Does VPN really give you privacy?

[Mayhard]

The big question...

So does VPN really give you privacy? From what I have found and as far as I have understood, all the data is routed to the VPN instead of your ISP, so is it basically not the same? Is it not that the data just changes the 'vessel' ?

[phaz0rz]

Since VPN traffic is encrypted, I would think you're trading privacy from your ISP for a lack of privacy to the VPN company. The ISP can still see that you're online but they don't have the keys so they can't read your encrypted traffic, aside from maybe which protocols are being used. The VPN company does have the keys so they can presumably see all of your traffic if they want to.

There was a case back in 2003 where the FBI setup their own VPN company, then advertised it as a carding service on carding forums for $50-75/month. They captured all kinds of juicy traffic and indicted several people as a result. I'm pretty sure it was called (or was a part of) "operation firewall".

[Mayhard]

those VPN providers that declare themselves privacy friendly, do they keep the keys too? and what about those 'no logs kept' statements? Are they just vain claims?

[WEI]

Originally Posted by Mayhard

those VPN providers that declare themselves privacy friendly, do they keep the keys too? and what about those 'no logs kept' statements? Are they just vain claims?

That's 50/50. For security/record reasons, VPN providers do keep the logs.
You really can never know, tbh. Better to setup your workstation away from your 'personal' stuffs.

[Mayhard]

so is it valid to conclude that the privacy gained from VPN is just a vain statement?

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by Mayhard

those VPN providers that declare themselves privacy friendly, do they keep the keys too? and what about those 'no logs kept' statements? Are they just vain claims?

IMO, those (false) claims are a gimmick. They'd have to keep the keys, otherwise your VPN traffic would reach their servers as a garbled mess and your connection wouldn't work.

[treyallover]

Originally Posted by Mayhard

The big question...

So does VPN really give you privacy? From what I have found and as far as I have understood, all the data is routed to the VPN instead of your ISP, so is it basically not the same? Is it not that the data just changes the 'vessel' ?

Yes, a VPN will provide an additional security layer but it isn't a comprehensive solution for total anonymity.

Identify your problem first and work backward from there.

What do you want to be private, and who do you want to hide from?