VPN experiences so far (seeking recommendations)

[bitcoin]

i pay $30/year for TorGuard but so far don't use it much

[webfork]

i pay $30/year for TorGuard but so far don't use it much

I tested TorGuard early in this process and wasn't happy with their service. Why pay for it if you're not using it much? There's probably a VPN service out there where you can pay by bandwidth used rather than a monthly fee.

[bitcoin]

i pay $30/year for TorGuard but so far don't use it much

I tested TorGuard early in this process and wasn't happy with their service. Why pay for it if you're not using it much? There's probably a VPN service out there where you can pay by bandwidth used rather than a monthly fee.

well $30 is like half price last i checked and someday i intend to use the VPN.

i dont like metered service for something thats only $2.50/month anyway

[Midas]

Some food for thought just in, BTW...

VPNs can't protect you from hackers or malware. While VPNs do increase your online privacy, they're not doing much to make your computers and systems more secure.

@ www.tomsguide.com/news/vpn-big-claims-truth-shmoocon22

Also, CNN is recommending previously unheard Mullvad (https://mullvad.net/):

https://us.cnn.com/2022/03/21/cnn-underscored/best-vpn/

[freakazoid]

Mullvad is quite popular. It powers Mozilla's VPN as well.

[Midas]

So it is. I'm a noob in the field and it shows...

[BillyECarroll]

I also have been using Nord VPN for torrenting purposes.

[Midas]

Not a VPN, but another (possibly less resource intensive and) free way to filter your web browsing is through browsers' DoH (DNS-over-HTTP) functionality...

When DoH is enabled, one can choose from a range of possible free servers, some of which will filter undesirable content upstream -- e.g., here's one list:

• https://github.com/curl/curl/wiki/DNS-over-HTTPS

[webfork]

[Moderator note: posts about Blocking services were given their own thread.]

[webfork]

So there's two semi-recent VPN reviews that seem to be good overviews, and I can confirm that the suggestions around Mozilla are accurate:

• PCWorld - Mozilla listed as "Best for Supporting an Open Internet" ... it's listed as more expensive than Mullvad, the service it's based on, but in fact it's the same if you sign up for 12-months.
• PCMag - Same comments about Mullvad apply to Mozilla. Fast, private, and doesn't work with some streaming services (they list Netflix but I've noted that it doesn't work on Hulu either).

In terms of "best" services, PCWorld like Proton and PCMag liked ExpressVPN.

[SYSTEM]

PCWorld - Mozilla listed as "Best for Supporting an Open Internet" ... it's listed as more expensive than Mullvad, the service it's based on, but in fact it's the same if you sign up for 12-months.

Mozilla VPN is finally available here and I've signed up for it. As they say, it helps fund Mozilla and make them more independent of Google search revenue.

[slmnx]

Mullvad VPN

costs, €5. Users who take privacy seriously can still purchase with cash or cryptocurrency. Send them cash in an envelope with an account number to get a subscription

They also seem to be fearless against govt force: https://mullvad.net/en/help/how-we-hand ... user-data/

[Midas]

Mullvad is quite popular. It powers Mozilla's VPN as well.

BTW, Mullvad recently published results of their "infrastructure audit":

We invite you to read the final report of our third security audit, concluded in mid-June 2023, with many fixes deployed late June 2023.

@ mullvad.net/en/blog/2023/8/9/infrastructure-audit-completed-by-radically-open-security/