Discussion
I’ve been in the USA for the past couple of weeks. The BBC blocked me from watching the women’s World Cup so I signed up for a trial with ExpressVPN. That solved the problem and I’ve since been reading that a VPN service is good for keeping my browsing etc., secure.
I’m still in the free trial period but there have been a couple of issues such as a reluctance for my iPhone to connect to Starbucks WiFi and similar with some other networks. Also I’m unable to connect my 3Mobile app to check usage unless I turn off the VPN.
My question is whether Express is the best VPN or are there others that work better?
I’m still in the free trial period but there have been a couple of issues such as a reluctance for my iPhone to connect to Starbucks WiFi and similar with some other networks. Also I’m unable to connect my 3Mobile app to check usage unless I turn off the VPN.
My question is whether Express is the best VPN or are there others that work better?
One of my pet hates atm is the bulls
t scaremongering around VPNs.
All a VPN does is encrypt your data to an endpoint, which then connects to the internet via their connection.
This is great if you're using the internet in a coffee shop or a train and want to encrypt it from people watching (Even though webpages now a days use https anyway, so the point to point is encrypted), or you want to hide traffic flow from your ISP because of region locks or adult content filters. Otherwise, if you're a normal person, on a home broadband, they're pointless.
The other fun thing to think, is all this data you want to hide from someone else on your local network, you are freely giving to this one company that supplies the VPN. Literally everything now gets given to them.
As for VPNs, if you want to use one that you pay for, PIA as mentioned above is a good shout. NordVPN too.
If you are slightly techy, you can just run a VPN server at your home and VPN to that when you're out and about. Its free and you are encrypted and there's no traffic shaping/bandwidth limitations!
t scaremongering around VPNs.All a VPN does is encrypt your data to an endpoint, which then connects to the internet via their connection.
This is great if you're using the internet in a coffee shop or a train and want to encrypt it from people watching (Even though webpages now a days use https anyway, so the point to point is encrypted), or you want to hide traffic flow from your ISP because of region locks or adult content filters. Otherwise, if you're a normal person, on a home broadband, they're pointless.
The other fun thing to think, is all this data you want to hide from someone else on your local network, you are freely giving to this one company that supplies the VPN. Literally everything now gets given to them.
As for VPNs, if you want to use one that you pay for, PIA as mentioned above is a good shout. NordVPN too.
If you are slightly techy, you can just run a VPN server at your home and VPN to that when you're out and about. Its free and you are encrypted and there's no traffic shaping/bandwidth limitations!
Lazadude said:
One of my pet hates atm is the bullst scaremongering around VPNs.
All a VPN does is encrypt your data to an endpoint, which then connects to the internet via their connection.
This is great if you're using the internet in a coffee shop or a train and want to encrypt it from people watching (Even though webpages now a days use https anyway, so the point to point is encrypted), or you want to hide traffic flow from your ISP because of region locks or adult content filters. Otherwise, if you're a normal person, on a home broadband, they're pointless.
The other fun thing to think, is all this data you want to hide from someone else on your local network, you are freely giving to this one company that supplies the VPN. Literally everything now gets given to them.
As for VPNs, if you want to use one that you pay for, PIA as mentioned above is a good shout. NordVPN too.
If you are slightly techy, you can just run a VPN server at your home and VPN to that when you're out and about. Its free and you are encrypted and there's no traffic shaping/bandwidth limitations!
Thanks for that. I understand that the VPN is not necessary while I’m at home using my own broadband. It’s more for while out and about and particularly whilst abroad.t scaremongering around VPNs.All a VPN does is encrypt your data to an endpoint, which then connects to the internet via their connection.
This is great if you're using the internet in a coffee shop or a train and want to encrypt it from people watching (Even though webpages now a days use https anyway, so the point to point is encrypted), or you want to hide traffic flow from your ISP because of region locks or adult content filters. Otherwise, if you're a normal person, on a home broadband, they're pointless.
The other fun thing to think, is all this data you want to hide from someone else on your local network, you are freely giving to this one company that supplies the VPN. Literally everything now gets given to them.
As for VPNs, if you want to use one that you pay for, PIA as mentioned above is a good shout. NordVPN too.
If you are slightly techy, you can just run a VPN server at your home and VPN to that when you're out and about. Its free and you are encrypted and there's no traffic shaping/bandwidth limitations!
PIA looks ok but they don’t offer a free trial which puts me off a bit.
Duke of Kidderminster said:
run one at home instead. it's super easy to set up and costs very little for the kit. and then it's free after that
^^ This. My mother in law lives in Germany, I run a VPN on a Raspberry Pi so she can watch BBC etc. Works flawlessly. http://www.pivpn.io/
bad company said:
...there have been a couple of issues such as a reluctance for my iPhone to connect to Starbucks WiFi and similar with some other networks.
I believe the Starbucks free wifi doesn't work with a VPN as they're giving you the free wifi in return for your personal details.bad company said:
Also I’m unable to connect my 3Mobile app to check usage unless I turn off the VPN.
That shows the VPN is working, as the app will think you're located elsewhere 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
You're not transferring anything worth encrypting - no user accounts/login, nothing. Why do you need a simple request encrypted - you are only pulling publically available information from a single page? Anyone "listening" to your traffic can see the requests the same with or without https.Edited by Order66 on Thursday 27th June 19:55
bad company said:
I’m home now and ExpressVPN is working well. I’m just looking at how to pay without setting up a recurring payment. I don’t do Bitcoin so perhaps pay with PayPal then cancel any future payments through PP.
Anyone know another way? I hate recurring payments.
If you’re at home, why would you use a VPN? You’re safer using your home connection if you’re only doing legitimate stuff in the ‘net.Anyone know another way? I hate recurring payments.
bad company said:
Scobblelotcher said:
If you’re at home, why would you use a VPN? You’re safer using your home connection if you’re only doing legitimate stuff in the ‘net.
Because I’ll be away again in a few weeks. I spend about 4 months of the year out of the country.
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