Anyone have any experience with using a VPN? Is it worth it?

I've used basic services that allow for accessing US content like Netflix, but never jumped over to a proper VPN.

Trying to decide if the monthly fee is even worth it in a world where big brother already sees all : )

I use a VPN once in a blue moon to access our work servers... I don't use it much, as trying to work on large data sets and intensely huge graphic files is fairly prohibitive

I had one years ago, but quit because of the cost. Lots of great uses for it (especially if you're a BitTorrent fan, as it's the only way to truly stay safe), but I felt most of my reasons for having it were unnecessary. I'd only start up again if I started to get letters from my ISP.

There's so many companies offering them, I tend to think there must be one that offers a free trial? That way you could make sure it doesn't slow down your computer and that you can properly access Netflix or other things you want to use.

I read these types of threads every so often and my mind boggles and I realize how tech retarded I really am. I may just be old too. Oh shit... I may be both

Man, i feel the same, which is why I ask : )

It feels like another thing to potentially break the very fragile eco-system that is my working entertainment/internet home set-up, but with more and more examples of just how easy it is for someone to gain access to all your shit, i'm thinking it might be time to get back to school : ).

I've tried looking into a few vpns, but opinions seem to be pretty divided. Anyone tried
http://www.privateinternetaccess.com
or
https://www.express-vpn.com

I thought the V stood for "very" all this time.

and the PN?