VPN for trading: Opinions

[trendie]

hi all,
am looking to improve my security across all my devices.

Any advice / experience on any specific VPNs you have used, or are using?

What factors or specs do you need to consider?
Especially, considering I may be using auto-trading, need good speed, not to interfere with broadband connection?

thanks

 

[Sharky]

I use ExpressVPN myself and have been impressed by them, I've also heard good things about NordVPN and I think they're cheaper too. Hope that helps @trendie!

 

[trendie]

I use ExpressVPN myself and have been impressed by them, I've also heard good things about NordVPN and I think they're cheaper too. Hope that helps @trendie!

Thanks for the info Sharky.
I have heard of NordVPN.
Interestingly, I got an ExpressVPN advert pop up whilst watching a Tesla YT clip yesterday evening.

Will give NordVPN a try over the weekend.

 

[Signalcalc]

A VPN is a must for all internet connections nowadays, everyone should use one regardless of it's usage it should be considered just another cost of using the internet (unless speed is a priority above security)

What are your requirements?

Speed - all VPNs can suffer from lag at one time or another, can you see the milliseconds speed for each of the connections you can choose from, VPN speed is also dependent on your own internet connection, are there any dedicated (£££) trading VPNs with guaranteed speeds (outside of your internet provider connection) what speeds do you actually need?
Log keeping - is this a concern? Lots keep logs for legal reasons a few claim they do not.
Cost - obvious one really, beware freebies and cheapies, but also expensive does not necessarily mean better.
Reliability - are connections always available, does it drop the connection.
Locality - are local servers available in your local region, countries you are visiting, do you need to 'pretend' you are connecting from a different country in order to use a service?
Security - what level of encryption is offered, does it really obscure your IP, do you want to stop comms if the VPN fails.
Processing overhead - how much local compute will be consumed
Ease of use, install, config - another obvious one
Mobile app - do you need the same protection on a mobile phone?

I've been using PIA for years around the globe with very few problems https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/

 

[Dowser]

I signed up to Nord VPN but find I'm unable to watch any video from the BBC, whether they be short clips on the main site or programs on iPlayer. Apparently it's quite easy to spot VPN server addresses because a lot of traffic originates from them and some sites (like the BBC) black list them. Apart from that it's OK. It's based in Panama which is outside the jurisdiction of the 'Five Eyes' - and if that means nothing to you then it's not an issue anyway!

 

[Signalcalc]

I signed up to Nord VPN but find I'm unable to watch any video from the BBC, whether they be short clips on the main site or programs on iPlayer. Apparently it's quite easy to spot VPN server addresses because a lot of traffic originates from them and some sites (like the BBC) black list them. Apart from that it's OK. It's based in Panama which is outside the jurisdiction of the 'Five Eyes' - and if that means nothing to you then it's not an issue anyway!

BBC and Netflix are 2 services that I know of that won't function via a VPN, they used to until they got wise to VPN usage, both of these services also need a fee paying account to access also, so they can restrict regional programmes using the account location.

There are probably other ways to access these service whist staying secure, but these two will compromise security whilst accessing,

 

[Dowser]

There are probably other ways to access these service whist staying secure, but these two will compromise security whilst accessing,

Yes, maybe by using a virtual machine

 

[Signalcalc]

Yes, maybe by using a virtual machine

Yes a VM can create a new machine identity each time it is newly provisioned assuming that is how you configure it, however it won’t protect you whilst the VPN is switched off whilst accessing a service that requires the VPN to be switched off, but agree it is another layer of security through obscurity.

The reason for using a clean VM is that it is clean, there is nothing to compromise on the machine and assuming it has no other network links ( eg to other internal network computers) then even better.

I was thinking more of using a Tor browser/Tor network, but haven’t tried that for accessing BBC or Netflix, would be an interesting test to see if these are also restricted.

New VM+VPN+Tor must be getting as close as you can get to ultimate domestic security, a bit overkill for some, but good for more risky activities. Don’t forget local firewall should be standard on every machine, hardware perimeter firewalls also but again is overkill for ordinary users.

We are getting into the realms of protections for reasons other than simple anti- hacker, anti- leaking. You have to remember that you can be compromised by the browser config and machine config if it’s repeatedly used even with a VPN. People that go to those lengths are using it for criminal reasons or journalistic leak reasons which is really beyond the scope of simple VPNs.

VPNs provide a good level of basic security for normal day to day stuff just the same as burning or shredding physical paperwork with personal details on it, it’s sensible protection to use, beyond that gets complex and probably unnecessary for most uses and is beyond the technical capabilities of non technical users.

Also using different browsers for different activities can provide some protection eg use safari with cookies enabled for shopping and banking, Chrome with a few cookies enabked for T2W, Brave with no cookies enabled for porn and dodgy sites and IE for nothing because it’s crap [emoji16]

Mix and match.

 

[Dowser]

Yes a VM can create a new machine identity each time it is newly provisioned assuming that is how you configure it, however it won’t protect you whilst the VPN is switched off whilst accessing a service that requires the VPN to be switched off, but agree it is another layer of security through obscurity.

The reason for using a clean VM is that it is clean, there is nothing to compromise on the machine and assuming it has no other network links ( eg to other internal network computers) then even better.

I was thinking more of using a Tor browser/Tor network, but haven’t tried that for accessing BBC or Netflix, would be an interesting test to see if these are also restricted.

New VM+VPN+Tor must be getting as close as you can get to ultimate domestic security, a bit overkill for some, but good for more risky activities. Don’t forget local firewall should be standard on every machine, hardware perimeter firewalls also but again is overkill for ordinary users.

We are getting into the realms of protections for reasons other than simple anti- hacker, anti- leaking. You have to remember that you can be compromised by the browser config and machine config if it’s repeatedly used even with a VPN. People that go to those lengths are using it for criminal reasons or journalistic leak reasons which is really beyond the scope of simple VPNs.

VPNs provide a good level of basic security for normal day to day stuff just the same as burning or shredding physical paperwork with personal details on it, it’s sensible protection to use, beyond that gets complex and probably unnecessary for most uses and is beyond the technical capabilities of non technical users.

Also using different browsers for different activities can provide some protection eg use safari with cookies enabled for shopping and banking, Chrome with a few cookies ambled for T2W, Brave with no cookies enabled for porn and dodgy sites and IE for nothing because it’s crap [emoji16]

Mix and match.

You certainly know your onions! I did once set up a VM running Linux and Tor to explore the deep, dark depths and came to the conclusion that only miscreants would put up with the painfully slow speeds - I don't think it would be practical to stream video over it. One thing about NordVPN worth mentioning is the 'Specialty Server' connections offered. So depending what you are trying to do, you can choose between P2P servers, Dedicated IP servers, Double VPN servers and Onion over VPN servers.

 

[Signalcalc]

You certainly know your onions! I did once set up a VM running Linux and Tor to explore the deep, dark depths and came to the conclusion that only miscreants would put up with the painfully slow speeds - I don't think it would be practical to stream video over it. One thing about NordVPN worth mentioning is the 'Specialty Server' connections offered. So depending what you are trying to do, you can choose between P2P servers, Dedicated IP servers, Double VPN servers and Onion over VPN servers.

Onions indeed [emoji16]

Plenty of features on NordVPN, ‘simplifying’ it for end users [emoji1360]

 

[sideways-sid]

hi all,
am looking to improve my security across all my devices.

Any advice / experience on any specific VPNs you have used, or are using?

What factors or specs do you need to consider?
Especially, considering I may be using auto-trading, need good speed, not to interfere with broadband connection?

thanks

Not autotrading, but FWIW, Nord VPN works fine across several European countries to run charts (PRT) and trade (IB). It can block Microsoft OneDrive though, so Excel files work better off the desktop. I can also stream NetFlix etc to the iPad.

I'm not a techie, but using MalWareBytes, Windows Defender, Nord VPN, and a bit of common sense hasn't caused any security problems yet.

But for autotrading, surely you run the autotrader from a virtual/online server (AWS et al) rather than off your laptop?

 

[trendie]

Thanks for all the info, guys.
Went ahead with NordVPN.
All good so far.

 

[NVP]

excellent ...keep us in loop

 

[pwarner]

NordVPN works well

 

[Henow1969]

There are many VPNs available but I mostly use ExpressVPN.