Thank you MrMazda! Does using a paid VPN affect your downloading speed?

I just read a thread about someone getting arrested for copyright infringement. Regardless of whether it's true, it has me on paranoia mode.

I apologize for sounding incompetent on these technical details. I am curious, how many people here chooses to use VPN or other private browsing services? Is the main purpose just solely to stay out of trouble? I myself am from Malaysia(Aka the Land of Piracy), and over here there isn't any need to consider using those; never heard/seen anyone getting into trouble over piracy as well. Although since I am moving out of the country soon I want to be uh, more "prepared" just in case.

From what I have gathered, the easiest and safest(Albeit, not cheapest) option would be to just purchase VPN service. I read that free VPNs are slow and tend not to care much about your privacy. For purposes of torrenting & browsing, should one just go opt for VPN?

Thank you all in advance for any information provided.

Personally I don't think I can, it would feel like I am somehow hurting their marriage to me. I admit that it does sound very exciting, the lure of forbidden fruit and all.