Is a VPN very necessary and helpful for everyday home usage? I can understand the need for wireless and roaming but for normal broadband modem connects at home, what are the risks of not using a VPN? Not just the torrents, but banking, shopping with credit card payment sites (not netflix, country-specific or shady sites), e-mail and general usage.
Needed?
No, not at all.
Things will work fine without one.
Wanted?
That is up to you to decide.
It does give some extra security/privacy.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=vpn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network
I understand the overall VPN benefits but what are the benefits of home usage as per my previous Q compared to not using one? Meaning, what risks do I have at home by not using it as per my previous examples of usage.
If you understand how a VPN works, what the pro’s and con’s are…
You already know the answer.
But only for public usage I can see benefits. I’d appreciate someone answering my Q. I can’t understand why you’re being so rude and taunting about this.
Avast SecureLine is designed to protect you when you’re using open WiFi such as McDonals or Starbucks or at a hotel.
It isn’t really needed at home unless you’re connecting through an unsecure connection.
Of course I don’t agree with Bob ;D
When using a VPN service, your ISP can not log what you are doing on the internet.
And when using use a VPN server outside your country, it is much harder for your Government ( never trust them ! ) to see what you are doing on the internet.
Greetz, Red.
Not all of us are so paranoid. 
Thank you for the feedback.
Have you seen “Panopticon” and “Citizenfour” Bob ? Yesterdays paranoia is tomorrows realism 
Greetz, Red.
Tis true, Secureline was originally designed for use on “Unprotected” WiFi networks such as you find in Airports. These networks are not Password Protected such as you find in Home networks which are most commonly “Password Protected”.
Having said that, I find little wrong with also using a VPN service all the time if you want to.
It does provide somewhat more anonymity.
I have also seen it trigger certain unwanted things like needing to prove you are actually you since you are logged in from an “unknown” place and source.
Yes that can/does happen. Usually not much effort to confirm login for anytime that has happen to me.
Typically with Email signin with Web based Email (Google, MSN etc).
Also depends on the VPN, Some VPN services have ample settings to avoid this behavior.
One of the VPN’s I use ‘Hideaway’ by Firetrust has options to avoid problems with signin’s from different IPS addresses.
can a vpn protect me from someone getting to my computer if i installed a spy program to my pc accidentally?
thanks
Please be more specific> What Spy Program?
How exactly was it accidentally installed?