I have the need to appear to be in the UK when I'm not. I know I could buy a VPN service from someone like strongvpn but is there any way/software that would allow me to utilise a little server I have in my house that is on 24/7?

Assuming you mean that the "little server" is in the UK then yes you probably can. Windows 7 can operate as a VPN server and it is very easy to set up.

While connected from Thailand though, your download speed will be limited to the uplink speed of your internet connection (ADSL?) in the UK.

You could also use the free version of LogMeIn (www.logmein.com) and remotely control the UK server from your PC in Thailand.

You would need to install LogMeIn on the server in the UK and on your PC in Thailand.

I use the free version regularly to access PCs in Australia without any problem - I am usually fixing software problems for friends.

There is also an Android version of LogMeIn (you have to pay for this) and I presume an IPhone version. The Android version works well and I can remotely access/control any PC listed in my LogMeIn account from my Samsung Galaxy SII.

Check out teamviewer....free and fast

I don't really need to log into my server as a user. I think what I'm looking for is software that would allow my server to be used as an anonymous proxy so that UK websites will think I'm in the UK. Excuse me for not being any clearer but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for. At the moment the server is running Windows Home Server 2011 which is a cut down version of Server 2008 R2.

OpenVPN

I don't really need to log into my server as a user. I think what I'm looking for is software that would allow my server to be used as an anonymous proxy so that UK websites will think I'm in the UK. Excuse me for not being any clearer but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for. At the moment the server is running Windows Home Server 2011 which is a cut down version of Server 2008 R2.

WHS has a VPN server built in and that will do exactly what you want. Here is a walk through for setting it up on WHS 2011 http://thedigitalmediazone.com/2012/03/26/how-to-set-up-vpn-for-windows-home-server-2011/

There are plenty of 3rd party products that can do it too but the RRAS built in to Win Server is very reliable & secure at the same time. I use it on almost a daily basis.

You will also need to setup port forwarding on your router but you will find plenty of guides for doing that if you google specifying your model of router.

Once you have done that and connected to your server from elsewhere, all your outbound connections will appear to come from the IP address assigned to your router at home.

Do Openvpn have proxy servers in the UK?

I don't really need to log into my server as a user. I think what I'm looking for is software that would allow my server to be used as an anonymous proxy so that UK websites will think I'm in the UK. Excuse me for not being any clearer but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for. At the moment the server is running Windows Home Server 2011 which is a cut down version of Server 2008 R2.

WHS has a VPN server built in and that will do exactly what you want. Here is a walk through for setting it up on WHS 2011 http://thedigitalmed...me-server-2011/

There are plenty of 3rd party products that can do it too but the RRAS built in to Win Server is very reliable & secure at the same time. I use it on almost a daily basis.

You will also need to setup port forwarding on your router but you will find plenty of guides for doing that if you google specifying your model of router.

Once you have done that and connected to your server from elsewhere, all your outbound connections will appear to come from the IP address assigned to your router at home.

That's great. Thanks very much!

Do Openvpn have proxy servers in the UK?

No, needs to be installed on the server and client. Looks like the solution posted above by Dork offers a simpler way for your purpose anyway.

You don't need a computer for this. A router running DD-WRT will do. Maybe you're running a router back in the UK anyway.

You don't need a computer for this. A router running DD-WRT will do. Maybe you're running a router back in the UK anyway.

Yes agreed and that would probably be the cleanest solution of all. It's just that I think flashing and then configuring DD-WRT is a bit challenging for the average user.

How would I configure DD-WRT to do this?

How would I configure DD-WRT to do this?

Google "dd-wrt vpn server setup"

Are you looking into a VPN to only control your PC in UK? Or just simply to have a UK based IP address when surfing the net etc?

If you are looking for a UK based IP address, you can use Expat Shield. However, there are a lot of ads with this little VPN software. But nevertheless, you can have your UK based IP address.

Much less hazzle to configure a router etc. Just install, and you're ready to go.

By the way, I'm using it to watch BBC's channel

Cheers!

Here is what I have setup, there is a computer that is always on and connected to the internet ( really not to hard to find, ask a friend or family member) enabled PPTP, which is very simple, got a dynamic dns http://freedns.afraid.org/ and client, then forwarded the port on the router. That's it you have a completely free VPN.

Open VPN is a free source program. Have fun setting it up its a ball ache to learn, its best run on a linux server.

Open VPN do not run their own servers, other people do. Unless they own shields up...

You don't need a computer for this. A router running DD-WRT will do. Maybe you're running a router back in the UK anyway.

Yes agreed and that would probably be the cleanest solution of all. It's just that I think flashing and then configuring DD-WRT is a bit challenging for the average user.

True, but you have to consider the greatly reduced running costs.

How would I configure DD-WRT to do this?

Google "dd-wrt vpn server setup"

I've actually got a DD-WRT flashed Dlink that I bought to 'upgrade' from a cheapo Dlink that I bought some time ago. I wanted to put a little private chat room on the net so I installed the software on my server and opened all the necessary ports on the DD-WRT. Didn't work. I spent hours trying to figure out what the problem was with no success. I then remembered my old Dlink - installed it - opened the same ports as on the DD-WRT and it worked straightaway.

Are you looking into a VPN to only control your PC in UK? Or just simply to have a UK based IP address when surfing the net etc?

If you are looking for a UK based IP address, you can use Expat Shield. However, there are a lot of ads with this little VPN software. But nevertheless, you can have your UK based IP address.

Much less hazzle to configure a router etc. Just install, and you're ready to go.

By the way, I'm using it to watch BBC's channel

Cheers!

Is it the same software as Hotspot Shield?

You could use windows way suggested above on a amazon ec2 small windows instance(or linux if you're inclined) if you need more bandwidth then a home adsl link in the uk. If you dont run it all the time can be cheap and quite fast to start up and you can just pause the instance and wont be charged till you unpause it again.

Also i think Hide my ass has a free advert supported version or did havent looked for while.

How would I configure DD-WRT to do this?

Google "dd-wrt vpn server setup"

I've actually got a DD-WRT flashed Dlink that I bought to 'upgrade' from a cheapo Dlink that I bought some time ago. I wanted to put a little private chat room on the net so I installed the software on my server and opened all the necessary ports on the DD-WRT. Didn't work. I spent hours trying to figure out what the problem was with no success. I then remembered my old Dlink - installed it - opened the same ports as on the DD-WRT and it worked straightaway.

You have to get on the right forums and ask questions of the DD-WRT gurus. It can be pretty arcane. But IS workable w/ the right hardware and a recent version of DD-WRT. Might take more than a few hours to get it working if you're inexperienced.

How would I configure DD-WRT to do this?

Google "dd-wrt vpn server setup"

I've actually got a DD-WRT flashed Dlink that I bought to 'upgrade' from a cheapo Dlink that I bought some time ago. I wanted to put a little private chat room on the net so I installed the software on my server and opened all the necessary ports on the DD-WRT. Didn't work. I spent hours trying to figure out what the problem was with no success. I then remembered my old Dlink - installed it - opened the same ports as on the DD-WRT and it worked straightaway.

You have to get on the right forums and ask questions of the DD-WRT gurus. It can be pretty arcane. But IS workable w/ the right hardware and a recent version of DD-WRT. Might take more than a few hours to get it working if you're inexperienced.

If I had to guess, I would say that is to do with UPNP. On a standard DLink out of the box UPNP will be enabled whereas with a DD-WRT installation by default, it is disabled. To enable on the DD-WRT box, go to QOS then UPNP.

Are you looking into a VPN to only control your PC in UK? Or just simply to have a UK based IP address when surfing the net etc?

If you are looking for a UK based IP address, you can use Expat Shield. However, there are a lot of ads with this little VPN software. But nevertheless, you can have your UK based IP address.

Much less hazzle to configure a router etc. Just install, and you're ready to go.

By the way, I'm using it to watch BBC's channel

Cheers!

Is it the same software as Hotspot Shield?

Yes they are the same outfit.

Hotspot shield provides US based IP address whereas Expat Shield provides UK based IP address. Unfortunately, you can't have both on your computer. Unless you have 2 computers where you can have one install on each.