VPN is the hot item these days and I’m trying to figure out if my humble browsing at home and the grocery story warrant my purchasing yet another widget/network/gizmo. I don’t travel much, very rarely, and realize my local Safeway may be THE ONE where my data could be compromised.
Is it reasonable for me to get involved with a VPN service? I asked on Facebook and the smart-mouth of the site said, “you mean you DON’T have a VPN? I’d rather run naked through the streets… .” Snark 101.
Ideas, please–and thanks.
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John Stires
VPN is useful when you are accessing unsecured sites and services on wi-fi you don't know or trust. So at home you should be safe. At the supermarket, you would be vulnerable if you are using their public wi-fi. Are you? If you are just using your mobile carrier (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile) then you are NOT using the wi-fi at all and there is no need for a VPN.
But if you do sign on to your Safeway's Wi-Fi, then you should use a VPN. Or, maybe it would be easier to just forget that Wi-Fi and use your mobile carrier on the occasions when you are there.