Re-Is a VPN a necessity?

JesseRBassett · Feb 25, 2023

Hello,
Just a question on the usage of VPNs for Windows computers. If I am using a desktop and not a mobile device such as my laptop or phone...do I need a VPN on the desktop? I am trying to figure that out and no one has been able to answer me. TYIA.

DigitalGoat · Feb 25, 2023

JesseRBassett said:
Hello,
Just a question on the usage of VPNs for Windows computers. If I am using a desktop and not a mobile device such as my laptop or phone...do I need a VPN on the desktop? I am trying to figure that out and no one has been able to answer me. TYIA.

Plenty of people will tell you they are pointless, plenty of people will tell you they are needed, some people will tell you they cause all your apple trees to grow golden pumpkins.
Research how VPNs work, look up some independent guides on VPN truth vs lies, sorry marketing.
If you need the features of a VPN based on that research then use one, else don't, cause you probably do not need one, but ultimately only you will know.

z3r010 · Feb 25, 2023

JesseRBassett said:
Hello,
Just a question on the usage of VPNs for Windows computers. If I am using a desktop and not a mobile device such as my laptop or phone...do I need a VPN on the desktop? I am trying to figure that out and no one has been able to answer me. TYIA.

I think everybody knows my feelings on VPNs

If you want to add an extra layer of crap between you and the internet and outsource your privacy to a company buying endpoints in low rent data centers, then a VPN is for you.

If you just want a secure connection, then make sure your browsers are using secure DNS or install something like Cloudflare warp.

OAT · Feb 25, 2023

Re-Is a VPN a necessity?

A necessity? Absolutely not. Don't fall for the hype.
If you don't know if you need a VPN, you probably don't need it.

Ghot · Feb 25, 2023

Once I thought I needed a VPN... but I ordered a pizza instead.

Haydon · Feb 25, 2023

You need to try out a VPN, just like a belt.

If your pants hold up without it > you don't need it

If your pants slide down without it > you need it

JesseRBassett · Feb 25, 2023

z3r010 said:
I think everybody knows my feelings on VPNs If you want to add an extra layer of crap between you and the internet and outsource your privacy to a company buying endpoints in low rent data centers, then a VPN is for you.

If you just want a secure connection, then make sure your browsers are using secure DNS or install something like Cloudflare warp.

I looked at the cloudflare warp. It meets my needs. Thanks for the recommendation @z3r010 !

neves · Feb 25, 2023

Depends. Some media sites block access for certain countries - and to access their content - a VPN can help with that (or a proxy). Security wise - it can help average or below average internet users - to avoid getting targeted by scammers. Tho, funny enough (or quite ironic - if you will) - it's usually more advanced users (or at least knowledgeable enough to avoid getting scammed) - who end-up getting a VPN. That being said - in terms of security, probably even as high as 99% of the time - only the VPM companies see the benefits of a VPN (business/earning benefits - that is).

pparks1 · Feb 25, 2023

Only VPN I have ever needed was the one to connect to work to do my job.

Never needed one for personal web surfing reasons.

NavyLCDR · Feb 25, 2023

For me a VPN is desirable, but not necessary. When I am camping in my trailer and using my phone's hotspot for internet service and I want to watch something from my Xfinity cable TV on my Roku box, Xfinity will tell me that I have to be connected to my local network in order to watch it. Therefore, I have to use my travel router's OpenVPN client in my trailer to connect to my home router's OpenVPN server to connect to my local LAN so I can stream my Xfinity cable TV content to the TV in my trailer while I am on the road.

At home? No. As longs as any sensitive information is going to a https website it is already encrypted. I don't need to send my internet traffic through some third-party company that I know very little about.

Ghot · Feb 25, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
For me a VPN is desirable, but not necessary. When I am camping in my trailer and using my phone's hotspot for internet service and I want to watch something from my Xfinity cable TV on my Roku box, Xfinity will tell me that I have to be connected to my local network in order to watch it. Therefore, I have to use my travel router's OpenVPN client in my trailer to connect to my home router's OpenVPN server to connect to my local LAN so I can stream my Xfinity cable TV content to the TV in my trailer while I am on the road.

At home? No. As longs as any sensitive information is going to a https website it is already encrypted. I don't need to send my internet traffic through some third-party company that I know very little about.

Dayaam!
Do you bring the recliner too?

NavyLCDR · Feb 25, 2023

Ghot said:
Dayaam!
Do you bring the recliner too?

Yes.

Ghot · Feb 25, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
View attachment 53674

Yes.

cereberus · Feb 26, 2023

As usual, you get the usual spectrum of responses ranging from yes to no and any shade in between.

The real answer is "maybe". It depends on what a user is doing e.g. accessing home pc over internet using rdp.

I know there are ways I can configure things so I do not really need one, but I use one as it can be used on my phone and pc with minimal effort.

I can visit geo-locked sites very easily for example from phone or pc.

Sometimes, life is not about absolutes, but more about convenience!

Fabler2 · Feb 26, 2023

@JesseRBassett if you want to play around with a free version VPN then I suggest to try out GitHub's free version of Proton VPN. It only allows three countries but has plenty of servers to chose from. I just muck around with it now and again but might come in useful at some time?

Release 2.3.2 · ProtonVPN/win-app

Adds support for Czech and Romanian languages.

github.com

cereberus · Feb 26, 2023

Fabler2 said:
@JesseRBassett if you want to play around with a free version VPN then I suggest to try out GitHub's free version of Proton VPN. It only allows three countries but has plenty of servers to chose from. I just muck around with it now and again but might come in useful at some time?

Release 2.3.2 · ProtonVPN/win-app

Adds support for Czech and Romanian languages.

github.com

View attachment 53690
View attachment 53689

I do not trust free VPNs. TANSTAAFL applies.

Fabler2 · Feb 26, 2023

cereberus said:
I do not trust free VPNs. TANSTAAFL applies.

I don't trust any of them, paid or free.

Haydon · Feb 26, 2023

Fabler2 said:
I don't trust any of them, paid or free.

You suggested the OP to experiment with a VPN ?!

cereberus · Feb 26, 2023

Fabler2 said:
I don't trust any of them, paid or free.

There is common sense distrust i.e. nobody offers a free service without some compromise e.g. selling info for advertising, limited infrastructure, but then there is outright paranoia - there are reputable vpn services - there is no evidence to suggest such services cannot be trusted.

I see loads of people saying similar about cloud services as well LOL.

Answer is simple - keep confidential info off pc on external usb drives.