VPNs do they really work?

[HighlandeR]

Hi was just wondering about getting a VPN service, there are plenty ones available, but do they really work I have 3 questions below:

1) Does it really stop your isp/government spying your websites you visit and what google search etc ?

2) Many folk on the net claim its pointless since your ISP can always find your IP and see what you are viewing and google>search and downloading regardless?

3) Some folk on the net say you end up getting "flagged" if you use a VPN service and they your isp/any snooping companies monitor you even more closely?

4) Again many claim if you were using VPN even if you log onto hotmail or email or a website which requires log in like Ocuk forums, anyone can work out where you were and are online ?

 

[DT4M89911]

1, yes however it depends on the type of VPN and where the end point server is... However you still have browser history. And the server owner will have IP & Connection logs which is technically possible to match a user, however not an easy task

2. as Above.

3. Nope. There are many valid reasons to use VPN. To connect to home while out and about for example. I do the same when am out. I VPN into my home server which then gives me local access to network resources.

4. The VPN server owner could technically see what you do via various methods (Such as DNS) or Deep packet inspection. However this is hardly ever the case.


Source: I run a VPN Service

 

[HighlandeR]

Thank you great and informative answers