4 ms·

While commercial VPNs are scams from a security perspective with misleading marketing, they're pretty useful for location spoofing and accessing blocked content

While commercial VPNs are scams from a security perspective with misleading marketing, they're pretty useful for location spoofing and accessing blocked content (if the content service hasn't blocked a VPN already). Especially if you travel a fair amount and want to access things from the perspective of your home country, they do the job I'd also say my password manager (1Password) is by far my most used and most bang for the buck subscription I currently have. I literally use it almost every hour of every day and paying a few dollars a year is not a big deal

abirch 4y ago
How does it compare to Google's password management? I constantly use it from chrome or mt Android phone.
- staindk 4y ago
  I think Chrome's pw manager is pretty fine if you don't feel like you're missing anything. I'm on the free tier of Bitwarden and it's been perfect for me. I'm a cheapskate with subscriptions though.
- nsm 4y ago
  Browser password managers are probably fine for most users, but 1password is really good for specific use cases 1password works across multiple OSes, works in other browsers, allows saving much more than just passwords (ssh key management, API credentials). The ability to securely share passwords with time limited links is a big draw for me to use the subscription model. 1p cli is also seriously useful. Also for those who are not aware, if your company uses 1p business, you get one FREE personal family account for every business user.
  - abirch 4y ago
    Thank you!!! This is why I come to HN.
z3c0 4y ago
Or shielding content from intrusive ISPs. Comcast and AT&T will both shake down people over torrenting media, especially if that media is copyrighted by one particular mouse-related company. It's also a good way to obstruct mass data gathering by governments, provided your chosen VPN lives outside the 5/9/14 eyes.
- nibbleshifter 4y ago
  > Comcast and AT&T will both shake down people over torrenting media Same with every single ISP in Germany. Law firms representing rights holders basically scrape peer swarms on content they "protect", and use the ISP to arrange to send letters demanding a fee be paid or else they take you to court. If you torrent in Germany, a seedbox or VPN is essential. https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pirating-streaming-movies-in-germany#how-is-piracy-prosecuted-in-germany https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pirating-streaming-movies-...
massysett 4y ago
I thought 1Password was too expensive, and the interface doesn't always work perfectly. So I canceled the subscription and went to a home-rolled solution of spreadsheets and Apple's built-in manager. My home-rolled solution worked OK on desktops but using it on tablets and phones was no fun at all. After several months I went back to 1Password and am now happy to pay for it.
- benhurmarcel 4y ago
  If you want to replace 1password by a free (or cheaper) alternative, look at Bitwarden rather. The UX isn't as polished but otherwise it provides the same main features.

abirch 4y ago

How does it compare to Google's password management? I constantly use it from chrome or mt Android phone.

staindk 4y ago
I think Chrome's pw manager is pretty fine if you don't feel like you're missing anything. I'm on the free tier of Bitwarden and it's been perfect for me. I'm a cheapskate with subscriptions though.
nsm 4y ago
Browser password managers are probably fine for most users, but 1password is really good for specific use cases 1password works across multiple OSes, works in other browsers, allows saving much more than just passwords (ssh key management, API credentials). The ability to securely share passwords with time limited links is a big draw for me to use the subscription model. 1p cli is also seriously useful. Also for those who are not aware, if your company uses 1p business, you get one FREE personal family account for every business user.
- abirch 4y ago
  Thank you!!! This is why I come to HN.

z3c0 4y ago

Or shielding content from intrusive ISPs. Comcast and AT&T will both shake down people over torrenting media, especially if that media is copyrighted by one particular mouse-related company. It's also a good way to obstruct mass data gathering by governments, provided your chosen VPN lives outside the 5/9/14 eyes.

nibbleshifter 4y ago
> Comcast and AT&T will both shake down people over torrenting media Same with every single ISP in Germany. Law firms representing rights holders basically scrape peer swarms on content they "protect", and use the ISP to arrange to send letters demanding a fee be paid or else they take you to court. If you torrent in Germany, a seedbox or VPN is essential. https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pirating-streaming-movies-in-germany#how-is-piracy-prosecuted-in-germany https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/pirating-streaming-movies-...

massysett 4y ago

I thought 1Password was too expensive, and the interface doesn't always work perfectly. So I canceled the subscription and went to a home-rolled solution of spreadsheets and Apple's built-in manager. My home-rolled solution worked OK on desktops but using it on tablets and phones was no fun at all. After several months I went back to 1Password and am now happy to pay for it.

benhurmarcel 4y ago
If you want to replace 1password by a free (or cheaper) alternative, look at Bitwarden rather. The UX isn't as polished but otherwise it provides the same main features.