VPN info required....newbie

[Kenny202]

I think a VPN might be a good idea for me. I think I have the basic gist, masks your IP etc.

It seems many on here are using them? What are the advantages apart from hiding from questionable websites lol.

 

Just wondering how it works?

 

1) Can I use the same VPN on my notebook and smartphone?

2) Is it an app you use, turn on turn off as required?

3) Any downside? Does it slow your connection down?

4) I assume it gives the appearance of browsing from another country? Can you select the country?

5) Is it totally anonomous, I assume you still have history etc on your device? Does your provider still have history?  

6) Last and not least what company are everyone using? Best and cheapest of course ????

 

Anything I have missed or any other advice welcome.

[Farangwithaplan]

2 hours ago, Kenny202 said:

1) Can I use the same VPN on my notebook and smartphone?

2) Is it an app you use, turn on turn off as required?

3) Any downside? Does it slow your connection down?

4) I assume it gives the appearance of browsing from another country? Can you select the country?

5) Is it totally anonomous, I assume you still have history etc on your device? Does your provider still have history?  

6) Last and not least what company are everyone using? Best and cheapest of course

1. Generally a license will allow 2 or more of your devices to be used under the same login.

2. Often there is an app, but now some VPN suppliers have created add-ons for Browsers to avoid the need for apps in some instances. You can also directly set up VPN through your operating system settings in Windows, Android or Apple if you have the skills or can follow detailed directions.

3. It can slow your connection depending on where the server is located and a tonne of other variables, but it can work the other way, too. For instance I regularly get higher download speeds when I connect to certain servers.

4. Yes. Depending on the company you choose, of course. Different countries have different quality and number of servers.

5. Sometimes. Check that the VPN company does not keep log files. But for all intents and purposes all VPN are basically anonymous if you aren't doing anything seriously illegal. If you are doing seriously bad things a VPN won't help you, nor should it.

6. You are better using trial and error. Sign up to a VPN and they often have a free grace period. What works for others may not work for you due to numerous variables. The VPN company I use is actually very lowly rated in this region and I find it's service stellar. That might be because it has low uptake here due to bad results. Who knows.

 

Do a search for top 10 VPNs try to look for semi independent lists. Often VPN companies set up their own 'list' website to put their VPN name at the top of the list. It is all a bit nefarious... They will always have deals so look for them before you sign up.

 

Lastly, VPN companies sometimes specialise in different things. Some have a lot of gaming servers for people who like online gaming, some for streaming free to air stuff or paid services from different countries etc. Check it out. I think the last time I paid for a VPN it was less than $100USD for 5 years.

 

I hope that gives you a starting point.

 

 

Edited February 22, 2020 by Farangwithaplan

[Kenny202]

If anyone has a reliable reasonably priced VPN provider you can PM me

[Surelynot]

Express VPN. No logs, bit expensive but first class 

[freeman01]

i like protonVPN, you can use it for free but the free servers can get busy and slow some times. if you pay they have servers everywhere with lightning speed.

the login servers are in switzerland and they don't keep logs, very reputable company for privacy i believe.

[Kenny202]

Why would you use a VPN for gaming? Is it only avail to some countries, maybe not Thailand so the VPN makes it look like ur in another country?

[Khun Yaaai]

The "no logs" sales pitch is often used by VPN providers and is not necessarily accurate. A lot of jurisdictions legally force these providers to keep logs (which is hidden from the users until there's a legal reason to pull the logs).

 

Swiss Protonmail is probably one of the best choices for VPN, and it also comes with encrypted free tier email. Their level of VPN security is hard to beat, and this is not only relevant to prevent someone from tracking your internet activity, but also to avoid vulnerability for hacks of your devices.

[ESCAPIS]

All the folks have advised you plenty.

the only thing i might add is when u r shopping around, u might like to opt for a lifetime license.

if you google it you will find a few sellers, not providers, that sell u a lifetime license.

[toolpush]

Astrill beats Express hands down.

[IvorBiggun2]

On 2/22/2020 at 4:56 PM, Kenny202 said:

If anyone has a reliable reasonably priced VPN provider you can PM me

'Browsec' is FREE. You can use 1 of 4 free countries. UK, USA, Netherlands or Singapore. Just download it and ..............It's not fast but I find it acceptable and never a problem.

[Gav Bic]

If you are using Mozilla Firefox as your browser it already has a VPN add-on. The basic version is free. Just go to add-ons, select the VPN add-on and follow the installation instructions

[Ron6]

A VPN will allow you to fool a website into thinking your location is elsewhere or penetrate a national firewall to access a program that is otherwise blocked in the country your in.  An example of the former, when I am in Thailand I can write a check to myself from one US bank account and scan and deposit it into another US bank account to transfer funds, if I VPN to a US server, even though most banks don’t allow such transfers from “outside the US”.  If I don’t use a VPN into the US my bank will either block me or send me a warning that they will lock the account.  In the latter case, I’ve come across a few websites that are blocked in Thailand but most notoriously, and aggressively, in China they will block Instagram, Facebook snd Google.com unless you use a VPN.  They also constantly update their firewalls as the VPNs change addresses.  Since I also travel to China a lot, and having tried several VPNs, I’ve found Express VPN most reliable and have it on my phone, 2 laptops, and iPad.  Works great.
 

[allen303]

I use Express VPN, has one of the highest rating for speed. Over 160 locations and 94 countries. I take the yearly rate at around $6.00 a month. Can down load on as many devises as you like but can only use 5 at a time. I have a router with Express VPN Firm ware so everything that goes through the router is using the VPN. Check out all the different ones on Google and select. ExpressVPN is a BVI (British Virgin Islands) registered company but the support is located in different places.

They are a privacy-focused VPN company and do not log customers' activities.

Has a 30-day free trial.

 

Like was stated above, I use for US banking and watching sling and other programs that will block if an IP from another country shows up. I use LA 3 for watching TV.

Edited February 24, 2020 by allen303

[allen303]

Like was stated, if you are doing something that attracts the FBI or some agency, they can track. 

[KhaoYai]

I'm a virtual newbie to VPN's - I signed up with Nord VPN almost 6 months ago and it works well. They don't keep logs but it can slow your connection down a little - changing servers (very easy) usually improves that.

 

It can be used on multiple devices.

 

One thing I learned when I was deciding which VPN to go for is that some are better than others for connecting to certain services. So, if you are wishing to access XYZ TV - do a search on which VPN is best for accessing that service.

[Kenny202]

Thanks all for the info. I think I have enough to get started and a better understanding. There are some free ones around like Hola but I believe they share and access your internet band with which kind of defeats the purpose. Thanks again. Probably try Express to start off with 

[stouricks]

On 2/22/2020 at 9:07 PM, Surelynot said:

Express VPN. No logs, bit expensive but first class 

Express is Dogs B's. Can connect up to 6 devices, so my lads in Dubai can use it too.

I got 15 months for $100 and now it's ready for renewal @ $100 for 12 months. So use a different email address so that you are a new customer = 15 months!

It really does not matter in how many countries they have servers, as long as it is in the one you want, ie for me UK.

Cuts down my speed from 800 Mb/s to less than 50, but still plenty for streaming BBC or footie.

Connecting via Singapore is sometimes faster but very rarely.

[phetphet]

On 2/22/2020 at 9:07 PM, Surelynot said:

Express VPN. No logs, bit expensive but first class 

+1

 

[rwill]

I use Surfshark.  It works good and is cheap.  $48 for 2 years.  Unlimited devices and you can pick what server to connect through. They also have a free search engine you can use that does not track you.

https://surfshark.com/

 

If you need to get an antivirus program Bitdefender comes with a VPN.  The free one that comes with it has limited usage of 200mb/day.  Unlimited costs an additional $49/year.

https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/total-security.html

[RocketDog]

1 hour ago, allen303 said:

I use Express VPN, has one of the highest rating for speed. Over 160 locations and 94 countries. I take the yearly rate at around $6.00 a month. Can down load on as many devises as you like but can only use 5 at a time. I have a router with Express VPN Firm ware so everything that goes through the router is using the VPN. Check out all the different ones on Google and select. ExpressVPN is a BVI (British Virgin Islands) registered company but the support is located in different places.

They are a privacy-focused VPN company and do not log customers' activities.

Has a 30-day free trial.

 

Like was stated above, I use for US banking and watching sling and other programs that will block if an IP from another country shows up. I use LA 3 for watching TV.

Agree with all you've said.

 

I pay $110/month in USA and have used express for many years. I too bought an Asus router and installed the image they provided so all my traffic goes through that router;  the number of devices connected is irrelevant. If you just install the app on each device the limit is five.

 

Great LIVE support, many servers, no logs at all, and importantly, they own and operate their own servers. 

If you do file sharing this is a great choice too. 

 

EXPRESSVPN continues to be the best of the lot. 

[IvorBiggun2]

1 hour ago, allen303 said:

Like was stated, if you are doing something that attracts the FBI or some agency, they can track. 

<deleted> have they nothing better to do?

[Kenny202]

Just one other question. Everything still goes through your ISP right? What is the good of having a secure VPN with no records if your ISP has all your history? Or am I missing something?

[Nemises]

On 2/22/2020 at 9:07 PM, Surelynot said:

Express VPN. No logs, bit expensive but first class 

Express VPN was good but has now had it’s servers blacklisted by most Australian TV networks, possibly elsewhere as well. Waste of money. 

[Thomas J]

On 2/22/2020 at 9:06 AM, Kenny202 said:

1) Can I use the same VPN on my notebook and smartphone?

2) Is it an app you use, turn on turn off as required?

3) Any downside? Does it slow your connection down?

4) I assume it gives the appearance of browsing from another country? Can you select the country?

5) Is it totally anonomous, I assume you still have history etc on your device? Does your provider still have history?  

6) Last and not least what company are everyone using? Best and cheapest of course ????

 

Anything I have missed or any other advice welcome.

Kenny202

I use Nord VPN about $79 USD for 3 years of service. 
1. Yes you can use the service on I believe 5 devices
2. You can turn on and off.  Sometimes sites determine you are using a VPN and block you.  I then first try to change the server location.  If that does not work, I turn the VPN off. 
3. It definitely slows down your connection.  You should expect about 50% reduction in speed. However if you are using a high speed fiber optic service for your internet, the speed will still be fine. 
4. You can select what county you want the server to show you in.  There are times if I am looking for something in Europe, I need to change to that countries location in order to gain access to the website.  I am from the USA and it happens all the time if I have it set to Thailand. 
5. I don't know if VPN is truly anonymous.  Certainly there is a trace somewheres.  What I notice is that I get fewer ads from companies seeking to sell me something based on my browsing history. 

[Iron Tongue]

I also use NordVPN, about $100/3-years.  Just renewed another 3-years.  Use it on multiple, laptops, notepads, cellphones and TVs.

 

You should also give Opera web browser a look, Opera is free, doesn't track you like IE & Safari and has built-in VPN.

[Chelseafan]

 

8 hours ago, Kenny202 said:

Just one other question. Everything still goes through your ISP right? What is the good of having a secure VPN with no records if your ISP has all your history? Or am I missing something?

Google is your friend my friend.

 

"While using a VPN, your ISP cannot decipher the contents of your internet traffic nor can it figure out where your traffic is traveling to or from. That means your ISP cannot see what sites you visit or anything you do while connected. It can only see that encrypted data is traveling to a server"

 

As an addition, if you are using a VPN make sure they are using 256 bit encryption, most do. This is considered military grade encryption as is incredibly hard to break. To give you an example, a brute force attack could take 300000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 years to break. Unless they get lucky of course ????

 

I use expressvpn

 

 

 

I am not in Germany but I have the VPN route all my activity through the server there. All I need to do is press that ol' orange button then all my traffic is encrypted. I have very mininmal loss of speed (around 1%)

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2020 by Chelseafan

[Skeptic7]

PIA...Private Internet Access. Many servers to choose from or Automatic setting, which chooses for you. No logging. Unlimited devices, but only 5 (or less) at a time. Inexpensive. EZ to install and use. 

[Skeptic7]

Yes your ISP will still show activity, but that activity is encrypted (hidden) and whether you're gaming, streaming movies/music or accessing your financial accounts,...whatever...it's all private and secure. While your internet/data provider can "see" activity...that activity is unknown. 

[anchadian]

How can you be 100% sure that VPNs don't keep logs?  No you can't.

 

That's why I would never use one.

[gargamon]

+1 for nordvpn. 3 years for around $100. 6 concurrent devices at any time. I split it with a buddy so halved the price. We use it also in our android TV boxes and it works great getting Geo restricted content.

Edited February 25, 2020 by gargamon
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