VPN or not VPN

[merideur]

Hi everyone,

Last year I had a Trojan Horse inside my laptop from a hacker….

Can someone help me with some tips on how to get VPN, which one is the most secure, will this protect really my laptop, what about my 7 email address : will they be protected as well ? will I access internet securely without risking to get a new virus?

Thanks all for your helping tips

Edited June 15, 2016 by Rimmer
Please do not post in wild fonts, thank you

[Swiss1960]

Hi everyone,

Last year I had a Trojan Horse inside my laptop from a hacker….

Can someone help me with some tips on how to get VPN, which one is the most secure, will this protect really my laptop, what about my 7 email address : will they be protected as well ? will I access internet securely without risking to get a new virus?

Thanks all for your helping tips

VPN does NOT secure your laptop, it only secures the communication between your laptop and your chosen VPN endpoint. In order to secure your laptop (same is true for any mobile phones), you have to

1. Install and maintain a good anti-virus solution with a web reputation module included (i.e. McAfee is not bad, but also free stuff available)

2. Stop surfing on too many shaddy (porn) websites and download all the freebies...

3. Stop opening all the "I am so hot..." mails and not click on all the links in those mails...

[Lannig]

+1

VPN will do absolutely nothing to protect your computer, it will only protect you from prying government eyes. And only up to a certain point.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Lannig

[gk10002000]

My golden rules. 1: Install free AVIRA antivirus software. Basically a standard in Europe I was told by a friend of mine. I use it here in the USA. Very unobtrusive and very effective. 2: Install and run Malawarebyte. 3: Install and run CCcleaner. 4: For VPNs I don't use one routinely here in the USA but to play some free games online that for some reason are blocked to US IPs, I run KISS now and then. All this stuff is free.

[Lannig]

Avira a standard in Europe? not by far. Maybe in Germany since it's a German company and even so I'm not sure.

Avast leads the free a/v market in most EU countries like almost everywhere I think. Then AVG comes second.

I've been using Avira for a couple of years and indeed, it was kind of less intrusive and heavy than Avast at that time.

Pretty much the same now IMO.

Edited June 14, 2016 by Lannig

[Swiss1960]

My golden rules. 1: Install free AVIRA antivirus software. Basically a standard in Europe I was told by a friend of mine. I use it here in the USA. Very unobtrusive and very effective. 2: Install and run Malawarebyte. 3: Install and run CCcleaner. 4: For VPNs I don't use one routinely here in the USA but to play some free games online that for some reason are blocked to US IPs, I run KISS now and then. All this stuff is free.

Free or not free is a question of the value of the data you want to protect and also a questio about how many ads you want to see daily...

Most paid for products offer all you describe in 1-3 and have more features like password keepers, safe vault for data etc etc.

I am using a paid-for McAfee product that gives me unlimited licenses for all phones, tablets, laptops and desktop in the family as well as protection of the home network which we use for data sharing.

All giving me peace of mind for less than $100 per year or less than $15 per device

[Scotwight]

The main benefit of a VPN is keeping your data secure by encrypting it while you work in public places where people might be watching. They can also protect from viruses as some have built in scanners for viruses.

Edited June 15, 2016 by Rimmer
Please do not post in wild fonts, thank you

[moonseeker]

My golden rules. 1: Install free AVIRA antivirus software. Basically a standard in Europe I was told by a friend of mine. I use it here in the USA. Very unobtrusive and very effective. 2: Install and run Malawarebyte. 3: Install and run CCcleaner. 4: For VPNs I don't use one routinely here in the USA but to play some free games online that for some reason are blocked to US IPs, I run KISS now and then. All this stuff is free.

+ 1, excellent recommendation. Could add Spybot to the list. But most people overdue scanning and security. :-) MS>

[Scotwight]

I use windows defender. It comes with Win 10. It finds stuff that my other virus programs didn't find. I also use CC cleaner.

[Rimmer]

Moved to computer forum

[Pib]

The main benefit of a VPN is keeping your data secure by encrypting it while you work in public places where people might be watching. They can also protect from viruses as some have built in scanners for viruses.

What VPN service has built in anti-virus scanning?

[Pib]

VPN will not protect you from malware....VPN just creates an encrypted connection to where others can not read it...and a VPN service can also give you an IP address for another location/country for those cases where a website might be blocking access or certain content on the website from certain countries. VPN can also speed up your connection in many cases when your local internet provider seems to throttle speed especially to international servers/websites. Even with a VPN running if you download a malware infected file or email, the only only thing that was different from a non-VPN connection is the file/email was encrypted while traveling to you....it still arrives fully intact ready to do all it's nasty stuff.

But if you do want a good VPN service PureVPN works good & fast and currently has a special going on for $2.08 per month for unlimited bandwidth, 5 devices concurrent logon. It has made a big difference in my international speeds/web surfing and allows me to reach a couple of U.S. sites that block Thailand IP addresses....I'm in Bangkok on True internet.

What you need is an antivirus program running on your computer....many, many free and paid ones to choose from.

[Scotwight]

The main benefit of a VPN is keeping your data secure by encrypting it while you work in public places where people might be watching. They can also protect from viruses as some have built in scanners for viruses.

What VPN service has built in anti-virus scanning?

SecureLine VPN – version built-in into Avast Antivirus

[Pib]

The main benefit of a VPN is keeping your data secure by encrypting it while you work in public places where people might be watching. They can also protect from viruses as some have built in scanners for viruses.

What VPN service has built in anti-virus scanning?

SecureLine VPN – version built-in into Avast Antivirus

OK...thanks. I see those two Avast products are actually separate products either subscribed to as a combo package or each one subscribed to separately...and the Avast AntiVirus comes with an option to activate/subscribe to Avast SecureLineVPN from within Avast AntiVirus.

Even if a person don't want to use Avast AntiVirus because they prefer/use another antivirus product they could still subscribe to the standalone version of Avast SecureLine VPN. Or vice versa,use Avast AntiVirus but use another VPN service.

https://www.avast.com/faq.php?article=AVKB63#idt_060

Edited June 15, 2016 by Pib

[Scotwight]

No discussion about VPNs would be complete without mentioning smart TV and accessing content that is geographically restricted. Make sure your TV has an OS that can accommodate a VPN or be prepared to put it on your router.

[tricybell]

As you might have gone through the whole thread and come to the realization that a VPN only protects your end to end communications online, and because all of your data gets encrypted through a VPN, so no can make sense of data that's being sent and received from your device.

Secondly, for Choosing an antivirus for yourself, you can go through this article of PCMAG. My personal pick would be Avira Antivirus. It's lite, smooth and effective.

Regarding the VPN, you can go through this article of ReviewsDIR in which they have mentioned the Best Free VPN apps (Although I am not in the favor of free VPNs). My preference would be the 2nd one on the list- CyberGhost.

I hope that answers the question.

[johnh869]

Use free "Panda"...

[koo]

The main benefit of a VPN is keeping your data secure by encrypting it while you work in public places where people might be watching. They can also protect from viruses as some have built in scanners for viruses.

What VPN service has built in anti-virus scanning?

F-Secure Freedome. Very easy to use, scans & drops harmful content and trackers from your data payload, Try for free 14 days.

[Suradit69]

I use windows defender. It comes with Win 10. It finds stuff that my other virus programs didn't find. I also use CC cleaner.

I've got Malwarebytes and Defender. I used to use a paid version Kaspersky, but it vanished the first time I attempted an upgrade from Windows 7 to 10.

Is Defender adequate, along with Malwarebytes? Defender is certainly far less intrusive than either McAfee or Kaspersky, but I sometimes wonder if it's really doing anything.

[gandalf12]

Many people use the free Anti-Virus, personally I disagree with that. You will not get the protection from a free Anti-Virus that you will from paid software. My recommendation would be either Bit Defender or Kaspersky. Incidentally I have a couple of spare licenses for Bit Defender as a bought a 3 license but have only used 1

[elgordo38]

VPN will not protect you from malware....VPN just creates an encrypted connection to where others can not read it...and a VPN service can also give you an IP address for another location/country for those cases where a website might be blocking access or certain content on the website from certain countries. VPN can also speed up your connection in many cases when your local internet provider seems to throttle speed especially to international servers/websites. Even with a VPN running if you download a malware infected file or email, the only only thing that was different from a non-VPN connection is the file/email was encrypted while traveling to you....it still arrives fully intact ready to do all it's nasty stuff.

But if you do want a good VPN service PureVPN works good & fast and currently has a special going on for $2.08 per month for unlimited bandwidth, 5 devices concurrent logon. It has made a big difference in my international speeds/web surfing and allows me to reach a couple of U.S. sites that block Thailand IP addresses....I'm in Bangkok on True internet.

What you need is an antivirus program running on your computer....many, many free and paid ones to choose from.

I notice when I turn on my VPN all I get is the spinning wheel and loading loading loading. I have the paid for Avast but the Safezone Browers seems useless.

[elgordo38]

VPN will not protect you from malware....VPN just creates an encrypted connection to where others can not read it...and a VPN service can also give you an IP address for another location/country for those cases where a website might be blocking access or certain content on the website from certain countries. VPN can also speed up your connection in many cases when your local internet provider seems to throttle speed especially to international servers/websites. Even with a VPN running if you download a malware infected file or email, the only only thing that was different from a non-VPN connection is the file/email was encrypted while traveling to you....it still arrives fully intact ready to do all it's nasty stuff.

But if you do want a good VPN service PureVPN works good & fast and currently has a special going on for $2.08 per month for unlimited bandwidth, 5 devices concurrent logon. It has made a big difference in my international speeds/web surfing and allows me to reach a couple of U.S. sites that block Thailand IP addresses....I'm in Bangkok on True internet.

What you need is an antivirus program running on your computer....many, many free and paid ones to choose from.

I notice when I turn on my VPN all I get is the spinning wheel and loading loading loading. I have the paid for Avast but the Safezone Browers seems useless.

[Pib]

I notice when I turn on my VPN all I get is the spinning wheel and loading loading loading. I have the paid for Avast but the Safezone Browers seems useless.

Do some speedtests with the VPN on and off. Maybe your VPN connection/server is slower than your non-VPN connection.

Also, not only the fact you are using a VPN connection but what VPN server location are you using....maybe back-in the U.S. or Europe which might be a slow VPN connection due to the location/distance....if so, try a VPN server closer to Thailand like in Singapore.

And all VPN service providers are not created equal....some services are faster than others according to reviews which test a variety of VPN service providers. Just for example I have recently got PureVPN service and I also still have StrongVPN service which I've had for many years. But come August I will not be renewing the StrongVPN service as PureVPN is faster and cheaper.

[facthailand]

BolehVPN from Malaysia is versatile, fast, reliable, and cheap. Private Internet Access is my current VPN.

To simply protect your browser activity and permit circumvention, I suggest using the free Opera Developer browser which has built-in VPN for all traffic: http://www.opera.com/blogs/desktop/2016/04/free-vpn-integrated-opera-for-windows-mac/. Version 39 & above. Remember, this will not VPN other applications like LINE or torrents.

Anyone with experience in VPN security protocols? Which is most secure: PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEv2 or OpenVPN?

[Pib]

Anyone with experience in VPN security protocols? Which is most secure: PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEv2 or OpenVPN?

http://best10vpn.com/what-is-the-difference-between-pptp-l2tpipsec-sstp-ikev2-and-openvpn/

https://www.bestvpn.com/blog/4147/pptp-vs-l2tp-vs-openvpn-vs-sstp-vs-ikev2/

http://www.howtogeek.com/211329/which-is-the-best-vpn-protocol-pptp-vs.-openvpn-vs.-l2tpipsec-vs.-sstp/

https://www.expressvpn.com/internet-privacy/protocols/

And just a personal note on OpenVPN...you have two varieties OpenVPN-UDP and OpenVPN-TCP....usually UDP is significantly faster than TCP.

In my own personal testing, I've found PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN-UDP to be the fastest and very close to each other in speed...but I would generally give PPTP and OpenVPN-UDP a small speed edge over L2TP.

Most VPN service providers tend to recommend OpenVPN as the fastest and most secure.

[Skeptic7]

As many other have already explained, a VPN will not protect your devices from viruses or other malware/spyware, but will protect you from prying and spying eyes. That said, here are my suggestions if you want a VPN...

I use one as an added layer of protection and privacy for online banking and financial transactions.

PIA = Private Internet Access VPN. Cheap and very good. $40/year for unlimited access and devices. Easy to use and fairly fast.

Also...can use hide.me free version VPN if you only need part time privacy. They give 2GB of free VPN every month. Just renew your existing account for free limited VPN. Fairly simple to set up and use and VERY fast.

Edited June 16, 2016 by Skeptic7

[buckwhelk]

I can recommend HideMyAss VPN. I used to have StrongVPN but it slowed my connection speed drastically.

[Pib]

I can recommend HideMyAss VPN. I used to have StrongVPN but it slowed my connection speed drastically.

I've been with StrongVPN since 2011, renewed every year, next renewal coming up in Aug 16. I got a good deal on one of their packages back in 2011 at around $55/year or $4.58/mo (and that was super excellent price back then but now kinda average). I never did really got what I considered fast VPN speed from Bangkok to the U.S. using StrongVPN but it was OK since the price was right and their reliability was like 99.9999%. I too had a really slow speed problem with StrongVPN about a month ago....got them involved...they switched me around on some servers and got it back up to its normal speed for me.

A few weeks ago PureVPN was having a birthday promotion (it's ended already) to celebrate 9 years of being in business and they had a 2 year plan for $49.99 (actually a 1 yr plan with 1 yr free) which worked out to $2.08 a month. That promotion is now over...back to regular price of $4.99/mo based on a 1 year subscription when I last looked today. PureVPN blows away StrongVPNs in terms of speed from my testing here in Bangkok to the U.S. I won't be renewing with StrongVPN subscription come Aug since PureVPN is working out so well and is fast--hope that continues.

[MJCM]

@Pib.

They (PureVPN) now have a new discount offering

Use Coupon Code "EURO16" to get additional 30% Discount

Edited June 18, 2016 by MJCM

[Pib]

@Pib.

They (PureVPN) now have a new discount offering

Use Coupon Code "EURO16" to get additional 30% Discount

Yea, I saw that but figured it was already calculated into their promotion price of $4.99/mo...but I was wrong...my bad for assuming without testing. Thanks for spotting that. When clicking to signup you can then enter the promotion code...the 30% reduction is then applied, the price drops, and you end up with $3.50/mo.