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Do we need a VPN?
- Thread starter ckuttner
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Apple_Robert
Contributor
Generally speaking, a VPN helps to keep your online activity more obfuscated from your ISP and website trackers. It can also be a good way to prevent Fingerprinting not to mention helping to block ads etc. If those things aren’t a focal point in your day to day usage, I would say let the VPN subscription lapse.
SnowPenguin
macrumors 6502
For the sites where you login to your account, they can track you with or without a VPN, since you already identified yourself.
If you care about privacy, it can help still help with the other sites, but it's an an all-in-one solution
If you care about privacy, it can help still help with the other sites, but it's an an all-in-one solution
For your use case, no, waste of money at best.
First of all, you are just trading you privacy concerns from your ISP to your VPN company. In this case, a Lithuanian/Dutch/Panamanian company. I trust neither. The UK in particuar has repeatedly slammed NordVPN for sleazy ads because they exaggerate the risks.
It's more important to have all your device and browser settings right, particuarly with regard to always using https and avoiding http links. Safari can do a good job with that. Also, get a decent ad blocker.
First of all, you are just trading you privacy concerns from your ISP to your VPN company. In this case, a Lithuanian/Dutch/Panamanian company. I trust neither. The UK in particuar has repeatedly slammed NordVPN for sleazy ads because they exaggerate the risks.
It's more important to have all your device and browser settings right, particuarly with regard to always using https and avoiding http links. Safari can do a good job with that. Also, get a decent ad blocker.
FreakinEurekan
macrumors G3
iCloud Private Relay is plenty for me. The only reason I'd use an actual VPN is if I needed to appear as though I were somewhere else, for technological reasons (i.e. streaming content, etc)
baconcat_8964
macrumors 6502
If you want to keep your privacy from both the public Wi-Fi and the website you use, VPN is a good choice.
If you just want to be encrypted and safe when connecting to public network, iCloud Private Relay + Tailscale is enough.
If you just want to be encrypted and safe when connecting to public network, iCloud Private Relay + Tailscale is enough.
Basic75
macrumors 68030
Fully agree. Most VPN ads pretend that they protect far more than they actually can. I'd get rid of the VPN and, at most, switch to some encrypted DNS service. Should be sufficient.
I use NordVPN for when I’m traveling or out using public WiFi. I don’t usually use it at home.
Fun fact: NordVPN lets you sign up again for the introductory deal on their web site, even if you’re an existing user. That’s a lot cheaper than their automatic renewal rate.
Fun fact: NordVPN lets you sign up again for the introductory deal on their web site, even if you’re an existing user. That’s a lot cheaper than their automatic renewal rate.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
For privacy minded folks its a nice to have. Its just one more layer you use to protect your privacy. Its not the end all and be all, and sometimes it gets in the way.
I travel a lot both US and international so routinely use public wifi, particularly at hotels, yet avoid VPNs because they provide near zero additional protection and in my personal gut feeling, are themselves a bigger potential threat. Note, even VPNs do not protect you during the initial connection to public wifi. The so-called "protection" is only added after you connect.
There was a time over a decade ago my employer had its own corporate vpn for all usage. Everything including personal usage (which was fully allowed) had to go through it. They don't bother now for the average employee.
Curious if any others reading this have experience with employer controlled VPNs.
ClaraStahlbaum
macrumors 6502a
Well, get a decent browser. If you are using Google Chrome, switch to Firefox or a Firefox fork. I can't recommend that enough.
JSDK
macrumors regular
Since you write that you only use Safari as your main browser, and that you haven't done anything special that requires you to change your IP location, I would say that iCloud Private Relay is more than enough. Private Relay basically does the same thing as a VPN, the only difference is that you are only "safe" when you surf in Safari, and you don't have the option to change your IP to another country. The main thing is that you are anonymous. As I understand it, neither Apple nor your internet provider can see what you do in Safari when iCloud Private Relay is activated.
I use Tailscale as a tunnel between my devices. What would it add when connecting to a public network?
baconcat_8964
macrumors 6502
All traffic will be encrypted and tunnel back to the exit node on home computer. That might be helpful when connecting to a open public Wi-Fi.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
The other aspect not talked about, is you could create your own VPN and then funnel all traffic (in and out of network) through the VPN. That would cut out “the middle men” (so to speak) sans your ISP. It would also put the onus on you for making sure the VPN is secure and updated as needed. Setting up a VPN is not hard to do and you wouldn’t have a VPN bill to worry about.
