Should I use VPN? \ stacker news ~tech

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Should I use VPN?

9185 sats \ 32 comments \ @Ed_Relight 30 Aug 2023 tech

I don't like Big Brother snooping on my web activity, could you recommend a solid and privacy-preserving VPN to use?

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2590 sats \ 0 replies \ @gunson 30 Aug 2023

Make sure you understand what a VPN can and cannot do for you.

I recommend that you read the "Do you really need a VPN?" section on https://www.ivpn.net/

2521 sats \ 0 replies \ @sahil 30 Aug 2023

https://mullvad.net any day no need to setup a account just a random number.

Also uses RAM servers.

You can also use bitcoin to pay!

1321 sats \ 1 reply \ @sandagoriate 30 Aug 2023

Browsers

Don't use Chrome

Safe Browsers: Brave Browser Firefox + Ublock origin plugin (ads blocker)

Hard Safe browser: Tor browser Librewolf

Emails

Don't use Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail, etc.

Try Proton.mail

Reference

Try to find VPN without KYC

Watch this Youtube channel that is 100% focused on privacy setups: https://www.youtube.com/@robbraxmantech

27 sats \ 0 replies \ @Monotone 4 Oct 2023

I would add the Mullvad browser to that list

68 sats \ 3 replies \ @frostdragon 30 Aug 2023

This is an unpopular opinion, especially around here, but in most cases the answer is actually no. It's just not needed.

For typical browsing, your ISP and anyone in your network can see the domains you visit, but can't actually see any of the traffic or data. That's already encrypted by HTTPS. For example, they can see YouTube.com, but can't see anything beyond that. Can't see the specific url address to see what videos you're watching, can't see your password when you submit it on the login page, or anything like that.

If you're worried about your ISP or a network monitor (like, on campus wifi) being able to see the domains you're visiting, if you use a VPN just know you're letting the VPN owner see that instead. There are lots of good reasons you may prefer that, but honestly not for most people.

fwiw, most cyber security professionals (at least the ones I know) don't use a VPN on the individual level/for personal browsing.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @billiam 31 Aug 2023

1.) Your ISP ip-address is KYC'ed. The VPN one not if you use a provider that offers direct BTC/Lighting or payments with cash. 2.) With VPN, you share the ip-address with other users, so you blend into the crowd. 3.) In case of my VPN provider, I can select at the DNS level to block social networks, tracking, ads, blacklisted sites, porn etc. (I know that's not an argument for a VPN). I use the VPN/DNS combo out of convenience in order to not run my own DNS filter (pihole ...). 4.) I sometimes need to visit sites that apply geo-blocking, with the VPN I can switch location.

17 sats \ 1 reply \ @Ed_Relight OP 30 Aug 2023

Thanks for a detailed response, I've never thought about it like this

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @john_doe 31 Aug 2023

Agreed. What a VPN is useful for is to link 2 networks together. So many people use VPNs for work without knowing it (the little Cisco button which says connect or disconnect at work). It allows to access data forbidden to access from outside, to connect to a server, etc. Outside of work, it is very useful when you travel. I don't use Netflix but many services track you with your IP address so VPNs are very useful for that. To buy a plane ticket, let's say to see the Great Pyramids, if you connect to Cairo it will/may be cheaper. You can access blocked websites, blocked for political correctness, unblocked with a VPN. The downside I guess is your ip address will likely be detected as being used by a bot.

A good answer for anonymity could be to use Tor instead of a VPN.

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @Zepasta 30 Aug 2023

Yes. And you only only got two options, its either MullvadVPN or ProtonVPN. Don't bother with VPNs sponsors from Youtubers.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @stackernews_9inky 30 Aug 2023

Yes, it's a great advantage when trawling through the corporate web, that's full of advertisements, and trackers.

I would recommend Mullvad VPN. You can pay in Bitcoin too for a 10% discount.

I love the built-in blockers you can choose from if using the Wireguard configuration, block what you want, such as, ads, trackers, malware, adult content, and gambling.

Throw it on your router, and have your whole household protected.

It's a no-brainer for me.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @chairman_pretense 30 Aug 2023

All a VPN will do is give your VPN provider all your web activity instead of your ISP. Up to you to decide which is better.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @edulopesf 31 Aug 2023

Some time ago Oracle Cloud was offering "free cloud servers" on several location options around the world.

The problem is you have to do KYC registration but since everything is encrypted, they'll won't know what you be doing with their servers.

Initial setup is a bit troublesome but as soon everything is done you'll have your own personal VPN service for free.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nout 30 Aug 2023

Yes, you should use VPN, but think through what it's good and what it's bad for. In terms of good VPNs, I'd say either Mullvad, IVPN and perhaps Proton, but proton is a bit iffy.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @hueso 30 Aug 2023

Just use Tor.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @phygit 30 Aug 2023

Yes.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @wikparclones 30 Aug 2023

ProtonVpn will safe you 👽⚡👽

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ceife 30 Aug 2023

For mobile, try this: https://basedapps.co.uk/

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nicosey 30 Aug 2023

Yes, use it by default.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @2bithits 30 Aug 2023

Yes you should

I was using Astril when I was in China (one of the only ones that seemed to work there). Switched to Nord now that I'm in Australia.

Might look at some other alternatives when the subscription runs out.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @And1 30 Aug 2023

If you don't run your own I'd recommend ivpn or mullvad, both seem to be good

2211 sats \ 11 replies \ @Natalia 30 Aug 2023

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123 sats \ 5 replies \ @Louferlou 30 Aug 2023

Doesn't it create some kind of risk that a third party out of Mullvad could know our id code ?

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @Natalia 30 Aug 2023

Good point, waiting for techies to comment on this.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @Louferlou 31 Aug 2023

What I'm thinkin about is that this trusted third party could sell more than once this id code, and then you could end up being associated with the web activity of criminals.

Even if Mullvad is pseudonymous and don't register users activity we have to trust them for that, and maybe that some big spying entity could still have access to Mullvad servers and wrongly associate our navigation with the one from criminals.

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @Natalia 31 Aug 2023

I understand, and I looked at who made this tool before, and he seems decent. But yep, don't trust, verify.

Also if they are selling my ID to others, I would know because each configuration has its key and shows the created time. 👀

Maybe use the Bitcoin payment within Mullvad if you are worried about the risk.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Louferlou 31 Aug 2023

hum interesting so risks are even lower that what I thought cause you can see that your key has been generated at the good time, ok thanks

Yep I'm paying on-chain within Mullvad :)

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @Natalia 5 Sep 2023

After you pointed this out to me, I learned a way to against this risk - so you can actually purchase a voucher there and then redeem the voucher without even giving away the account number.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @Ed_Relight OP 30 Aug 2023

Interesting, never heard of Mullvad before, how are the speeds there?

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @Natalia 30 Aug 2023

The speed is fine, as I have been nomading with it, and no issues so far - It has many locations for you to choose from.

Also:

No account registration is needed
Flat pricing ( 5 euro per month )
Can be used on up to five devices
Configuration files compatible with Wireguard app

I haven't found anything I don't like about it 😂

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 3 Sep 2023

no upselling: it's always 5 euro per month

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @jk_14 30 Aug 2023

so I'm gonna try with my ancient openwrt router, then :) https://mullvad.net/pl/help/openwrt-routers-and-mullvad-vpn/

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nout 30 Aug 2023

Downloading linux image files over torrents on Mullvad gives around 60MB/s down.