VPN: virtual private network

[Larry Ragman]

I use McAfee VPN on my home desktop. I was using it on my phone for a while but it absolutely kills battery life so I stopped.

I have another question for the forum. I do telemedicine--reading images online and submitting a report. I have licenses in 10 states so I can read images obtained in those 10 states, but was told by my malpractice insurer that I can only read them when I am physically in my home state. If I had a VPN, how would they know that I am physically in my home state? Sometimes I go on vacation to another state (where I happen to have a license) and it would be nice to still read those images and not give up that income while I'm in that vacation state. I am a little torn here. It would make me feel like I'm lying to the malpractice carrier if I read in another state but at the same time, it's still me reading the images--what difference does it make if I'm in another state (where I have a license)?

There are two questions as I see it.

Regarding the ethics of where you work relative to your insurance provider’s coverage, I have to leave that to other providers with similar business models. It seems close to fraud to have been told the terms of coverage and then make a claim outside those strictures. But perhaps someone here has an idea for a better carrier or a more flexible policy.

As for how anyone would know other than your honest answer if asked, the general technical answer is that the VPN IP address points to the geographic location of the server. If the provider only has one server location, then the IP address would always show there. However, if on travel the VPN provider may have repeaters/satellite sites that your session is redirected to in other parts of the country. If so, the IP address would indicate you were out of state.

[Senator]

By the way, I am comfortable with VPNs. I mostly work at the office, but whenever I work form home it is in a VPN environment. I put the level of effort at "inconvenient" advisedly. Not impossible or unreasonable. I'd likely change my mind if VPNs became easier or if I perceived the risk had increased.

I use McAfee VPN on my home desktop. I was using it on my phone for a while but it absolutely kills battery life so I stopped.

I have another question for the forum. I do telemedicine--reading images online and submitting a report. I have licenses in 10 states so I can read images obtained in those 10 states, but was told by my malpractice insurer that I can only read them when I am physically in my home state. If I had a VPN, how would they know that I am physically in my home state? Sometimes I go on vacation to another state (where I happen to have a license) and it would be nice to still read those images and not give up that income while I'm in that vacation state. I am a little torn here. It would make me feel like I'm lying to the malpractice carrier if I read in another state but at the same time, it's still me reading the images--what difference does it make if I'm in another state (where I have a license)?

[F0017S0]

Your mistake was using seven layers of Tor. You need at least eight layers of Tor. Up your onion game, man!

You gotta route your Tor traffic through the (Proton) VPN, man.

[Hank]

Your mistake was using seven layers of Tor. You need at least eight layers of Tor. Up your onion game, man!

[Kamban]

I have used Pure VPN for the past 10+ years. I usually get it when it is on sale at $70 for 5 years.Mainly to watch some TV programs from UK.

I never log into any financial sites when on the road. I use my phone's unlimited data at airports. If by chance I can't log in via T-mobile cellular data I use public wifi to browse news sites but no email and certainly no logging into bank or credit card accounts from that wifi.

[Tangler]

By the way, I am comfortable with VPNs. I mostly work at the office, but whenever I work form home it is in a VPN environment. I put the level of effort at "inconvenient" advisedly. Not impossible or unreasonable. I'd likely change my mind if VPNs became easier or if I perceived the risk had increased.

express VPN is pretty dang easy. automatic when i turn on computers & phone. I had to install but basically it is always running in background. easy peasy, but not free. another little expense. I suppose i think of it like locking my doors and turning on the alarm at home before i go to sleep. not full proof, tiny bit of ATP but makes me feel a little more secure.

[Larry Ragman]

Fair.

By the way, I am comfortable with VPNs. I mostly work at the office, but whenever I work form home it is in a VPN environment. I put the level of effort at "inconvenient" advisedly. Not impossible or unreasonable. I'd likely change my mind if VPNs became easier or if I perceived the risk had increased.

[Tangler]

I am not sure I really see the value. OK, extra security good, but how much is enough? I'm good with passwords, secure links to banks, reasonable network hygiene, and authentication of transactions. I suppose I could regret it if I am hacked anyway someday. But look at the case in point. She got her money back. Inconvenient, sure, but so is working in a VPN everyday.

Fair.

[Larry Ragman]

I am not sure I really see the value. OK, extra security good, but how much is enough? I'm good with passwords, secure links to banks, reasonable network hygiene, and authentication of transactions. I suppose I could regret it if I am hacked anyway someday. But look at the case in point. She got her money back. Inconvenient, sure, but so is working in a VPN everyday.

[F0017S0]

Proton doesn’t keep logs either; not sure about other services. Good way to keep Restricted Data as restricted, and out of the government’s hands, too…

[VagabondMD]

She likely used the public WiFi at the airport and maybe logged into a finance app or account. That's all it could take for a good hacker to get in.

I avoid public WiFi when possible if I'm accessing sensitive material - I use my phone's hotspot feature instead, which is definitely better, but not ideal.

I completely agree. Never use airport, hotel, restaurant, or other public wifi when logging into financial accounts unless you are protected by a VPN.

[xraygoggles]

Do any of you guys use a VPN at home? My sister lives in Norway. She recently sold a second home in USA. The money was put into her account (bank account in Al) she was hacked while flying out of NY and someone was able to wire transfer money from her bank account to an account in NY.

Someone was using her email to confirm the transactions and she was not available by phone because she was flying back to Norway.

Anyway, she said she went online in the airport to check work email from her phone in the airport and somehow they snagged her email and somehow they snagged her bank (which she did not log into).

The bank said they have insurance and they will reimburse her for the lost funds but wow.

Anyway, yesterday after I spoke with her via whatsapp I went online and got a VPN.

I am trying express VPN. So far I like it. (not a paid endorsement obviously)

Anyone else have a home VPN?

If you want an extra 30 days free for express VPN I can send you an email and give you a code. There is also several companies that will give you 3 months free with a promo code.

After the free codes looks like it is going to cost me around $5-10 per month for the next year.

I hate having another subscription but with a net worth over 4M and the ability to use it as a bus deduction I feel pretty dumb for not doing it sooner.

I have not noticed any slow down and it works on my i-phone, pc and apple laptop. Works with quickbooks (which connects to my bank ) and with all my websites.

She likely used the public WiFi at the airport and maybe logged into a finance app or account. That's all it could take for a good hacker to get in.

I avoid public WiFi when possible if I'm accessing sensitive material - I use my phone's hotspot feature instead, which is definitely better, but not ideal.

[xraygoggles]

Proton VPN paired with ProtonMail for all financial needs. Secure 2FA on both as well. I think I prepaid $240 for two years for both services.

Yep - I use these two as well.

I've also used Private Internet Access VPN in the past - really good alternative too.

[F0017S0]

Good COMSEC is essential…

[VagabondMD]

Proton VPN paired with ProtonMail for all financial needs. Secure 2FA on both as well. I think I prepaid $240 for two years for both services.

I use ProtonMail for all personal and financial communications. I use a VPN (Express VPN) when traveling if I am logging into accounts or making transactions. (Or when streaming video, which is rare, but I did need it to stream some of Game of Thrones final season while abroad.) I do not use the VPN at home. I should probably consider the VPN bundle with ProtonMail.