I wanted to get an "expert" opinion on a service I came across called hide.me.

https://hide.me

Could any IT guys or people who are like computer geniuses give me their opinion or feedback on this? I don't know much about internet security but I'd almost rather pay $11/mo for an anonymous IP address and better Wi-Fi security than Norton or some other product.

Also, are there other products out there similar to this that might be free?

Thanks.

If you are worried about privacy, TOR is free on android and windows. You can read about it at https://www.torproject.org/

I use and recommend:
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/buy-vpn/
$40/yr

Yea I'm primarily worried about privacy and being watched/observed. The logging and monitoring and everything. A lot of my purchases are done online, and a lot of privacy information is sent. I'd like to have something to protect me. I know NOTHING about this stuff so wanted to get some other users expert opinions. I will absolutely check out those links, but if there are more, please respond and educate.

Thanks so much guys and gals.

x2

extremely well reviewed

Unfortunatly, personal information is stolen from the web commerce sites or your personal computer in nearly every case so none of those services are going to protect you that way.

I am also dubious about the ability to stop nsa snooping since they only hide things from you to the service then are open from there. The origin may be obscured but the contents past the service are the not. Any personal info is then open to see on the second leg of the trip. (Assumimg your final destination is not https)

Any commerce site that is https will give you the same protection of your personal info as these services do. But as I said. Once your info is on the web site. It's potentially free to be stolen at a later date.

Heck, just using a cc at a store or restaurant is just as likely to be stolen. Money might be better spent getting identity theft insurance or something.

Besides reading up on these sites supposed benefits. Read up on how they largely arent nearly as "private" as they claim.

Windows? Mac? Linux?

Using TOR will likely put you on a watch list. So I wouldn't use it unless you really NEED to use it. You can read about what I'm referring on The Guardian's website.

As for VPNs I can recommend StrongVPN.

If you need to keep something private TrueCrypt 7.1a is still the only software easily available on the web believed to be secure against a nation state.

Ok first off, if you are shopping online then you must use your own identity to make purchases from retailers SO even if you use the VPN service you linked it won't matter because the retailer will have you information, so will the CC company and everyone else. You just need to accept that is how online retail works.

The VPN will really only prevent those visiting websites where you don't buy anything from knowing who you are based on your home IP address.

Windows and Mac.

Now what about for other things like downloads and stuff?

@BrianSD_42 is right. A VPN connection will only hide your originating IP address. It won't hide the address that connects to the internet, and all of the browser and flash cookies will allow others to identify you and track the sites you visit unless you're blocking them.

@Chuckles89 is right. The only software that will completely protect your identity, if you follow all of the directions, is Tor. And you have to follow the directions, otherwise you run into the same browser problems as when you use a VPN.

You're not anonymous on the internet.

Well awe biscuits. I know you're not fully any-mouse on the internet but masking would be nice. Using Tor is pointless if you end up on a watch list.

Well, thanks for all your responses and insight.

You're welcome. BTW, using a VPN is always a great idea when you're on a public WiFi hotspot. I never hop on one without it. Lot's of options. On my iPhone and iPad I use www.getcloak.com. Very cheap and gets the job done.

And even if you used Tor , the moment you made an online purchase you would not be anonymous anymore.

And I'm not kidding about T0r users being catologed. If you use that software there is a good chance you may end up on some kind of a list.

Article:
http://mobile.pcmag.com/?origref=htt...-about-privacy


Article: Here’s One Way to Land on the NSA’s Watch List
http://www.propublica.org/article/he...sas-watch-list

It's better to just use a VPN service and even then don't do anything against the law. At least with the VPN service you will be just one of many many many business, personal and government users of VPN technology.

One thing you could do that would help protect yourself would be to use prepaid visa cards when buying online. Or, at least get a credit card used exclusively for that. But even shopping at physical stores puts you at risk, i.e. Target.