Why do you have to use a Firefox or Chrome client? Can’t you set up Windows (or Linux or Mac OS or whatever you use) to route all network traffic through the VPN?
As for your “server location”, what do you mean? The VPN gateway? Your IP address as seen by sites you visit (outside the VPN)?
If you are seeing commercials, that means you have not configured your ad blocker correctly; try something like Ublock Origin.
ETA for Windows or Mac you could use Viscosity ($9) or OpenVPN GUI (free) along with the configuration file provided by the VPN service, thus avoiding the trouble of configuring everything manually and possibly getting it wrong.
The directions I was given said to run the PIA installer. Then install FoxyProxy basic and configure with a server PIA told me to use. I had to use a special SOCK5 login PIA created for me.
I still have to install PIA on my laptop. I’m going to install Chrome first. I think the PIA installer will add their Chrome plugin for me. It should offer more features since it’s from PIA. I’m hoping it offers the ability to choose servers in specific countries.
I had trouble buying sheet music at musicnotes.com. It showed prices in Euros. I shut off FoxyProxy and that still didn’t correct it. I had to close Firefox, run cccleaner and restart. Then music notes recognized I was in the US and showed prices in dollars.
I know nothing about VPN. I just signed up to PIA (Private Internet Access) a couple hours ago.
PIA’s installer configures windows for their VPN service. I assume it’s changing Window’s Networking settings.
It’s easy if you’re running Chrome. Two steps, download the installer and run it. Enter the PIA login/password when prompted.
Entering manually would be difficult because PIA doesn’t provide any server or DNS addresses.
Just installed PIA’s Android app. It’s in the Play Store.
Everything works like I expected. I see a list of countries and can easily select the one I want. The UK server gives me full access to the BBC videos. I just did an IP LOOKUP and I’m in London.
PIA is more than a VPN. My wireless is encrypted, and there’s many other features.
I am disappointed the CNET review which gave PIA a perfect 5 score didn’t warn us that Firefox has limited support.
I would have signed up for a service that fully supported Firefox.
Too late now. I have a 2 year subscription to PIA. You get the best price with that offer.
Odd that their own installer does not configure things out of the box so that Firefox, and indeed any program at all that you choose to run, just works.
But, since you paid for the service and are now subscribed, you could try using it through one of the VPN clients I mentioned. Either of them should set up the routing correctly; once the client is configured and running, Firefox, games, streaming, whatever should all work.
If you’re using it on a mac or pc, you dont have to install a specific app for specific browsers. There is a Windows app that encrypts all traffic.
The ios app also encrypts all traffic.
Thee is an app on the android store. Never used it.