The post Secure VPN Connection Sharing: Are You Giving Away the Keys to the Castle? appeared first on equinux Blog.

That does not mean sending for the sake of sending. A good routine gives every campaign a clear job, whether you are sharing a product update, a seasonal offer, a customer story, a checklist, or a useful reminder. Here is how consistency improves your email strategy, plus practical ways to build a schedule you can actually keep.

• Why a consistent email schedule matters in 2026
• Keep your brand easy to recognize
• Train your audience to engage
• Support deliverability and sender reputation
• Create steadier website traffic and revenue
• Make your email analytics more useful
• Build an email routine you can maintain
• Quick consistency checklist

Why a consistent email schedule matters in 2026

Email inboxes are more selective than they were a few years ago. Gmail and Yahoo bulk sender rules now expect authenticated email, easy unsubscribe options, and low complaint rates. Microsoft has also introduced stricter requirements for high-volume senders to Outlook.com addresses. For marketers, the message is clear: sending quality, wanted email on a predictable cadence matters more than occasional high-pressure blasts.

Consistency helps because it gives subscribers a fair expectation of what they will receive from you. If someone signs up for weekly inspiration, a monthly digest, or regular product updates, your sending pattern should match that promise. When the rhythm feels familiar, subscribers are less likely to forget who you are and less likely to mark a legitimate campaign as spam.

Keep your brand easy to recognize

In email marketing, visibility is everything. You cannot expect results if your brand disappears for weeks or months and then suddenly arrives with an urgent promotion. Regular sending keeps your name, visual style, and message familiar in the inbox.

Think about the brands you recognize immediately when you open your own email. They usually show up with a steady rhythm, a consistent sender name, and a format you can identify at a glance. That familiarity builds trust before the reader has even clicked.

In contrast, brands that send very rarely can feel unfamiliar even to people who opted in. If a subscriber no longer remembers signing up, your campaign has to work much harder to earn attention.

Train your audience to engage

A consistent email schedule helps your audience understand what kind of value to expect from you. Weekly product picks, a monthly founder note, a Friday roundup, or a seasonal planning email can all become familiar moments in the customer relationship.

This is useful for the reader and useful for your team. Instead of inventing a completely new campaign concept every time, you can build repeatable formats: Deal of the Week, New This Month, Staff Picks, Customer Favorite, Last Chance, or What to Know Before You Buy. The format stays familiar while the content changes.

For more planning inspiration, see our guide to 2026 email ideas and our tips for creating a company newsletter people actually want to read.

Support deliverability and sender reputation

Sending more often does not automatically improve deliverability. Sending wanted, relevant email at a steady pace can help. Inbox providers look at many signals, including authentication, bounce behavior, complaint rates, engagement, and whether recipients can unsubscribe easily.

Random sending can work against you. If a list has been quiet for months and suddenly receives a large campaign, some subscribers may ignore it, delete it, or mark it as spam because they no longer recognize the sender. A smaller, more regular cadence gives your audience more chances to interact positively with your emails.

For 2026, make consistency part of a broader deliverability routine: use a verified sending domain, keep SPF, DKIM, and DMARC in place, make unsubscribe links clear, remove inactive or invalid addresses, and send content that matches the expectations people had when they signed up. Our avoid spam guide covers more practical steps.

Create steadier website traffic and revenue

One large promotional blast every few weeks can produce a temporary spike in traffic, but it also puts a lot of pressure on a single campaign. A steadier email rhythm gives you more opportunities to bring people back to your website, product pages, booking flow, or latest content.

For example, one big campaign every six weeks might generate a strong day of sales. A weekly campaign gives you six chances to speak to different customer needs: a new arrival, a reminder, a useful guide, a limited offer, a review roundup, and a last-call message. The result is often a more balanced flow of attention rather than one short burst.

Consistent sending also helps you avoid sounding urgent all the time. Not every message needs to be a discount. Educational content, curated recommendations, seasonal reminders, and helpful checklists can all support revenue without training customers to wait for the next sale.

Make your email analytics more useful

Regular sending gives you cleaner comparisons. If you send once every few months, it is hard to know whether a result came from the subject line, the offer, the season, the list quality, or simple timing. A steady cadence gives you more reliable baselines.

For example, if your weekly campaigns usually earn a similar click pattern and one format performs noticeably better, you have a stronger reason to reuse or adapt that idea. Over time, you can learn which topics get clicks, which calls to action work, which segments respond, and which formats are worth turning into repeatable campaigns.

Remember that privacy changes mean open rates are not always as precise as they once were. In 2026, clicks, replies, conversions, unsubscribes, spam complaints, and landing-page behavior are often more useful than opens alone.

Build an email routine you can maintain

The best email schedule is not the most ambitious one. It is the one your team can keep without rushing every campaign. Start with a cadence that feels realistic, then increase frequency once your workflow is stable.

Choose a manageable rhythm

If weekly emails feel too much right now, start every two weeks or once a month. Consistency is more important than forcing a schedule that leads to rushed, low-value campaigns.

Batch your email content

Set aside a regular planning block to prepare several campaigns at once. You might write subject lines, choose products, gather images, and create reusable sections in one session, then refine each email closer to send day.

Use a simple content calendar

Map out product launches, seasonal moments, holidays, events, renewals, and quieter weeks. A calendar helps you see where you need a sales email, where a helpful guide would fit better, and where you can reuse a proven format.

Repurpose what already exists

Blog posts, customer questions, product pages, social posts, support guides, and previous newsletters can all become useful email content. Repurposing is not lazy when it helps subscribers notice something valuable they may have missed.

Create familiar templates

Repeatable layouts make regular sending easier. A monthly roundup, product spotlight, event reminder, or checklist template gives you a structure to fill instead of a blank page every time. Mail Designer 365 can help you create reusable email designs that still feel polished and on brand.

Schedule campaigns ahead of time

Once a campaign is ready, schedule it. This removes the last-minute stress of remembering to send and makes it easier to keep your email rhythm going during busy weeks, holidays, or team absences.

Quick consistency checklist

Before you commit to a new sending rhythm, run through this simple checklist:

• Choose a cadence you can maintain for at least three months.
• Use a consistent sender name and recognizable visual style.
• Plan repeatable campaign formats so every email does not start from zero.
• Keep your list clean and remove addresses that bounce or never engage.
• Make unsubscribe links easy to find and process opt-outs promptly.
• Track clicks, conversions, unsubscribes, and complaints alongside opens.
• Review performance monthly and adjust your calendar based on what your audience actually uses.

A consistent email schedule does not need to be complicated. Start with a rhythm you can keep, give each email a clear purpose, and build a small set of formats that your audience can recognize. Over time, that routine can make your email strategy calmer, stronger, and much easier to improve.

Mail Designer 365 helps teams create polished, responsive HTML email campaigns on the Mac, with reusable layouts, visual editing tools, and built-in sending options. Learn more about Mail Designer 365 at maildesigner365.com.

The post Stop Sending Emails Randomly: Build a Consistent Email Schedule appeared first on equinux Blog.

How to update

This is a free update for all existing VPN Tracker users.

For Mac users: To update to VPN Tracker version 26.5, go to VPN Tracker > Check for updates:

Alternatively, you can download the latest version here.

For iOS users: The latest version will be rolling out over the next few days. Get it from the App Store.

The post OpenVPN CloudConnexa support in VPN Tracker 26.5 appeared first on equinux Blog.

Do you know the disadvantages of SMTP for sending professional emails?

If you are still using your standard office email server (SMTP) to send out your marketing campaigns, you might be working harder than you need to. While SMTP sending can work for one-on-one emails, it wasn't built for the demands of modern, professional email marketing.

What is SMTP?

SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is the fundamental technology used by email clients (like Outlook or Apple Mail) to send messages to a mail server and then on to the recipient. Think of it as the basic postal service of the internet. It's fine for sending a letter to a friend, but not necessarily built for serious business activities or marketing campaigns.

Disadvantages of SMTP

In 2026, there are many disadvantages of SMTP sending. Sending out an email blast via SMTP to a larger group of recipients will potentially cause problems with new security procedures put in place by major providers. This means that if you continue to use this process, your emails will most likely get blocked by the recipient email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.), resulting in only a few of your recipients actually receiving them.

Further disadvantages of SMTP sending include:

• Strict Sending Limits: Most standard providers (Gmail, Microsoft 365) limit how many emails you can send per day. Exceeding these can result in a locked account.
• Low Deliverability: Office servers aren't "warmed up" for bulk sending, which means your emails are far more likely to be flagged as spam.
• No Visibility: SMTP provides no data. Once you hit send, you have no idea if your email was opened or if links were clicked.
• Manual Management: Handling unsubscribes and bounces manually via SMTP is time-consuming and risks legal non-compliance.

"But I'm not a mass marketer..."

We often hear from users who feel that "Campaigns" sounds too corporate because they only send to small, select groups—perhaps just 50 clients or a small team update.

If you want to keep that personal touch without the delivery risks of SMTP, Direct Mail via Mail Designer 365 is your solution. It allows you to send high-quality, personalized emails to smaller groups using our professional "pipes." You get the same one-on-one feeling of a standard email, but with the peace of mind that your message won't be blocked by modern provider filters.

The Alternative to SMTP - Six Reasons to Choose Mail Designer 365

As a Mail Designer 365 user, you have a clean and powerful alternative to the undeniable disadvantages of SMTP sending right under your nose. By switching to Mail Designer 365’s integrated sending service, you’re upgrading to a professional infrastructure designed to bypass these blocks. Here is how it helps:

1. Higher Deliverability: Straight to the Inbox

Standard email providers often limit how many emails you can send at once. Our sending service uses high-reputation, "warmed-up" IP addresses, ensuring your emails land right where they belong: in the inbox.

2. Real-Time Analytics: Stop Guessing

Sending via SMTP is a "black hole." With Mail Designer 365, you get a full analytics dashboard. Track opens, clicks, and engagement in real-time so you can see exactly what is working.

3. Audience Management: Keep Track of Every Send

One of the biggest headaches of SMTP is losing track of your history. With integrated sending, you maintain a clear delivery history. Both Campaigns and Direct Mail allow you to see exactly what you sent to whom. This organized overview helps you manage your contacts better and ensures you never miss a client by mistake.

Mail Designer allows you to keep track of what you sent to who

4. Built-in Security & Authentication

In 2026, verification isn't optional. Without DKIM, SPF, and DMARC, your emails are a security risk. Mail Designer 365 helps you stay certified:

• If you don't have your own domain: We automatically replace your From Address with one of our verified domains (e.g. YOUREMAIL@sentwith.maildesigner365.com). Since this domain is fully DKIM certified, your emails won't be blocked.
• If you have your own domain: Mail Designer Campaigns allows you to DKIM verify your own address, so you can send from your own domain without being blocked by providers.

DKIM status verified in Mail Designer

5. Effortless Legal Compliance

Laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM require every marketing email to have a working unsubscribe link. We handle unsubscribe management automatically, keeping you compliant and your customers happy without you lifting a finger.

Unsubscribe links are a legal requirement for all promotional emails and handled seamlessly in Mail Designer

6. Scheduling: Set it and Forget it

One of the major disadvantages of SMTP sending is the lack of flexibility. Because SMTP requires you to send "in the moment," you lose the ability to plan ahead.

Stay productive, even while out of office: Imagine you’re heading out for a well-deserved vacation. With Mail Designer 365, you can schedule your client updates or newsletters days or weeks in advance. Your emails will land in your clients' inboxes right on time while you’re off the grid. You stay productive and your business keeps moving, even when you’re officially out of the office.

Schedule campaigns and direct emails in Mail Designer

The Verdict: SMTP vs. Integrated Sending

Using SMTP is like trying to deliver a thousand flyers by hand—it’s slow, unmonitored, and exhausting. Integrated sending is like hiring a professional courier service with GPS tracking, scheduling capabilities, and a full delivery log.

Use Mail Designer to move away from the disadvantages of SMTP and send professional emails directly to your audience

Next Steps: Switching from SMPT

Now you have an understanding of the disadvantages of SMPT, it's time to take action! Switching to Mail Designer 365 sending is easy and our team is happy to help you get set up so you can continue sending seamlessly. Get in touch today to arrange a free 1:1 support session.

Try Mail Designer 365 for free

Try for free

The post Disadvantages of SMTP | Use Mail Designer 365 as an Alternative appeared first on equinux Blog.

VPN Tracker 26.2 is here! This update brings a collection of thoughtful refinements and a few powerful new features, including a brand new IKEv1 engine for IPsec connections, seamless VM support, and dedicated profiles for several new VPN devices, including a powerful LANCOM connection importer. Keep reading for a detailed overview.

New: Next-Generation IKEv1 Engine

The latest VPN Tracker version introduces a faster, more feature-rich, and more resource-efficient IKEv1 engine. While the legacy engine is still available for compatibility reasons, we recommend using the new engine, which, moving forward, will be actively maintained and will continue to receive improvements in future updates.

The new IKEv1 engine offers:

• Improved support for Fritz!Box devices
• Improved support for SonicWall devices
• Reduced DPD logging and more detailed diagnostics for SonicWall SCP connection issues
• Enhanced detection and reporting of IKEv1 NAT issues
• Increased stability of IKEv1 Phase 1 rekeying

You can change the engine in the VPN Tracker app preferences. The change takes effect immediately and will apply to the next IPsec/IKEv1 connection start; currently running connections are not affected.

Switch between the modern and legacy engine in the app settings

h2>New: Seamless VPN Support for Virtual Machines

VPN Tracker 26.2 introduces a major workflow enhancement: VM Shared Usage. You no longer have to choose between your Mac and your VM. Now your virtual machines can "hitch a ride" on your Mac’s secure VPN connection.

How it works

While most VM providers work automatically, UTM handles networking slightly differently. We’ve added a dedicated optimization for UTM users on Apple Silicon to ensure a "just works" experience.

1. Open VPN Tracker and go to Settings > General
2. Enable Set NAT rules for UTM VM access
3. VPN Tracker handles the rest. (The default network 192.168.64.0/24 works for almost everyone and doesn't need to be changed.)

Activate the UTM support toggle in your VPN Tracker settings.

Important: Check the network settings in your VM. Shared Networking (or NAT) should be selected to be able to use VPN within the VM.

More information: Share Mac VPN with VM (UTM, VMware, VirtualBox) →

New: Pin Connections on Mac

You can now pin important VPN connections for quicker access. Even better, pinning status is shared with the iOS client, keeping your setup consistent across devices. Use the filtering tools to filter your list only by your pinned connections and connect faster:

Filter by pinned connections

To pin a connection, right-click and select Pin Connection, or click the pin icon next to the connection name in the Status overview:

Use the pin icon to pin select connections

New: LANCOM Import & Expanded Device Support

LANCOM .ini support

The latest VPN Tracker version also introduces support for LANCOM .ini connection files, allowing you to skip the manual setup process and connect to your LANCOM VPN in minutes.

Drag the connection file onto the VPN Tracker icon to open the importer

Want to connect to your LANOCM router or firewall? Read the quick setup guide →

New profiles for manual setup

For those of you setting up your connection manually, VPN Tracker now includes more LANCOM devices in the device selection, including dedicated IKEv1 and IKEv2 profiles for the 1800, 1900, and 2100 Router Series, as well as Unified Firewalls.

Set up a VPN connection to a LANCOM 1900 Series Router

These updates make onboarding and migration significantly easier for LANCOM environments.

New: Dedicated Profiles for VPN Devices

As well as improved support for LANCOM connections, VPN Tracker 26.2 also adds several new vendors and devices to the app:

BEC Technologies (OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP)

We’ve added professional-grade support for BEC Technologies' industrial and 4G/5G LTE routers to ensure secure connectivity for remote sites.
View Configuration Guide →

Connect to BEC Technologies MX-241NP Router

UGREEN NAS (OpenVPN, WireGuard)

VPN Tracker now supports UGREEN’s emerging line of networking hardware, making secure remote access simple for home office and small business setups.
View Configuration Guide →

Securely connect to your UGREEN NAS DXP4800 Plus in VPN Tracker

OPNSense (IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard)

Experience reliable VPN access to your OPNsense open-source security platforms with our newly added dedicated integration.

NETGATE / pfSense (IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard)

Seamlessly connect to your pfSense-based firewalls and Netgate appliances with optimized support for secure, high-performance tunnels.
View Configuration Guide →

Connect to pfSense VPN on Mac – including Netgate 1100

Further Improvements in version 26.2

Expanded IKEv2 & IKEv1 Authentication

• Support for IKEv2 user authentication using certificates (EAP-TLS)
• Support for IKEv2 pre-shared key (PSK) connections with EAP-based user authentication
• Improved stability for IKEv1 Phase 1 rekeying and better long-term rekeying stability for IKEv2
• IKE and IKEv2 rekeying times are now randomized to prevent rekeying conflicts
• Enhanced detection and reporting of IKEv1 NAT issues
• The IKEv2 automatic configuration setting is now honored, regardless of previous manual configuration
• Reduced DPD logging for the new IKEv1 engine to keep logs cleaner
• IKEv1 no longer drops connections if a delete payload is received for an expired session

OpenVPN & L2TP Improvements

• Fixed OpenVPN connection drops by ensuring keep-alive pings are sent correctly
• OpenVPN now reports the correct error when a tunnel disconnects due to idling
• Correct fallback is used when an OpenVPN configuration is missing a key direction
• Improved stability for TCP-based VPN connections
• L2TP connections can now configure IKE lifetimes
• Fixed an issue that prevented L2TP connections from starting

Stability & Network Reliability

• IKEv1, IKEv2, and OpenVPN connections no longer hang when stopping immediately after a network interface switch
• Connections can now be reliably stopped following a network change
• Improved detection of network address conflicts with a reliable reset of applied resolutions
• Traffic statistics are now always correctly reset when restarting a connection
• Automatic DH group fallback for AVM FRITZ!Box IPsec connections
• SonicWall SCP negotiation now avoids packet fragmentation and provides more detailed diagnostics in the new IKEv1 engine
• Fixed a hanging Connection Checker test that prevented certain IKEv1 connections from starting

Cloud & App Enhancements

• Cloud re-authentication with OTP no longer sporadically fails
• Services in the Network Scanner are now properly named again
• The next cloud sync time is now always reported correctly
• The sort order of local groups no longer changes on app start
• Release notes now automatically scroll to the relevant version for better navigation

macOS Enhancements

• Dark Dock icon support on macOS 26 Tahoe

About the latest VPN Tracker version

This release focuses on making VPN Tracker more stable, more transparent in its diagnostics, and easier to manage in real-world environments. With the new IKEv1 engine, connection pinning, and LANCOM import support, you get meaningful improvements without changing how you work.

As always, we recommend testing the new IKEv1 engine in your environment and sharing feedback with us.

How to update

This is a free update for all existing VPN Tracker users.

For Mac users: To update to VPN Tracker version 26.2, go to VPN Tracker > Check for updates:

Alternatively, you can download the latest version here.

For iOS users: The update will be rolling out over the next few days. Get the latest version from the App Store.

The post New: VPN Tracker 26.2 – with Updated IKEv1 Engine, VM Support and New VPN Devices appeared first on equinux Blog.

New: Direct PNG Export

This update brings a handy PNG export option to Mail Designer 365, allowing you to export either the mobile or desktop version of your email designs directly as high-resolution PNG files.

This is a game-changer for anyone looking to repurpose their email layouts for:

• Social media posts (Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Website banners and blog headers
• High-quality printouts for internal meetings

Find it under File > Export > PNG:

Select File > Export to export as a PNG

Exporting your designs for socials and more: Read the full guide →

Improved: Better Design Intelligence

The Preflight Check tool is your copilot for successful email design. Before you hit send, the Preflight Check will run, making sure you've covered all bases.

Click the check icon in the App toolbar to open the Preflight Check

This update brings two useful updates to the Preflight Check to give you even more peace of mind before sending:

1. Smarter Preflight for Mobile: Our Preflight Check now automatically alerts you if there are "detached" layout blocks in your mobile view. This ensures your responsive design stays perfectly aligned on every smartphone:
   

   The Preflight Check provides a hint if you have separate mobile and desktop blocks

2. Instant Image Optimization: If your email contains large images, Preflight Check now offers a direct shortcut to the image optimization tool, so you can crunch those kilobytes in one click:
   

Fixed: Further Improvements in this Version

As well as the new features added in this version, we’ve also been working hard under the hood to ensure Mail Designer is running smoothly:

• macOS 26 Tahoe Support: We fixed an issue where some images couldn't be imported via Drag & Drop on the newest macOS version. Drag away!
• Reliable Alt-Texts: Updates to image Alt-Texts are now saved instantly and reliably, ensuring your emails remain accessible.
• Perfect Spacing: We’ve corrected a bug that caused incorrect margins in some exported designs. Your final result will now match your editor view pixel-for-pixel.
• Team Organization: The sorting order of Team Documents now stays exactly as you left it, even after refreshing the list.

As always, this update includes general stability improvements and small bug fixes to keep your creative process as smooth as possible.

Ready to try the new PNG export? Download the latest version of Mail Designer 365 today.

The post PNG Export, Preflight-Checks and More: Mail Designer 365 5.4 appeared first on equinux Blog.

We are introducing early support for importing mobileconfig configuration profiles directly into VPN Tracker. This feature is currently in beta and you can try it today in the latest VPN Tracker version! 

Post contents

What Are Mobileconfig Files?
Benefits of Mobileconfig
Vendors That Use Mobileconfig
Who Can Use Mobileconfig?
How Mobileconfig Import in VPN Tracker Works
Import Multiple Connection Files in VPN Tracker
Get Help with Setup

What Are Mobileconfig Files?

Mobileconfig files are configuration profiles widely used in Apple environments to distribute system settings such as VPN, Wi-Fi, certificates, and more. IT administrators, consultants, and MDM systems rely on them to quickly deploy consistent VPN settings across macOS and iOS devices. These files often contain complex VPN configurations that would otherwise need to be entered manually.

Benefits of Mobileconfig

Many organizations store their existing VPN settings inside mobileconfig profiles. Until now, moving these VPN configurations into VPN Tracker required manually replicating each parameter. The new Mobileconfig importer streamlines this process by automatically reading and translating compatible VPN settings, reducing manual input and the risk of configuration mistakes. It also makes migrations from legacy macOS VPN configurations smoother and faster.

While importing mobileconfig files makes it easy to set up VPN connections on your own device, we recommend using VPN Tracker TeamCloud to share connections with your team. This ensures that every team member gets a ready-to-use VPN setup without manually exchanging configuration files via email or chat, keeping credentials secure and deployments consistent. Learn more →

Vendors and Solutions That Use Mobileconfig

It’s helpful to distinguish between vendors that directly export mobileconfig files and those whose VPN settings are commonly deployed via MDM.

Vendors That Export Mobileconfig Directly

These devices allow administrators to download a ready-to-use .mobileconfig file from the firewall or gateway interface:

• Zyxel (ATP, USG Flex, USG Flex H, Nebula)
• Securepoint

These vendors provide a true one-click export for easy VPN setup on macOS and iOS devices.

Vendors Whose VPN Settings Are Packaged into Mobileconfig via MDM

Many vendors do not offer direct mobileconfig export, but their VPN settings can still be deployed as .mobileconfig files using MDM platforms like Jamf, Mosyle, Kandji, or Intune:

• Fortinet (FortiGate)
• Cisco
• Palo Alto Networks (GlobalProtect)
• Sophos
• WatchGuard
• DrayTek
• Synology (SRM & DSM VPN Server)
• Ubiquiti (UniFi & UDM)

This approach ensures consistent VPN configurations across multiple users and allows admins to import these profiles directly into VPN Tracker for easier management and deployment.

Who Can Use Mobileconfig Import?

For IT Teams and Administrators:

• Faster onboarding for new users transitioning to VPN Tracker
• Reduced manual configuration work and fewer chances for typos
• Smoother migration from device-level profiles to dedicated VPN management

For Consultants and Power Users:

• Directly import the profiles they already work with
• No need to decode complex legacy configurations
• Quicker setup across multiple customer environments

For Teams Using VPN Tracker TeamCloud:

• Imported connections can be refined and securely shared with team members
• Ensures consistent configuration across the entire team

How Mobileconfig Import Works

The VPN Tracker mobileconfig import process is designed to be simple and fast:

1. Open the latest VPN Tracker version
2. Select File → Import from file → Apple Configuration Profile and choose your mobileconfig file
3. VPN Tracker will analyse the configuration and extract compatible VPN settings
4. You review the imported connection and make any adjustments if required
5. Save the connection and connect

New: Import mobilecofig files in VPN Tracker (Beta)

Sharing mobileconfig connections with your team?

When importing a single mobileconfig file, you can choose where to save the new connection:

Share mobileconfig connections securely with your team and avoid leaking sensitive VPN details

Select your team to securely share this connection with other team members via TeamCloud. This avoids sending the configuration file directly and keeps credentials safe.

Importing Multiple VPN Files at Once with the Multi-Importer

For team admins managing multiple mobileconfig files, VPN Tracker also includes a useful multi-importer feature. This allows you to bulk-import several profiles in one operation, saving time and reducing repetitive steps:

1. Open the latest VPN Tracker version
2. Go to your VPN Tracker Team in the sidebar, select + New Connection → Import Connection
   

   Use the multi-importer to bulk import mobileconfig files for your team

3. Drag & drop in your files. VPN Tracker will parse all compatible files and display them in a list for review
4. Review the connection names, then select Import
5. The new connections will be saved as unpublished in your team so you can test and assign them to the correct users before rolling out

Once tested, share the connections securely with your team using TeamCloud.

The post New: Easy Mobileconfig Import in VPN Tracker for Mac appeared first on equinux Blog.

To delete your X account, you must first deactivate it. After deactivation, a 30-day grace period begins. If you don’t log in during this time, your account will be permanently deleted.

This 30-day window allows you to reconsider your decision or restore an account deactivated by mistake. Before proceeding, it’s a good idea to back up your X data in case you want to keep it:

How to Back Up Your Data Before Deletion

Using the Mobile App:

1. Open the menu and go to “Settings and Support” > “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Download an Archive of Your Data.”
2. Enter your password and send a verification code to your registered email or phone number.
3. Once you’ve entered the code, you can request an archive of your data.

On a Computer:

1. Go to “More” > “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Download an Archive of Your Data.”
2. Enter your password and send the verification code.
3. After entering the code, request your data archive.

Ready to Delete?

How to Deactivate Your Account on an Android or iOS Device:

1. Open the menu in the top left corner (account icon) and navigate to “Settings and Support” > “Settings and Privacy.”
2. Select “Your Account” > “Deactivate Account.”
3. Read the provided information and confirm your choice by tapping “Deactivate.” Enter your password and tap “Deactivate” again.

How to Deactivate Your Account on a PC or Mac:

1. Log in to the X website and open the “More” menu.
2. Navigate to “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Deactivate Account.”
3. Confirm the deactivation by reading the information, entering your password, and clicking “Deactivate.”

What Happens After Deactivation?

During the 30-day deactivation period, your account, including profile data, direct messages, and tweets, will remain stored. After the period ends, everything will be permanently deleted, and your username will become available to others.

If you want to create a new account using the same email address, you’ll need to wait until the grace period ends. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a different email address.

Join us on Bluesky

Consider switching to a better platform—we’ve moved to Bluesky. Join us there!

equinux on Bluesky

VPN Tracker 365 on Bluesky

Mail Designer 365 on Bluesky

Zeitpunkt Haus on Bluesky

VPN Tracker securely connects thousands of Macs, iPhones & iPads worldwide with VPNs every day. VPN Tracker was developed from the ground up in our head office in Munich. Trust in our long experience working with advanced VPN technology.

The post How to Delete Your X Account (formerly Twitter) appeared first on equinux Blog.

Guide contents:

• Understanding Smart Home security
  • What are the risks of smart devices?
• How to Set Up a Home VPN Server
  • What is a VPN?
  • Step one: Set up Dynamic DNS
    • Private vs. public IP addresses
    • What does Dynamic DNS do?
    • Where to register Dynamic DNS
    • Set up Dynamic DNS on your gateway
  • Step two: Configure the VPN server
    • Which VPN protocol is best?
    • Configure a WireGuard® VPN server on your gateway
  • Step three: Configure your VPN client
    • What is a VPN client?
• Accessing your smart devices on the go

Understanding Smart Home security

Smart Home tech is on the rise - with more and more people controlling their home via their smartphone or tablet.

Popular IoT devices like smart locks, lightbulbs, thermostats, doorbell cams, alarm systems, etc. allow users to automate everyday processes and - in most cases - even promise secure remote access to the home network via external cloud servers.

Yet how secure are these solutions really? How many of you would be willing to hand over the keys to your home to outright strangers?

What are the risks of smart devices?

For most regular users, getting remote Smart Home access involves connecting to an external cloud server and sending sensitive data back and forth.

Purchased a cheap, smart camera online? As soon as you connect this device to your WiFi and start streaming video data to the cloud, you're opening up a potentially huge security hole in your home network - for both cyber and regular criminals. Why? If the cloud server connected to the camera is not secure and outsiders are able to hack into it, they could easily gain access to your home network and potentially all the devices within it.

Examples of poor security include:

• Insecure default passwords
• No Two-Factor-Authentication (2FA)
• Lack of encryption
• Out of date security software
• Poor or no data protection regulation

However, this doesn't mean you have to stop using smart devices all together. On the contrary, when used safely, IoT technology is great and makes a practical addition to modern homes.

Set up a VPN Server at Home

Setting up a VPN server in your home network empowers you to take your security into your own hands. Remotely access your smart devices and control your Smart Home on the go - as though you are connecting locally at home.

What is a VPN?

A (virtual private network) securely connects an enduser to a remote network via the internet by creating an encrypted tunnel to transfer data back and forth. Once a VPN connection has been established, users can access the remote network as if they are physically in that location - even if they're hundreds of miles away.

What you need to set up a VPN server at home:

1. A public IP address (you can request this from your internet provider if you don't have one already)
2. A Dynamic DNS address (hostname)
3. A VPN compatible gateway
4. A VPN protocol - the most popular include OpenVPN, IPSec, WireGuard® & PPTP. Check with your gateway to see what's available (VPN Tracker supports all leading protocols)
5. A VPN client - we recommend VPN Tracker for Mac and iOS 🙂

Step one: Set up Dynamic DNS

Public vs. private IP addresses

Typically, home networks use a NAT router that assigns each connected device an internal (private) IP address to be used on the local network. Smart devices connected to the router like cameras, thermostats, alarm systems, etc. won't have external (public) IP addresses, meaning they won't be directly accessible via the internet. This prevents you from obtaining remote access - i.e. via a VPN.

You can easily request a dynamic public IP address for your router from your ISP (internet service provider.) This will make your devices available online, but is not suitable for VPN access, as the IP address is periodically updated. As soon as the IP address changes for the first time, the VPN tunnel would be pointing to the wrong address and will no longer work.

Unfortunately, if you want a static IP address that doesn't change (the most typical option for VPN), this will almost always result in a significant charge from your provider, as these are usually reserved for business users.

The solution: Dynamic DNS. It's easy and free to set up and is an essential step in configuring your own VPN connection to your home network.

What does Dynamic DNS do?

Registering your gateway's dynamic public IP address with a Dynamic DNS service allocates a specific URL (hostname) to your device. Whenever your public IP address is updated by your ISP, the Dynamic DNS service will recognize the change and update the DNS record accordingly to keep everything up and running.

Where can I register for Dynamic DNS?

Some devices offer their own DynDNS services (e.g. FRITZ!Box, ASUS, etc.) or provide a list of recommended services - refer to your gateway for more information. Alternatively, a free service like dynv6 is also a great choice and enables you to get set up in minutes:

When you register your new hostname with a service, you'll also be instructed to set up a username and password, needed for the configuration on your gateway.

Configure Dynamic DNS on your gateway

The final step is registering your new hostname on your VPN gateway. The process is the same for the majority of devices:

1. Log in to your device interface and find the advanced settings menu. (Tip: If you don't know your login details, they are usually provided on a sticker on your device)
2. Locate the settings for "DynDNS" / "Dynamic DNS" / "DDNS"
3. Enable Dynamic DNS for your device
4. Choose a DNS provider from the available options or select custom if yours is not listed
5. Fill out your login and password using the information generated in the previous step and enter your new hostname (e.g. grace-m.dynv6.net)

Step two: Configure VPN on your gateway

Each VPN gateway will have slightly different setup instructions depending on the type of device and the VPN protocol you are using.

Which VPN protocol is best?

If you are new to VPN (or even if you're not!), you may prefer a modern VPN protocol such as OpenVPN or WireGuard®. Both of these are open source, super easy to configure and offer good connection speeds for a typical Smart Home use case. They both also use a configuration file to get set up and can be up and running in minutes.

IPSec VPN is also a good choice and is supported by almost all vendors, however it can take a little longer to get set up - especially if you're not experienced in networking. Generally, we would avoid PPTP where possible, as it has some known major security flaws.

Setting up a WireGuard® VPN connection

We have chosen to configure WireGuard® VPN, due to its easy configuration and impressive performance. However, if you want to connect to a different protocol - i.e. because your device doesn't support WireGuard, you can refer to our configuration guides or follow your vendor's instructions.

How to set up WireGuard® VPN in 3 steps:

1. Log in to your device's web interface and locate the VPN settings
2. Choose WireGuard® from the VPN options and fill out the required fields
3. Save your connection to generate your personalized configuration file (you'll need this for the next step!)

Step three: Configure your VPN client

The last step involves configuring your connection in your VPN client.

What is a VPN client?

A VPN client is a specific type of software which establishes a secure connection between a device and a VPN server. You need a VPN client in order to connect to your VPN and access your network remotely.

The latest VPN Tracker version offers support for WireGuard® VPN on macOS and iOS (Beta) - meaning you can remotely connect to and control your Smart Home from your Mac, iPhone or iPad. Configure your connection using QR code or with a .conf file.

Here's how it works:

1. Download VPN Tracker free on your Mac, iPhone or iPad
2. Create a new connection and choose WireGuard®
3. Upload your .conf file or scan your QR code to import your connection settings

It's as easy as that. You can now save your new WireGuard® connection using Secure Data Transfer and connect to your home network from another location on your Mac, iPhone or iPad!

My VPN Server is set up - what now?

Your VPN server is up and running - meaning you can now enjoy secure external access to your Smart Home and devices.

Access smart devices on the go

You can connect to your home network from another location using your new WireGuard® VPN in VPN Tracker on your Mac, iPhone or iPad.

Simply open VPN Tracker and start your VPN using the connection slider:

Connect to VPN to enable your alarm system on the go, check in on your four-legged friends on vacation, or turn on your central heating ready for when you arrive home from work - all without needing to rely on untrustworthy third party cloud services.

“WireGuard®” is a registered trademark of Jason A. Donenfeld.

VPN Tracker securely connects thousands of Macs, iPhones and iPads worldwide with VPNs every day. VPN Tracker was developed from the ground up in our head office in Munich. You can trust in our long experience working with advanced VPN technology.

The post Set Up a WireGuard® VPN Server at Home appeared first on equinux Blog.

What is WireGuard®?

WireGuard® is a modern, open source VPN standard that works on level 3 of the OSI Model and has been massively growing in popularity over the last few years due to its easy setup and high performance.

VPN connections are made by securely exchanging public keys and can be set up in seconds. Connections can be imported on to your Mac, iPhone or iPad using a dedicated configuration file or QR code - making getting connected to your network a breeze.

Configuring WireGuard® VPN in VPN Tracker

VPN Tracker supports importing WireGuard® .conf files and using setup QR codes to configure your WireGuard® connection.

Here's how to get started with WireGuard® using the new and improved connection editing workflow:

1. Log in to VPN Tracker on Mac, iPhone or iPad
2. Add a new connection, switch to the "Protocols" tab and choose WireGuard® VPN
3. Upload your configuration file or scan your QR code to import your connection settings
4. Give your connection a name
5. Create your connection using VPN Tracker Secure Data Transfer to save securely in your account

You now have access to your WireGuard® VPN connection in VPN Tracker!

When you first start your connection, you may be prompted to enter your username and password. In the majority of cases, this will be the login credentials from your VPN gateway. If you don't know these, please get in touch with your VPN admin.

Learn more about WireGuard® VPN.

VPN Tracker securely connects thousands of Macs, iPhones and iPads worldwide with VPNs every day. VPN Tracker was developed from the ground up in our head office in Munich. You can trust in our long experience working with advanced VPN technology.

The post New: Connect to WireGuard® VPN in VPN Tracker appeared first on equinux Blog.