Discussing VPN's (Providers and Merits)

[Shmooman]

I started using VPNs several years ago when the net neutrality discussion was getting really big and ended up going with PIA which I have been using for most of that time. They claim to keep no logs and I haven't experienced many issues with them aside from when a server is temporarily blocked, latency seems to vary quite a bit some days lately but that may be an issue with my setup more than their service. Some services, particularly hulu, can be difficult to stream on since they are fairly aggressive about blocking vpns but there are servers which are specifically for streaming through which typically work well enough.

I have never used any other payed VPNs, the only ones I'm really even aware of off hand are nord, surfshark, and proton but aside from the ads I don't know much about them. I'd like to hear about peoples good and bad experiences with different providers, as well as what people consider to be the most important things when selecting a provider.

 

[NateDawg59]

Nord should be a no-go. Not only do they collect data, but they've had several instances of not working. The thing about no logs is you can only rely on a providers' word of honor. You have no idea or control over what they're actually doing on their side.

 

[toefurlee]

VPN will say they don't keep info but if you research, you'll see articles about the no log and lea involved. Though I use pia for some things and nord for other. Stupid...I know

 

[walld]

Nord should be a no-go. Not only do they collect data, but they've had several instances of not working. The thing about no logs is you can only rely on a providers' word of honor. You have no idea or control over what they're actually doing on their side.

I used to believe that VPNs did as they claimed and didn't store logs. I think that has all changed now, with laws forcing storage of logs for years. All requests for information from the feds comes with the obligatory gag order, which makes even trusting what a VPN says pretty suspect.


I use a VPN for downloading because most shrug off RIAA torrent demands for user info now, where true ISPs can link an IP address to an individual account. Also because I can switch locations if the download limit is reached on Mega when I want something.


I don't trust VPNs but they do provide that one layer of obscurity for my ISP. Just a question of what is more damaging, my browsing habits being stored at a VPN or my local ISP.

 

[draslimeil]

I've wouldn't trust most VPN providers at this point, maybe Proton's fine?

 

[NateDawg59]

I'm not sure the RIAA even cares anymore, at least when it comes to music. Once Spotify came into existence, artists weren't as worried about random teens pirating the latest albums.

 

[NateDawg59]

Proton might be okay? I'd have to do some looking into that. The main issue with them is they have frequent service outages.

 

[walld]

I'm not sure the RIAA even cares anymore, at least when it comes to music. Once Spotify came into existence, artists weren't as worried about random teens pirating the latest albums.

I haven't kept up the lawsuits for at least 8 years. I do know that I was pissed the first time I had to go through my ISPs training on downloading copyrighted content. The next day I signed up for a VPN and haven't looked back.

 

[NateDawg59]

For quite some time a lot of artists felt like the streaming services were ripping them off more than the pirates.

 

[walld]

For quite some time a lot of artists felt like the streaming services were ripping them off more than the pirates.

Music artists are a weird bunch to me. They basically sell their soul to the studios to get big and then complain about not making money. Taylor Swift got a clue at some point and ditched the labels to go out on her own. I should probably do a dive into whether she is sending out infringement notices, LOL.

 

[NateDawg59]

Taylor is infamous for handing her new stuff out to friends to see who leaks it. Her daddy taught her well. I highly doubt her stuff is getting pirated too much anyway. Her fans are too rabid and loyal to do it and anyone else doesn't care enough about her type of music to bother doing it.

 

[NateDawg59]

On topic, some food for thought

You must be registered to see links

. Keeping an eye on this should give some insight into multiple VPN options as it links to various VPN companies.

 

[walld]

On topic, some food for thought

You must be registered to see links

. Keeping an eye on this should give some insight into multiple VPN options as it links to various VPN companies.

Once Tor was compromised, it wasn't long until VPNs were fully exposed. The elites gotta keep tabs on all us peasants to make sure we stay in line.

 

[NateDawg59]

I don't think Tor is completely compromised or else the people behind it would just pack it up. One things for sure though, the U.S is certainly showing up a lot more often in the nodes.

 

[walld]

I don't think Tor is completely compromised or else the people behind it would just pack it up. One things for sure though, the U.S is certainly showing up a lot more often in the nodes.

From my limited understanding, all of the exit nodes now belong to the feds, or anyone not on the "approved" list of exit nodes. Exit nodes have always been the weak point, with the theory that so many people would make exit nodes that it would be impossible to legally charge anyone. Exit nodes expose the IP address of the content, and by design expose the user, and suddenly all of the wannabe exit nodes fell off. The feds now have easy access to every tor log, even without a warrant.


Tor on the inside is still fully encrypted to my knowledge, but not many browser communities are adept at using onion addressing or tor enabled browsers.

 

[Shmooman]

From my limited understanding, all of the exit nodes now belong to the feds, or anyone not on the "approved" list of exit nodes. Exit nodes have always been the weak point, with the theory that so many people would make exit nodes that it would be impossible to legally charge anyone. Exit nodes expose the IP address of the content, and by design expose the user, and suddenly all of the wannabe exit nodes fell off. The feds now have easy access to every tor log, even without a warrant.


Tor on the inside is still fully encrypted to my knowledge, but not many browser communities are adept at using onion addressing or tor enabled browsers.

That's kind of scary stuff. I've seen a lot of contradictory information about tor and the like, do you know a good place to read up on more about that?

 

[walld]

That's kind of scary stuff. I've seen a lot of contradictory information about tor and the like, do you know a good place to read up on more about that?

Maybe an older article, but this covers a lot of the info that I learned.

Is Tor Trustworthy and Safe?



If the link doesn't work, the website is restoreprivacy dot com and /tor

 

[toefurlee]

I agree with what you're saying. It's scary to know that things are being over run with the lea

 

[NateDawg59]

Let's face it, if you're gonna do truly no-no stuff you're gonna need multiple layers including offline storage. I have serious doubts that the no-no sites one may think of in a place like this are running anymore. And if they are, most likely you're gonna be uploading things just to gain membership to them. If you're doin that, well, good luck I suppose.

 

[JeksPr0nto]

i dont trust any vpn so i dont use it