Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

What do people think about this advice from the feds?

https://uk.pcmag.com/android/155983/...dont-use-a-vpn

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Not American so I don't really care what they have to say.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Their advice has nothing to do with being American. They are warning that a VPN service provider with weak security policies or obscure ownership structures is unsafe. Just because it’s a VPN doesn’t mean it can’t be hacked and your data can’t be intercepted. Their argument is that you’re not making your communications more secure, you’re just shifting the burden to protect you from your ISP to your VPN provider.

They are giving this advice mainly to high value targets who would likely be of interest to attackers, especially state sponsored ones. They’re saying nothing about using a VPN to obscure your IP address and get cheap overseas streaming or to download ripped TV shows without getting caught.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Thats a very silly attitude, the advice is sound.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

I imagine using those based in places like Russia is a bad idea for obvious reasons.

Would it be fair to say that free VPN's are potentially less secure than paid for VPN's? My logic is that they have to make their money from somewhere and could be more open to selling data or not have the money to make their service particularly secure.

I think it's probably better not to use a VPN for things like banking as long as it has secure encryption and just use it for things like accessing overseas streaming services.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

This is why I use SurfShark (other VPNs are available)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfshark_VPN

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Surfshark is owned by Nord. Nord has had its own security issues. Do you believe the companies will ever merge?

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

I use Proton free vpn. Its fine when I occasionally have to pretend be abroad to watch a football match.
https://uk.pcmag.com/vpn/116478/protonvpn

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Are you talking about the breach six years ago?

If they ever merge, I will review the situation, and act accordingly.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Yeah I searched Wikipedia for NordVPN after seeing your post

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/NordVPN

It says it was a data center which Nord ceased relations with soon after. So not totally at fault on Nords behalf.

Recent telegram changes like that of Nord to comply with authorises has raised eyebrows but I guess we have to submit to some form of authoritarian.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Another warning has been put out:

https://www.techradar.com/vpn/google...s-with-malware

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Popular apps meaning Nord, Express, SurfShark, Proton, Cyberghost, PIA.. etc. ?

Or the unknown low profile play store junk?

I've never heard of LetsVPN and I like to think I'm aware of popular brands.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Popular as in any of the above. The article is a warning against assuming the result you get on a search engine links to the authentic version of the product. You can end up on a scam website with a counterfeit version of the software riddled with spyware.

However that isn’t a problem specific to VPNs by any means. Any piece of software can be counterfeited and compromised.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Have any of the well known VPN ever been cloned?

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

I don’t know, but there’s no reason why they couldn’t be. It doesn’t have to be a brilliantly executed clone as long as it’s superficially similar and functions as a VPN. If you were downloading it from a fake website, it’s likely because you’ve not used the product before, or not enough to easily spot a fake. All they need to do is get you to install it.

But, I repeat, this is not a problem unique to VPN products. Any app can be copied and there will always be unwary users out there to download it. With reference to the thread title, the article Richard linked to is not proof that using a VPN may not be a good idea.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Has to be better than not having one. But as I recall someone on here thinks so.for me had one for I guess 10 years or so never had a problem, not sure how to prove a negative.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

From what I can gather, VPN users are swapping their trust with their data from their ISP to a VPN (even if it is authentic) and often paying for the privilege.

I suppose it's worth it if you're downloading copyright content for free, especially if your ISP has a vested interest in the material in question.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

You misunderstand the point. It doesn’t matter what you download any piece of software in order to achieve, whether legal or not. If it is a fake product, containing spyware, it can steal your credentials and cause you all sorts of bother.

A VPN made by a disreputable company might enable that company to do those things without their product being a fake clone of anything else. However a VPN made by a reputable company with security protocols as solid as they claim them to be, renders you much safer from those who might want to snoop on your browsing.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

Is it safer to stick to VPN apps on places like the Play Store as (presumably) they will be vetted & checked?

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

I can’t speak for the Play Store but there are VPNs on the Apple App Store I wouldn’t touch with a 10ft pole. They’re the ones with a small handful of reviews and Chinese sounding names all over them.

Do your research outside of the app store, identify who are the large, reputable companies, then return to the App Store / play store and download from there. There are plenty of people here who can give you recommendations.

Re: Why using a VPN may not be such a good idea.
 

It is.

I do have one concern about vpns, apart from the privacy. I see a lot of advertsing that appears to imply a VPN is the only security you need. It is not. While it is useful for appearing to be in different countries, and the encryption can reduce snooping, a VPN is not a good substitute for good security software because it won't stop that dodgy link you just clicked installing malware, and it won't stop that malware working.

In fairness, if you need to use client software to access the VPN, that client software may well offer extra security facilities, but most don't.