[xornull]

My question for today is, are VPN's really secure?

I'm not talking about the trash VPN's that you run for free that constantly pop up ads
while you are in your amazing no-life browsing streak, I am talking about those
premium VPN's where they claim they have no logs.

First let's assume they don't have logs, what difference does it make? in the end the host
for these VPN's still logs all the connections even if they are encrypted, anything that goes
out of this VPN and not encrypted by the target connection will still be logged, so in the end it will only help you secure your connection from your own ISP at all times.

this is assuming they do not have logs, the second thing is, what kind of logs? are these logs
the public/private keys during each connection, or are they merely the packet logs?

the last and final thing is, how do we know if they really do not have logs? often I check a providers terms of use, and some say that they will start getting logs for any that connect to a specific website if a subpoena is requested.

[Cressi]

A premium VPN is a weak choice of word, as it has no set definition, but you should most certainly pay for your security.

Logs make the difference that it is easier to track you down, as the company that owns the VPN can sell the logs, or any outsider can break in and steal them.

We can of course never know if anyone keeps logs of our Internet in the same way we can never be certain of the number of inhabitants in the universe; but we'll have to trust them.

I personally use a VPN in combination with many other methods; but my VPN is mainly for geographically restricted things (like offers, shops etc.), but I would never use it as a stand-alone.

[Equinox]

Odds are, you're fucked. Don't take my word for it, I'm no VPN professional.

[Satan]

Get @Starfall in here. He'd definitely know.
As far as logs go, usually it means logging your actions while using it. Where you go, what sites you log into, etc. Least the ones I've used.
You don't really know for sure unless you access them yourself whether they do or do not keep logs.

[Dream]

Get @Starfall in here. He'd definitely know.

[Reiko]

Depends on your threat model and who you're trying to defend yourself from. Government? Fucked. Skids? You're good.

[xornull]

Depends on your threat model and who you're trying to defend yourself from. Government? Fucked. Skids? You're good.

Elaborate plz

[Eclipse]

Depends on your threat model and who you're trying to defend yourself from. Government? Fucked. Skids? You're good.

So what would you do to further your anonymity, so that you're good for both?

[Reiko]

So what would you do to further your anonymity, so that you're good for both?

Don't do stupid shit, and the government won't bother you.
If you REALLY wanna hide from them, you have to start at the hardware level. Stolen or strangely-purchased 4G hardware hidden with a solar panel in a tree that you SSH into over Tor.

[Eclipse]

Don't do stupid shit, and the government won't bother you.
If you REALLY wanna hide from them, you have to start at the hardware level. Stolen or strangely-purchased 4G hardware hidden with a solar panel in a tree that you SSH into over Tor.

Lol, that is the best. You sir, just made my day.