Work VPN blocks Browser VPN

VPN
1

I’m happy to see that there’s a new VPN browser extension. One of the use cases stated is “browse privately at work”. I wanted to try it out. There are a number of websites that my work blocks (not too many, actually) through their VPN. (Protonvpn.com is actually one of them, although in this case I think that’s just a red herring. I digress). I’m mostly on the work VPN over the course of the day, but there are plenty of tasks that I can do just connected to my regular home internet. Nothing is blocked in this situation except for work-specific things, such as our network drives and intranet pages. Usually when I run into a need to use one of these, I connect to the VPN and stay connected for the rest of the work day. If I want to access a blocked website, it’d be easier for me TO then connect through the browser extension rather than disconnect from my work’s VPN (because reconnecting takes a minute and requires a PIN).

I was able to install the it successfully without any admin privileges (which I don’t have), log in, and get connected. However, after I connect I can’t browse to any website. It’s as if I’m not connected to the internet at all. I suspect that my work VPN is the culprit.

Any insight on this situation? Does it sound to you like I won’t be able to “browse privately at work”, at least while I’m connected to their VPN?

2

Check your ip on https://ip.me The browser extension might not be working properly. When I installed the extension I had to restart LibreWolf for it to connect properly.

3

Disconnect from your work VPN and connect to protonvpn with the browser extension.
If it works then it’s your work VPN blocking proton.

4

When browser VPN is connected and work VPN is not connected, it works as expected. If I select a Proton server in Austria, an Austrian IP address shows up.

When I’m connected to both Proton through the browser and my work VPN, I can’t even load a website telling me what my IP is.

5

Ah that does appear to be a problem. Not too sure really on how to approach it. You might find some solid help messaging the support team. https://protonvpn.com/support-form

6

It’s not a critical need on my end. I would only want to pursue support if it would help Proton improve their product. I don’t want them wasting their time helping me.

If it’s feasible that my work VPN could block Proton’s browser VPN then I’m sure that’s what’s happening.