Do you need a VPN?

[abennettphotography]

Ok, not strictly photo related but useful, I think, nevertheless - https://youtu.be/WVDQEoe6ZWY

[Mike Farley]

I have not looked at the video, so am unaware of the specific arguments being put forth. Clearly VPNs have their uses when confidentiality is essential, e.g. business use, but I do wonder whether personal Internet usage really needs that level of security. Unless someone has something they wish to hide. Maybe to avoid being sent to prison? There is also the small matter that using encryption can of itself draw attention to the user. Assuming an absence of illegal activity, you need a reasonably high level of paranoia to invest in setting up such a link.

[Peter Boughton]

I have not looked at the video...

You should start by doing that.

It's an educational video by Tom Scott about VPN commercials - perhaps useful for any club members who see misleading adverts on YouTube and falsely believe VPNs to be a necessary security precaution.

[Mike Farley]

I have not looked at the video...

You should start by doing that.

It's an educational video by Tom Scott about VPN commercials - perhaps useful for any club members who see misleading adverts on YouTube and falsely believe VPNs to be a necessary security precaution.

Without seeing the video I came to the same conclusion that VPNs are unnecessary for the majority. However, I do accept that there are those who seek to exploit others' doubts and uncertainties. Particularly when it comes to anything to do with computers.