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Why we suggest a VPN

I believe the tools of freedom are not only guns and body armor, but tools to protect your speech and other private information.

There are a few key reasons why people should use a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing the internet. Here are a few of the most important ones:

  • VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, which means that anyone trying to spy on your online activities (such as hackers or government agencies) won’t be able to see what you’re doing. This can help protect your privacy and keep you safe from cybercrime.
  • VPNs can also help you bypass internet censorship. If you live in a country that censors certain websites or types of content, a VPN can help you access that content by routing your traffic through a server in a different location.
  • VPNs can also help you access content that is only available in certain regions. For example, if you want to watch a TV show or movie that is only available on a streaming service in another country, a VPN can help you “trick” the service into thinking you’re in that country, allowing you to access the content.
  • VPNs can help you avoid ISP throttling. Some internet service providers (ISPs) will slow down your internet connection if you use a lot of data or if you’re using certain types of applications or services (such as streaming video). A VPN can help by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a server, which can make it harder for your ISP to track and throttle your internet connection.
  • VPNs can help you avoid being tracked by advertisers. Many websites and online services track your online activities to target advertisements at you. A VPN can help by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a server, making it much harder for anyone to track what you’re doing online.
  • Finally, VPNs can help protect your personal information when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, you’re sharing that network with potentially hundreds of other people, which can make it easier for hackers to steal your personal information. A VPN can help by encrypting your traffic on the network, making it much harder for anyone to intercept your data.

I have personally been using ProtonVPN for many years, for all of my devices, and for my whole family on our home router. I highly suggest it. I have never had issues no matter which country I am in, and often the sites I go to do not detect that I’m even using a VPN.

You can use it for free, in a limited capacity, but also see their prices which I think are quite reasonable.

From their website:

In order to respect our users’ privacy, Proton VPN enforces a strict no-logs policy. This means we keep no session usage logs of what you do online, and we do not log metadata that can compromise your privacy.

  • We don’t log which websites you visit
  • We don’t log your traffic or the content of any communications
  • We don’t log your IP address
  • We don’t log your session lengths
  • We don’t log or track any location-based information

A link to get discounted ProtonVPN

Some information about VPNs in general

By connecting to a VPN server, you can access the internet using an alternate IP address. This can help keep your identity hidden, so online advertisers and websites that track your activity won’t be able to identify you. A VPN can help you to bypass geoblocks. Many websites will block users from specific countries. By connecting to a server in another country, you can often bypass these geoblocks and access content that is normally blocked. This can help you to access movies, games, and other services that aren’t normally available in your country. A VPN can help you to avoid tracking by online advertisers and websites. Many websites and online services will track your activity to gather information to sell to advertisers. A VPN can help by interfering with these tracking methods, preventing websites from gathering your information.

How do I choose a VPN?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best VPN for you will depend on a number of factors including your budget, the types of devices you use, your level of technical expertise, and your specific needs. However, in general, there are a few things you should look for when choosing a VPN, such as a company with a strong privacy policy, a robust and user-friendly VPN client, and a wide range of server locations.
When choosing a VPN, there are a few key factors you should consider to ensure that you get the best service possible. Some of the most important factors to consider include:
  • The VPN’s security and encryption protocols: It’s important to choose a VPN that uses strong security and encryption protocols to protect your data and keep your online activities private. Look for VPNs that use protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2, which are considered to be among the most secure.
  • The VPN’s server network: The size and quality of a VPN’s server network can have a big impact on your experience. A larger server network can provide more options for connecting to the internet and can help you avoid slow connections. It’s also important to choose a VPN with servers that are located in the countries you want to connect from and access content in.
  • The VPN’s speed and performance: A slow VPN connection can be frustrating and can make it difficult to enjoy streaming video or other bandwidth-intensive activities. Be sure to research the speed and performance of the VPN you’re considering to ensure that it can handle your needs.
  • The VPN’s compatibility with your devices: Make sure that the VPN you choose is compatible with the devices you want to use it on. Most VPNs offer apps for popular platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, but some may not be compatible with certain devices or operating systems.
  • The VPN’s privacy and logging policies: It’s important to choose a VPN that respects your privacy and doesn’t log your online activities. Be sure to read the VPN’s privacy policy carefully to understand what data it collects and how it is used.
  • The VPN’s customer support: If you run into any issues with your VPN, you’ll want to be able to get help from a knowledgeable and helpful customer support team. Be sure to research the quality of a VPN’s customer support before choosing a service.
  • Pricing: VPNs typically offer a range of pricing options, from free services to subscription plans that can cost a few dollars per month. Be sure to compare the prices of different VPNs to find the best deal for your needs. Keep in mind that free VPNs may not offer the same level of security and performance as paid services, so you may want to consider a paid VPN if privacy and performance are important to you.
  • Special features: Some VPNs offer special features that can enhance your experience or provide additional benefits. For example, some VPNs offer ad blocking to help you avoid annoying online advertisements, or support for multiple simultaneous connections, which can be useful if you want to use the VPN on multiple devices at the same time. Be sure to consider any special features that a VPN offers when choosing a service.
In addition to these factors, you may also want to consider the VPN’s money-back guarantee or free trial period, which can allow you to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription. This can be a good way to ensure that the VPN meets your needs and provides the features and performance you’re looking for.
 

What data does the VPN service collect, and what are its privacy policies?

The amount of data that a VPN service collects can vary depending on the specific VPN and its privacy policies. In general, however, VPNs typically collect some basic information about their users and their online activities. This can include information like:

  • The user’s IP address
  • The user’s device type and operating system
  • The date and time that the user connected to the VPN
  • The amount of data that the user transferred while connected to the VPN
  • The user’s approximate geographic location, based on the user’s IP address

Some VPNs may also collect more detailed information about their users and their online activities, depending on their privacy policies. For example, some VPNs may collect information about the websites that users visit or the applications they use while connected to the VPN. It’s important to read a VPN’s privacy policy carefully to understand what data it collects and how it is used.

How does the VPN service protect this collected data from being compromised or exposed?

The VPN service protects the data it collects from being compromised or exposed in a few different ways. Here are a few of the key measures that VPNs typically use to protect user data:

  • Encrypting user data: VPNs encrypt the data that users transfer while connected to the VPN, using strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. This makes it much harder for anyone to intercept and read the data, protecting the user’s privacy and security.
  • Storing data securely: VPNs typically store user data in secure servers that are protected by firewalls and other security measures. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to the data and keeps it safe from hackers and other threats.
  • Limiting access to data: VPNs generally limit access to user data to only a few authorized employees who need it to perform their duties. This helps to prevent unauthorized access to user data and keeps it safe from potential breaches.
  • Deleting data when it is no longer needed: Most VPNs will delete user data when it is no longer needed, in accordance with their privacy policies. This helps to ensure that user data is not stored unnecessarily and is not at risk of being compromised or exposed.
  • Dealing with data breaches: If a data breach does occur, VPNs typically have procedures in place to respond quickly and mitigate the damage. This can include measures like shutting down the affected servers, resetting user passwords, and informing affected users of the breach and what steps they can take to protect themselves.

In addition to these measures, VPNs may also use other security measures, such as regular security audits and penetration testing, to ensure that their systems and user data are secure. VPNs take a number of steps to keep user data secure and confidential, and to protect it from being compromised or exposed. By choosing a reputable and trustworthy VPN service, you can help ensure that your data is kept safe and secure.