VPN security (express vpn story)

Discussion in 'privacy problems' started by WhoIsTylerDurden, May 17, 2016.

  1. WhoIsTylerDurden

    WhoIsTylerDurden Registered Member

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    May 13, 2016
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    alright so i decided to gove express von a try for a month subscription.

    I downloaded it on both my phone and my pc's. The default server they recommended was in New York. So of course me not thinking into it at all i just used that.

    Then after a couple days of reading on here i figured out that maybe it was best if i used one of there servers in a different country not bound by the NSA.

    I made maybe one purchase with my debit card on amazon while using the vpn in the new york area.

    Wierd thing is about 5 days later. (After i had already changed server locations to use). My card gets a charge from new york. Some guy went into a pharmacy to buy something eith it. Luckily my bank caught it right there and nothing happened. Getting a new card now.

    Is this just a coincidence or was my information corrupted through their servers? I dont know what the chances are but i figure pretty slim
     
  2. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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    Slovenia, EU
    If you were using amazon's https site to make purchase VPN provider couldn't access your credit card data. If insecure connection was used (http) then in theory VPN provider could get that data. IMO it's only coincidence if you were using legit amazon site to make purchase.
     
  3. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    9,252
    Right.

    Maybe the Amazon seller has poor security.
     
  4. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    This is why I use virtual credit cards for all online purchases. My bank allows me to create virtual card numbers linked to my actual number and the merchants don't know the difference. The cool thing is the number is ONLY valid at the first merchant that uses it. So, if a bad employee/hacker were to gain access to the virtual card number its useless to anyone other than the one single merchant number. Further I control the credit limit of the virtual number so if I am buying something for 44.00 I set the limit at maybe 50.00 and after my purchase in this case there would only be 6.00 left. Once the transaction clears I delete the virtual number and its all good to go with NO security risks. All transaction details and receipts go directly on my actual credit card so I can track things just like the real physical card was used. Slick, safe!

    NO online merchant will EVER see my true credit card number. Most large USA banks offer that if you have never done it!
     
  5. emmpe

    emmpe Registered Member

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    So this really works? I've tried this on recommendation from my bank, and it turned out most vendors make a "virtual" och "test" withdrawal of one dollar or so to a special account, locking the virtual card to that account, thus making the "real" transaction impossible.
     
  6. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    I have never had an issue with this at all. Hundreds of transactions. I use this within the USA so I can't speak for other countries on the globe! My bank is one of the top 5 in the nation.

    Amazon, Ebay, or any online merchant I have ever encountered all work perfectly!!
     
  7. emmpe

    emmpe Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2007
    Posts:
    121
    Hmm, this is odd. I'm sure it's not my Swedish IP that stops me as it doesn't work here either, and the bank confirms the issue. Thanks for the info - I'm sure going to have another discussion with them.
     
  8. Palancar

    Palancar Registered Member

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    Oct 26, 2011
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    2,402
    The IP should have nothing to do with it. I physically write down the credit card number, expiration, security code on back, etc.. and then simply make my purchase like it was the actual card.

    Good Luck!
     
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