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Resolved Question

Security of ZenMate

Mar 27, 2016 3:31AM PDT

Hello Everyone,

I am using Lenovo Laptop G585, Firefox 45.0.1. (With Google Chrome and I.E, as backup if required.)

I have received a message urging me to download and install ZenMate - which, I am informed, is a 'free' application. This usually indicates that it is "me" or the "information on my computer" that is the real object of this offer!

My concern is that as there is no such thing as a "Free Lunch" this product must need servicing and incur costs for using their srever etc, so are they spying -mining- out my data, sharing it with goverment agencies or selling it for advertising companies or some other such reason.

(All that being said, I use free security programmes like AVG, SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes !!)

I do not see a use for it for myself, I do not have or use what might be termed as "sensitive information" so I would only ask for a knowledgeable reply - I am not too technical!

Thanks in advance.

Colinito.

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Best Answer

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That looks to be a VPN.
Mar 27, 2016 8:42AM PDT

I feel VPNs are mostly a bust as folk install such then start to complain about sites that don't work, they can't print, the internet is slower and so on.

We already have encrypted HTTPS (web surfing) so a VPN is well, and I'm going to rile VPN lovers here, just moving the encryption and traffic to the VPN site which must use HTTPS from then on out.

Not sold.

That said we do use VPN to VPN into our company network. For that use, it's spot on.

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Security of ZenMate/That looks to be a VPN.
Mar 27, 2016 11:46AM PDT

Thank you for your reply, Bob,

I do not see a VPN as of any use for me. I do not use anything that I consider might want to be encrypted, and use my computer on the internet for mundane things like emails and Skype! and as a home office/store for keeping documents that I decide to make!

My latest concern was about the Ransome Virus, so when I return home in May, I shall use an old HD to back-up both my desktop and laptop.

Kind regards,

Colinito.