I have read some stuff about how if you are logged into like your google account while on your VPN you have pretty much given yourself away.

So first, is that accurate?

I just got a mullvad vpn and am using their browser. Created a new lemmy account. And I shut down my other browsers before connecting to the vpn to be on the safe side. Is that necessary? Anything else I need to do to sail the high seas anonymously and safely. I am looking to start finding all the movies that never seem to be on my many streaming services, but want to be safe about it. Thanks

  • stifle867@programming.devEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    If your threat model is companies detecting your movie piracy then what you’re doing now is fine. Just ensure any torrent program is bound to the VPN interface and also make sure you’re blocking any trackers if you do happen to log into Facebook, Google, etc as they will be able to track your movements around the web (not that they’re looking to enforce movie copyright)

    • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Is there a VPN that binds easily to android? I had been using Flud and cyberghost VPN but did not have them bound. I just let my cyberghost vpn membership lapse so I could get a new VPN for tormenting, but haven’t picked one yet. I torrent from my phone quite a lot and not just my pc.

  • CyberSeeker@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Why are you running a VPN? If you are simply shielding your internet activity from your ISP, Google won’t give a shit where you sign in from.

    If you are browsing to shield your identity, you want to be fully disassociated with any non-secure browsing habits. If this is your use case, even if you are using discrete internet accounts, tracking cookies are common enough that, you would still be identifiable from your browser fingerprint. It all depends on what your risk factors are, and how much you want to spend to mitigate them.

  • Jessica@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I’ve used Transmission + PIA for several years now. In that time frame, I’ve had three separate ISPs (due to moving a few times). I received a total of one DMCA notice in the last ~10 years, due to unknowingly running Transmission with the VPN off. Since then, I keep the advanced kill switch turned on.

    My Google account is always logged in. I only use Facebook for their Marketplace, which is seldom.

    I have no issues, at all. Keep in mind, you’re small potatoes.

    • myersguy@lemmy.simpl.websiteEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Not sure that transmission supports it, but other torrent clients (qbitorrent, deluge) allow binding the torrent client to your VPN interface. That way, you literally can’t torrent on anything but your VPN connection (even if a killswitch fails/the VPN isn’t running)