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.)