Are VPNs (ie Express VPN) worth it?

[Paula Sims]

Hello,
I just purchased and installed Express VPN on our machines and devises and it's giving us headaches by blocking sites (Etsy for purchase) and suddenly sending me several "Microsoft has detected unusual activity" e-mails.

I know the Etsy block was caused by ExpressVPN (I took it off and it worked fine) but what about the Microsoft emails?

So -- are VPNs worth it?

Thank you

Paula

[Effete Snob]

1. "worth it"

It may depend on your reasons for using one.

For example, if you travel abroad, yet want to watch your various streaming services; if you want to appear to be in Europe for things like Eurosport streaming; or if you want to see different regional offerings on things like Netflix, etc., then it may be worth it.

Whether the VPN is blocking Etsy, or whether Etsy blocks IP addresses associated with VPN's for anti-fraud purposes is up for grabs.

Some services will flag suspicious activity if you have been accessing the service from the same subscriber IP address assigned by your ISP, and suddenly you start logging in from an IP address in Djibouti or wherever. That's normal.

But if I could figure out which things are "worth it" and which are not, I would be in a much better position.

[CentralMass]

2. Please keep Mybouti out of this.

[usonian]

3. Few replies, so let me add some observations. Comments?

1. I think that when the VPN assigns a foreign IP address or one that has channeled some nasty activity, it gets blocked. I was using the VPN on Opera Browser and imgbb blocked me (until I turned off the VPN)

2. If your VPN makes you look like you are overseas, then e-commerce sites may be upset that you aren't using their overseas website.

3. Please note: VPN's serve two main purposes:
• To establish an encrypted connection, so that your ISP or coffee shop wi-fi and occupants can't snoop on your traffic that's not already https or end-to-end encrypted.

• To make you appear to be somewhere else (the exit node). This is to make you un-geolocatable. Yes, I get unwelcome results even on DuckDuckGo. I'll search for a technical item and some of the results are like B&B's in my area, because the real IP address without a VPN is very localized. (This ticks me off).

You rarely (or never) have a fine-grained choice of exit node unless the VPN gives you a choice of region (say, Europe).

Bottom line is: If you want the highest security, the encrypted VPN is good.

A "real" VPN channels all your traffic (emails, documents, messages ...) not just your browsing, as the VPN on Opera Browser will do (and I don't know if it does encryption, but https is everywhere).
Just be aware that your exit node for the VPN (or Tor Browser) can cause hiccups as you noted.

Sounds like some Microsoft services aren't happy with the choice, or the fact that may change.
Perhaps there's a way to make the exit node your home or office IP address for certain sites.

Corrections welcome. As for VPN, I only use the ones in Tor and Opera Browser so far.

And as for Djibouti,
Ask Sheikh Djibouti if he shakes his booty.

[RussBLib]

4. Wish I could help

Getting older, I find that I resist new technology more and more.

Lo siento

[krispos42]

5. I have ExpressVPN and I like it, generally

I'm able to do things that my ISP won't send me nastygrams over and that saves me lots of money.

But there are issues. I bought a router that I was able to install ExpressVPN onto. It replaced the factory operating system. This gives me lots of control; I can set up some devices to be on the VPN and some to be off of the VPN, and I can set different locations for different devices.

Sometimes Netflix on a smart TV or Firestick won't have some items, or Netflix will throw up a "you're on a suspect IP address" warning. In one test case, I had the VPN off the living room TV and on the bedroom TV, and Netflix would not show "NCIS" on the bedroom TV, even though my VPN location was in NJ. I wound up putting the TVs and the Firesticks with no VPN for the sake of simplicity.

My security cameras run though the VPN, as does my PC and my wife's phone and our laptops. I have ExpressVPN installed on my laptop but don't use it at home, because I'm already using the router. The option is there for being on other networks, though.

My son's gaming PC downstairs, he has ExpressVPN installed on it. So he's also "no VPN" on the router, and if he wants to turn it on he can do it on his computer as he needs to. He usually has it off because it adds a bit a latency to his games. Also, if he needs to be punished, I can simply turn off internet service for his computer until his chores are done or whatever.

I have Express VPN installed on my phone and keep it on all the time, so I don't have my phone on the router VPN. It makes me feel very safe, even on public WiFi systems, to know that my traffic is encrypted and my phone (and all the data it contains) ins protected. Sometimes you only have public WiFi to work with, after all.

[walkingman]

6. When I feel "fear" from using my computer then I might consider but

so far that is something I have not encountered.