rlbr00ks :
> "...extensions also can't protect your data if you're using an open Wi-Fi network..."
I use a paid PIA account on my Chromebook so this statement worries me. If I am connecting to a site using HTTPS I don't see how my data is exposed, even thru an open network. I'm not as concerned with meta data exposed, like them knowing I'm trying to reach my bank, but isn't the actual data encrypted due to HTTPS ??
If you are connected to a website using HTTPS -- for example, Gmail -- then yes, the data is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or whichever standard your browser has negotiated with the website. You do not need a VPN of any sort for that to happen, and it works on an open Wi-Fi network -- as long as the connection is HTTPS.
A VPN connection encrypts ALL the internet traffic going to or from your machine, essentially giving the HTTPS treatment to all websites and browsers and using similar forms of data-traffic encryption to other internet connections (email, streaming, etc.).
But in most cases a VPN browser extension handles ONLY the data traffic going through the browser. If there are network connections that are not handled by the browser, then they will not be handled by the extension.
I don't know exactly how Chromebooks handle network connections, so it's possible that the browser actually does manage all the network connections. But I know that's definitely not true on other operating systems.
So, upshot: You're good using HTTPS to connect to websites on an open Wi-Fi network on your Chromebook, with or without a VPN. Your PIA VPN browser extension will protect non-HTTPS connections to websites in Chrome. But the PIA browser extension may not protect internet connections from your machine that do not go through the browser.
Let me know if that doesn't quite make sense.