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[-] SoonaPaana@lemmy.world 31 points 2 years ago

Why is installing a VPN considered bad? Is it because it is done without user consent? I don't understand if there is any malicious intent.

[-] can@sh.itjust.works 58 points 2 years ago

Brave browser has been automatically installing VPN services on Windows computers without user consent, but it remains inactive unless the user subscribes.

They're installing extra software that's useless unless you give them money. Plus you really want to be aware of your VPN since all your traffic will be going through it.

[-] Aatube@kbin.social 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It doesn’t auto enable and chromium also gives you a lot of unnecessary features. While I think Brave is bloat I don’t see how this is any more than the usual.

[-] admin@lemmy.my-box.dev 33 points 2 years ago

Because a vpn can monitor all the websites that you visit. Not directly what you're looking at, but definitely where you're looking. Just line your provider can, if you're not using a vpn. But at least with your provider, you have a contract with them - you pay them to transport your data and nothing more. Some very scummy providers aside, that's where it stops.

A free vpn, however, needs to pay for transporting your data somehow. And if you're not paying for it with money, then who/what is?

See also Tom Scott's explanation about vpns, why you probably don't need one, and why he refused their advertisement money.

[-] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 8 points 2 years ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s):

Tom Scott's explanation about vpns

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.

[-] dustyData@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

It's not even free, the service itself is a payed subscription. But it's there and it could be working and funneling data without the user knowing it if they wanted to.

[-] ackzsel@kbin.social 16 points 2 years ago

It's "all your mail is now redirected to a third party that makes money by mining it for data without you knowing" level of nastiness. Absolutely deplorable and a reason to never touch anything made by the people behind Brave even with a ten foot pole. Brave is a scam and why people pretend its not is beyond me.

[-] ares35@kbin.social 5 points 2 years ago

that's what the new outlook 'app' (replacing win 10/11's mail 'app') does with gmail accounts. routes all your mail from gmail through microsoft servers before delivering to the app on your pc.

[-] ares35@kbin.social 4 points 2 years ago

a service has far more privs on the system than a browser should have or need (which can be installed on a per-user basis, no admin/root required).

this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2023
681 points (100.0% liked)

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