[Consolidated] VPN Provider Recommendations
Apr 23, 2023, 6:56 am
#436
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Just be careful though as while they might not be able to see what you're transmitting, they can certainly identify you connecting to an unregistered VPN provider. You're likely not to get into a lot of trouble (at least used in the shortterm), but thing could change.
For my purposes, not sure it's worth the risk of handing them an easy lay-up to use the "color of law" against me for whatever reason. Never know, could always say or utter something something that sticks in the craw of some CCP bureaucrat triggering a process crime charge.
Apr 23, 2023, 7:38 am
#437
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
This is helpful.
For my purposes, not sure it's worth the risk of handing them an easy lay-up to use the "color of law" against me for whatever reason. Never know, could always say or utter something something that sticks in the craw of some CCP bureaucrat triggering a process crime charge.
For my purposes, not sure it's worth the risk of handing them an easy lay-up to use the "color of law" against me for whatever reason. Never know, could always say or utter something something that sticks in the craw of some CCP bureaucrat triggering a process crime charge.
Apr 24, 2023, 1:02 am
#438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
After quite a bit of research and reviews I selected NordVPN. So far so good and wish I had done this a while ago as I've had info swiped on hotel connections. That said I've had a occasions where website don't correctly until I disconnect from VPN. Is this common?
Apr 24, 2023, 1:30 am
#439
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
Some sites are just inexplicable (eg, VPNs and FlyerTalk) but it's up to them to decide and explain (or not).
Apr 24, 2023, 9:17 am
#440
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
PS - May have asked this before, but is there any purpose on using a VPN when on one's phones LTE?
Apr 24, 2023, 10:44 am
#441
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
The only purpose of a VPN is to
1. obscure your location so you seem to be somewhere you're not
2. hide some/all of the information on which websites or other services you are visiting
3. as a corollary to #2, to enable you to access resources that are blocked on your local network
4. if you are connecting to your own VPN server at home/work, to access local network resources on your home/business network
That's really about it. VPNs are not some magic Super Private Browsing hack. You are just trusting the VPN provider with the same info that your local network provider would ordinarily get.
1. obscure your location so you seem to be somewhere you're not
2. hide some/all of the information on which websites or other services you are visiting
3. as a corollary to #2, to enable you to access resources that are blocked on your local network
4. if you are connecting to your own VPN server at home/work, to access local network resources on your home/business network
That's really about it. VPNs are not some magic Super Private Browsing hack. You are just trusting the VPN provider with the same info that your local network provider would ordinarily get.
Apr 24, 2023, 12:12 pm
#442
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
Depends on what you're doing. Just make sure you're actually connected to your phone (if using as a wireless hotspot) and you don't really care if your cell provider sees what you're doing (this could be a touchy point). Not sure what will happen if you try to "double-VPN" something (set up a VPN on your phone on top of your laptop requiring a VPN) but you will take a performance hit if you do something like that.
Apr 24, 2023, 3:56 pm
#443
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,448
My work phone is partitioned into personal and work with the work side requiring a VPN to access network data as if I were using my laptop.
For my personal phone, I use a VPN when accessing public WiFi access such as hotels and short term rentals.
Apr 25, 2023, 1:57 pm
#444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Interesting piece in BusinessWeek/Bloomberg this week focusing on VPNs and Specifically NordVPN. I will update with a link.
Apr 28, 2023, 10:00 am
#445
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 24
Similar setup - if you have a Raspberry Pi, Zimaboard, or some other SBC or old computer, you can setup Tail Scale which is an open source mesh VPN network, and set up the machine at your home to serve as an exit note, which will all you to route your laptop or mobile traffic through it while traveling. This also provides the added benefit of being able to access machines/files on your home network while away. This is way more functional and cost-effective (in the long-term) than paying for a VPN-as-a-service.
Apr 28, 2023, 3:39 pm
#446
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
I have friends from Scandinavia who use their friends/parents' (superior) Internet connection to host little VPN boxes (routers or RPis). By your handle I assume you're "from" there, so maybe you could get a friend or family member there to host an OpenVPN/Wireguard server router for you? That way there's no blocking (as it looks just like a residential SE/... internet connection).
Apr 28, 2023, 4:07 pm
#447
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
Have been using NordVPN for the past 5 or 6 years? Had used ExpressVPN prior to them, but found the NVPN deals too good to pass up. In the end, price is always a main consideration for me. But, yeah, having to disconnect and reconnect is pretty normal and I've gotten used to it when using it when traveling.
PS - May have asked this before, but is there any purpose on using a VPN when on one's phones LTE?
PS - May have asked this before, but is there any purpose on using a VPN when on one's phones LTE?
The only purpose of a VPN is to
1. obscure your location so you seem to be somewhere you're not
2. hide some/all of the information on which websites or other services you are visiting
3. as a corollary to #2, to enable you to access resources that are blocked on your local network
4. if you are connecting to your own VPN server at home/work, to access local network resources on your home/business network
That's really about it. VPNs are not some magic Super Private Browsing hack. You are just trusting the VPN provider with the same info that your local network provider would ordinarily get.
1. obscure your location so you seem to be somewhere you're not
2. hide some/all of the information on which websites or other services you are visiting
3. as a corollary to #2, to enable you to access resources that are blocked on your local network
4. if you are connecting to your own VPN server at home/work, to access local network resources on your home/business network
That's really about it. VPNs are not some magic Super Private Browsing hack. You are just trusting the VPN provider with the same info that your local network provider would ordinarily get.
Apr 28, 2023, 5:08 pm
#448
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,231
I have friends from Scandinavia who use their friends/parents' (superior) Internet connection to host little VPN boxes (routers or RPis). By your handle I assume you're "from" there, so maybe you could get a friend or family member there to host an OpenVPN/Wireguard server router for you? That way there's no blocking (as it looks just like a residential SE/... internet connection).
Wireguard performance was terrible but when we switched to Open VPN it worked perfectly including HD content
Apr 28, 2023, 6:26 pm
#449
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
https://torrentfreak.com/best-vpn-anonymous-no-logging/
NOTE: This is what their stated policies are, not what they actually do. That said, Torrentfreak occasionally posts related stories of interest (I think recently, only PIA was tested). there are other sites that claim to do these VPN reviews, but I find they're nothing other than affiliate clickbait. TF doesn't say which one is best, but it posts responses to its questions and lets you decide.
Apr 28, 2023, 6:32 pm
#450
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
Ask and you shall receive.
https://torrentfreak.com/best-vpn-anonymous-no-logging/
NOTE: This is what their stated policies are, not what they actually do. That said, Torrentfreak occasionally posts related stories of interest (I think recently, only PIA was tested). there are other sites that claim to do these VPN reviews, but I find they're nothing other than affiliate clickbait. TF doesn't say which one is best, but it posts responses to its questions and lets you decide.
https://torrentfreak.com/best-vpn-anonymous-no-logging/
NOTE: This is what their stated policies are, not what they actually do. That said, Torrentfreak occasionally posts related stories of interest (I think recently, only PIA was tested). there are other sites that claim to do these VPN reviews, but I find they're nothing other than affiliate clickbait. TF doesn't say which one is best, but it posts responses to its questions and lets you decide.