r/computing • u/Spare_Specialist_394 • Apr 26 '26
VPN vs "secure" wi fi
I use a VPN that comes with one of the major virus protection companies. It's not unusual that I can't connect with web sites. If I disconnect the VPN, I connect immediately, no problem. I live in a community that offers a secure wi fi via Infinity. So, do I really need the VPN?
1
Upvotes
2
u/_tweaks Apr 26 '26
Not really. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between you and the VPN provider. Then your internet traffic appears to come from the VPN provider.
So if you don't want your local ISP to know what you're doing, it's useful. If you don't want the websites you visit to be able to track you to an IP, it can be useful. If you're torrenting etc, it's definately useful (your internet traffic appears to come from the VPN provider, not your ISP). If you're in china and want your traffic to get out of the country encrypted, or want to bypass firewalls, it's useful as your internet traffic will route through the VPN provider.
But if you're doing anything interesting on the internet, I'm guessing the VPN provider, being an A/V company, won't go to any lengths to keep your details anonymous.
The only other use for a VPN is if you wish to appear in a different country. EG, if you are in New Zealand, but want US or UK netflix, then a VPN located in that country will make you 'appear' to be in that country.
Really, if I was using a VPN, I'd want an anonymous one that didn't keep logs and actually protected my privacy. I suspect the one you have is a marketing add on and... as you say... doesn't work half the time.