ESET now with added VPN

[Box Brownie]

Hi all

I have used Eset for ages and have just been notified that they have added VPN protection in the Eset product that I use.

Now, I know squat about about the pros & cons of using VPN and though I have not installed (yet?) I wonder if any TP folks can give me some insights re: pros & cons and benefits of having it available both on a PC and an Android phone?

TIA

 

[realspeed]

I had to use VPN to get my Igmur photos back from the Netherlands. The UK blocked the site like so many others due to misuse by a few intend on causing harm

 

[eoSimon]

I think the only downside is that some websites will block known vpn ips. However most vpn apps have alternatives which you can choose to get round this.
I live in the Netherlands and it helps to avoid regional restrictions eg. I can access the UK version of netflix. As well as security benefits etc

 

[Faldrax]

VPN's work by by encrypting all web traffic from your device and sending it to the VPN server, where it is decrypted and sent on to the actual server you are connecting to.

This has two benefits.
Firstly if you are on a 'public' network then it becomes much harder for anyone else on that network to determine the contents of the traffic - so preventing them obtaining sensitive information such as login details, etc.
Secondly, it appears to the end site that you are located where the VPN server is located - so if you have a VPN server in the USA, you see USA content rather than UK content (if you are actually in the UK).
Because of this second feature, a number of larger sites actively block any VPN addresses from connecting - and there is an ongoing 'whack-a-mole' style battle between the big VPN operators and such companies, with the VPN operators changing IP's as they get blocked to try and maintain access for their users.

If you are only interested in the privacy/security benefit then with a little technical knowledge you can actually rent a virtual server and run your own VPN for less than the big VPN companies charge, and you can be sure your data is not being secretly snooped on (as might be the case with a 'free' VPN).

Link to Fasthosts blog on the subject - I have my own VPN for ~£13/year, which provides VPN for all the family. The info in the blog should be applicable to any VPS company offering a low cost Linux server, it you use a different provider.

https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/blog/how-to-create-your-own-vpn/

 

[Mr Bump]

Hi all

I have used Eset for ages and have just been notified that they have added VPN protection in the Eset product that I use.

Now, I know squat about about the pros & cons of using VPN and though I have not installed (yet?) I wonder if any TP folks can give me some insights re: pros & cons and benefits of having it available both on a PC and an Android phone?

TIA

VPNs can cause issues with some sites and cookies especially US sites where they don't all adhere to EU data capture guidelines.
Also as above some sites can detect via incoming IP address and get a bit shirty, banks and other similar APPS are s*** hot on location so if you suddenly log in from Bangkok 10 mins after logging in from Sheffield they can throw a hissy.