Who doesn't use a VPN?

Me - I just don't have any need for one.

Me, why would I?

You make it sound like using a VPN is the normal thing..?

I don't.  Not been convinced I need one.

No. I have a free one on my Pixel phone. I tried it, but switched it off as I could see no benefit and it stopped quite a few apps I use regularly from working. If I travelled more and wanted to access UK services from overseas, then maybe it might have a use.

I don't.
I don't think I need one.

If I was regularly connecting to coffee shop wi-fi etc with a laptop then it's something I would probably consider, but I am not sure I need it in the home environment.

If you dont, why?

It seems like 'If you do, why?' is the more pertinent question.

Nope - can't really see why I'd need to

I don't. Why? Because I bought a tin foil hat instead 😂

Me like others said I am not convinced I need one and certain apps wont work while using one

You make it sound like using a VPN is the normal thing..?

Not really (I dont use one) I worked in IT for years and had responsibility for data and system security. I still dont have a VPN on my home devices (I am retired now btw) but as I spend more time managing my finances (as small as they are) from home and occasionally on *free WIFI then I am rethinking it.

As with many things you take a look and feel that you are the only one not using one.

It seems like ‘If you do, why?’ is the more pertinent question.

Maybe, see above. Interested in those who feel they are indispensable.

I can see why anyone who watches a lot of YouTube might think they need one. Nearly every youtuber I watch seems to be sponsored by Nordvpn!

Edit: Or Surf shark and I don't need that either!

I do when I remember to switch the work one on.

(yes, just did it now)

and occasionally on *free WIFI then I am rethinking it.

I switch to 4G if checking banking in public areas.

I can't imagine needing to manage my finances on free cafe WiFi to be honest. If I did then maybe I'd worry.

Me, no need

surfer

but as I spend more time managing my finances (as small as they are) from home and occasionally on *free WIFI then I am rethinking it.

We do quite a lot of IT security training stuff at work, to try & drum into us that we shouldn't be clicking on links from unexpected sources, remembering to scrutinise URLs etc. and one of the things they always say is DO NOT USE FREE Wi-Fi.
That would probably be a more sensible precaution, than worrying about a VPN.
Just don't log onto your banking app while using "COSTA FREE-GUEST HONEST GUV Wi-Fi" and you're probably 99% of the way there.

Anything that goes to a bank account is worked on at home or via that institutions app on the phone using cellular network. Any browsing that I don't want anyone to sniff goes via Firefox with a slew of add-ons that protect privacy and prevent tracking.

Yes and no. My wife watches stuff from Germany which is not available to view without one. We also have some sort of weird IP/DNS conflict on our hybrid microwave/radio broadband link which means some websites won't load over wifi unless you are running a VPN of some sorts. It is a stange issue since there are no such conflicts on the PC via ethernet to the same router. But heyho, no explanation but a working solution so, yes, I do use/need a VPN. My nephew has a NORD VPN account next door and lives alone so we are one of his 6 permitted devices. We only use this proper VPN spradically when needed, but it does work well. However, just for the phone/wifi issue we run 1.1.1.1 which is a free app that is essentially a very lite version of a proper VPN. (just checked, it is in fact a DNS resolver. as you can see I don't really know what I am talking about lol)

If your site is flagged as secure i.e. You type in mybank.com and it doesn't get altered, and there is no security warning from the browser then I think you're ok in public WiFi. If those conditions are met then you are securely connected to your bank and your data can't be intercepted.

The owner of the WiFi network could work out what bank you're with, but meh. Or, in my case, they could maybe work out who my employer is.

But for general use - I don't use one. You could use it to mask where you browse and what sites you visit, but the VPN provider would know, and I'm not sure I trust any of them any more than I trust Google &co.

I have OpenVPN setup on my firewall to connect back home, mainly so when I am abroad it doesn't trip any banking/shopping concerns with my card being used in a different country.

Its also useful when you are connecting to "free wifi", better to be safe

I only use one for work because that’s the way it is.

tried one for home use just to see a while back - NordVPN. Longer pings. Slower transfer speeds. Ditched it ASAP.

Why would I need to use one?

I have found that since moving from Virgin to BRSK that attempted network intrusions have been absent .

I run one at home so I can connect and access iPlayer when I'm abroad. Benefits of fast internet making that a good experience.

Other than that, not felt the need to except where I have to get into my work network. Never heard a really convincing argument why you need it in a cafe etc. if everything is going over SSL/TLS and the certificates are checking out.

I use one very occasionally for naughty (no, not that sort of naughty 😛 ) downloads. But hardly ever cos it's so bleedin slow

Not sure why some random VPN provider would be any more secure than some random free WiFi in a cafe? Https secures your traffic either way, but the VPN is a far larger target for someone to attack.

MFA pretty much eliminates the risk of credentials being jacked anyway. I don't use a VPN other than the mandated work one for anything

I suspect one of the biggest uses is the illicit downloading of movies to stash on something like plex.

They are situational.

I use one for work to access stuff that is behind the firewall and, if I am travelling, I can choose to use one for normal browsing if I think that I need to, or if I have a legit reason to think that my traffic might leak info.

My main use case is masking my home IP when I am doing research on phishing/malware and or threat intel. For that, a free VPN is "good enough", but I prefer something with a history of absolutely not taking logs or metadata and enough security to make sure that my ISP does not get nervous. I usually recommend Mullvad.

Free VPNs are like wearing shorts over a wetsuit (IMHO).

Me. I used one once when on holiday in Canada so I could watch the ITV TdF highlights show on my iPad, apart from that no.

I used one when in Turkey, so I could watch the DH on Red Bull TV...

Ah...better times eh...

DrP

Its also useful when you are connecting to “free wifi”, better to be safe

Serious question - how do you trust a VPN provider?

I suspect one of the biggest uses is the illicit downloading of movies to stash on something like plex.

Speaking from experience?

can we compare notes

Me. No need for one.

I use one working from home, because work makes me. Otherwise, no need really.

I use one for work, all the time. I mean I can kill the process but then I can't access any work resources.

For home I only ever use one if I need to pretend I'm in a different country.

For security  HTTPS does the job perfectly well. Although I don't generally use free WiFi, unless I have no mobile signal, which is pretty rare as I have a dual SIM phone. And if I do use free WiFi it's usually just browsing here.

Serious question – how do you trust a VPN provider?

most influencers sponsored?

If you pay the £0.99pm for iCloud then you get Private Relay across your Apple devices, which does a similar thing to a VPN. I turned it on and haven’t noticed it at all.

Safari only of course!

I suspect one of the biggest uses is the illicit downloading of movies to stash on something like plex.

Don't we use Tor for this?

IANAITguru

I can't see the point in sending all of my clicks and searches via yet another data gatherer.

The TunnelVision technique has existed for 20 years, although I don't know what it effects; maybe an IT-ist out there can explain in a sentence?? https://www.leviathansecurity.com/blog/tunnelvision

I don't use one either - but have been tempted.  The main use case being watching\listening to UK streaming services whilst overseas but also taking advantage of other international streaming services that are geo-blocked in the UK.  For example, you can watch live sport that sits behind a paywall in the UK using a VPN originating from a different country.  I've not researched in depth but suspect a monthly VPN subscription when stacked up against the cost of all the various UK sport channel subscriptions starts to make sense.

We had one at work for remote working during Covid if we were isolating. It was so slow to be practically unusable.

hoopsFull Member
I don’t use one either – but have been tempted.  The main use case being watching\listening to UK streaming services whilst overseas but also taking advantage of other international streaming services that are geo-blocked in the UK.  For example, you can watch live sport that sits behind a paywall in the UK using a VPN originating from a different country.  I’ve not researched in depth but suspect a monthly VPN subscription when stacked up against the cost of all the various UK sport channel subscriptions starts to make sense.

Beware using a VPN for avoiding geoblocks, lots of services are blocking this, or attempting to at least.

I setup an OpenVPN server on my PI so I could connect whilst outside the house to view webcams (security ones, no hanky panky) blocked from the internet, but it was also useful for watching iPlayer whilst abroad for the kids tv stuff. Also good for using pi-hole on the phone whilst out and about.

Also good for using pi-hole on the phone whilst out and about.

I've no idea what that is but I really want to believe its and app that shows the distance and direction to the nearest Greggs