A list of VPN providers that have had full security audits on their infrastructure and any applications
VPN is an acronym for Virtual Private Network.
A VPN is a network technology that creates a secure network connection over a public network such as the Internet or a private network owned by a service provider. Large corporations, educational institutions, and government agencies use VPN technology to enable remote users to securely connect to a private network.
A VPN can connect multiple sites over a large distance just like a Wide Area Network (WAN). VPNs are often used to extend intranets worldwide to disseminate information and news to a wide user base. Educational institutions use VPNs to connect campuses that can be distributed across the country or around the world.
In order to gain access to the private network, a user must be authenticated using a unique identification and a password. An authentication token is often used to gain access to a private network through a personal identification number (PIN) that a user must enter.
VPN in the way we mean and use it is not that much different to the described way. We join a virtual private network from a VPN provider and get a not public routed IP and can access the internet through NAT (like adding default gateway to the VPN one). And for securing our connection they also do not log anything (<- that's not standard, but should be with a good provider)
Many people agree "If you're not paying for it, then you are the product." Hosting a VPN service can be very expensive and any VPN service that offers free service has to pay their bills some how. A free VPN service is not recommended.
The sad reality is - Most VPNs suck when paid, a free VPN is almost always a mistake if security or privacy is a concern. (Link specifically referring to VPNs found on Android devices, but this is relevant to the VPN industry generally)
The Center for Copyright Information (CCI), the US organization tasked with developing a workable system for "punishing infringement of copyright" on the web, has explained how the six strikes program for US internet users will work. More Information can be found in this article
Not that easy to answer, since everyone will have other personal preferences
Personally I would say 5-10€ are fine
For gaming, no, it will increase your latency (ping) too much, and isn't really needed. The only times it could help would be when you log into the game with username/password, or if the game has an online/in-game store you're buying from with a real credit card. You should verify that communications with the login screen and store are encrypted (as they should be and probably are on every major online game) before using it.
For shopping - if the shopping site uses https:// for every page, or at least the payment pages, then it is already encrypted for those pages. Anyone listening in will only be able to see what site you are shopping at, but the not the contents of your communications with it. If you want to eliminate the possibility of eavesdroppers or men-in-the-middle seeing even what store you are shopping at then you should use a VPN.
Just for VPNing on a single computer? No.
Members
Online
