VPNs Free or Paid versions?

[dobrowol]

I've noticed alot of free VPN services popping up lately some on Microsoft store; others just doing a simple google search. Paladin comes to mind. They state free unlimited bandwith and a no logs policy. What's the catch with a free service versus some like Cyber Ghost or Nord?

[MonkehMaster]

vpn's are worthless, best bet is to forget they exist.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

VPN / Proxy services there ALWAYS a risk to using them, as all you're doing is redirecting your data through someone network.

The "FREE" are very likely either

A) Free promo to try get you to sub to their service if you like using them, some do this giving you a FIX amount data can use before cutting you off weekly/monthly.

B) To steal stuff from you, or sell it off to someone, even some "PAID" services may do it as well.

Please note there is no such thing as "total anonymous" when using someone network ALL VPN / Proxy collects data from those that uses their network, even if they say they delete your data, doesn't mean they won't collect it, as some do it for reasons to work with authorities such as illegal activities.

And just FYI just becaue something is encrypted, doesn't mean it can't be decrypted, so be aware what you do online.

[[N]ebsun]

MonkehMaster a écrit :

vpn's are worthless, best bet is to forget they exist.

Depends on the use case... if using a VPN from your own network, then yeah not much benefit to gain from it.

The main use case is when you need to access the internet from an untrusted / unknown network that you don't control (eg. in an airport, hotel, mobile network, etc) - a VPN gets you an encrypted tunnel from your device to the VPN network. If you trust the VPN provider more than the access point you are using, then there is a benefit. DNS can also be setup to go through the tunnel.
It's best if you have your own private VPN set up so there is no 3rd party, but even with some of the free VPN services out there it would be better than nothing.

[dobrowol]

plat a écrit :

Elucidator a écrit :

Just use Tor.

Tor is mad-slow, though. Is it the lesser of two evils?

Free vpn is an oxymoron. Plus some of the iffier ones slow down your browsing also.

Mullvad has a decent rep at the moment. It is not free, however; in the US, it's 6USD per month.

https://mullvad.net/en

I don't use a vpn---for me not necessary. But have tested them briefly in the past. [/quot

https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/understanding-five-eyes-concept/

You might want to read this article about Mulvad.

[Pocahawtness]

A VPN has limited use. They do not protect your privacy unless you take other measures. Most tracking companies pretty much ignore IP address because it is liable to change by your ISP.
They only really count for anything if you are doing something illegal. You can, for example, bypass region restrictions or legal restrictions in your country.
If you are breaking the law then you have to be aware that many VPN's will report you to the police. You have to read the fine print carefully.
What is far more important for the average person is cookies and tracking. These will follow you even if you have a VPN, so it's essential to learn how to limit and delete them. Choosing the right browser, with the right plug-ins - deleting cookies and blocking tackers.

[Icecream1973]

As mentioned before: there is no such thing as "free" VPN, you always pay for it somehow, probably by 'giving' the free VPN provider all your data......

I use a paid VPN: Private Internet Access (PIA) on my administration laptop, comes with unlimited bandwidth, is easy to manage & has loads of cheap deals. Been using PIA for the last 5 to 7 years or so, so check out PIA incase you are going for paid VPN options.

Good luck!

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Elucidator a écrit :

plat a écrit :

Tor is mad-slow, though. Is it the lesser of two evils?

Tor is blocked, usually.
but it provides privacy and no tracking and you don't need to go on Tor sites. You can use Tor to visit google, etc.
the difference is that your IP will always be hidden, and your useragent can be fake.

The Brave Browser allows your connections to go through Tor.
I don't think you can watch netflix through Tor though.
For Netflix, a VPN maybe handy, except that as usual companies hate it when you don't show your real location (due to taxes and for profit reasons)

It needs to be a VPN that does not only run through a Browser Plugin, but actually installs as a full app on your system. That way you'd be able to use apps outside of web browsers such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video from the Microsoft Store in Win10/11

[Talby]

Also a PIA user for at least a decade, will use either that or my home-wireguard vpn pretty much on any network that is not my own. I travel a few times a year so it's very handy, and mandatory on open wifi networks...

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

My ISP has a built-in VPN...

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Wynters a écrit :

My ISP has a built-in VPN...

But can that VPN mimick a different Region? Most of those can not

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Bad 💀 Motha a écrit :

Wynters a écrit :

My ISP has a built-in VPN...

But can that VPN mimick a different Region? Most of those can not

The point was that they are useless and only used by people attempting to hide something to do something nefarious.

[A&A]

Even if it's not a VPN, it's probably connected to their proxy server located in a central place or in the capital, like in my case. Can I get out of this? No.

[Supafly]

Wynters a écrit :

My ISP has a built-in VPN...

Doesn't really help hiding your online activities from your ISP. Does your ISP log? highly likely

Wynters a écrit :

Bad 💀 Motha a écrit :

But can that VPN mimick a different Region? Most of those can not

The point was that they are useless and only used by people attempting to hide something to do something nefarious.

Some of us hide plenty of others things. For 1 I use my VPN for added security when access networks I don't own. Don't get me wrong security has come a long way but you have no idea about the company/person operating the network, users on the network or the devices on the network.

I also have my ISPs content restrictions on as I have kids. So many none nefarious things I can not access because those content restrictions are on. And no I'm not talking porn or illegal downloads

I Gamble on occasion. Nothing major just the Lottery like once a week.
The Misses also uses a few Social Media platforms that get blocked.

No point white listing some as we don't want the kids accessing certain things, yet

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Supafly a écrit :

Wynters a écrit :

My ISP has a built-in VPN...

Doesn't really help hiding your online activities from your ISP. Does your ISP log? highly likely

Wynters a écrit :

The point was that they are useless and only used by people attempting to hide something to do something nefarious.

Some of us hide plenty of others things. For 1 I use my VPN for added security when access networks I don't own. Don't get me wrong security has come a long way but you have no idea about the company/person operating the network, users on the network or the devices on the network.

I also have my ISPs content restrictions on as I have kids. So many none nefarious things I can not access because those content restrictions are on. And no I'm not talking porn or illegal downloads

I Gamble on occasion. Nothing major just the Lottery like once a week.
The Misses also uses a few Social Media platforms that get blocked.

No point white listing some as we don't want the kids accessing certain things, yet

For your own home network it would more wise and easier to simply configure a PiHole to do that so that only the devices your children use are restricted and not the entire home network

[Supafly]

Bad 💀 Motha a écrit :

Supafly a écrit :

Doesn't really help hiding your online activities from your ISP. Does your ISP log? highly likely



Some of us hide plenty of others things. For 1 I use my VPN for added security when access networks I don't own. Don't get me wrong security has come a long way but you have no idea about the company/person operating the network, users on the network or the devices on the network.

I also have my ISPs content restrictions on as I have kids. So many none nefarious things I can not access because those content restrictions are on. And no I'm not talking porn or illegal downloads

I Gamble on occasion. Nothing major just the Lottery like once a week.
The Misses also uses a few Social Media platforms that get blocked.

No point white listing some as we don't want the kids accessing certain things, yet

For your own home network it would more wise and easier to simply configure a PiHole to do that so that only the devices your children use are restricted and not the entire home network

How? I already use a VPN and it's as easy using my laptop/phone at home that already it installed on it, all I have to do is let it auto connect when it turns on. 0 changes between locations