Do I need a VPN service

[soccio97]

I recently got an Amazon Fire Stick and downloaded a Kodi Build. I keep seeing things about Virtual Private Networks (VPN) ensuring my privacy. My entire network involves being at home. I don't stream movies on the road or anything like that. My wife and I use our Android Smartphones only for email, text, Facebook and calling. At home I have 4 TV's (3 Smart, I Dumb), w Xbox One's, 2 Xbox 360's, a WII, two Windows 10 PC's, an HP printer all on my Network. I own my own Router a Netgear N750 Wireless Dual Band.

I like to use Kodi for watching movies, but mostly I use the Amazon stuff on the Fire Stick.

Do I need a VPN Service or can I somehow set up my router for the protection provided by a VPN?

After searching data about a VPN, I'm just more confused than ever.

Help! Thanks in advance.

[jdc2000]

Your router, if set up properly, should provide protection from hackers attempting to access your home network to spy on you or steal data. What it does not provide protection against however, is information that is sent from your home network by various software programs and/or devices.

For example, your Smart TVs may be sending back information on what you are watching and when to the TV manufacturer. The web pages you access may be sending back information, including your IP address to advertisers and/or page owners. This allows quite a dossier of information to be created regarding what information you are accessing. Other programs or devices that use internet or "cloud" services may be doing the same thing. Your ISP also has this capability, which they may or may not be using. If you are concerned about this sort of data collection, then that is where a VPN service comes in. Note that if you decide to use one, it should probably be a paid VPN service. Nothing is free, "free" VPN services have to get the money to pay their bills from somewhere, and that somewhere is you or your information, regardless of the method that they use.

Possibly useful links:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-...ernet-privacy/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/why-fre...-worth-taking/

https://www.techrepublic.com/article...ustworthy-vpn/

[soccio97]

Thank you jdc2000, that was nicely explained and I purchased a service and set it up after I checked all the "useful links". Thanks for the quick response.

[jdc2000]

VPNs are also very useful if you have a laptop that you need to use on WiFi connections that are not your own (like a hotel's WiFi).

[soccio97]

Something in your previous reply just caught my eye. You said if " my router, if properly set up" . How do I know if it is. I basically took it out of the box and followed the instructions.

[jdc2000]

What security setup are you using for the wireless access? It should be WPA2. You should also check to see if there is a firmware update for it, especially for the KRACK WPA2 issue.

If you have not added any rules for special access, the default security settings should generally be OK.

If you have occasional visitors that need internet access, you may want to set up Guest access for them when they are there. You can disable that when they leave.

[jdc2000]

More info on the WPA2 KRACK issue:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/wpa2-se...y-wifi-device/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/here-is...ble-right-now/

[soccio97]

Everything checks out according to your post and the links you provided. I guess I'm all set. Again, thanks for the quick reply!!

[patrickjburt]

This complete guide will surely help you out on all of your problems https://www.purevpn.com/blog/how-to-use-a-vpn/

[JasonRoy]

VPN is very useful. This one not only helps you to hide your IP address but also help to unblock websites.

[patrickjburt]

VPN is very useful. This one not only helps you to hide your IP address but also help to unblock websites.

Indeed. Learn the main differences between VDI and VPN as well as their advantages and disadvantages in this VDI vs. VPN guide. https://www.purevpn.com/blog/vdi-vs-vpn/

[dixontaraveqq]

Your router, if set up properly, should provide protection from hackers attempting to access your home network to spy on you or steal data. What it does not provide protection against however, is information that is sent from your home network by various software programs and/or devices.

[alberto91]

I strongly suggest you to read https://www.forbes.com/advisor/busin...why-use-a-vpn/ article on the significance of VPN and whether it is safe or not. This article will remove all of your related concerns.