So the conclusion we are to draw is that VPNs are for the naive, and that if you really get security, you self-host or go VPN-less (what is the alternative, exactly?)
Isn't the major benefit of a VPN the added hoop websites have to jump through in order to build visitor profiles?
> So the conclusion we are to draw is that VPNs are for the naive
Bit more nuanced than that, but it's certainly a field full of liars and scams.
> and that if you really get security, you self-host
Really depends on what your goal is; self-hosting can, for instance, pin you personally to a single static IP. But for some things, yeah it can be better.
> or go VPN-less (what is the alternative, exactly?)
TOR, I expect.
> Isn't the major benefit of a VPN the added hoop websites have to jump through in order to build visitor profiles?
That can be one benefit, yes. It doesn't have to be a silver bullet, but you do want to be clear on what benefits you expect to get from your particular solution.
Isn't the major benefit of a VPN the added hoop websites have to jump through in order to build visitor profiles?