Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, are popular services for (supposedly) increasing your security and privacy on the internet. They are often marketed as all-encompassing security tools, and something that you absolutely need to keep hackers at bay. However, many of the selling points for VPNs are exaggerated or just outright
  • @[email protected]English
    1•11 months ago

    Do not understand the downvotes and comments saying article is bullshit. Maybe it all depends on country / ISP, but I have never even thought I need VPN where I live. And since practically all sites indeed use HTTPS all they could get are IPs and possibly hostnames (I do not use ISP DNS).

    Have always disliked VPN ads especially when they talk about security benefits. Regular Joe who has no idea about any of this hears those ads and indeed thinks without this magical technology you are now at serious risk your bank details could get stolen by anyone. Not to mention the claims of speed worded in such way that it seems you will get faster network.

    Only meaningful reason I can think of privacy wise are these scenarios:

    A)

    1. You have a static IP and it gets leaked with other info like your real name / personal mail address from site A
    2. Only your IP is leaked for site B
    3. By cross referencing site A and B info, you can determine identity for site B user

    B)

    1. You have a static IP and it gets leaked with other info like your real name / personal mail address from site A
    2. You visit site B and whoever has logs of that site could tie your actions to your identity by using leaks from site A breach