WiFi vs mobile data

Basic255

I'm trying to understand how using home WiFi with vpn vs an anonymous phone data with vpn is different . I understand cellular triangulation but isn't there such thing as WiFi data that can pinpoint you as well?

casualmilkenjoyer

While using a well configured VPN, only the VPN provider can see your origin IP (and potentially very well financed attackers ie state actors and others beyond the average persons ability to avoid).

Cell tower data is more accessible to both the cell provider and also local agencies that wouldn't otherwise have resources to track you.

Apps with the correct permissions could also lookup your WiFi network in a known database, but a careful user will keep that information private.

ngov

casualmilkenjoyer
" (and potentially very well financed attackers ie state actors and others beyond the average persons ability to avoid)." How so? Would u link me to relevant info too?

casualmilkenjoyer

ngov
I don't have any material at hand that covers this, but it has been discussed concerning both VPNs and networks like Tor. The idea is that large organizations such as the NSA might have traffic monitoring capabilities at all or at least most data centers and traffic hubs. Being able to monitor internet traffic on a large scale would allow them to do analysis leading to identifying users based on factors sch as timing or payload size.

Tor tries to mitigate these types of attacks through various methods but the attacker is ultimately only limited by their own resources.