Anyone use a VPN?

[Fleebag]

Any virtual private network users out there? Considering trying it out being that I'm mostly online at work, friends houses, and occasionally various places like libraries and coffeehouses. Don't know too much about them or which ones are the better ones. Any advice on the pros, cons, or pitfalls appreciated, or using the tor browser as well.

 

[Pilgrim]

What problem are you trying to solve? If no problem, no need to mess with it.

 

[Fleebag]

No real problem per se, just trying to bump up my online security a bit as I recently started doing a lot more online shopping, probably being paranoid but better safe than sorry, eh?

 

[Pilgrim]

As long as you're using appropriate network security at home, and don't connect to unsecured wireless networks, IMO the exposure is minimal...but others may differ.

Here's an article I found which seems helpful: How to Set Up Your Own Home VPN Server

 

[Fleebag]

Therein lies my paranoia, I don't have internet at home, I'm mostly online at work and other places.

 

[neckdive]

I use a VPN to get on the corporate network while working remotely. I have it on my iphone, ipad, and laptop. No significant issues other than getting disconnected one or two times in the first hour.

For personal use I wouldn't bother. If you're concerned about privacy, keep your sensitive files on an external drive and don't connect to it while using a public wifi.

Generally, I don't think I'm important enough for someone to go to the trouble of hacking.

 

[Fleebag]

No prob there, I don't store anything at all on my laptop, I keep all music, photos, documents, etc on external drives and dvd's. I'm just wondering if using a vpn when shopping and/or sending sensitive personal info, credit card numbers, emails and such will help.

 

[5544]

I set up a Raspberry Pi as a SSH server at home and just tunnel into that when I am out.

 

[Fleebag]

Thanks for info but I don't have internet service at home.

 

[Selta]

VPNs are great to use. In your case, Fleebag, you'll be looking into the paid versions for best results and security.
Additionally you can look into the TOR Browser.

Having a lot of your traffic ride over SSL is much better than in plain text, especially since HTTPS is not yet ubiquitous.

 

[PortlandBass77]

I use Tor sometimes, not willing to pay for a VPN though, don't care that much about security to warrant another monthly bill.

 

[T2k5]

Which VPN Services Take Your Anonymity Seriously? 2015 Edition - TorrentFreak

 

[Fleebag]

VPNs are great to use. In your case, Fleebag, you'll be looking into the paid versions for best results and security. Additionally you can look into the TOR Browser. Having a lot of your traffic ride over SSL is much better than in plain text, especially since HTTPS is not yet ubiquitous.

Mind if I ask what service(s) you've tried? I've also read using a vpn can slow things down a bit, you noticed this at all?

Which VPN Services Take Your Anonymity Seriously? 2015 Edition - TorrentFreak

Yeah I've read that article as well as some others, I was hoping to hear from someone with actual experience using them.

 

[Selta]

I roll my own now, though my setup is a good bit more complex than just running my VPN server at home.

It has potential to slow certain traffic down, yes. For normal web page surfing it's not noticable. YouTube and Netflix mostly work OK, though the long-term outcome of VPNs on streaming services is still unclear.

 

[Fleebag]

I probably wouldn't use the vpn for casual browsing and surfing anyhow, what worries me is when I'm when shopping, sending/receiving emails, banking online or any other activity involving personal information.

 

[Selta]

Shopping and banking is almost always HTTPS. Unless you have something specific you're trying to protect against, a run of the mill VPN isn't going to offer much more in the way of security. In fact, depending on which VPN, it could even be weaker.

I'm not sure I follow with regard to email and "other activity". The most you'll change on an email is the header information, particularly the origin IP point, but otherwise not much. It still would flow through the normal mailservers, which would be outside the VPN tunnel. "Other activity" is pretty generic so I can't comment much there... but if you mean like facebook, twitter and such, again, a VPN doesn't buy you a whole lot in terms of security or "anonymity".

 

[5544]

I was on the phone with my ISP one day trying to trouble shoot stuff and the guy knew exactly what websites I was visiting in real time. It was only then did I realize that no matter how hard you try to protect your privacy, there will always be someone able to shadow your movements.

 

[pedroims]

I use it when I am traveling overseas, in China many websites are banned, you must to use a VPN in order to access those sites: facebook, google, and few other. I also use it to watch netflix.

 

[ZonieBass]

I was on the phone with my ISP one day trying to trouble shoot stuff and the guy knew exactly what websites I was visiting in real time.

When you started the troubleshooting session did he have you open your browser and go to his site? That's how he was monitoring what you were doing in real time. I'll bet he could take control of your computer during that session/connection too.

 

[ZonieBass]

Typical use of a VPN as some have mentioned, Allows you as the "client" PC to connect to the remote "server" and establish an encrypted connection to the server. You will have to log in using credentials that allow you to access the network the the server resides on. (Typically, your office). Once connected you are using you office network to go back out into the internet. You can also access shared network drives on the office network as well.

I doubt that you could use a VPN for online banking, Facebook, Etc., as that is a service they do not provide. So, even if you used a VPN to connect to your office, you're using your office network to go to the internet for anything. You mentioned you have no internet at home. That being the case a VPN would not work for you.