Ronnie's Blog

A VPN allows you to access the internet with more security and privacy. It creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. You can get over censorship by unblocking content anywhere in the world.

From a security point of view alone, it is highly advisable to use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi.

VPNs are increasingly becoming more popular for various reasons. Apart from corporations wanting your data, in some countries the Internet Service Providers are ordered by law to retain your data. The Investigatory Powers Act in the UK, also known as the Snooper’s Charter, gives the government the ability to ‘snoop’ on its subjects’ emails, calls, texts, internet history, and location data.

VPNs do not make you completely anonymous, but there are additional ways to increase your privacy such as using secure browsers and search engines. Using Brave browser with DuckDuckGo search engine is a step in the right direction to increase your privacy and security.

Computer software is a changing world, and what used to good at one time might not be anymore, and vice versa.

I used to use CyberGhost VPN, which I was happy with until I discovered it was actually breaching my privacy. Software that was supposed to increase my privacy and security, had become a security issue.

The reason for this was because CyberGhost, which was Romanian, and had a very good reputation, had been bought by an Israeli company, Kape Technologies, which has a bad reputation. It was formerly known as Crossrider, and was once associated with adware and other potentially unwanted programs.

I removed CyberGhost from all my devices, and replaced it with ExpressVPN. All was good for a while until I noticed some things that were not quite right with it. The reason for this, was because it had also been bought by Kape Technologies. Kape plans to change their name again, apparently to “Private Internet“, as the parent company of “Private Internet Access”. The name change again is not surprising, because respected cyber security companies are very critical of them. They also own VPN review sites which favour their own products of course.

As of 2024 Kape Technologies own:

• ExpressVPN
• CyberGhost VPN
• Private Internet Access
• ZenMate VPN

 

For information on VPN owners, see the ProPrivacy link below:

Link: Who Owns Your VPN, and Why Is It Important?

I currently use NordVPN which works fine, as long as Kape Technologies don’t by it. Kape paid nearly $1Billion for ExpressVPN, so it would not be surprising if NordVPN was in their sights.