# Why does Kaspersky want me to install VPN secure wireless? Should I install it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 13, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420 "2017-12-13T18:32:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/1 "2017-12-13T18:32:42Z")
I use Kaspersky’s App to protect my phone. It’s blocked malware several times. It’s Russian but I don’t have any State secrets they care about. 😉 Today, I get a notification to install their VPN to protect my wireless. 😕 My screen cap [![](https://i.imgur.com/yj5nkqP.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/yj5nkqP.png) A VPN is a Server that hides your IP and blocks ad tracking. The Net only sees the VPN server. What’s that got to do with making my Wireless secure? Should I install Kaspersky’s VPN? It’s free. I haven’t used a VPN before. Does it interfere with online shopping at Amazon and eBay? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/2 "2017-12-13T18:48:48Z")
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. My wild guess is that Kaspersky offers to firewall your system so that all Internet traffic is routed through the VPN, thus making it slightly more difficult for malware to connect to you directly through the local area network. I am not familiar with their specific offer, though: is it really, truly free, or an offer to try it for a limited amount of time? Usually VPN services are paid. In any case, it should have no effect on online shopping. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/3 "2017-12-13T18:53:25Z")
The ad says free. But, their web site says Free Trial. It’s $30 a year and covers five devices. Here’s a list of the best rated VPN for 2017 [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/best-vpn-services-2016-directory/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/best-vpn-services-2016-directory/) Hide My Ass and Golden Frog are $80 a year. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/4 "2017-12-13T18:59:48Z")
They’re probably not talking about your own wireless, but instead when you are connected to unsecured wireless (e.g., starbucks, mcdonalds, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/5 "2017-12-13T19:04:37Z")
If I decide to use a VPN. It will be the one with a perfect 5/5 rating from CNET > [@](#): > > Speaking of price, if you want a 5/5 rated VPN provider and you want the lowest yearly price anywhere, Private Internet Access is the place to go. At $6.95 a month, their monthly fee is the second lowest of our picks, but at $39.95 per year, Private Internet Access beats even the second lowest yearly price by a full Jackson (a $20 bill). > > The company does not release information on the number of IP addresses available, but at 3,252, their server count is more than any of our other picks. > > These folks have been around since 2010, and don’t log anything. They provide a generous five connections, a connection kill switch feature, and some good online documentation and security guidance. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/6 "2017-12-13T19:05:15Z")
That answers your question, then. Kaspersky wants you to subscribe to _their_ VPN because then they get $30 a year. Is their service as good as the $80 ones? No idea, you need to look for a review (for the higher prices you should definitely get unlimited bandwidth, for instance). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/7 "2017-12-13T19:07:33Z")
There are free VPN apps for phones. I use Opera VPN on mine. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/8 "2017-12-13T19:07:45Z")
That’s a good point. Kaspersky is just now entering the VPN game. They have a built in customer base they can tap into. I am thinking seriously of a VPN. I’m fed up with targeted ads. I researched some bar stools on Amazon for my mom. Sent her several links to stools she might like. I had bar stool ads on my phone for a week afterward. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/9 "2017-12-13T19:14:25Z")
I will add that, VPN or no VPN, you need to be firewalled. Unless it is your own private VPN, you do not have any control over who uses the VPN any more than you do over the free public WiFi. ETA the ads/spam could also be keeping track of cookies and such on your device… best to block all that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/10 "2017-12-13T19:17:11Z")
I’m getting my VPN education today. 😉 Learning about kill switches and why I need one. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vpnmentor.com/amp/blog/kill-switch-features/](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vpnmentor.com/amp/blog/kill-switch-features/) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/11 "2017-12-13T19:21:47Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > I will add that, VPN or no VPN, you need to be firewalled. Unless it is your own private VPN, you do not have any control over who uses the VPN any more than you do over the free public WiFi. > > ETA the ads/spam could also be keeping track of cookies and such on your device… best to block all that stuff. Amazon is really bad about tracking what you look at. Their Targeted Ads follow me everywhere. I even get email reminding me of the wonderful items I looked at (on Amazon) and didn’t buy. WTF? Imagine a retail store pulling that shit. Phone rings, Uh, sir? Those pants you looked at Walmart last week? They’re here if you change your mind. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/12 "2017-12-13T19:25:52Z")
Don’t have anything to do with Kaspersky. It’s not always about _your_ state secrets. Welcome to the age of botnets, and being an unknowing vector. Please remove them and don’t use them again. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/13 "2017-12-13T19:43:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Amazon is really bad about tracking what you look at. Their Targeted Ads follow me everywhere. I even get email reminding me of the wonderful items I looked at (on Amazon) and didn’t buy. WTF? > > Imagine a retail store pulling that shit. It’s not just Amazon; nearly every online retailer (and other sites, as well) buy targeted ads, and send emails, based on what you do. But, if Amazon really annoys you, you can tell them to stop: Turn off targeted ads from them: [Amazon.com: Advertising Preferences](https://www.amazon.com/adprefs?ref_=ya_d_l_advert_prefs) Turn off other marketing from them (emails): [Amazon Sign-In](https://www.amazon.com/gp/cpc/homepage?ref_=ya_d_l_comm_prefs#) You might also want to install an ad blocker, generally (though an increasing number of websites won’t let you in with an ad blocker). ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/14 "2017-12-13T19:46:48Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Amazon is really bad about tracking what you look at. Their Targeted Ads follow me everywhere. I even get email reminding me of the wonderful items I looked at (on Amazon) and didn’t buy. WTF? Yeah, my ‘recommendations’ were rather interesting the several weeks after I sent the penis shaped candy to the people holed up at Malheur Wildlife Refuge. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/15 "2017-12-13T19:49:09Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Yeah, my ‘recommendations’ were rather interesting the several weeks after I sent the penis shaped candy to the people holed up at Malheur Wildlife Refuge. 😃 I will often do online research for the role-playing games that I play and GM. That tends to lead to very odd things showing up in my ads and recommendations for a while. For instance, research for a modern-day vampire game gets me weeks of ads for Romanian hotels. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/16 "2017-12-13T19:52:11Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Don’t have anything to do with Kaspersky. It’s not always about _your_ state secrets. Welcome to the age of botnets, and being an unknowing vector. Please remove them and don’t use them again. Seconded. I used them, but have yanked them and removed it from my computer. The execs say that they are really independent, but they are tied in with Putin’s mob. If you doubt us, do a search on them. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/17 "2017-12-13T20:02:11Z")
I may change after my annual subscription runs out. I still have 7 months prepaid. Kaspersky works. It’s blocked malicious content several times and saved me from myself. I also have anti theft phone recovery set up on their web site. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/18 "2017-12-13T21:03:42Z")
VPNs can also help protect you from packet sniffer and man-in-the middle type attacks if you accidentally connect to a fake access point. VPNs establish an encrypted data tunnel from your device to the VPN server so even if someone does intercept your data they wouldn’t be able to read it. ---
**Author:** ![Anglachel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Anglachel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anglachel)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/19 "2017-12-13T21:26:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Seconded. I used them, but have yanked them and removed it from my computer. The execs say that they are really independent, but they are tied in with Putin’s mob. > If you doubt us, do a search on them. This. Seriously. The US government (and State governments) is dropping them faster than gov’t agencies actually can. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420/20 "2017-12-18T11:42:11Z")
Got Signed up to Private Internet Access tonight. They don’t have a Firefox client. I had to use FoxyProxy and a SOCK5 account that Private Internet Access proviided. I may be forced to use Chrome ☹ shit!!! Private Internet Access does provide a Chrome client. I got a IP in the Netherlands. Ran several leak tests and so far I’m hidden. One downside to VPN No one warns you about. I got commercials in Dutch on YouTube and I’ve seen Dutch on a few web sites. That’s freaking bizarre. 😃 I just submitted a Help Ticket because I can’t find a way to change my Server location. I suspect it’s because I’m using FoxyProxy. Another reason I may be forced into using Chrome. I still have to install the Android App and get this setup there. Android comes with Chrome so I’ll get to see their App. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-kaspersky-want-me-to-install-vpn-secure-wireless-should-i-install-it/804420.md?page=2)