VPN?

[t-rey]

So lets say after years of not having cable and being impatient about waiting for things to hit Netflix, I got an email from my internet provider explaining that they'd very much like if I wasn't using their internets for torrents. And let's also say that I've got little intention of doing so.

I've done some little bits of research and have come across PIA, Torguard, and NordVPN as viable options for more or less the same price per month. Any input on these or others that would serve me well around the same price point ($30-50 per year)? Ease of use is a plus, as I'll probably just turn it on/off when doing things worthy of VPNing, and leaving full connection speeds for streaming, etc.

Also, is it ill advised that I pick up a VPN and continue torrenting at all given the email, or is it nothing to worry about?

[Jwar]

God damn, they've already started that shit with ISP's huh? That's fucked up.

I think a VPN would be fine. It's a pain in the ass and slower, but it will work.

[t-rey]

God damn, they've already started that shit with ISP's huh? That's fucked up.

I think a VPN would be fine. It's a pain in the ass and slower, but it will work.

They've been doing it for years and years. I've just been one of the lucky ones that hadn't received a notice yet. I assume it will be exponentially worse if all the anti-privacy shit goes as terribly as it can/will/might.

[kaeth]

I use PIA, and have found it to be pretty great. Connection speed has not been a concern at all, but it takes a while to load when I boot up, so that's a bit of an inconvenience. I don't know what it's like in the US, but in Canada, ISPs generally just send harmless warnings with no intention to turn over private data without a warrant. Keeping your business is more important to them than whether you're using torrents. If you're using a VPN as well, then that's another redundancy to your benefit. Nothing is ever 100%, but you're reducing the likelihood of successful litigation significantly. It's harder to convince two companies to betray you than just one. You can encrypt on top of that as well. It's not so much about being bulletproof, but about being not-worth-the-hassle.

[popvulture]

I don't know what it's like in the US, but in Canada, ISPs generally just send harmless warnings with no intention to turn over private data without a warrant. Keeping your business is more important to them than whether you're using torrents.

I've never gotten a warning, but I've always been under the impression that the warnings are pretty harmless—I've yet to meet a single person who's gotten into real trouble (though I know they're out there).

That said, I've been thinking about doing a VPN or Tor, just because I'm in the same boat of believing shit's about to go way south in terms of privacy.

[t-rey]

I use PIA, and have found it to be pretty great. Connection speed has not been a concern at all, but it takes a while to load when I boot up, so that's a bit of an inconvenience. I don't know what it's like in the US, but in Canada, ISPs generally just send harmless warnings with no intention to turn over private data without a warrant. Keeping your business is more important to them than whether you're using torrents. If you're using a VPN as well, then that's another redundancy to your benefit. Nothing is ever 100%, but you're reducing the likelihood of successful litigation significantly. It's harder to convince two companies to betray you than just one. You can encrypt on top of that as well. It's not so much about being bulletproof, but about being not-worth-the-hassle.

Thanks for the input. PIA is the cheapest of the bunch right now (promotion on slickdeals - $50 for two years), and I'd imagine you're right in that just about anything that somewhat cloaks my traffic is enough to discourage further warnings and/or legal issues. The notice I got actually says that they have no intentions of turning over personal information as a matter of policy for copyright stuff, so that's nice of them, I guess. Even still, I'd much rather spend a few bucks a month and not have to worry about it any more. Of course, I could stop torrents, BUT THEN HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO WATCH TWIN PEAKS?

I've never gotten a warning, but I've always been under the impression that the warnings are pretty harmless—I've yet to meet a single person who's gotten into real trouble (though I know they're out there).

That said, I've been thinking about doing a VPN or Tor, just because I'm in the same boat of believing shit's about to go way south in terms of privacy.

Yep. All of this.

[D.o.S.]

PIA is legit. I use it for legitimate work (remote working if I have to go to a coffee shop or something) but it's great for whatever.

[D.o.S.]

Also I miss you why don't you post anymore.

[t-rey]

PIA is legit. I use it for legitimate work (remote working if I have to go to a coffee shop or something) but it's great for whatever.

Good to know. Looks like PIA will do me just fine.

Also I miss you why don't you post anymore.

The nighmarish hellscape that is having two jobs and a family. Plus we've moved twice recently. Now that we bought a new place I hope to be around at least somewhat regularly. You moved to England, yeah? How is it so far?

[D.o.S.]

Oh, you know. Grey, rainy, slight chance of terrorism.

Wouldn't trade it for the world, though.

[Achtane]

I use Tor and have still gotten notices.

[t-rey]

Oh, you know. Grey, rainy, slight chance of terrorism.

Wouldn't trade it for the world, though.

Two outta three aint bad? The whole of the UK is one of my bucket list trips...I hope to make it over there some day.

I use Tor and have still gotten notices.

Tor the browser, or the TorGuard VPN? Either way, duly noted.

And notices...plural? A person can just ignore them with little consequence?

[Dungus]

Use Opera browser. Comes with a built-in VPN.

[JonnyAngle]

Chances are that you'll never get prosecuted. But there's all that 1 in a million talk.

I use pia and haven't gotten any notices while using it. Downloads are def slower. I've also used it to watch Netflix "in France" to get a different mix of shows. the shows you see in Netflix are governed by your ip country code.

[Strange Tales]

Here's a detailed VPN list comparison:
https://thatoneprivacysite.net/vpn-comparison-chart/

Simple version:
https://thatoneprivacysite.net/simple-v ... son-chart/

FWIW, and I may be remembering wrong, but I think the guy that runs this site uses PIA. I may start using PIA.