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
    26•8 months 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)

  • @CyberSeeker@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    21•8 months 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.

    • @SailorsLife@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2•8 months ago

      Most people point out I am not worth their effort to trace for a few movies. But I am curious, if say I use a specific browser when on the vpn and only use a few very specific accounts like this one which I don’t use when I am off the vpn. How do they identify me.

  • JessicaEnglish
    9•8 months 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
      9•8 months 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)

      • JessicaEnglish
        3•8 months ago

        I’ll look into it, thanks!

      • @June@lemm.eeEnglish
        2•8 months ago

        Any suggestions on where to learn how to do this? I’m sailing on a Linux machine if it makes a difference.

        • wolfshadowheart
          3•8 months ago

          It’s usually in the network settings of the torrent client. Usually listed with “IP interface binding” or some such.

          Qbittorrent has it as a dropdown menu with a list of available IP’s to use, as well as an option to set it manually.

      • JessicaEnglish
        2•8 months ago

        Very interesting! I’m running on Mac and I have a dedicated IP with my VPN, I bet I could do something similar. Thank you!