Reddit keeps suspending any account I create if I am using VPN so I am thinking of using a VM dedicated for only Reddit using my real IP. What virtual machine should I use that would 100% isolate the Reddit in it from the main OS with zero chance of cross contamination. I use Ubuntu.
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It may not be that simple. There could be other factors. I use an always on VPN, and have not had trouble with a reddit account.
I am thinking of using a VM dedicated for only Reddit using my real IP. What virtual machine should I use that would 100% isolate the Reddit in it from the main OS with zero chance of cross contamination. I use Ubuntu.
VPNs and Virtual Machines are–for the most part–solutions to different sets of problems. I don’t think that using a VM will really help compensate for not using a VPN. VMs are useful for many things, but for your purposes, I’m not really seeing the practical benefit (unless combined with a VPN or Tor).
All of your activity on Reddit will already be linked by your (1) Account (2) real IP address regardless of whether you use a VM or not.
Reddit keeps suspending any account I create if I am using VPN
Have you tried multiple different VPN servers? And are you using a free or paid VPN?
If switching servers doesn’t solve your problem, you can always visit a coffee shop, library, or some other public wifi to create your reddit account, do some normal looking browsing, and then pivot to using a VPN. It might be enough to get past whatever automated system is flagging your account.
As to your direct question:
Which VM should I use
I like using immutable distros for this sort of use-case (single-purpose VMs). Fedora Silverblue would be one example but there are others.
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Go to coffee shop, use a burner old chromebook from ebay, craigslist, etc then connect to their wifi.
Dont ever use that chromebook to connect to you home wifi. Remove batteries (?) when not in use or if applicable.
It may not be that simple. There could be other factors. I use an always on VPN, and have not had trouble with a reddit account.
Which VPN?
VPNs and Virtual Machines are–for the most part–solutions to different sets of problems. I don’t think that using a VM will really help compensate for not using a VPN. VMs are useful for many things, but for your purposes, I’m not really seeing the practical benefit (unless combined with a VPN or Tor). All of your activity on Reddit will already be linked by your (1) Account (2) real IP address regardless of whether you use a VM or not.
Don’t really care if Reddit knows my real IP. There isn’t anything they can get from it because as far as the www is concerned, the only activity on that ip will be on that Reddit account since for any other activity - on my main OS - I will be using a VPN.
Have you tried multiple different VPN servers? And are you using a free or paid VPN? If switching servers doesn’t solve your problem, you can always visit a coffee shop, library, or some other public wifi to create your reddit account, do some normal looking browsing, and then pivot to using a VPN. It might be enough to get past whatever automated system is flagging your account.
Yes I have tried numerous servers. I have also tried creating an account from a library like you suggested. None of those things work. As soon as I post using a VPN, my account gets suspended. They’ve been pretty relentless since the API change as this started happening afterwards.
At different points in time: Mullvad, AirVPN, and Windscribe. Currently Windscribe.
Yes I have tried numerous servers. I have also tried creating an account from a library like you suggested. None of those things work. As soon as I post using a VPN, my account gets suspended. They’ve been pretty relentless since the API change as this started happening afterwards.
I still think there are most likely some other factors at play. Maybe relating to your browser configuration or extensions? Maybe related to your post-account-creation behavior on reddit? Idk.
Both my current reddit accounts were created after the api changes. Reddit is indeed annoying and kind of hostile towards VPNs, but most of that (in my experience) impacts people who don’t login/have an account. I’ve never had issues when logged in (unless I happen to choose a vpn server that has been blocked, in which cases changing servers solves it)
I just created a new test account now (while connected to a VPN, using an alias e-mail) to test my luck / see if I can replicate your issue. So far so good. I could make the account, and I could immediately comment on a post (immediately commenting after creating a new account is often seen as a yellow or red flag to anti-spam/anti-abuse systems, so I was pushing my luck). I’ll let you know if the account gets banned or shawowbanned.
At different points in time: Mullvad, AirVPN, and Windscribe. Currently Windscribe.
Why no Proton?
I still think there are most likely some other factors at play. Maybe relating to your browser configuration or extensions? Maybe related to your post-account-creation behavior on reddit? Idk.
Can’t see what else it might be. Tried on multiple devices from different Android phones with different OSs (Graphene, MIUI, Lineage…) to Linux, Windows…different computers…almost all the browsers (even stock Chrome…cringe). The only common denominator between them being the VPN. And of course different servers.
Sometimes I get suspended (shadow banned particularly) a few posts later but most times as soon as I make the first post. But recently though it’s been a few days/posts later. Tried different combinations of activities…wait a few days to post…browse normally for a few days before positing…comment for a few days a little or comment a lot, before posting…like before posting…different subs…and of course all legitimate posts. All the possible combinations you can think of. So yeah, issue can’t be there.
Mediocre Linux support, and so-so price make it a not so great value for me. ProtonVPN is a fine choice if it works for you–especially if you are a Proton Unlimited subscriber–but it isn’t a good fit for me at this point in time. I hope that changes one day (and there are some positive signals that it might). Ignoring cost, Mullvad is my top choice for Linux.
Yeah, I can see why you feel it must be the VPN after reading everything you’ve tried. If I were in your position that would probably be my first guess as well. Though its pretty weird that you’ve also had accounts banned from coffeeshops/libraries without a vpn. I don’t know what to tell you, beyond that Reddit can be really shitty and anti-user sometimes, and that in my experience using a VPN hasn’t prevented me from using Reddit.
Have you checked redlib? It’s a frontend to reddit that will not block you when using a VPN application. redlib has multiple instances that you can select. It wont allow you to write any comments. It is read only.
Excuse my ignorance but what’s the point of creating an account on Reddit to “ready only”? You could do that while not logged in.
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Though its pretty weird that you’ve also had accounts banned from coffeeshops/libraries without a vpn.
I haven’t. I only get banned when I use a VPN.
I just created a new test account now (while connected to a VPN, using an alias e-mail) to test my luck / see if I can replicate your issue. So far so good. I could make the account, and I could immediately comment on a post (immediately commenting after creating a new account is often seen as a yellow or red flag to anti-spam/anti-abuse systems, so I was pushing my luck). I’ll let you know if the account gets banned or shawowbanned.
Any update? How is it going?
I also created an account yesterday, using Windscribe thinking I’d have the same result as you, but it didnt even last a day