Should I be using a VPN?

[completeidiot]

Sorry, that this post isn't really task oriented, I'm really just trying to get some educated opinions about security and anonymity in general.
Whether that be peer to peer. Web. Wifi. Network. Whatever.
I'm intentionally being vague....because I don't really know all of the problems or the solutions that we face. Just "beginner talk" not a request for help with a specific issue....was really just polling about VPN etc

[sandyd]

Sorry, that this post isn't really task oriented, I'm really just trying to get some educated opinions about security and anonymity in general.
Whether that be peer to peer. Web. Wifi. Network. Whatever.
I'm intentionally being vague....because I don't really know all of the problems or the solutions that we face. Just "beginner talk" not a request for help with a specific issue....was really just polling about VPN etc

http://netsecurity.about.com/od/news...2psecurity.htm #p2p security

http://gigaom.com/2009/11/13/using-p...-tunnel-first/ #wifi

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/200...229204_F.shtml #wifi

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8305379.stm #network

http://www.wired.com/listening_post/...itish-isps-wi/ #network

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/112331 #network

[Chronon]

See if TOR is what you want.

[completeidiot]

Again...I have no specific need or goal. I just want to learn about issues that the community considers important. Especially issues that may not even occur to me or other users.
TOR and the linked articles seem very interesting so far. Thank you.

[bodhi.zazen]

Again...I have no specific need or goal. I just want to learn about issues that the community considers important. Especially issues that may not even occur to me or other users.
TOR and the linked articles seem very interesting so far. Thank you.

Tor is :

1. slow.

2. Not as useful as you would like. Even on the TOR web pages they caution you against assuming you will remain anonymous.