this post was submitted on 03 Aug 2023
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Proton

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Empowering you to choose a better internet where privacy is the default. Protect yourself online with Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive. Proton Pass and SimpleLogin.

Proton Mail is the world's largest secure email provider. Swiss, end-to-end encrypted, private, and free.

Proton VPN is the world’s only open-source, publicly audited, unlimited and free VPN. Swiss-based, no-ads, and no-logs.

Proton Calendar is the world's first end-to-end encrypted calendar that allows you to keep your life private.

Proton Drive is a free end-to-end encrypted cloud storage that allows you to securely backup and share your files. It's open source, publicly audited, and Swiss-based.

Proton Pass Proton Pass is a free and open-source password manager which brings a higher level of security with rigorous end-to-end encryption of all data (including usernames, URLs, notes, and more) and email alias support.

SimpleLogin lets you send and receive emails anonymously via easily-generated unique email aliases.

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How/Why I use Proton (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 year ago by KrisND@lemmy.world to c/protonprivacy@lemmy.world
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I'm so glad to see Proton on lemmy! Hello!

Just wanted to add some activity here and explain why and how I use Proton. I've used Proton for years now but unfortunately never locked into the visionary plan when I could :(

  • Email: Not only advanced security options but multi email support that is seamless. The filtering and interface is absolutely great compared to other options. Even the free version is better, just wish it had more storage.
  • Drive: For backups and easily sharing files, recently the windows app came out so now I can access my PC files (securely) which is great but really wish there was a linux app too. But makes it super easy and much better than using Google Drive. For example I share a folder with a client and they can access the project files in virtually real-time.
  • VPN: Although, I've seen my fair share of hate on it, it's better than using nothing and it's maintained my a top notch company. The Anti-ad/tracking/malware works great! With always on set, I often forget I'm even using a VPN. And at least now I know my ISP isn't snooping, always encrypted and it's added privacy!
  • Pass: The newest service! It's really great, way better than the browser autofill I, and many others, typically use. I've completely swapped over to it. I wish you didn't ever have to access SimpleLogin for things but it's very new. I not only daily use notes but all my 2FA is setup thru it as well. Weather it be mobile or browser extension it's very stable!

Calendar is another great addition, I do use it for recurring reminders but I'm still stuck in 1990 using paper planners ☠️

With the new family plan, it's so much more affordable and I've been able to swap family over to the service as the free plan of only 500mb (1GB after steps) just isn't enough and paying for it has been the barrier. Considering I use it for hours every day for work and personal, it's been invaluable and I've never had any issues. I don't get any spam, my filters always work, it's clean and organized!

Highly recommended!

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[–] TheLastOfHisName@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

I'm a Proton user as well, and overall, pretty happy with their products. They're transparent, genuine, and dedicated. I think that's worth paying for.

[–] harsh3466@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’m also a proton user and generally pretty happy. I’m not all in, but that’s principally because I’m not comfortable putting all my eggs in one basket.

[–] clearnew@mastodon.social 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@harsh3466 @KrisND as a guy with #ADHD, my eggs were in too many baskets and I needed to get them into one. I choose Proton because I didn’t want to use #Google anymore. I purchased a plan so I could use a custom domain. That allows me to move along at a moments notice if need be.

[–] harsh3466@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I can understand and appreciate that reasoning. I also use a custom domain so I'm not locked to Proton. It's a good way to go. I'm also with you on not using #Google anymore. I stay as far away from Google as possible.

[–] clearnew@mastodon.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@harsh3466 I was never fully satisfied with any of their products in the first place. Then they attempted to bully the Canadian government over some legislation and that was it. I don’t like bullies.

[–] harsh3466@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I never heard about that. Do you have a link I could check out to learn more? I tried searching, but I’m not sure I’m finding what you’re referring to.

[–] TurboDiesel@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Love everything about Proton so far, but particularly their transparency. I've never used a service so open about what the company and technology are doing.

[–] Noxvento@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

The way they force you onto their most expensive plan is not very transparent to me. I have Pass Plus and I can't upgrade to Mail Plus. I would have to upgrade to Unlimited with features I don't need.

[–] Nelizea@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yes currently you can have 1 subscription per account. Proton is however working in changing that, to have more than one active subscription per account.

[–] alex_herrero@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

We've been reading that recently, so based on users' feedback, I know the team is working on ways to have multiple plans, not yet but probably on the roadmap.

[–] TurboDiesel@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

TIL. That's pretty icky. I was shopping for a new VPN and tired of Gmail, so when they offered me Unlimited I jumped on it.

[–] artifice@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What's wrong with the VPN? I've only read good things about it.

[–] ultranaut@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Linux client is not great. The Android client can get weird about reconnecting automatically. Otherwise, it's been awesome and fast.

[–] LUHG_HANI@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

The Linux client has been great on desktop but laptop i have to kill the ipv6 leak protection uid now and again. Android is fine for me, never really had many issues. All in all, rather happy. Long time user.

[–] KrisND@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I think it's a great service and certainly improves privacy and security. Although, there are articles and plenty of discussion online in regards to the pros/cons, VPN brands and weather a VPN is even effective. For me, it's another tool in the toolbox but I find it harder to get people to use a VPN than any of the other services but not directly because of Proton (speeds, re-connecting time, it's not a fix all solution -- none of which is really something that can be fixed)

[–] Gleddified@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think I might switch to pass from bitwarden if/when they get some basic features released (for me, the big one is a separate master password from my proton account, I don't want one point of failure between my email and password manager).

TheVPN is great (security/trust wise)>, the reason it gets hated on is the client suuuuucks. The Linux client is missing so many features that android/windows already have. Just having a GUI client for Linux users is a relatively new release.

[–] KrisND@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I can understand that. Personally, I also use a Yubico key for login for the added security with easy. For both proton and services that let me use it.

If your primarily looking for pass, right now they have $1/mo locked in for life deal. I did consider making a new proton for the same reason you stated just for pass. But I honestly just slacked and took the easier route.

I've used the linux client too and it is pretty bad, I ended up just setting it up thru OpenVPN, followed a article and set it up for autoconnect. So no GUI, but I left it alone. I had used the browser extension for a bit on linux too, better than the linux app.

[–] pabloscloud@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You didn't notice speed differences cause you didnt use 5g without a VPN or fiber but for the average internet user 50Mbit/s are enough anyways probably

[–] KrisND@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm sorry, I don't quite understand. For example, on 5Ghz Wi-fi I get about 490mb/s, with VPN I'm getting about 450mb/s. It's all strongly based on time of day but overall, if anything it's higher latency but the difference has not affected me. Even using ProtonVPN on mobile 4G/5G networks I haven't had loading issues, just more captcha requests making sure I'm not a bot but it's a good trade off.

With VPN enabled:

With VPN enabled, using secured core server (still can stream YT, might buffer for a second at the start)

With-out VPN enabled:

[–] pabloscloud@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is with vpn!? 😮

[–] KrisND@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, in order:

  1. Standard VPN
  2. Protons "Secure Core" VPN
  3. No VPN

To ensure a fair comparison I made sure to manually select the same server for the test as well. It does depend on time of day but I've never gone below 200mb/s unless my internet goes out or lose power of course. I could probably make a new post for ppl to share theirs and include my mobile data connection speeds too.

It's also probably important to note I do have a paid plan with Proton, so probably better service than the free VPN option.

[–] Cotillion189@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Just quick question about Proton pass. Are passwords, 2fa stored on local storage or on cloud?

[–] KrisND@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm sure @ProtonPrivacy@lemmy.world could give a full explanation. But my understanding is yes, it's stored in the cloud. It would have to be since it syncs with all signed in devices. Although, it's encrypted before it's sent, when it's traveling and on Protons servers. Then it's decrypted on device.

They actually have a pretty good article about the security model for Pass in particular, with some useful links too. https://proton.me/blog/proton-pass-security-model

[–] Nelizea@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Yes that is all correct. All cryptographic operations happen locally on your device(s).