I mostly use VPN as an extra layer between man in the middle attacks (or as
a quick way to spoof being off-campus for testing proxy servers or Open
Athens). With secure HTTPS being a thing, the actual need for a VPN is
somewhat reduced, but I figure it can't hurt, especially since Tunnelbear
makes setting it up and using it simple.

Erich's security analysis of VPNs is something I'd not considered, but I
rather doubt it applies in this situation. Not saying a breach couldn't
happen, but for someone who only needs it for a short time once a month, a
VPN seems like a sufficient additional security option.

Good luck.
Tom

On Sat, Oct 7, 2023 at 9:21 PM charles meyer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi Erich and Tom,
>
> Thank you so much for sharing your helpful thoughts, experience with
> TunnelBear and links to trusted review sites.
>
> They are hard to come by for everything these days – consumer goods,
> electronics, etc.
>
> You wrote <snip> If you want the privacy from tracking or surveillance, I
> wouldn’t use a free VPN service.”
>
> What would you use?
>
> How affordable is that option?
>
> I’ve since learned she’s been a victim of fraud on the net via Instagram
> and Facebook so she doesn’t want be found by these miscreants and wants to
> ensure her Social Security money isn’t drained from her bank checking
> account via unauthorized withdrawals.
>
> Would TunnelBear suffice under these circumstances?
>
> Hi Joe… Thank you for educating me re: what VPNs but what would you do/use
> if you were in this patron’s circumstances?
>
> Hi Tamara, since you don’t recommend using a VPN in these circumstances how
> would you suggest someone who isn’t a systems administrator and doesn’t
> have that training ascertain how to check that her public WIFI provided by
> a smaller public library is secure with a valid certificate?
>
> She logs on to the net with the library hotspot and types in her bank’s url
> (or click the bookmark in Firefox, Brave or Vivaldi) and is prompted for
> her user ID and password to her bank web page. Once in to that back she
> checks on checking account balance and for any unauthorized debits.
>
> She then needs to connect to the online credit card bank to log in so she
> can transfer funds from her local bank to the credit card bank so she can
> pay off her monthly credit card balance.
>
> Thank you so much.
>
> Charles.
>
> Charlotte County Public Library
>