PIA VPN
PIA VPN
I haven't really tried their service before. If I just want to browse the web, I usually go through a browser and sometimes use Tor because some big companies complain about it. Otherwise, I'd pick either OpenVPN or Tails depending on how secure I need it to be. The best part is everything is free.
It's not complete certainty. I've learned about three-letter intelligence groups that offer exit points for Tor. The truth is, absolutely nothing is completely secure. You can't rely on governments or companies. The only true safety comes from within your mind.
Even if it's accurate, the route goes through several stages: browser encryption → entry node → bridge node → exit node. This allows visibility of traffic, but it remains untraceable. Each site you visit gets a random identifier, which is why you shouldn't use any account linked to you and always avoid VPNs, even the best ones won't fully safeguard you.
I don’t see the need to pick between a VPN and Tor. Using Tor increases the level of monitoring for every connection. Even if you’re unsure which sites you visit through Tor, your IP address is confirmed to be using it. In a society where everyone sends postcards, an envelope looks odd. I’ve heard that some agencies track Tor users, and I can picture ISPs noticing. I mainly rely on Tor with a VPN just to add another layer of uncertainty to my traffic. There are drawbacks to using Tor too—high latency is common, and downloading big files over it isn’t recommended (it could strain the network). You mentioned it’s risky to route traffic through Tor since it can help reveal your identity in other ways. There are also regional issues; once I tried accessing Google via Tor, I kept getting redirected to a European version that wasn’t helpful. I haven’t chosen to route all traffic through a VPN yet, so I use vanilla, VPN, and VPN+Tor combinations, though I don’t use Tor without a VPN.
Even with a VPN, you'll still attract attention. Avoid sending all traffic through it, since updates could reveal your identity. Google won’t require Tor unless you use it, and you’re unlikely to be recognized there. Fingerprinting Tor is difficult, especially over bridges, and it’s not possible to completely hide your presence.