VPN, to use or not to use, better security?

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
So, with the recent changes in legislation, there is a lot of concern that may or may not be entirely substantiated, privacy being violated and peoples' information being sold off because of government stupidity and fear-mongering and so forth. So, I've been doing research and trying to find out if paying monthly for a VPN is even worth it to gain some sense of security, but then I see a few potential issues:

- CIA puts people who use VPNs on a "list"
- Steam Client/Valve doesn't like people accessing VPN because of masking their location, and is a bannable offense*
- Not 100% guaranteed safety/security, i.e no VPN is absolutely perfect, some are better than others though

Are my fears of privacy violation overblown? Should I still go with a VPN, and given that I use Steam on a daily basis (mostly to communicate), will they still ban me even if I set the VPN location to the same location I use right now (if that's even feasible)? I just want to make Chrome/Firefox a bit safer, there is a plugin called Ghostering that "supposedly" hides data collection better, https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ghostery/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij?hl=en

I don't know how good that is, I just want to hear your guys' feedback, thanks ^_^


*only if people access from a place that doesn't allow Steam, to "spoof" locations, but if I don't do that, I don't get banned/flagged?
 
Last edited by the_randomizer,

Kioku

猫。子猫です!
Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
11,987
Trophies
2
Location
In the Murderbox!
Website
www.twitch.tv
XP
16,076
Country
United States
In all honesty, it's best to just assume nothings going to change. Your data is already accessible by the higher ups. Regardless of what you want to think. I know, it sounds like a tin foil conspiracy.. But if you're on the net, you're visible. So, going with a VPN now will offer no more security than going with a VPN 2 years ago.

The ISPs can sell your Internet data... Not your personal secrets.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
In all honesty, it's best to just assume nothings going to change. Your data is already accessible by the higher ups. Regardless of what you want to think. I know, it sounds like a tin foil conspiracy.. But if you're on the net, you're visible. So, going with a VPN now will offer no more security than going with a VPN 2 years ago.

The ISPs can sell your Internet data... Not your personal secrets.

So you're saying that I shouldn't be too worried?
 

Kioku

猫。子猫です!
Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
11,987
Trophies
2
Location
In the Murderbox!
Website
www.twitch.tv
XP
16,076
Country
United States
So you're saying that I shouldn't be too worried?

Up to you. I'm not. Nothing is changing. Just extra money and ad revenue to fill the pockets. Unless you're a pedo or have some sick secret that's tied to your Internet data? Doesn't seem like much to care for.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
Up to you. I'm not. Nothing is changing. Just extra money and ad revenue to fill the pockets. Unless you're a pedo or have some sick secret that's tied to your Internet data? Doesn't seem like much to care for.

I'd never go down that route, I just don't want to freak out about this is all.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
Last edited by the_randomizer,

Kioku

猫。子猫です!
Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
11,987
Trophies
2
Location
In the Murderbox!
Website
www.twitch.tv
XP
16,076
Country
United States
I'd never go down that route, I just don't want to freak out about this is all.
Then don't. Only so few people are making this out to be an issue. What's weird about it is that companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook... They've been selling your information for years. Google actually got called out on it a few years ago. This changes nothing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VinsCool

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
Then don't. Only so few people are making this out to be an issue. What's weird about it is that companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook... They've been selling your information for years. Google actually got called out on it a few years ago. This changes nothing.

Then may I ask why most people are freaking out over this as if it was a new development?
 

Kioku

猫。子猫です!
Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
11,987
Trophies
2
Location
In the Murderbox!
Website
www.twitch.tv
XP
16,076
Country
United States
Then may I ask why most people are freaking out over this as if it was a new development?
That's just how it works. They see ISP and assume that it opens the floodgates. Hell, even Verizon and AT&T are selling your data. It's not a new development. Anyone who knows how to use Google can find this information.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
That's just how it works. They see ISP and assume that it opens the floodgates. Hell, even Verizon and AT&T are selling your data. It's not a new development. Anyone who knows how to use Google can find this information.

Lucky I don't use AT&T or Verizon, but a somewhat lesser known provider, still, I just wanted to get your guys' feedback, and thank you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kioku

Kioku

猫。子猫です!
Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2007
Messages
11,987
Trophies
2
Location
In the Murderbox!
Website
www.twitch.tv
XP
16,076
Country
United States
Lucky I don't use AT&T or Verizon, but a somewhat lesser known provider, still, I just wanted to get your guys' feedback, and thank you.
I'm not trying to criticize people who use VPNs or other private networking.. But I don't like the fear mongering that's coming from this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: the_randomizer

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
I'm not trying to criticize people who use VPNs or other private networking.. But I don't like the fear mongering that's coming from this.

A valid point, I just don't want the government to royally screw us over, nothing more.

Valve generally only gives a shit if you are using a vpn to bypass regional restrictions to buy cheap games.

Right, so that's one potential thing I don't want to be an issue, I don't even know if you can keep the region the same with the VPN or not.
 

Joom

 ❤❤❤
Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
6,067
Trophies
1
Location
US
Website
mogbox.net
XP
6,075
Country
United States
You're better off renting an offshore VPS (I recommend Kimsufi) and running your own VPN from it. It's hard to find a reliable VPN provider that respects privacy. Even if they advertise it they can still retain usage logs and bend over for any legal entity.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
You're better off renting an offshore VPS (I recommend Kimsufi) and running your own VPN from it. It's hard to find a reliable VPN provider that respects privacy. Even if they advertise it they can still retain usage logs and bend over for any legal entity.

But would that effect Steam and would I be able to tell the app/client that my region is the same?

Edit: I can't read French, there's no English site for that VPN you suggested.
 
Last edited by the_randomizer,

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
It's not a VPN. They're a hosting provider, and yes there is an English version. No, it shouldn't affect Steam, but if you're gonna be playing games why would you be connected to a VPN in the first place?

I use Steam primarily to communicate, games yes, but mostly to talk to other people. I don't want them to stupidly flag my account, but can I still use that without having to change regions? Hopefully set up isn't too crazy for someone who never set up a server before.
 

Joom

 ❤❤❤
Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
6,067
Trophies
1
Location
US
Website
mogbox.net
XP
6,075
Country
United States
I use Steam primarily to communicate, games yes, but mostly to talk to other people. I don't want them to stupidly flag my account, but can I still use that without having to change regions? Hopefully set up isn't too crazy for someone who never set up a server before.
Yes. Also, all you have to do is install either Ubuntu or Debian on the server (this process is automated) and then Google how to setup an OpenVPN Access server on one of the two.
 

the_randomizer

The Temp's official fox whisperer
OP
Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2011
Messages
31,284
Trophies
2
Age
38
Location
Dr. Wahwee's castle
XP
18,967
Country
United States
Yes. Also, all you have to do is install either Ubuntu or Debian on the server (this process is automated) and then Google how to setup an OpenVPN Access server on one of the two.

Hmm, I'll need to think about this, maybe I am blowing this out of proportion, as freaking usual ><
 

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
    The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye: i always pee in the water