Re: [gentoo-user] Firefox and VPN, plus security in generla

[Dale]

Neil Bothwick wrote:
> On Wed, 15 Jun 2016 14:46:34 +1000, Adam Carter wrote:
>
>> There's typically no need to use a VPN when accessing an HTTPS website,
>> as the SSL/TLS already provides most of the privacy that a VPN would
>> supply. The extra that the VPN gives you in this case is to hide which
>> websites you're visiting. So the data is protected in both instances,
>> but the VPN also hides the connection metadata. So if you use just
>> SSL/TLS then your ISP can deduce which bank you have an account with.
>> If you use the VPN as well, then cant even tell that.
> Making a VPN useful in those oppressive regimes that require ISPs to log
> all web metadata for all customers.
>
> There is another use for a VPN, to spoof your address to the site that
> you are connecting to. For example, some BBC video services are only
> available in UK (when I don't need them because I can watch it on TV) so
> a VPN in the UK allows me to watch the stuff I have paid for when I am on
> holiday.
>
> Some of what Dale wants can be achieved to a greater or lesser extent
> with Tor, so he should be looking at that too.
>
>

All this is interesting reading, links included.  I sort of had a idea
on what a VPN did but wasn't real sure if it would really accomplish
much for the hassle.  If things like my bank don't support it, well,
that's what I really would like to protect.  The site I saw mention this
doesn't concern me.  It's just a video site.  With my slow DSL, I like
to download TV shows etc to watch locally.  Doing it over the internet
with my slow DSL doesn't work.  Same with youtube. 

I have tried tor before and it seems to slow things down quite a lot,
all the extra server hops I guess.  Also, some sites track where a user
logs in and if they all of a sudden login in from some foreign country
or something, they flag it and don't let you in, which could be a good
thing I guess.  I had that happen with facebook and some other sites.  I
was just playing around with tor and it set off alarm bells on most all
the regular sites I visit.  I had security emails and such in my email
box from just about all of them I went to.  Good thing is, they did
notice that something was not right about it.  They know I use my
desktop puter which is always in the same place.  lol   If I ever move,
that could be fun. 

Reason for the post, curiosity for the most part but if it was easy to
use and usable without a lot of hassle, I might would do it.  I was also
curious as to just how secure a Linux setup is as well.  I figured it
would be better than windoze for sure but still curious. 

Thanks to all. 

Dale

:-)  :-)