Is a VPN service really worth it?

[SteveITS]

@LPD7 DNS is not encrypted either, though many browsers use DoH by default to get around that (and bypass configured DNS servers…using theirs/the one they want you to use).

Not some sites block VPN access for licensing reasons, like streaming video or sports sites.

[marcg]

I'm with @johnpoz on consumer VPNs such as NordVPN (and not singling them out).

Opinions will differ, but mine is that their value is hugely overhyped. The traffic travels without additional encryption between the VPN provider and the ultimate Internet destination. I don't distrust my ISP any more than I do some random VPN provider (US-centric view here, may not be valid elsewhere). And anything sensitive that I send over the Internet is already encrypted (HTTPS for web, TLS for mail, etc.).

There's a throughput hit, too. The magnitude will depend on the particular VPN technology.

The place-shifting afforded by VPNs may have some value. Your traffic can still be snooped but if someone wants to target you in particular -- and most of us frankly aren't that interesting -- the attacker has to snoop the traffic upstream of the VPN server rather than your Internet connection. It can also be useful for services locked to a particular geography that you need to access from elsewhere.

[johnpoz]

@LPD7 said in Is a VPN service really worth it?:

all agree that the right to privacy is to be cherished, not chiseled away and government overreach and big tech collusion permanently dismantled

Your right and I agree - but you using a vpn isn't going to accomplish that. The gov staying out of your business.. The genie has been let out of the bottle.. It impossible to put him back in.. And you sure aren't going to do it paying a few bucks to a company that says they don't log ;)

But hey if it makes you feel better, as you go pay for your six pack and condems with your CC, and at the same time give them your rewards card for 10% off, wave to the camera as you exit the building, etc. etc.. But hey my isp doesn't know I went to amazon.com to order something.

[JonathanLee]

I have my VPN set up so that I have access to my private cloud (NAS) while not at home. I can remote into my VPN and access my files. It’s amazing share files with my wife and photos etc and it’s safe. I got sick of saving files on this computer and that one for code projects, I was forgetting what revision had the bugs worked out. Now I just save it in one spot it’s accessible on any device and it’s the same file.

Mine is not used to hide stuff from ISP it’s only for accessing my files and making sure they are secure. Honestly even use of a VPN is not really going to hide everything you do, some big tech company firewalls decode all the vpn tunnels, also some VPN providers are snake oil sale based.

[johnpoz]

@JonathanLee that is not what he was asking about.. But yeah running a vpn to securely access your stuff while your remote is a very valuable tool.. Not so much about hiding traffic in that direction, as mentioned pretty much everything is encrypted these days anyway.

A vpn into your own network while your remote is more about the auth mechanism to validate yeah its you that is allowed to have access.

[LPD7]

@JonathanLee I have my local vpn setup and when on the road I use it so I dont need one for mobile purposes. I like this setup because I can get the most out of my resources and still access my local files and be secure in the public wifi. I am going to see about hosting my own text server, just as a proof of concept.

[LPD7]

@johnpoz I am compiling a short list as to why I would want to have access to a commercial VPN. There is a reason why ECH and other protocols are being crafted/updated to encrypt all end to end communication from url onward and its either consumer demand or industry need, my guess is that its industry driven to address hacking and such so it has to have some value and safety...right?

[LPD7]

@johnpoz Yes since getting my vpn working I can access my files and see my surveillance system while not exposing it to the internet what a great benefit.

[LPD7]

@marcg Yes I agree the throughput is a potential issue which is why if I should go this route the next conversation would be about setting up my PFS box to route certain ports, ip's, etc over the vpn circuit while leaving the rest to move in the open. I may see if I can get a free limited account or free trial and see what happens.

[JKnott]

@JonathanLee said in Is a VPN service really worth it?:

I have my VPN set up so that I have access to my private cloud (NAS) while not at home. I can remote into my VPN and access my files.

Same here. I've had my own VPN going back over 20 years, to when I was using a CIPE VPN.

[manu13]

This post is deleted!