Since Derek Ross (npub18am…p424) and Ivan (npub1q8w…w95u) have been talking about #VPN recently, I thought I would make a post since this is an area I am knowledgeable in.
First thing to note is that VPNs are not the be all and end all of #privacy. You need to assess your own privacy needs / threat model and construct a layered strategy such that if one level got compromised, the others would still be there to protect you.
For example, use a reputable VPN along with an encrypted email provider such as Proton Mail or Tutanota, an encrypted messenger such as Signal, Session, or simplex (npub1exv…d828) , etc. If you really need it, use Tor to further protect your online presence.
Second, whoever is tunneling your Internet traffic, has the ability to monitor it. Therefore, when you use a VPN, you are not anonymous. The VPN provider can see your IP and your online activity if they want to. That is why you need to select a VPN provider carefully. You are transferring your trust from your internet provider to them. Fortunately, there are a few VPN providers such as Mullvad, IVPN, and Proton VPN that have a very good reputation in the #privacy community for not logging user activity, minimizing the customer data they collect, open-sourcing their apps, and sharing independent security audits of their service.
Using a VPN should be part of an overall strategy to protect your privacy - but only if you trust the VPN provider more than your ISP.
Third, if you are using a VPN provider that runs YouTube ads, sponsors YouTube channels, or was recommended by a YouTuber that isn't a privacy advocate, then almost certainly you are using a VPN company that has the best affiliate program, rather than the best VPN service! (Think: NordVPN, ExpressVPN)
I personally use Proton VPN because I am a Proton Visionary member and it is included in my Proton suite. I am happy with it. However, if you want to take it to the maxx, then perhaps Mullvad or IVPN is for you. These services do not even collect an email address, and IVPN even has a Warrant Canary.
This post is long enough so I will create an additional post with some #Privacy related resources to get you started on your journey. If #privacy related content interests you, follow me as I will be posting more.
LINKS:
https://mullvad.net/en
https://www.ivpn.net/
https://protonvpn.com/
IVPN Warrant Canary:
https://www.ivpn.net/resources/canary.txt
D-RAJ
npub1wy…x2skq
2023-08-23 02:42:02
Author Public Key
npub1wyvfhcf24e9n37mf5ggrr7h5kafsvjeh6vjrqlufw68hrzvu80aqzx2skqPublished at
2023-08-23 02:42:02Event JSON
{
"id": "6064622356af3d80ea2e72d72dc487bd282159ecb3cf9204c0a1a1db907463bf",
"pubkey": "71189be12aae4b38fb69a21031faf4b753064b37d324307f89768f71899c3bfa",
"created_at": 1692758522,
"kind": 1,
"tags": [
[
"t",
"VPN"
],
[
"t",
"privacy"
],
[
"t",
"privacy"
],
[
"t",
"Privacy"
],
[
"t",
"privacy"
],
[
"p",
"3f770d65d3a764a9c5cb503ae123e62ec7598ad035d836e2a810f3877a745b24",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"01ddee289b1a2e90874ca3428a7a414764a6cad1abfaa985c201e7aada16d38c",
"",
"mention"
],
[
"p",
"c998a5739f04f7fff202c54962aa5782b34ecb10d6f915bdfdd7582963bf9171",
"",
"mention"
]
],
"content": "Since nostr:npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424 and nostr:npub1q8w7u2ymrghfpp6v5dpg57jpgaj2djk340a2npwzq8n64ksk6wxq8aw95u have been talking about #VPN recently, I thought I would make a post since this is an area I am knowledgeable in.\n\nFirst thing to note is that VPNs are not the be all and end all of #privacy. You need to assess your own privacy needs / threat model and construct a layered strategy such that if one level got compromised, the others would still be there to protect you.\n\nFor example, use a reputable VPN along with an encrypted email provider such as Proton Mail or Tutanota, an encrypted messenger such as Signal, Session, or nostr:npub1exv22uulqnmlluszc4yk92jhs2e5ajcs6mu3t00a6avzjcalj9csm7d828 , etc. If you really need it, use Tor to further protect your online presence.\n\nSecond, whoever is tunneling your Internet traffic, has the ability to monitor it. Therefore, when you use a VPN, you are not anonymous. The VPN provider can see your IP and your online activity if they want to. That is why you need to select a VPN provider carefully. You are transferring your trust from your internet provider to them. Fortunately, there are a few VPN providers such as Mullvad, IVPN, and Proton VPN that have a very good reputation in the #privacy community for not logging user activity, minimizing the customer data they collect, open-sourcing their apps, and sharing independent security audits of their service.\n\nUsing a VPN should be part of an overall strategy to protect your privacy - but only if you trust the VPN provider more than your ISP.\n\nThird, if you are using a VPN provider that runs YouTube ads, sponsors YouTube channels, or was recommended by a YouTuber that isn't a privacy advocate, then almost certainly you are using a VPN company that has the best affiliate program, rather than the best VPN service! (Think: NordVPN, ExpressVPN)\n\nI personally use Proton VPN because I am a Proton Visionary member and it is included in my Proton suite. I am happy with it. However, if you want to take it to the maxx, then perhaps Mullvad or IVPN is for you. These services do not even collect an email address, and IVPN even has a Warrant Canary.\n\nThis post is long enough so I will create an additional post with some #Privacy related resources to get you started on your journey. If #privacy related content interests you, follow me as I will be posting more.\n\nLINKS:\nhttps://mullvad.net/en\nhttps://www.ivpn.net/\nhttps://protonvpn.com/\n\nIVPN Warrant Canary:\nhttps://www.ivpn.net/resources/canary.txt",
"sig": "8b0ef874e58a23fc5b3081a8c3a155c2aa7d66373535a8dd265799b71e3fc765bb1b8f41776c10f1975d4d41d5aa5c84afc82acf76e563cc6108cc37f28f2457"
}