I have really started to use VPNs on all of my internet traffic more as an FU to trackers and advertisers. I don’t do anything illegal or malicious, I’m just tired of being the product on every site I visit, every click I make.

I know it doesn’t make me completely invisible. But at least I try to make it harder on them.

I've seen reports that some banks block connections from known VPNs.

Nothing of importance is using an unsecured connecting in 2026. Hell the same thing applies in 2016 too. Your bank app, any websites you visit, etc are all using https or some form of encryption. Your data is already safe unless your bank is dogshit and 20 years out of date. Don’t fall for the misleading VPN ads.

That depends on whom you trust, the ISP or the VPN.

For example, if you're using your local coffee shop Wi-Fi, your ISP is the coffee shop, so you need to ask yourself, do you trust them, and everyone else on that network, more or less than the VPN?

VPN is a shifting of trust from your ISP to your VPN provider. If you already trust your ISP, you don't need a VPN (except for accessing content that can only be accessed from another country). BTW, I think that Mullvad, Windscribe, and AirVPN are probably some good options if for privacy and security.

Protecting your identity against who? If it's against the service provider, there'd be no point as they'd already know who you are with you logging in.

Your connections to the banks, email providers, and other services would already have security in place and are probably already encrypted thru the HTTPS.

If there's somebody snooping while you're making one of this HTTPS connection, they might be able to tell the URL domain you're accessing, but nothing more.

On the other hand, if the VPN provider you're using turned out to be malicious, they're be able to get every network traffic that passes thru them.

IMO, VPNs are a waste of money unless you plan on pirating content or changing your location on your device to access say better Netflix's shows. Other than that, there are already security features built in to your phone and you don't need a VPN. It's unnecessary. Just don't do any sketchy stuff on it.

While it doesn't address your security concerns, using a VPN does allow you to circumvent resolution restrictions on certain mobile plans (i.e. streaming limited to 720p)

What attack are you trying to protect yourself against?

In general no. It does not make sense.

You hide your actual IP from your bank. You hide that you connect to your bank from your ISP. Neither is very interesting to anyone trying to harm you.

You're going to use a VPN with your bank?

Any good bank is going to geoblock that shit. Because they're going to think that somebody's trying to access your account that shouldn't...

Yes. Proton is free and trusted.

I feel like VPNs are more of a tool to use against tracking and data collectors.

Like others have said https does a pretty good job at protecting sensitive data

Yes. Your data can be intercepted in some cases. Proton VPN is free, so it’s not like you have to pay for one.

It doesn’t hurt. But you’ve also got https working for you. As long as you can trust the applications to use it instead of http.

no, just enjoy your cool phone

if you do care about privacy, don't use the phone

even if you don't care about your bank account, the bank do and will ID verify you and have considered vpn's

Both for your own safety and to protect everyone else who really needs it.