Do you use a VPN?

[bwana]

Do you use a VPN in a regular basis? If so, why? Is it for security or for circumventing geo-blocking?

Do you use one at home or mostly when using public wifi?

 

[now05ster]

Use it on my phone, it's always on.

Originally subscribed for the DNS service to be used with Netflix, but the tinfoil hat fits snugly too.

Started off with Windscribe, but it was way too slow. Now with Surfshark.

 

[3WA]

Nope. I want them to know where to find me.

 

[bwana]

Use it on my phone, it's always on.

Originally subscribed for the DNS service to be used with Netflix, but the tinfoil hat fits snugly too.

Started off with Windscribe, but it was way too slow. Now with Surfshark.

My DNS service also comes with a VPN but I rarely need to use it. Had to us it last night to browse the Home Depot site.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

If I use a VPN my speed halves. Not good when you only have a (up to) 2Mbps connection.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Do you use a VPN in a regular basis? If so, why? Is it for security or for circumventing geo-blocking?

Do you use one at home or mostly when using public wifi?

Pain in the ass?

We've done this, well part there of.

Do you use a VPN or SmartDNS service for streaming?

Given the nature of online streaming in South Africa do you use a VPN or SmartDNS service to stream content from other countries, or is the content available locally sufficient?

mybroadband.co.za

 

[bwana]

We've done this, well part there of.

Different kettle of fish. Using a VPN for streaming is overkill in my books and using a smart dns for security is ineffective.

 

[Brian_G]

Used for specific security, when needed. As it's rare we just use free versions. Best for basic performance we find is HotSpot Shield, for capacity is Windscribe.

 

[Slegdehammer67]

Both on my PC and Smartphone...

 

[cavedog]

So I know banks needs their employees to use company VPN to access services so I assume this is excluded in the poll hopefully.

I want to know what exactly does a VPN offer?

For me the only thing nice about a VPN is that if the VPN service has plenty of servers on different networks that allows you to switch between them to look for better international routing.

 

[Brian_G]

Using a VPN for streaming is overkill in my books

Depends on the content.
Not that I advocate abuse. There are circumstances when one wants to get around rules that clearly aren't hurting anyone.

I want to know what exactly does a VPN offer?

Its main claim to fame is privacy from snooping activity, and some protection.

 

[cavedog]

Depends on the content.
Not that I advocate abuse. There are circumstances when one wants to get around rules that clearly aren't hurting anyone.


Its main claim to fame is privacy from snooping activity, and some protection.

Snooping from who? ISPs

Also in terms of copyright notices from downloading illegal content in SA ISPs don't send notices to clients.

 

[Brian_G]

Snooping from who? ISPs

Sure. And often it's shielding from those who direct them to do it. And other subversive elements, lots of criminals on all levels out there.

 

[Brian_G]

Also in terms of copyright notices from downloading illegal content in SA ISPs don't send notices to clients.

Those who choose to are still accountable to the law. If it's civil rather than criminal, there are circumstances where it can be fought.

 

[bwana]

Depends on the content.
Not that I advocate abuse. There are circumstances when one wants to get around rules that clearly aren't hurting anyone

That’s why I use a dns service.

 

[Brian_G]

That’s why I use a dns service.

Isn't it effectively the same thing? How does it do better, are you able to create your own IP addresses?

 

[Brian_G]

Here's my understanding;
I know some services try to counteract any methods to get past geoblocking etc. with VPN, and that some VPNs offer methods to deal with that too. Presumably DNS services allow further fine tuning.

But I haven't gone into DNS systems so I'm sure there's more to it, and other reasons for its use as well.

 

[backstreetboy]

Yes Windscribe. Why? Why not?

Systemwide adblock for my phone/tablet and via the browser addon that comes with Ublock origin build in
Streaming region restrictions bypass eg watching US Netflix.
To get some subscription services for cheap like Youtube Premium and sign up for others not available here like Google Voice.
Etc. etc. There's many use cases for a proper VPN.

 

[Brian_G]

From the previous thread, more clues ;- )

VPNs have always seemed like overkill for streaming. I prefer a smart dns service because it offers more flexibility in a family environment and it works better with our gear.

BTW, last I heard nobody has ever been prosecuted for "ignoring" geoblocking. Does anyone know otherwise?
Kind of hard for a case to be made, the net has no real geography.

 

[ZizzyBoy]

Only Use VPN to access Certain work Sites and most times its more about Security towards the company so that it keeps the normal hacker out.

But in the term of Normal person at home does VPN not only help you get access to other Streaming sites that is not allowed in our Region by supplying us a different IP - the Geo Blocking

#MyOpinion - I think ppl use VPN to try to hide what is already being tracked about them - things like making it harder for 3rd parties to track your Cookie and steal your online identity