Calling those who use a VPN

[kenny]

I've never used one, but am strongly considering getting one.
I know about the pros, but I'm curious about the cons.

Haver you encountered any downsides of your using your VPN?

 

[Arcadian]

Depends on what you're needing it for. my work VPN is a hardware one. I do have a software VPN for when I travel. I don't tend to use hotel wireless networks, and if I'm traveling for work I can't use those types of networks anyway. I do have a work approved hotspot that use for work and emergency use.

 

[kenny]

Depends on what you're needing it for.

I don't "need" it; I want it for privacy at home, not for work.
Even though do a lot for privacy, somehow I still encounter content related to my activity.

 

[Karl_K]

At home you replace your isp seeing traffic with a vpn provider seeing your traffic.
It does nothing to reduce browser level tracking.
It does cloak your home ip address somewhat but unless its hardware router level over time there is leakage.
On public wifi networks use a vpn and a firewall.

 

[missy]

I don't understand much about technology but I use a VPN because my dh installed it for me. I couldn't get onto some websites for whatever reason I was being blocked by my home wifi so my dh installed a VPN and now I can get into those websites that were previously blocked. Completely safe websites so not sure why they were blocked but VPN fixed this issue for me.

 

[Arcadian]

I don't "need" it; I want it for privacy at home, not for work.
Even though do a lot for privacy, somehow I still encounter content related to my activity.

If you want to do a software VPN, there's plenty out there. I use Nord when I travel Its not the best but it does what I need. You could also try Proton I think still has a free level https://protonvpn.com/


Browser extensions you could try Privacy Badger https://privacybadger.org/
and uBlock Origin https://ublockorigin.com/ both work very well.

I don't use a software firewall but many do. If you have a windows machine theirs is actually quite good these days. Malware bytes isn't a firewall per se but does block phishing, bad code, trackers, etc. https://www.malwarebytes.com/ they have free version and a pay version.

Yes you could go the hardware route. Its expensive though and knowledge of setup helps a lot. https://www.tp-link.com/us/landing/festa/ thats one of the easier ones. I use a lot of tp link products.

I do urge you to not use too many things.

 

[Austina]

I can’t get on to some websites because of the VPN. If I feel they’re safe, I may pause the VPN for 5 minutes to look and then it’ll reconnect automatically after the 5 minutes (or however long I pause it for).

 

[Calliecake]

I use a VPN. There are many sites I’m unable to access due to VPN. It irritates the daylights out of me.

@Matata , Do you feel the other site is safe?

 

[Matata]

I use a VPN. There are many sites I’m unable to access due to VPN. It irritates the daylights out of me.

@Matata , Do you feel the other site is safe?

Yes as far as net security; however, the emotional vibes are running high and probably will for the next couple of weeks.