Disclaimer: I know more than a little about networking, but there's always more to learn. I don't consider myself a real VPN expert, but I'll try and respond to your questions.
First, I was wondering if it makes going to my favorite websites more cumbersome or somehow slower?
VPN's are another step between your computer and your favorite websites. It will absolutely make accessing them slower. But ... you might need a very good measurement tool to notice the difference. I.e. the extra delay or slowness is probably not something you'll notice unless the VPN service you're using is crappy and overloaded. I'll resist talking about latency vs. bandwidth and just say that it depends on how you use the network (watching movies? Email? Video chat? Twitch games?). Most uses of the Internet won't be bothered by slight delays, but others (video chat, first-person shooter games) can be ruined by a slow VPN server.
Basically performance is normally:
[your computer]----[the network path]----[the remote web server]
It can be slow because of your computer, the network, or the web server.
But with a VPN service it turns into:
[your computer]----[the network path]----[the remote VPN server]----[another network path]----[the remote web server]
It's not going to be faster, it's got more ways of failing, and yet it'll be fine for most uses.
Also, is it something I have to worry with if I'm just getting into my computer when I boot up in the morning?
The short answer is no, you probably don't have worry about VPN when just using your computer for local stuff. The longer answer is maybe, if when you boot your computer .. does it automatically access the network to download your email? To check other network resource? Do you care if those servers are seeing your "real" IP address vs. a VPN server that's hiding you? Offhand I can't think of a scenario where you'd care.
And while I'm asking questions, which is a really good VPN provider?
Great question and I have no idea. When I use VPN it's with a remote server that I've setup. I suggest two rules of thumb when picking a VPN service: (1) Free isn't a great deal. They're making money somehow. Figure out how and see if you're ok with their business model. (2) I'd personally avoid any VPN service based in Hong Kong. VPN servers are the connecting point between your IP address and the public ones visible by the world. Do you really want China to have access to your VPN traffic?
If I were shopping for a VPN service, I'd probably look at NordVPN first. But that's not an endorsement!
I'm pretty sure elon&doge have sold all of the personal information they've gotten hold of going through our government servers, and I really feel like I need to become a little more concealed from bad actors, if at all possible.
I don't know about sold, I suspect hoarded for future use might be more accurate. Oh, and shared (intentionally or not) with our masters in Russia. And the data they have stolen is a lot more valuable and complete than the IP address you're using to access DU and Google.
But finally ... are you
sure you need a VPN service? It's a mild pain (and expense) and unless you're looking to access services that are not available in your home country, I personally don't think it's worth it. And the VPN ads are ridiculous. First they convince you that you should be terrified, then they sell you their product as a solution. Yeah. I don't trust fear-based marketing.
As a salve for a more general "I don't like them watching me" ... VPN as a solution is over-hyped. It hides your IP address, but it doesn't slow down most of the real-world problems: data theft (from people you've shared your info with), malware, viruses, phishing attacks, fake email, popup ads cheerfully telling you that your computer is infected and to call their 800 number right way for help. The list seems to go on forever and VPN is
not a general solution to any of the most common problems.
In any event, I hope this helps a little. Cheers!
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