I guess I don't understand what you are doing. Then VPN is to create a secure link either between your computer and a trusted LAN or from your computer to a be

I guess I don't understand what you are doing. Then VPN is to create a secure link either between your computer and a trusted LAN or from your computer to a better, less-likely-to-be-sniffed exit point than open wifi. It's not to hide who you are from the destination server or from anyone observing the overall WAN traffic (as the NSA can do). People with resources can find out who you are with VPN. Saying one should use VPN for anonymity is a bit like saying that its fine to use 1234 as your password because you've never had a problem before and it keeps people out of your account just fine. The reality is that it seems secure right up until the moment that it isn't. Anonymity is what something like Tor is made for, and depending on your level of paranoia even that may not be enough on its own.