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Post by librarylady on Nov 30, 2017 21:26:44 GMT
Do any of you use a VPN for making your internet activity more secure?
I use Avast for my virus protection and they want to sell me a VPN for $79/year for 5 devices.
I'm not real sure about it how it works and wonder if I'd notice anything in my searches if I use a VPN.
Will I be blocked at some sites?
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Post by busy on Nov 30, 2017 22:15:09 GMT
I use a VPN whenever I connect to WiFi away from home. I use VPN Unlimited and also recommend Encrypt.me. They both have good speed, solid reputations and I have never had problems with either. The only thing that may get you blocked at some sites is if it connects to a sever in another country. That has happened to be a couple times with VPN Unlimited, but I quickly learned to just make sure it connects to a US-based point and there will be no issues (its super easy to do). Stack Social currently has a deal on VPN Unlimited - only $29.99 for a lifetime subscription for up to 5 devices. That’s where I bought my sub, though I paid more  stacksocial.com/sales/vpn-unlimited-lifetime-subscriptionIf anyone is in need of new home WiFi, Eero is now bundling Encrypt.me VPN with their hardware for no extra charge. Great deal. |
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Post by utpea on Nov 30, 2017 22:19:46 GMT
Do any of you use a VPN for making your internet activity more secure? I use Avast for my virus protection and they want to sell me a VPN for $79/year for 5 devices. I'm not real sure about it how it works and wonder if I'd notice anything in my searches if I use a VPN. Will I be blocked at some sites? I just started using a VPN last month and it does seem to slow me down on certain websites (I just turn it off when that happens). I think $79/year might be expensive. I paid less than that for a lifetime membership. I’ll see where I purchased it online and come back to this thread. Edited to add that as I was writing out my post, another pea linked a great price on a lifetime VPN. She paid less than I did, so no need for me to add more info.  |
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Post by katlady on Nov 30, 2017 23:11:23 GMT
I am thinking of getting TunnelBear for my phone. It is free for 500mb/month or $10/month for unlimited data, and cheaper if you pay annually. I want it mainly for when I use free wi-fi at public places.
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Post by yivit on Nov 30, 2017 23:17:45 GMT
ProtonVPN. They take their privacy seriously (they're Swiss and the ones who also do ProtonMail).
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Post by yivit on Nov 30, 2017 23:18:36 GMT
I have to ask, though - what are your reasons for wanting/needing a VPN? That can drive which one you use, or whether you really need one or not.
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Dec 1, 2017 2:05:15 GMT
My Kaspersky security is also now offering a VPN for extra. I guess these companies want to get in on the money also.
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Post by librarylady on Dec 1, 2017 4:17:04 GMT
I have to ask, though - what are your reasons for wanting/needing a VPN? That can drive which one you use, or whether you really need one or not. After asking here, another board and some friends......I think I probably don't need one. I never do banking on my phone and only do banking when I am home, where my wifi is password protected. On occasion I have done banking at my son's (wifi password protected). Any online shopping is on a secure server site, so I think I don't really need the VPN. |
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Post by busy on Dec 1, 2017 4:24:56 GMT
I have to ask, though - what are your reasons for wanting/needing a VPN? That can drive which one you use, or whether you really need one or not. After asking here, another board and some friends......I think I probably don't need one. I never do banking on my phone and only do banking when I am home, where my wifi is password protected. On occasion I have done banking at my son's (wifi password protected). Any online shopping is on a secure server site, so I think I don't really need the VPN. Personally, I’d rather err on the side of caution. I don’t do anything sensitive on public WiFi, but there is a ton of confidential information on my phone. Currently, there are no threats I’m aware of that could allow someone to gain access to my phone’s content via unsecured WiFi but hackers and criminals are always coming up with new exploits. I’d rather not learn of them the hard way. VPN is cheap and easy to use. I’ll take the extra security. |
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Post by yivit on Dec 1, 2017 16:14:12 GMT
I do my banking on my phone (and on my computer), but my authentication is never saved and I have both devices set to NOT be trusted (so it always asks for a challenge after the password). That said, I never do banking or any other important/sensitive tasks on a WiFi network that's not mine. I also keep WiFi turned off on my mobile devices (including laptop) unless I'm actually using WiFi (which not only keeps battery drain down, but prevents your device from connecting to networks without your knowledge).
One thing about the "online shopping is on a secure server site" comment - the site may be secure, but if you're using a "foreign" WiFi network (as in not yours), there's always the chance of a man-in-the-middle attack to grab your credentials etc. That said, you're far more likely to lose your credentials or other sensitive information via clicking on a scareware or fake FlashPlayer/FireFox/Chrome/whatever installer link or via a phishing email than you are a MITM attack.
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