Do you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for your everyday life? If not, I highly recommend you do. Why, you ask? Simple:
Privacy.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) catalogs all the traffic running into and out of your devices. Home ISPs can effectively monitor traffic in your home network via your router. Wireless services will do so via your device directly. Everything can be tied back to an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and every device is assigned an IP when connecting to the internet. A VPN can mask your throughput and all you browse without feeling like you’re being scrutinized. Because, well, without a VPN, you are being scrutinized.
Whether you are currently using a VPN or are interested in getting setup with one, there are a few considerations to take into account:
1. Select a provider that does not keep logs of users’ connections. The whole point of using a VPN is to maintain privacy. That does you no good if your VPN provider logs all of your connection data anyway. Privacy? What privacy? When considering VPNs, make sure to verify the service you’re considering does not keep logs.
2. Select a provider that is, at minimum, not based in a 5-Eyes country. 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, and 14-Eyes countries have agreements to collectively operate a global surveillance program. They focus on enacting national policies to impede individual privacy rights. For example, Australia, a 5-Eyes country, has passed laws requiring companies to provide back door access to government agencies for their products when it is demanded of them. Seriously, fuck these guys. Preferably, find a VPN provider that is based in a country that isn’t even on the 14-Eyes list.
These are the two main points to consider. Popular VPN providers that currently meet these criteria are NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and CyberGhost. ExpressVPN is often recommended, but the company is based in Hong Kong, which creates other issues regarding privacy. I also saw one site recommending SurfShark and Norton VPN, however these two are problematic because they’re based in 9-Eyes and 5-Eyes countries respectively.
Once you have a VPN service provider, you’ll need to test your connection to make sure everything works. Two sites will help you do this: ip.me and DNS Leak Test. This will help you ensure your internet traffic is being routed appropriately.
Do your homework. Pay attention to claims and verify everything. Also check with your local laws with regard to your own legal concerns when engaging with appropriate privacy practices.
Anyway, that’s it! Here’s a poster of hottie @gloom from her set It’s Over 9000!:
