Anyone here using a VPN service?

[Executioner]

Some are recommending using a VPN service for better protection against hackers and snoops.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp

[psypher]

Yeah, I use TorGuard.

[FlyingPenguin]

I bought a license for ProXPN when it was on sale, but I haven't installed it on my laptop yet.

A VPN is only practical on a laptop you intend to use on unsecure networks (hotels, wifi hotspots, etc). Only other use for it is to fool services like Netflix that your geographical location is different than it really is.

[Genom]

Also good to have on your phone when you are out and about and need to do some banking or logging into important accounts.

[FlyingPenguin]

On a WiFi or cellular? Because I would argue you're pretty secure on cellular data.

You basically want to protect yourself from man in the middle attacks, which are pretty easy to pull off on public WiFi.

[Losbot]

I saw proxvpn on sale again recently. Like in the last few days, for the lifetime accounts.

[FlyingPenguin]

$39 for the Lifetime subscription for the next 2 days ($375 regular price): https://stacksocial.com/sales/proxpn-premium-lifetime

That's what I did. The last time they were selling them for $35 and I grabbed one.

[Genom]

Wifi, yeah. But I often find myself in facilities with little to no cel so I have to use their wifi, and I dont know what its going on there, so I vpn it up.

[Executioner]

OK thanks fellas for the responses. So it sounds like I really don't need one. My company gave me a Verizon Jet Pack that I can use for WIFI anywhere. I normally use it to log into work via VPN. It's my own portable hot spot that is unlimited.
For VPN at home, I was just curious if it would improve security, but it sounds like it's only worth having it in shared areas such as an airport, coffee shop, ect.

[FlyingPenguin]

Ya. The other use is if, for instance, you wanted to watch a movie on a service that was not available in your geographic area. So you'd use a service like ProXPN, and select a data center located in an area where that service DID allow you to watch it.

I know a lot of people do that in Europe to get around Netflix movie restrictions. They VPN through a data center in the US, although Netflix is now actively trying to defeat that.

[Losbot]

I used to have one of those Verizon Jet Packs. They work nicely. We had gotten one for an attorney who has a cabin up in NC and he can't get internet service but does get 5 bars of Verizon wireless so he uses that to connect to the office. Works nicely.

[Cap]

Same here - have a few VZW JetPacks myself, they work great.

[wvjohn]

I picked up proxvpn when it was on sale last time. It enables you to connect to things like offshore card playing sites as well as moving your IP around for netflix etc. I have another proxy tool I've used in the past which resolves in the UK so you can watch live feeds of sports like the olympics on BBC in real time instead of the garbage they show here.