I know free vpns usually are not good, but right now I am not in a position to pay for a vpn. I found Privado VPN and it doesn’t keep logs and is based in Switzerland. It has a data limit for free users, but do you think its safe for torrenting?

  • papabobolious@feddit.nuEnglish
    25·
    7 months ago

    Being free always raises the question of what they are getting out of you using it. I wouldn’t be entirely comfortable using it.

  • Sips'@slrpnk.netEnglish
    12·
    7 months ago

    Hi there, as someone who is writing his master thesis on the privacy of fee vpns. I cannot recommend a single one. By that I mean the ones that advertise themselves as being a mainly free vpn. I have not had a look at privado in specific, but would highly recommend sticking to Proton. Their vpn is also fairly priced if you ask me.

    Addtionally, if you want to quickly check out an app to see if they use excessive amounts of permissions(based on manifest file), and the implemented trackers they have you can use Exodus Privacy Tool; https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/io.privado.android/latest/

    • sleepybisexual@beehaw.orgEnglish
      5·
      7 months ago

      To be fair, proton has an OK free tier.

      Tho, you might know more about the topic, you know anything about riseup VPN and/or calyx VPN?

      • Sips'@slrpnk.netEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        Have sadly not checked these out in detail, however they do seem more promosing that the general free vpn one find by looking up “free vpn” on Google Play Store. Neither of them use excessive amounts of permissions, and the permssions they do ask for seem to fair to ask for. Neither of them have trackers implemented too which is nice. I would trust these more than other ‘completelty free VPNs’ atleast. However I’m only judging of first impressions and a quick look at their permissions. I’m assuming they lack features, speed etc…

        If you want trust and transparency then options like Mullvad, Proton and IVPN would be my suggestions.

    • ccdfa@lemm.eeEnglish
      8·
      7 months ago

      But no p2p on free. Honestly, OP, for this one you may just have to drop some cash on a reputable VPN

            • Mikufan@ani.socialEnglish
              3·
              7 months ago

              https://protonvpn.com/plans

              If you want just the vpn without any of the very common discounts its 5€ for 2 years plan

              Its the cheapest good torrenting option with good bandwidth and great privacy.

              Definitely 100 times cheaper than torrenting without vpn and getting caught.

              • sechsfuenf@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
                3·
                7 months ago

                Just get mullvad then. It’s 5€, every month, no special offers, just 5 bucks. Also it’s one of the best if not the best vpn provider you can get.

                • Mikufan@ani.socialEnglish
                  3·
                  7 months ago

                  They don’t have port forwarding wich is a problem for torrenting.

                  Proton is one of the best, Mullvad is behind only because of the port forwarding. But both are above everything else.

  • shrugal@lemm.eeEnglish
    6·
    7 months ago

    Can’t talk for the free tier, but my Usenet account comes bundled with a paid Privado account, and that’s working ok so far. The connections have been reliable, fast, and low latency.

    My main issue has been that it doesn’t support port forwarding. Also, some GeoIP services locate many of their servers in the Netherlands, instead of where Privado says they are. Idk who’s right, but it’s definitely a problem if you want to pick a specific location.

  • RyanEnglish
    3·
    7 months ago

    you could look into other ways of pirating, that don’t necessarily require a vpn, instead. in may country it’s mainly problematic to use torrents, because you automatically are sharing stuff as well. IRC is something that I never had a problem with, for example. you’re only downloading and it doesn’t cost you anything. there are xdcc search engines out there. The downsides are that it’s a bit nerdy (is it a downside. though?) and you’ll mostly find current mainstream content.