Looking For thoughts and experience On Different VPNs

[Wendy]

I just tried posting this and it disappeared while I was editing it so I’m doing it all again.

I have not used VPN because of my concern about privacy/security, and to a lesser degree because of potential big drop in speed. I’m rethinking that it may be best now to have VPN and would appreciate comments about privacy/security of different VPNs (I’m using windows 7). My first thought was to get avast as I’m using their premium anit-virus. But I read a couple of reviews that said there were privacy concerns as Avast keeps logs of part of the IP address, connection information and perhaps websites visited as well. (And if I added it to my cellphone it would send data to a bunch of google analytics from the phone)

I’d appreciate any comments on experience with different VPNs and also in general about speed and the need of VPN.

By the way, I tried 4 or 5 times doing a [COLOR=rgb(204, 204, 204)]search on[COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)] VPN and nothing came up. So I don’t know whether this is the right place for this thread.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[phillpower2]

(I’m using windows 7).

You are running an unsupported OS but are worried about privacy, somewhat contradictory as a VPN may hide your location but it won`t stop Windows 7 from getting infected. as for Avast, Avast admits to ‘unacceptable’ sharing of user data: what you need to know

[Bruce]

I’ll just quickly add my two cents on a couple of points…

Avast is crap. my opinion admittedly, but there are plenty of evidence to support that.
despite whatever that evidence is though, the more important fact is that Avast (and any AV software) is no better than the inbuilt offering of Windows Defender - so maybe another reason to upgrade from Win7!

and as to VPN, my tin-foil hat theory is you are willingly pumping all your traffic through a mob that you know little about.
I’m not saying this mob is less than perfect but it does offer any hackers a one-stop-shop to concentrate their efforts on.

[Wendy]

Thank you for your posts. I won’t bother with VPN so this thread can be closed (I don’t know how to close it).

By the way, I’m using windows 7 because I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time learning and getting used to an almost completely, and unneccesarily, different windows/interface, just because microsoft wanted to show that they could do it. I’ve learned that there are some software companies that made upgrade/conversions easier and more compatible for their users.

[Malnutrition]

I still use windows 7 on a laptop l have, also still run xp. For now so long as I’m able to go online and do the things I need to with it I’m fine.

If you are going to pay for an antivirus might I suggest secure a plus, they have a free version, and a paid version. Avast is essentially crap. Non stop pop ups and such…

https://www.secureaplus.com/?wap2