VPN services are a good tool for privacy. However, they they still rely
on the trust in the ownership/VPN service country's laws and policies.
A VPN service is effectively a 'man in the middle'.
On 12/8/2023 3:13 AM, Robert Schwein via WLUG wrote:
>
> You've pretty much hit the high points Chuck. From my own experience
> when going overseas if I'm able to VPN to the country I'm going to,
> the rental car reservation is considerably less in cost to reserve
> that car than if I reserved it from state side. I'm assuming there is
> a difference between a poor native and a rich American.
>
> Bob
>
> On 12/8/2023 12:56 AM, Chuck Anderson via WLUG wrote:
>> On Thu, Dec 07, 2023 at 09:08:00PM -0500, Doug Mildram via WLUG wrote:
>>> So, maybe or maybe not, that's the kind of VPN I suspect they're selling,
>>> but I don't see the value for normal folks....or maybe anyone. (educate
>>> me!)
>>> Unless their hosted-server-world-route network security is a win.
>>> Thanks for listening, and my thursday's look better than usual this month,
>>> so hoping for WLUG virtually dec 14. -doug
>> Yes. Those "modern" VPNs are used for many reasons. Here are a couple:
>>
>> - To appear to servers/services that you are physically located in a
>> different geographical area. This can help you bypass
>> geographically restricted content, such as watching sports programs
>> that content owners don't want you to see based on where you live
>> (local sports broadcast blackouts). Or trick hotels into giving you
>> a better price--yes, hotels can hike the rates they present to you
>> if they think you are nearby--assuming you need last-minute
>> accomodations while you are away on vacation.
>>
>> - To hide your real IP address from servers and/or hide your browsing
>> from intermediaries (your ISP for example) for privacy. This could
>> be so you can avoid being tracked and having your browsing habits
>> sold to advertisers (something your ISP can easily do--SSL does not
>> hide DNS queries although that is changing with the availability of
>> DNS-over-HTTPS and similar), to hide from authorities/copyright
>> enforcers, or for life-and-death reasons (hide from unfriendly
>> governments.)
>> _______________________________________________
>
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