So everyone says to use a vpn but is it really needed i havent really pirated before so im not too sure, and i migh tnot but who knows. Are there free alternatives to vpns that are safe what are some options or choices we have? becasue most vpns dont allow torrenting or are pricey and the free ones are just bad. so what can we do?

  • DRx@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    2 years ago

    Nothing is ever free. You pay somewhere.

    Mullvad the best VPN around (IMHO) is 5euro (5.40 usd)/Month … Not very expensive (one again IMHO)

    PIA is what, $40/yr, or something like that

    I wouldn’t risk it without a VPN. I guess you could use TOR or i2p, but I don’t use enough of either to make a valid comment on its use.

    • ShySpark@lemmy.fmhy.mlOPEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      well dang, do you know if there are such a things as one time payment vpn’s or is that not a thing?

      • PropaGandalf@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        2 years ago

        Nope, there isn’t anything like a lifetime VPN and if you find one it’s probably a scam just like “free” ones where you are obviously the product. Mullvad is also not very expensive (5$/month) and extremely secure (no email or any identifiers, payment with Monero, sign up over Tor, wireguard tunnels). VPNs are services that generate costs from your usage unlike software that you develop once and then sell to make up the costs. Also keep in mind that VPNs only protect your IP from the other services you are accessing on the clearnet: they aren’t a one size fits it all solution. Consider other OPSEC measures depending on your threat level.

      • ollie@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5·
        2 years ago

        you don’t pay for lifetime packages for services that cost the provider money on a month to month basis like a VPN, any service that does this is a huge red flag.

        the service will probably go bankrupt before you get your money’s worth out of it

      • DRx@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        Im not sure, sorry. If you want to have your anonymity protected, sometimes you gotta pay a little for it. And that isn’t always all that needs to be done. Check out this video if you want more info on staying anonymous online and why VPNs arent the end all be all anyways.