Google 1 VPN

[RonH]

Any known issues/concerns using this VPN?
It's available free on my Google Pixel and I realise that it's a fairly basic service but perhaps some Eileen folk have usage experience.
Thanks

[PaulB]

I have no experience with Google VPN. That said, trust in your provider is the most important element in choosing a VPN service. Do you feel confident sending all your internet traffic through Google servers? Do you care? Remember, while all your VPN traffic is encrypted between you and your provider, it is decrypted by your provider in order to send it on to its ultimate destination.

On the other hand most if not all internet traffic is over HTTPS connections and is encrypted between you and your ultimate destination. In this case, a VPN encrypts already encrypted communications. So what value does a VPN add to the equation?

[RonH]

Thanks Paul for taking time out.

Do I need VPN ... not really. But I like to experiment with various technologies.

As you say, most connections are HTTPS. My Internet habits are 'careful' but if Google helps to avoid trackers I assume that is a good result? My banking is about as secure as is possible.

Do I trust Google. Yes, as much as any other ... I use a Google Pixel because I love the lack of bloat ware and their camera image quality.

[StuartR]

A VPN provides a lot more than https. For example it can make it harder for Web sites to identify you by hiding your IP address, it can hide your DNS searches from your ISP, it can encrypt non-web traffic etc,

[BobH]

No experience with the google vpn but I've used the Firefox VPN for several years now. I'm reasonably well satisfied, my only reservation being the limited number of choices of city.

[RonH]

Thanks for advice gentlemen.
I think Google is an OK starting point though I do understand that most others offer more security features. The Google 1 service I am a user of helps me to 'keep it in the family'.

[PaulB]

A VPN provides a lot more than https. For example it can make it harder for Web sites to identify you by hiding your IP address, it can hide your DNS searches from your ISP, it can encrypt non-web traffic etc,

Very valid points, Stuart. But from my perspective, this is where trust in my provider comes in. Do I trust Google? Yes, I trust them to collect all the information they can about me. That is their business model, after all: advertising and demographics. Web sites may no longer be able to identify my IP address while using Google VPN, but Google can. Targeted advertising anyone? I do use a VPN, NordVPN, but i also enable DNS Over HTTPS (DoH) to hide my DNS searches even from them. VPNs also supposedly prevent geo-blocking but try using the BBC iPlayer while running a VPN. It won't work even if you are in the UK. The same holds true for many streaming services. I have to disable VPN while using Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ etc. Simply running a VPN is now prima facie evidence that you are attempting to bypass intellectual property rights.

But I still use a VPN on my PC, smart phone and tablets!

[StuartR]

Fair points

[RonH]

This is an interesting article...

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-one-vpn

[StuartR]

I use a VPN for increased privacy, so I would never dream of using a service provided by Google

[RonH]

Doubt that much privacy exists these days ...

[PaulB]

Doubt that much privacy exists these days ...

So true!

[JoeP]

I agree with Stuart. If you are concerned about privacy stay away from Google services. You are their product.

[RonH]

I agree with Stuart. If you are concerned about privacy stay away from Google services. You are their product.

It's somewhat difficult to stay away from Google services ... Android is Google.

[StuartR]

Android is about the only Google product that I use

[PaulB]

iThings 1 0 Google, or as they say over here, iThings 1 Google 0.

[RonH]

iThings 1 0 Google, or as they say over here, iThings 1 Google 0.