VPN's - Good or Bad?

[IamSam]

I found this interesting! For years now I have advised against the use of VPN's without really knowing details other than I have always known that VPN's do not protect you from tracking and they really can't hide your location despite what they would have you believe, though I admit they make it more difficult. Modern AI has rendered VPN's even more useless than what's discussed in this video. Let's hear it if you have any opinions on the matter!!

I read this statement in the videos comments which supports my long held belief, no government allows any app or device that protects your privacy. Just do a search on Keonne Rodriguez.

"I sensed that if VPN technology was actually what it claimed, the government would never allow it to be available. "Too good to be true".

Bonus video:

 

[JeffK]

I never understood VPNS so never made use of them. I think overall our digital footprint is always being tracked so I'm as careful as possible where I go and what I view.
I'm convinced no matter what safeguards we put in place, anything can be seen and tracked..

 

[IamSam]

I'm convinced no matter what safeguards we put in place, anything can be seen and tracked..

Yep, I totally agree! There's really not much any of us can do. My only hope is that maybe some folks watching the VPN video will understand that they are just throwing away good money. I will say that I can't hold it against anyone for at least trying, you just need to be selective in how you go about it. I feel that VPN's cause more harm than any advertised protection they claim.

 

[Rich54]

I never knew anything specifically about VPNs and never gave them much thought. But internet privacy—or its lack—has always been a major concern of mine. Rather than employing complicated technology like VPNs, my instinct is to go the other way and avoid the on-line world as much as possible. If I itemized all the hugely popular technologies that I don't own or refuse to participate in, you'd all probably join my friends in thinking that I'm completely nuts.

Regarding these two videos, I already use Firefox for my browser and DuckDuckGo for searches—never Google. Not perfect, but it's a start. My TV is not connected to the internet, for precisely the reasons described in the second video. (I love the suggestion about using a power strip instead of trusting the TV's power-off button.)

But these efforts are merely winning a few battles while losing the war. I plan to buy a new car this year (after 20 years without one). To my horror, I'm learning about all the data that our cars are now collecting about us and reporting back to our Internet Masters. It never ends.

 

[IamSam]

I already use Firefox for my browser and DuckDuckGo for searches—never Google

I have always used Firefox as well but I still use all of the top search engines including Google. This forums stats have shown me that ALL of the top search engines are scraping the internet including DuckDuckGo. They all collect and collate information and images. The largest company or "non-search engine", collecting information is Apple and Chinese owned ByteDance. Right now there are 15 pages, 20 per page, of internet bots scraping this forum. This is low compared to normal.

My TV is not connected to the internet, for precisely the reasons described in the second video. (I love the suggestion about using a power strip instead of trusting the TV's power-off button.)

About 8 months ago I bought a new Samsung TV. It does not have AI or a camera, but it is connected to the internet and it does collect information via ACR. I have changed the agreements and I'm considering the advice of setting up it's own private or separate wifi as well as turning off the TV using the power strip. I always use power strips on all electronics due to power surges...............that's a whole other story!

To my horror, I'm learning about all the data that our cars are now collecting about us and reporting back to our Internet Masters.

Yes! Don't even get me started on that! I have family and friends that have had insurance nightmares due to this!

But these efforts are merely winning a few battles while losing the war.

Could not have said this better!