Do i need a VPN

[Dean037]

Hi everyone just a quick question , i keep hearing more and more about vpns i know they encrypt your location etc and make it secure so no one can watch what your up to etc do i need one on my laptop and phone etc ? Also i know friends of mine have for android boxes etc.

Is there any free ones ? I downloaded tunnelbear but only get 500mb free so that doesnt last long when watching and streaming t.v. programs etc.

Thanks dean

 

[BigT]

I'd discount any free VPNs because they will have limits as you've found or they will not be fit for purpose or be slow.

Do your research on what you want from a VPN here https://thatoneprivacysite.net/vpn-section/ or read around recommendations on a few threads here in the networking section. Also keep an eye on offers here https://stacksocial.com/search?cat=477&query=VPN

A VPN typically can either operate on your devices individually or across your whole network at the router level. The latter normally requires a fancy router and is not without its drawbacks (iPlayer suddenly stops working because it thinks you're somewhere else). Doing it at the device level (with an app on the device) is typically more flexible, results in better performance (uses the device's CPU to do the en/decryption rather than a consumer router with its weak CPU) and is easier to turn on and off as required. Pay careful attention to how many devices your chosen VPN provider will let you use concurrently.

If you use newsgroups, torrents or IPTV then using a VPN is a good idea for reasons I won't go into. Selectively using one for reasons of privacy and anonymity is also good practice if you choose a decent provider which won't limit your bandwidth, but it needs to be selective because lots of sites, including many media streaming services, won't work behind one.