Resolved VPN - Do I Need It?

I am a long time user and subscriber of Malwarebytes standard. They offer VPN which sounds interesting but I haven't added it as I'm not really sure what it is and how it might affect my computer usage. I don't do regular streaming of movies and such.
I have COX wifi internet in my apartment. The apartment complex offers wifi internet but it is basically unsecured.
I have 2 desktops and two laptops running W10 and W11.. I seldom use the laptops outside my apartment.
Adding the VPN sounds like an interesting idea to me but I wonder if there may be negative points that outweigh the positive. Would appreciate any thoughts.

 

There are a couple good "legitimate" reasons for using a VPN. For example, if you travel outside the of the US and need access to your bank, a VPN can make it appear to your bank that you are still in the US and allow access. Well, I said a couple but that's about the only "legitimate" reason I can think of since some financial and government (and maybe insurance) sites don't allow access from foreign locations.

Yes, it does improve security and privacy by encrypting your internet traffic, making it unreadable by your ISP, hackers and the FBI or CIA, the FSB (formally the KGB), or the MSS (China's spooks). It also may stop ISPs from throttling your service based on your activities - if you stream multiple, big bandwidth streams at once, for example.

However, if you use a modern OS and keep it current, if you use a decent anti-malware solution and keep it current, if you avoid being "click-happy" on unsolicited links and popups, using a VPN makes you more secure about as much as adding a 3rd deadbolt to your door, on top of the security the 2 deadbolts and regular doorknob lock already provide.

Also, if you ALWAYS ensure you have a secure connection to the websites you visit by ensuring the URL connects via "hypertext transfer protocol secure" (HTTPS), that already encrypts the data exchanged between your browser and the site, providing protection from eavesdroppers AS WELL AS ensuring the authenticity of the site.

On the downside, a VPN can impact internet performance due to the resources used to encrypt the data and because the VPN server likely is some distance away, compared to your ISP's server. Some sites can sense VPN activity and because bad guys routinely use a VPN to hide, sites seeing that behavior may block access out of an "abundance of caution".

FTR, I've interacted with you on this site enough to know you are a conscientious computer user, disciplined in "practicing safe computing". We know you keep your OS and security current and you are not "click happy" on every unsolicited link and popup you see. And I feel it is also safe to assume you also ensure you connect via https (and not just http). Since the user is, always has been and always will be the weakest link in security, you already have that HUGE layer of security covered.

Also FTR, I too have Cox. While I would never say Cox (or any ISP) is 100% trustworthy, I will say I trust them enough to feel confident they are not spying on me. I also am confident that the FBI is not spying on me. Why? Because I don't hog bandwidth with suspicious activities and I don't participate in illegal activities. And I am not a spy for any government. So I should not be attracting that sort of attention.

As for badguys, they are lazy opportunists and I am not sitting on top of a pile of gold and precious gems or cash they might be after. I am not privy to any government or corporate trade secrets. I've done nothing worth being blackmailed over. And I "practice safe computing" too.

So "IF" a badguy happens by and stops to see if my front door is locked (my OS and security are current), they will see it is locked. And if they knock on the door to see if I immediately open the door and invite the bad guy in without challenging him/her first, they will see I don't (because I'm not "click-happy"). So, being a lazy opportunist, they will move on to easier pickings and try another door.

In other words, and IMO, if you practice safe computing and you are not specifically and personally being targeted due to your on-line activities, you don't need a VPN on top of your regular security.

I also have Malwarebytes Premium and access to their VPN. IMO, for me (and for you, Robert), even if only $3.33/month, it is not worth it. We already are secure enough.

Having said that, a VPN may add a little peace of mind, if nothing else. I believe there is a free trial version for Malwarebytes VPN. It won't hurt to try it and "should" be easy to disable/opt out before getting stuck with a recurring subscription fee, if you decide it is not for you.

Oh, another factor that may be worth considering is if you regularly have guests or other members of your household who don't practice safe computing, or who might use your computers for nefarious deeds. Then you might need all the security you can get.

Edit comment: Fixed a couple typos.

 

Bill,
Thanks for the great turotial. I feel much better - the ads always make you feel you are in imminent danger if you don't take advantage of their "offer". I may do the trial like you suggested. It should be interesting just to try it out for a while.

 

That is why they are rich and we are not.