(This has been reposted due to me deleting this by accident).
When I check out Reddit, I notice a lot of folks think VPNs are a magic shield against all malware, public Wi-Fi risks, and that they guarantee total anonymity. I just want to clarify that this isn’t entirely accurate. With my background in cybersecurity, I can tell you that whether or not a VPN is effective really depends on your specific threat model and personal preferences.
A VPN is ideal for people who want to access content that is blocked in their country, download torrents, hide their IP address, or keep their online activities private from their internet provider for sensitive reasons.
VPNs suggest that you are at risk on public networks, and this might have been true years ago. Today, most of our internet traffic is secured with TLS or HTTPS, which is used by many websites and apps. This means that while your Internet Service Provider or the public network owner can see the sites you visit, they cannot see your activities on those sites, like logging into your bank account. A VPN provides extra security by encrypting HTTP sites, but honestly, how often do you visit an HTTP site or enter personal information on one? The only precaution majority of people need is to check if they are connecting to a legitimate WiFi network.
VPN companies often claim they can keep your data and browsing private from your ISP and the government. However, when you use a commercial VPN, you are shifting your trust from your ISP to the VPN provider. Personally, I would prefer to trust a smaller British ISP, which is regulated by the government regarding privacy, rather than a large tech VPN company that might log my data. Some may argue that VPNs offer no-log encryption but there is no guarantee of that claim, even with audits. Just look at their privacy policy; it reveals a lot. There is no way to be completely private online, and sadly, in today’s digital world, you have to place your trust in someone. There is some value for high-targeted users but for most, it is redundant security. Oh, that’s also a message to tell you not to do anything illegal online when using a VPN.
Some VPNs can help block ads and protect against malware, but that’s not their main job. If you want to avoid annoying ads and malware, consider getting antivirus software and an ad-blocking extension. For general hacking threats, no product, including VPNs, can fully guarantee your safety. It’s important to use common sense: create strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, limit personal info sharing, and avoid clicking on links or files from unknown sources. Interestingly, 81% of hacks happen due to weak passwords, so using a good quality password manager can help keep you safe.
VPNs definitely have their perks. For instance, if you want to access content that’s blocked in your country, you can just pick a VPN server from another location. Like, if I wanted to stream PBS Kids for family members while in the UK, I’d simply connect to a server in the US. People from countries with strict internet regulations, like Pakistan, Iran, and China, often use VPNs, but honestly, anyone can benefit from them regardless. And if you’re into torrenting, having a VPN is essential to keep your privacy and security intact. If you’re not torrenting or trying to access restricted content, just make sure you know when a VPN is necessary for your needs.
Some of you might be at a greater risk of being attacked, and I understand that. However, if you really care about extreme security and privacy, using a commercial VPN shouldn’t be your main focus. You can consider other options like avoiding public networks, using your own mobile hotspot, trying Tor, using decentralized VPNs, or even setting up your own VPN server for better privacy and anonymity. Those options are free or cheaper compared to a VPN so what’s not to like - apart from slower speeds on Tor?
I welcome everyone to share their opinions on this topic, and I don’t consider myself overly concerned about privacy. If you choose to use a VPN, that’s completely fine, but make sure that paying for a commercial VPN is worth it for you.
