VPN

[Derox18]

I red a lot about virtual private networks (VPN). What are your experience(s) with VPN? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using VPN? Which VPN service would you recommend to me?

 

[Chris803]

I was using Nord before it blew up . This was years ago. I like it because you cant be tracked your ISP wont bother you for downloading stuff.

 

[jjonn3]

I am currently using Nord - words like a charm.

I use it because I don't want my ISP building a profile of what I look at to use for marketing.

 

[me203]

I use it because I don't want my ISP building a profile of what I look at to use for marketing.

It can also help maintain privacy in general. One plus to a VPN: so many users have the same IP address (from the view of the website) that it pretty much "poisons" the IP address as far as being able to track. Although there are other ways that one could be tracked--like using a web browser that is logged in to Google will allow them to track your every move, VPN or no VPN.

 

[Chris803]

It can also help maintain privacy in general. One plus to a VPN: so many users have the same IP address (from the view of the website) that it pretty much "poisons" the IP address as far as being able to track. Although there are other ways that one could be tracked--like using a web browser that is logged in to Google will allow them to track your every move, VPN or no VPN.

You can always download TOR browser and your good itsvavVPN and not tracking browser.

 

[me203]

Tor is a bit more than I think I personally need, although I know it can be valuable in some circumstances.

 

[KaraBulut]

I red a lot about virtual private networks (VPN). What are your experience(s) with VPN? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using VPN? Which VPN service would you recommend to me?

The big advantage of a VPN:

1. It anonymizes your connection so that you can't be traced to a specific connection without a lot of extra work. There's a lot of sites on the internet like Facebook and Google that are able to offer "free" services to users because they're collecting information about you and where you've been on the internet. A VPN eliminates one of the things that they use to track you (your IP).
2. Some VPNs also block trackers and malicious connections. This also helps reduce what information websites are able to track about you.
3. If you have the misfortune of living in a country or state that restricts adult content, you can disguise your location so that you can access sites like Pornhub.

Disadvantages:

1. It comes with a cost - either paid monthly or yearly.
2. Some websites like Microsoft Outlook block connections from the major VPN services.

The first thing to see if whether your antivirus software offers a VPN. If it does, it may save you some on the cost of the VPN.

There are some good reviews of the most common VPNs. It's a matter of cost, speed and availability (up time).

Best VPN Service for 2025: Our Top Pick in a Tight Race

An up-to-date guide to sending data while remaining anonymous online.

www.cnet.com

There Are Hundreds of VPNs, But I Only Recommend These 6

Every VPN says it’s the best, but only some of them are telling the truth.

www.wired.com

A Side-by-Side Comparison of VPN Providers in 2026

When you whittle them down, VPNs all do essentially the same thing; hide our web traffic and replace our IP address to make us completely invisible online. But

www.security.org

 

[me203]

It anonymizes your connection so that you can't be traced to a specific connection without a lot of extra work. There's a lot of sites on the internet like Facebook and Google that are able to offer "free" services to users because they're collecting information about you and where you've been on the internet. A VPN eliminates one of the things that they use to track you (your IP).

One point: if one uses a web browser that is EVER logged into either Google or Facebook, then they can still track you, VPN or no VPN. There might be ways of fixing this (e.g., a Firefox extension, but I've heard mixed stories). One idea Rob Braxman (who does privacy videos which ironically can be found on YouTube) suggested: a web browser that is reserved for active Google log in, and is only used for Google stuff. He strongly discourages Facebook (to say the very least), but I'd guess this same tactic could help with Facebook.

 

[fredroy]

I have FF set to delete cookies when I close it. Seems to work, I have to log into Google when I go there.

 

[me203]

I have FF set to delete cookies when I close it. Seems to work, I have to log into Google when I go there.

They might potentially be doing browser fingerprinting, which could allow tracking.

 

[KaraBulut]

One point: if one uses a web browser that is EVER logged into either Google or Facebook, then they can still track you, VPN or no VPN. There might be ways of fixing this (e.g., a Firefox extension, but I've heard mixed stories). One idea Rob Braxman (who does privacy videos which ironically can be found on YouTube) suggested: a web browser that is reserved for active Google log in, and is only used for Google stuff. He strongly discourages Facebook (to say the very least), but I'd guess this same tactic could help with Facebook.

Some VPNs block trackers. One VPN that I use on my devices reports the number of trackers blocked. It's amazing how many thousands of trackers are on common sites like Amazon and news websites.

Those too-convenient "login with your Facebook account" and "login with your Google account" options are just another way for those companies to collect more information about you.

We've all heard the stories about going to Google and searching for "shoes" and then visiting other websites where all the ads are about shoes

Tracking cookies are the bane of internet browsing. In order to block them, you have to use multiple strategies, even if you're using a VPN.

There are some add-ons that can be used to block the behind-the-scenes data collection. Be careful browsing with your phone. Setting your browser privacy settings to restrict 3rd party cookies helps. Using tracker blockers like Ghostery helps. Using AdBlockers helps (although some sites get pissy if you don't allow ads). The other trick is to use multiple browsers or different computers. Use different search engines. Avoid browsing while signed into Google or Microsoft.

 

[me203]

There are some add-ons that can be used to block the behind-the-scenes data collection. Be careful browsing with your phone.

Phones by all accounts pose a lot of privacy issues, unless they are a privacy oriented phone, which isn't exactly a fast, off the shelf purchase.. I've heard with standard Android you have to assume that Google knows everything you do on that phone. This may be a bit paranoid--and there are ways that possibly can mitigate the problem--but it can be argued "better safe than sorry."

As I've mentioned, there is a real chance I'll lose access to my current ISP. It's possible at that point I'll end up with smart phone on a cheap prepaid plan. Even with the precautions I know of, I would not trust that phone for anything more than keeping me minimally connected--things like weather forecasts, fast research on neutal issues, etc. I'd use the library Internet for anything like reading about politics or other controversial issues. (I could potentially use the phone as a hotspot, but it's uncertain how viable that would be for me.) IF this happened, the good news for those here who are tired of me: I'd probably stop posting here, too.

 

[fredroy]

A couple/three years ago I had a FF add-on from Duck Duck Go that blocked trackers. And showed you where they came from. I added the entries to my HOSTS file.
I have AdBlock Plus. Disabled on most of the sites I read regularly. HOSTS file, ja? I use it to block annoying shit. Animated banner ads and oh, sheesh, tons of stuff on ZeroHedge just so I can read their drivel.
For DNS I have a Pi-hole. That filters a lot of junk, too, and does it for the entire LAN.... all PCs, and whatever is using wi-fi.
I suppose I can go back to a stock HOSTS file, but, maybe, no... the ISP goes down once in a while so I tether my phone for internet.

The neighbor comes by once in a while to visit and drink beers (she brings her own) and download books to her Kindle. Yeah, she has internet at her house but can't get the Kindle to connect. It connects at her work. Here? No problem and she's remarked "no ads!"

 

[fredroy]

My PC has wi-fi. I don't use it, I use Ethernet. Hot spotting to my phone was a 20 minute failed experiment a couple of years ago. Why do I need a password? I just tether my phone. Easy.

I have Verizon. Prepaid plan, $35 after a $5 credit for billing the credit card + $2.89 tax. Unlimited calls and txt. 6 GB data. No muss, no fuss. Unlike folks I know who have used Cricket and whatever else.
StraightTalk "looks" good, I think they are up to 25 GB data, but you can't tether. I'm not a fan of staring at my little 5" phone screen while I have a 32" monitor on my desk.

 

[fredroy]

I do not have Facebook on my phone. When it wanted to do an update and wanted access to Contacts, Phone, Texts, Photos, and more, nope nope nope. Uninstall.

And besides, while it existed, FarmVille didn't work on phones as far as I could tell. Which was the point of getting on FB in the first place.

 

[me203]

I have Verizon. Prepaid plan, $35 after a $5 credit for billing the credit card + $2.89 tax. Unlimited calls and txt. 6 GB data. No muss, no fuss. Unlike folks I know who have used Cricket and whatever else.
StraightTalk "looks" good, I think they are up to 25 GB data, but you can't tether. I'm not a fan of staring at my little 5" phone screen while I have a 32" monitor on my desk.

Problem is 6gb is not a lot of data now, unless a secondary device...

I've seen passable deals with prepaid plans with a good amount of data--but limited with hotspot or tether data.