On the one hand it should be automatic protection with the payment to the provider. I mean what are they providing you with? Risk? Makes no sense. On the other hand we must do what we can to protect ourselves from invasive forces that want to harm us. It kinda reminds me of when cable tv promised add free viewing. That was what you were paying for monthly. You paid to avoid the adds. Then, over time the adds came in and then all of the sudden you paid for 500 channels mostly loaded with ads. Thanks for promoting VPN awareness and highlighting this important privacy issue. Its very important in todays climate.