Have you ever watched Apollo Robbins give a demonstration of pickpocketing? (e.g. https://www.ted.com/talks/apollo_robbins_the_art_of_misdirection) It doesn't really matter what "technical" protections you have (e.g. inside pocket, button/zipper/clasp). He is successful because of psychology. The man steals eyeglasses from people who can't see without them... and they don't notice! The skill of a good fraudster is not technical. It is social/psychological. Thus adding a VPN (technical hurdle) into the mix is essentially meaningless for fraud. A VPN gives you privacy against a technical attack from someone owning or already compromising the network you are using. Putting an extra lock on your door doesn't stop a con-man from convincing you to open it. The only real solution for fraud is training and -- unfortunately -- suspicion and distrust. Erich On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 20:51, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed: > Erich - and etal, > > Fascinating conversation. > > Really appreciate it. > > I'm left still wondering how to learn how to check that a connection is > secure with a valid certificate? > > It seems a VPN would just keep where you visit private but little to no > protection from fraudsters. > > I'm exploring https://privacy.com/ as a protection against fraudsters. > > I suggested if the patron's banker will allow the to pay their credit card > online bank on the brick and mortar's computer they would be better > protected than getting a VPN. > > Thank you all. > > Charles.