t be monitored by third parties
- You need to be able to access social media without being tracked
That’s a lot of reasons to connect to a VPN. If any of those problems are still concerning you after reading this, then you might also want to consider trying a dedicated VPN service. Those services usually have a bigger focus on privacy, and they’ll even hide the fact that you’re VPN’ing from your device so your ISP doesn’t see any connection spikes (which could potentially flag you as a suspicious activity).
Why Do You Get These Errors
Once you’re connected to a VPN, you’ll start to receive messages similar to the one below. Unfortunately, these are common when you use an open VPN, such as Open VPN or Pure VPN.
If you see this message when you try to access Google, then the issue is actually with Google, not your VPN. The company that provides the service you’re using for your VPN (in this case, OpenVPN) needs to address these sorts of errors directly with Google.
If you don’t access Google that often, then you might not even notice this. But if you use the service frequently, then this error message could pop up several times a day.
What Happens If You Ignore These Errors
If you choose to ignore these errors, they’ll simply keep populating your notification bar until you fix the underlying issue. The best thing you can do is to contact the company that provides your VPN service and ask them about this issue.
If you don’t get a satisfactory response from them, then it might be a good idea to try a different VPN service. As I mentioned earlier, those services usually have a bigger privacy focus, and they’ll even hide your VPN activity from your ISP (in most cases).
Where Do These Errors Come From
The errors in your notification bar will originate from Google. So if you see this issue, then the problem is actually with Google, not your VPN. If you’re using OpenVPN or some other open source VPN, then you’ll see this message whenever you try to access a server that’s not in your region. For example, if you try to visit a German server when you’re in California, then you’ll see this error.
This is because OpenVPN works on a server-by-server basis. When you connect to a VPN server, that server will try to connect to other servers around the world. If any of these other servers happen to be located in Germany, then you’ll see the German server’s page when you try to access Google. But if none of the servers are in Germany, then you’ll get the standard Google error page.
How Many Computers Can I Run This On?
This is a common question among those who decide to experiment with multiple computers online. The short answer is as many as you want. It depends on your internet service provider (ISP) and how strong their servers are. If you’re using a VPN, then all of your devices will have access to the internet through the VPN.
This is different from using a proxy server. With a proxy server, only the computer you’re currently using would have access to the internet through the proxy. If you decide to use a different computer to access the internet, then you’d have to reconnect to the proxy in order to gain access to the web. This can be a hassle if you’re utilizing the internet frequently across multiple devices.
Can I Use More Than One VPN At A Time?
Absolutely. It’s possible to use multiple VPNs simultaneously. Most VPN providers offer this feature as a standard option, and it’s a great way to protect your anonymity online.
While you’re connected to one VPN, you can use another to download and update software on your laptop or desktop computer. Some VPNs even offer a free trial, so you can use their services without any obligations. Just make sure that you cancel any automatically renewing subscriptions after your trial period expires.
Do VPNs Work In All Countries?
Yes, VPNs work in all countries, but not all ISPs will give you access to all VPN servers. Your ISP will determine which servers they’ll allow you to connect to, and it’s usually a simple process of requesting an exception for a certain country.
Can A VPN Stop The Recording Sites?
Usually when people are trying to stop the recording sites, they’re trying to do it through their ISP. The best way to avoid having your personal data recorded is to not participate in any online activities that could possibly be used to track you. Avoid using social media platforms that track your engagement (such as Facebook or Twitter).
Some online services, such as Google Maps and YouTube, use a VPN to ensure that your personal data remains private. If you access those services frequently, then it’s a good idea to enable the VPN and ensure that your data remains private.
Is It Worth It To Use A VPN To Visit Closed Regions?
There are certain websites that are only available to specific regions, and if you try to access them from another country, then you’ll get an error. Some examples include the following:
- Russia’s state-run news website, RIA Novosti
- The New York Times website
- The Los Angeles Times website
- The Washington Post website
- BBC News website
- Al Jazeera website
- The Wall Street Journal website
If you need to access any of these websites from another country, then you’ll need to enable the VPN and use a proxy to get around the restrictions.
If you decide that it’s worth it to access these websites even though you’re not physically in the country, then you can use a VPN to connect to an offshore server that’ll allow you to access the content. In most cases, you won’t need to go through this process because the website in question will allow you to access content from everywhere. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. If it is, then using a VPN is still your best option.
What About Security?
When it comes to security, nothing is as good as a secure entrance to a building. That same rule applies to the internet. Anytime you’re on the internet, you should be taking some kind of precautionary measure to ensure your safety and privacy. While most VPNs are quite secure, it’s always best to add a few more layers of security before you use one.
Those few extra layers of security can take the form of a strong password, a security question, or both. Make sure to use unique passwords for each of your online accounts. If you forget your password, then you’ll have to contact the service and ask them to reset it for you.