Is a VPN worth it?

[MacInWin]

In addition to what Randy has said, in Sequoia Apple has a new app called "Passwords" that has a much more user friendly interface than the old Keychain.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

To be clear, I'm not saying that you have to have a third party password manager, in addition to Keychain. I'm just saying that third party password managers are far from worthless.

 

[MacInWin]

Here is the link to the Passwords User Guide from APple, for those interested:

Passwords User Guide

Use Passwords on your Mac to find all your passwords in one place, across all your devices.

support.apple.com

 

[Rod]

Just thought I'd follow-up.As I get older and watch what goes on around me in this world, I get more and more less trusting. So I did sign up with NordVPN. Was pretty easy and able to set up on all our devices. Randy, you will be happy to know that I did take your advice and cancelled within the 30 day window so should be getting a full refund (or close to it). I did so because there were sites that wouldn't load. If I disconnected, then they did. From all the comments I've read, here and other sites, I decided it wasn't much use. I do appreciate your guy's guidance.

For me it's just the opposite, there are sites here in Indonesia that wont load at all without a VPN and surprising to me, two days ago I attempted to download the macOS Sequoia 15.4 update with my VPN off as I usually do just in case of drop outs and it was incredibly slow, downloading at around 200 KB/s and a time estimate of 18 hrs. After no improvement over about 30 min I sttopped the download, turned on my VPN and this time achieved 11 - 14 MB/s and a time estimate of 20 min.
So, it depends entirely on where you are and what you are accessing.

I might add that I did a Speed Check when the download was running slowly and got 70-80Mb/s (~10MB/s) so I can only assume Pt. Telkomsel ID are deleberatly throttling communications with Apple's servers if they can detect it.

Indonesia does not have a good relationship with Apple at the moment and sadly that's likely to get worse (I wont mention the T word). I'm only grateful I bought my new iPhone 16e a month ago and got my IMEI registered for only 20% of the new price at the airport on arrival. In fact I think it was a guesstimation based on the old SE3 because you cant buy an iPhone 16 in Indonesia so I doubt if it was on her list. By my calculation it should have been around A$200.00 but ended up being A$108.00

 

[ferrarr]

Of course, the Mac OS has a password manager that it comes with. Keychain. But it's not as nice or as full featured

Just as an FYI, Apple made a Password app that is much more user friendly, Use the Passwords app to create, manage, and share passwords and passkeys across Apple devices - Apple Support.

Of course Keychain is still there and intimidating. Although I did just put it in my Dock because I needed something from before Passwords came to life.

 

[macgig]

Ive used one for years but often wonder why. Does not cost much so I keep using it. I miss the faster internet speeds I get without the VPN.

I would pay little attention to those “best vpn’s for 2022” type articles. Most vpn reviews online are BS. fake. lies. based on people trying to make $$$. The reviews can’t be trusted.

 

[IWT]

I would pay little attention to those “best vpn’s for 2022” type articles. Most vpn reviews online are BS. fake. lies. based on people trying to make $$$. The reviews can’t be trusted.

So why do you continue to use one?

I miss the faster internet speeds I get without the VPN.

That's what I mean

Ive used one for years but often wonder why.

Indeed!

I'm making fun of this. No offence intended. In life, we all do things that we know are not worthwhile; and yet we continue to use them.

PS Don't tell anyone else, but I too, use a VPN on occasions.

Ian