VPN, do you use one?

i just signed up for a VPN service, and sure the invisibility is nice, and being able to watch content from anywhere is nicer.

does anyone else use one?

I just started, since an app I use may be disabled this Sunday in the USA. I'm trying Proton VPN because it came highly recommended. Ironically, I chose the Vancouver server.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19127130
I just started, since an app I use may be disabled this Sunday in the USA. I'm trying Proton VPN because it came highly recommended. Ironically, I chose the Vancouver server.

Baikonur VPN might be even better.

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Proton_(rocket​_family)

https://en.wikipedia.o​rg/wiki/Baikonur_Cosmo​drome

i'm using NordVPN. their sale on a two year deal got me. doesn't seem to slow me down. and the sense of privacy is worth it.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19127130
I just started, since an app I use may be disabled this Sunday in the USA. I'm trying Proton VPN because it came highly recommended. Ironically, I chose the Vancouver server.

but you do have to switch to the country from which the blocked content is from,to view it, right?

BirdsofBC wrote in post #19127458
but you do have to switch to the country from which the blocked content is from,to view it, right?

I believe so, or use a country where the service is allowed, even if not in the originating country. But I don't claim to be an expert. My understanding is that some of the content providers still manage to block at least some of the VPNs from passing their traffic.

I've been using a VPN for some time. I have also quite Facebook, I never search using Google prefering DuckDuckGo, use the Tor browser often especially when I want a bit of anonymity.

I use VPN when travelling ... particularly in Asia and in public wlan areas

I'm going to try one if it doesn't slow stuff down too much.

BirdsofBC wrote in post #19127457
i'm using NordVPN. their sale on a two year deal got me. doesn't seem to slow me down. and the sense of privacy is worth it.

I've been using NordVPN for a couple of years now. I've found it very good.

Before that I used Private Internet Access, which was ok, but seemed to slow things down more.

Yes, I use ExpressVPN, I find it very good as I travel a lot for work. I use it all the time on my phone and laptop when I am not in my home and have it installed mainly for security (especially in places I don't trust wi-fi) and for accessing streaming content from my home country that would otherwise be blocked due to my location abroad.

I'm actually considering taking the next step and create a VM for browsing only. I know it's not bullet proof, but does offer an additional level of security. Windows Sandbox looks interesting but I haven't yet taken the step to create the VM.

Just curious, how does a VPN actually give an additional level of security?
aren't you essentially entrusting a third party (the VPN provider) to read your data between yourself and the source?
must say I only use a VPN when I'm away from home and need access to my home network (and the VPN termination is my own firewall)

joeseph wrote in post #19146168
Just curious, how does a VPN actually give an additional level of security?
aren't you essentially entrusting a third party (the VPN provider) to read your data between yourself and the source?
must say I only use a VPN when I'm away from home and need access to my home network (and the VPN termination is my own firewall)

VPN services are usually encrypted so they give additional security to your data by making it extremely difficult for 3rd parties to read your data. The encryption starts on your device till it passes through the VPN server. Thus in places like airports with open/unsecured wi-fi networks, it's nigh on impossible for people to obtain your passwords etc when using the internet.

I suppose to a fashion you are entrusting the VPN provider. I don't use VPN providers from certain countries and I use a paid service. Any reputable VPN provider won't read your data as it would be a breach of trust and bad for business. But in the same way most people trust (or have no choice to!) their email providers not to read their emails or Amazon not to sell on your credit card details to criminals!

gjl711 wrote in post #19127472
I've been using a VPN for some time. I have also quite Facebook, I never search using Google prefering DuckDuckGo, use the Tor browser often especially when I want a bit of anonymity.

Facebook scared the you know what out of me before I watched this. If you have Netflix - The Social Dilemma. Past Facebook, Twitter, etc CEO's and engineers who built these platforms won't let their kids use social media.