[RESOLVED] Need advice-Will a VPN protect someone emailing me from Russia?
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Thread: [RESOLVED] Need advice-Will a VPN protect someone emailing me from Russia?

  1. #1
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    Resolved [RESOLVED] Need advice-Will a VPN protect someone emailing me from Russia?

    .

    We both use Gmail. Of course with what is going on now in Ukraine things are very sticky in Russia. Ok, they have always been sticky in Russia but now much more concerning. I have a very dear friend in Russia who we email back and forth a lot. He is becoming more and more concerned about his emails being monitored by Russia. He is almost afraid to email me because he thinks that Russia can read his emails to me and mine to him.

    I know a bit about VPNs and he knows nothing about them. I trying to explain to him (with my knowledge) that VPNs will help him feel more secure with what he emails me (except of course if someone gets into his gmail account).

    We also want to be able to talk or video talk between us. I don't know much about the apps that allow you to do that but do they work with a VPN? Can we be on one of those apps like Skype with him using a VPN so what we say can't be monitored by Russia? If I don't use a VPN and he does is that bad?

    If you can give me a little bit of guidance I would most certainly appreciate it.

    What VPN would you suggest? Neither one of us have a lot of money to spend on a VPN either.

    Do the apps like Skype work using a VPN?

    Thanks for any assistance on this topic. I know it is a hot topic but it is important that we continue to email and talk to each other.

    On a side note what about us using our cell phones to talk to each other. Do I need a special SIM card to be able to call him? I use Cricket (ATT) for my cell phone.

    Thanks again for any help you can give us.

    .

  2. #2
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    This article covers the email topic quite well. It's written by NordVPN one of the more popular and reliable VPN's available. Of note should be the details on encryption.. both built into gmail and added security by using an encryption plugin.

    Also, don't use third party email clients. Even Gmail themselves regularly recommend against it because of lower security standards. Use a modern, up to date browser to send/receive.

    https://nordvpn.com/blog/is-gmail-secure/

    https://nordvpn.com/blog/gmail-encryption/


    You might want to even take it to another level and not use Gmail at all and switch to a more secure email provider.
    https://www.techradar.com/best/best-secure-email-providers

    Protonmail is considered top notch https://protonmail.com

    As far as using a VPN with Skype... yes it will work. May take a little more careful setup particularly in Russia but it would be more secure.

    https://nordvpn.com/unblock/skype/

    No idea about cell phones. Perhaps others here can add more.

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  3. #3
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    Thank you Fink for all this information. I will read up on it and also thank you for advising the security issues using Gmail with an alternative. Very much appreciated!!

    Nice to know Skype will work with a VPN - thanks.

    I will wait for someone to chime in about cell phones use to Russia.

  4. #4
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    VPNs are banned in Russia, as are burner phones.

    In the Ukraine, cell phone signals can still be intercepted by any Russians in the area.

  5. #5
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    VPNs are banned in Russia, as are burner phones.
    Really??!!
    This is crazy. How do those people live like that?

    Thanks for the information. I almost signed up with a VPN last night.

  6. #6
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    More info on that...

    https://fortune.com/2022/03/25/russi...ukraine-china/

    Since Russia invaded Ukraine one month ago, traffic to virtual private network (VPN) service Windscribe from users in Russia has increased by a factor of twenty, says Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak.
    It also means they can't/don't prevent people living outside of Russia from using them.
    You could also do a trial run with the free version of Windscribe, mentioned in that article, to see how it works for you.. although your Russian friend may not be able to use the paid version.

    https://www.techradar.com/reviews/windscribe

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  8. #8
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    I must say I am sorry for not responding sooner - although I did but for some reason my post ended up in space and not on the forum.

    My friend is now using a VPN. He is all set. He decided to stay with GMail. We may end up using Pinngle with a virtual telephone number for texting and calling.

    Thank you all for your help and advise and again sorry for the delay in coming back and thanking you all for your help. I did but I don't know what happened to my post. I just happened to come back here and noticed it never took.

    Springtime is coming - yippy!!

    Thanks again!!

  9. #9
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    You're welcome and good luck!

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