Are you using a VPN yet?

[Rich McCoy]

Tor?

 

[PortlandBass77]

Not yet because I'm cheap and lazy (not to mention I download large files a lot for Android development, so that wouldn't work to well with a VPN). But I am highly considering it now as I already hated comcast before this anyway...

 

[PortlandBass77]

Did you see Invalid Link Removed when you searched? It has some other reasons why a VPN is useful.

Wow that article is biased.... Verizon has been by far the worse offender for years and they don't even mention them in the article. Have you ever used a Verizon phone? The experience is facepalm worthy.

 

[fdeck]

what about using a key scrambler?

If I understand it correctly, it doesn't help with tracking. The issue is that your ISP can record the meta-data in your IP packet, so they know what websites you're accessing, when, and to whom you're sending e-mail, even if they don't know the content of those messages.

 

[fhm555]

No worries folks, this will seem quaint once the drones are rolled out.

 

[Gorn]

What exactly is the concern here? What specific shenanigans can the baddies pull on you if you don't use vpn?

 

[Herrick]

What exactly is the concern here? What specific shenanigans can the baddies pull on you if you don't use vpn?

Here are some reasons for having a VPN according to Invalid Link Removed

...Thanks to the Senate, ISPs can now continue doing these things as much as they want, and it will probably be years before we can do anything to stop them.

1. Sell your browsing history to basically any corporation or government that wants to buy it
2. Hijack your searches and share them with third parties
3. Monitor all your traffic by injecting their own malware-filled ads into the websites you visit
4. Stuff undetectable, un-deletable tracking cookies into all of your non-encrypted traffic
5. Pre-install software on phones that will monitor all traffic — even HTTPS traffic — before it gets encrypted. AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have already done this with some Android phones.

 

[Reo]

I'm considering a VPN. I've heard good things about Private Internet Access, I may give that one a try.

 

[Biggbass]

So this means I'm going to start seeing all kinds of bass guitar and amp and gear ads?
and getting robo emails and robo calls?

wait...that's already happening!

 

[ShredderMaximus]

I actually just started using VIA. Other than the (optional) kill switch feature that mucks up my wireless drivers causing me to restart my computer anytime it activates, it works great and was pretty simple to set up. I think it was like 40$ for a year subscription.

I'm considering a VPN. I've heard good things about Private Internet Access, I may give that one a try.

Oops, I meant PIA, not VIA. And about the kill switch feature: I live in a pretty rural area and have satellite internet, so occasional internet outages are the norm, even if for a few seconds. The problem is that whenever I lose my connection it triggers the kill switch which can be a pain to get up and going again without restarting. Anyone with a more stable land connection likely won't face these issues though.

My speed drop-off usually goes from about 320kbp/s down without the vpn, to about 280kbp/s with it on. Not too bad.

 

[fingerguy]

VPN into what though? Then the network you VPN what makes you think the ISP can't see what you are surfing there?

But do you really believe a ISP really gives a damn where you surf? You guys have too much time on your hands or you are one of those conspiracy theorists. Either way, I am out of this conversation for I said all I need to say.

 

[Funky Ghost]

Seems like y2K all over again.

THE SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING!

The "visitors" will be here 4/6/17 ...

Supposing, for the sake of argument, that your ISP could do all those things listed.

Why would they?

Do you know how much doing something like that would cost to implement? The hardware, software and man power alone to facilitate something that big is mind boggling.

 

[Alkali Ike]

 

[SirMjac28]

I use IP Vanish because my local cable company loves to snoop.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Seems like y2K all over again.

THE SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING!

The "visitors" will be here 4/6/17 ...

Supposing, for the sake of argument, that your ISP could do all those things listed.

Why would they?

Do you know how much doing something like that would cost to implement? The hardware, software and man power alone to facilitate something that big is mind boggling.

ISPs already have the data because everything you do is logged. If they now want to sell that data, all they need to do is write software to cull out the irrelevant parts, then sell the remaining "good stuff" to whoever wants to buy it. That's oversimplification but not too far off.

 

[fdeck]

Why would ISP's collect data? That's kind of a moot point, given that they're already doing it, and that they fought with lawyers and lobbyists for the ability to continue doing it.

The main reason is advertising: So called "targeted" advertising depends on having information about you. Advertisers are willing to pay for that information, and to support developing and hosting the technology that makes targeted advertising possible. Some technologies, such as inserting ads into the web content that you receive, can only be done at the ISP level.

There are other reasons to collect your personal data, but I suspect they are secondary to advertising. Examples include deciding whether to hire you for a job, offer you a consumer loan, or set a price for goods and services.

An issue for some people is that the ad tech consumes bandwidth that they're paying for, either through their ISP's or cellphone providers. I have extremely cheap Internet and cellphone service, to the point where it's cheaper for me to install ad and tracking blockers than to upgrade my service. I haven't decided about a VPN yet.

 

[Alkali Ike]

A savvy ISP would offer an "opt out" option to subscribers who don't want their traffic logged or sold. $5/month. I'm in.

 

[Passinwind]

A savvy ISP would offer an "opt out" option to subscribers who don't want their traffic logged or sold. $5/month. I'm in.

A really savvy ISP would just guarantee that as part of their basic service.

 

[tkonbass]

I'm considering a VPN. I've heard good things about Private Internet Access, I may give that one a try.

I've been using PIA for almost two years and it's a very solid service. I recommend the service to my family and friends often.

 

[Herrick]

Why would ISP's collect data? That's kind of a moot point, given that they're already doing it, and that they fought with lawyers and lobbyists for the ability to continue doing it.

The main reason is advertising: So called "targeted" advertising depends on having information about you. Advertisers are willing to pay for that information, and to support developing and hosting the technology that makes targeted advertising possible. Some technologies, such as inserting ads into the web content that you receive, can only be done at the ISP level.

There are other reasons to collect your personal data, but I suspect they are secondary to advertising. Examples include deciding whether to hire you for a job, offer you a consumer loan, or set a price for goods and services.

An issue for some people is that the ad tech consumes bandwidth that they're paying for, either through their ISP's or cellphone providers. I have extremely cheap Internet and cellphone service, to the point where it's cheaper for me to install ad and tracking blockers than to upgrade my service. I haven't decided about a VPN yet.

Well said. Whether or not someone is concerned about these things is irrelevant. It's not a conspiracy.