[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

VPNs are useful if you travel or connect to unknown or untrusted wireless access points, etc. Basically all traffic is encrypted and tunneled over the VPN and exits to "the world" from the other end point of the VPN.

I'm too lazy to do it, so when I need that functionality, I use a SSH tunnel and either create a SOCKS4/5 proxy or simply forward X11 over the SSH tunnel.

Good call! Yes, if you use any sort of wifi other than your own (stores, hotels, airports, coffee shops, etc...), then VPN is a good idea. For me, I generally only connect to trusted wifi or use the Internet on my phone (directly or as a hotspot), so it's not as big a deal.