Viscosity is software that allows you to connect to a VPN server running OpenVPN. However Viscosity itself is not your VPN provider, rather it allows you to connect to a VPN provider. Your VPN provider may be a third party VPN Service provider, your workplace, or a VPN server you have setup yourself.
A number of third party VPN Service providers bundle Viscosity to their users as part of their service. This makes for a much simpler and seamless setup experience for first time VPN users, however it can sometimes lead to a mistake in thinking that Viscosity is the VPN Service, when in fact it's just the software that allows you to connect.
Viscosity allows you to connect to any VPN server that supports the OpenVPN protocol. Viscosity is only one end of the VPN connection: your VPN provider provides the other end of the connection (the server you wish to connect to). Your VPN Provider is the person or company who controls this server.
Typically your VPN provider falls into one of the following categories:
- Workplace: Your workplace may provide a VPN server so you can remotely and securely access the work network and Internet. In most cases the person to contact for more information or connection details would be your IT/System Administrator.
- VPN Service: Many third party companies specialize in offering both free and paid VPN services to users. There are a number of reasons why you may want to subscribe to a VPN Service, including protecting your privacy and security while on public networks, accessing location restricted websites, and accessing blocked content due to restrictive censorship. Most VPN Service providers provide a webpage or support site where you can obtain connection details. A list of VPN providers with Viscosity setup guides can be on our VPN Service Providers page.
- Personal: If you are familiar with VPNs you may have setup your own OpenVPN server so you can access your home network, and/or to have the same benefits as using a VPN Service Provider.
It is important to identify who your VPN provider is and obtain the details you need to setup your connection. Your VPN provider may provide you with the settings and files you need to manually enter into Viscosity, or a configuration file Viscosity can automatically import.
If your VPN is provided by a VPN Service provider (see above), and you are unsure of who this may be, there are two ways you can identify who your provider may be:
- Registration Name: Many VPN Service providers who bundle Viscosity with their service register it under their name. If this is the case, you can identify your VPN Service provider's name by opening Viscosity's Preferences window, clicking on the About toolbar icon, and view the "Registered To" name located at in the top right-hand corner of the window.
- Server Address: If Viscosity is registered under your name, or otherwise not your VPN Service provider's name, you may be able to identify your VPN Service provider by the Remote Server Address for your connection. For example, an address of "vpn.myprovider.com" may indicate your VPN provider's name is "MyProvider", with a website located at "myprovider.com".
You can view the Remote Server Address for your connection by opening Viscosity's Preferences window, double-clicking on your connection to edit it, and then viewing the address in the Remote Server Address field.
- Your Purchase History: If you have recently had problems connecting to your VPN Server, your subscription to your VPN Provider may have recently lapsed. Check back through your purchase history of your regular purchase method around 3, 6 and 12 months ago to see if made a subscription payment. Many VPN Providers do not auto-renew your subscription as they do not store your payment details.
In most instances you should get in contact with your VPN Service provider if you are unable to connect to their servers.
Viscosity is a one-time purchase. There are no recurring or subscription fees. If you wish to stop using Viscosity itself there are no plans or subscriptions that need to be cancelled.
We do not provide the VPN server/s you are connecting to using Viscosity: if you are paying a recurring fee for your VPN connection/s, then you are likely subscribed to a paid VPN Service. You will need to get in touch with the company you have paid for this service to cancel your account or subscription. Please see the Identifying A VPN Service Provider section above if you are unsure of who this is.
