OpenVPN config files need to be dated

tomewormtomeworm
in Feedback
As PIA adds new servers and locations that they need to update their OpenVPN config files. Apparently that's done automatically in the PIA app itself (not absolutely sure about even that). However at present PIA does nothing to notify customers who use OpenVPN apps (I use Viscosity) when they update their OpenVPN config files.

If they would even bother to include a date in the name of the .zip file it would be a big help. But just like with the PIA app, which they hadn't bothered to include the version number in the file name (until we pushed them about it), there's no way to readily tell when the OpenVPN config files have been updated.

So what we're left with is the sort of unhelpgul advice I received from Bonnie/support: "You would need to download the zip file periodically to confirm any changes in the Zip file"

So, inconvenient as that is, that's what I did. Lo and behold since the last time I imported PIA's OpenVPN config files (which I believe was only 4 months ago) they've added:
Denmark
India
Ireland
Italy
Norway
New Zealand

Now that's all wonderful, and I'm grateful for the server/country additions. I'm just not grateful that OpenVPN app users aren't notified in any way about the additions.

What PIA needs to do is two things:

1) The "Download the Configuration Files https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/openvpn/openvpn.zip" link needs to be dated, preferably right in the file name itself.

2) As server locations are added the individual .ovpn files also need to be linked separately so they can be added individually. Otherwise it requires having to download all the files and manually figuring out which are the new location files.


Online chat record:

Tom How often are the OpenVPN files updated?
Bonnie C The OpenVPN is a 3rd party application but it is a open source application. You can find details on the openVPN site or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenVPN also advised of the last release date
Bonnie CThat is the configuration files
The only reason that would be changed is if the servers are changed or if servers are added.
Tom exactly. are you telling me pia never adds servers?
Bonnie C No, Servers are added but there is known date or time when this is done.
Tom so how are we to know when the OpenVPN config files you provide have been updated?
there should at least be a date included in the file name so we know when it's been updated.
Bonnie C Other then within the Zip File it will advise the last time it was updated. You would need to download the zip file periodically to confirm any changes in the Zip file
Tom are you serious? do you really expect us to have to be put through that kind of inconvenience of having to manually comb through all those files?
Bonnie C I apologize Tom
At this point, I will need you to submit a support ticket, so we can investigate this issue further. To do so, please go to https://support.privateinternetaccess.com/index.php?/Tickets/Submit , or email [email protected], and one of our support specialists will get back to you as soon as possible.
Tom Why can't you just post an update notice on the forums when it happens, also letting us know which servers/locations have been added?
I can tell you from three prior experiences I won't be doing that. Your support ticket system is a farce. In all three cases I got an email response that said a ticket was created, but no one ever responded to those tickets. Then after so many hours I got an email that said because I hadn't replied (replied to what exactly?) the ticket was automatically closed.
So do me the favor of not just giving me the brushoff.
Bonnie C If you reply to a ticket closed it will reopen the ticket
You can submit a ticket or email asking for a update to the files if you wish.
Tom Thanks, but like I say I don't want to waste my time yet once again on a process that's failed me 100%. I'll post something about it in the Feedback section. Hopefully it will get some sort of response there. Thanks anyway.

Comments

  • tomewormtomeworm
    Come on, PIA! Surely you can do better than this.

    The complete lack of any response to my request and suggestions here is just another thing to add to my list of reasons why PIA is the Walmart of VPNs.

    Oh, wait. In Walmart's case they've actually done considerably better for me than PIA has. I'm on a first name basis with the GM of my local Walmart Supercenter. A few years ago he even gave me his personal cell phone number. He welcomes my comments, suggestions, and criticisms and has never failed to follow up with me. He's disciplined several of his employees and even fired a few based on my negative feedback, and he's also promoted a couple people based on my praise of them.

    So now that I think about it I actually get treated far better by Walmart than I do by PIA. "PIA, the Walmart of VPNs" is an insult to Walmart. So I guess I'll have to revise it to, "PIA, the Dollar General of VPNs."
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