Sould I be using a US/UK based service?
I'm based in the UK, because of the 'Snoopers charter' I have spent quite a lot of time researching privacy over the last few weeks. I have used a VPN over the last few years not because I was considered about privacy but more for security, ie while connecting to hotspots when out and about, etc.
Everything I have read recently though all pretty much says the same thing, if you don't want everything you do monitored then avoid UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canadian based services especially and if possible avoid the rest of the so called Nine and Fourteen eyes countries.
Use of NSLs and gag orders in the US mean that PIA could be forced to hand over all data and carry on as if nothing is wrong while being unable to warn users in any way, likewise I think the UK will be the same. While I'm not particularly worried that my government can see I spend two much time watching Youtube and buying crap from Ebay, I am concerned that local government officials, tax offices, social security and all manner of personnel will have access to a year of my browsing history and how secure this will be.
What are others thoughts on this?
Comments
With local government, unless you're interesting* they should only see that you connect to some data centres, OpenVPN traffic.
With PIA all data is encrypted from server and back, unless you select otherwise.
I would also suggest you set your DNS to Google
Means your ISP won't log you even connecting to PIA
Another is using CisCo
https://www.opendns.com/setupguide/
both are free
Do a
http://www.speedtest.net
before and after to compare speed, mine are faster with Google not tried "OpenDns"
As always use a Virus/Malware scanner (Windows Defender is good, you paid for it with windows)
To do a check NOW Norton have a free scanner
If malware detected Change log-on to a more secure password!
Jeez, you might as well use Gmail too - helps you sleep at night!!!
https://www.opendns.com/setupguide/
What matters is speed check before and after results
http://www.speedtest.net
Using 256 encryption requires extra computer processing, so may slow speed a little.
If one is happy with their ISP's DNS server no need to change same applies.
As always use a virus/maleware scan if ever positive change your log-on's password
Most people's stuff is "boring" but if you using a VPN you're probably already concerned about who is spying on you. So why go to the trouble and then offer your URL hstory on a plate? Google (and Microsoft) are the last people to trust.
All google does is connect you to PIA and THEIR (Pia's) DNS servers which decrypt your data out then encrypt your data back Google can't see more than encrypted data (mines set at 256)