Mac doesn't connect to any VPN

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

Personally, most anything coming from this Vendor including their Infamous Avast Security Software software would never get close to any of my machines

Third Party Security Software 

Avast AntiVirus

Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.

Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Former Malware Distributor Kape Technologies Now Owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Zenmate, and a Collection of VPN “Review” Websites. 

Additionally there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

Just some food for thought.

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not to use VPN and/or Anti-Virus/Phishing software to protect your computers. Here is my story.

I have used software for years as the anti-virus/phising/malware software, and it has saved my hide a number of times from going to advertised websites that are looking for a sucker.

Today, in Fact, I went to a URL so I could unsubscribe from receiving unwanted emails. My app popped up a message: "Dangerous website. Recommend not proceeding. Take you out of danger?" I accepted to not enter into the site and the page was automatically removed.

I have also used VPN over the last few years. I do a lot of research and postings and having a VPN makes me feel secure.

I personally believe f you are going into arenas where the phishing sharks are waiting, you will get bit.

I would highly recommend you, and everyone reading this post, to research the issues of scamming and how the websites work. I would love to share links but Apple will not let me post... so, just type in these words in your search engine- worst scam websites...

I would rather pay for extra security than believe that computer manufacturing companies are up to date EVERY DAY against schemers who work tirelessly 24/7 to break through codes, and succeeding. Millions of records have been stolen over the years from every kind of computer made, stealing tons of personal data belonging to real humans.

If you set up security on your computer, iPhone, iPad, make sure that either you are using a fingerprint or facial recognition way to prove who you really are. That way, if someone steals your device, unless they are your twin, they more than likely will not be able to retrieve data from it.

Now, as for iPhones, and related to banking, I believe that most banking and lending orgs are as only safe as the security you place on your accounts. You should definitely have passwords that are virtually impenetrable (and both Safari and Google Chrome have excellent security in safeguarding those passwords), and always have secondary (2nd) authentication.

I hope that my personal experience has been helpful. 30 years ago I was new to computers and safety. Over the years, in the world we live in today, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Thank you for letting me share.