What steps do you feel like are before a VPN? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by ericbomb@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Context: my gf mentioned getting a vpn for privacy, and I tried to explain that it "does" help, but it's more like type of windows on a house. It certainly can be part of the package, but it's no where near the foundation.

So i tried to explain the best that i could That if she was worried about online privacy the first step wasn't to mask traffic, but to not submit personal data to anything online like FB, not use Google services that package everything on you together to sell to advertisers, and to limit phone apps to essentials.

But I'm curious on what other steps you guys would consider the "foundation" of online privacy that should be prioritized before a vpn. Any thoughts? Or am I way off base?

Note: this is in context of vpn for privacy. Using vpn to avoid Geo blocking and censorship I see as incredibly valid for those that need it.

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[-] ericbomb@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

You're so right and never thought of it like that! If you Google and find a new service you've never heard of, we're expected to give up our soul in a heartbeat! Even for a new email so many are like: First name Last name Phone number for dual authentication Install this app for dual auth Birthdate!

Like dude, there are a lot of services that just that information alone is enough to call in and take my account. It's so scary how common that is.

A game I play uses PayPal as the payment processor, and pay pal decided to pay this specific company I had to upload the front and back of my ID.

Just... ugh.

this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024

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