Re: Virual Private Networks - Installation and Use
Originally Posted by
Susan68
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Interesting thanks. I was thinking of getting a VPN but not sure it's worth it now.
You say people can track which sites you go on... say you go on ebay, do they only know you visited ebay or can they find out what you bought, how much you spent, if you're a seller, you're name/password etc???
There are a lot of technical questions there. The main thing to remember that web sites need to know who you are to be able to send the correct information to you rather than the bloke down the road.
You have an IP address which is sort of your ID, I have a fixed IP address so when ever I am on line my IP number similar to 220.263.157.234 stays s the same (I have changed some digits in that number). Other providers give you a different number each time you use their service. but that IP address is assigned to the location you live in.
When you use an VPN service you set up a tunnel or an encoded path from your computer to the VPN using your IP address. The VPN service then assigns you another IP address which is local to them (ie if I was using my Swiss VPN server I would appear as if I am resident in Switzerland).
A powerful computer would be able to analyse the server's incoming traffic and compare it with the out going traffic to work out over a long time who you were contacting but it is not easy just because of the sheer mass of traffic. So unless the NSA or GHQ was looking for you no one would bother.
To check your IP address and location click on this link
https://www.iplocation.net/find-ip-address
https://www.whatismyip.com/
Actually they think I am in Armidale in northern NSW which I am not so they are not fool proof but you will be surprised what they know about your computer.
Someone previously put up a good explanation of reasons for using a VPN service so I won't delve into that.
The information that your browser supplies is, as I say, necessary for the web site like Ebay or OFF to be able to contact you back with the information requested (by clicking for example) and normally it is not something to worry about. The information about what you bought would not normally be available to anybody so generally speaking no worries there. Nothing is 100% but the chances are remote as long as you take normal precaution like anti virus using httpS sites etc.
Personally I have my browser set so that when I exit it all cookies are deleted - there are disadvantages to this because, for example, your browser will no longer be recognised by OFF next time you visit them and will have to log in every time you visit.