[trklausss]

I use a VPN to have access to my HomeAssistant instance at home, where I can control every aspect of the house. Without this, I would have to pay for a domain name, manage the certificates, and exposing myself to external attacks. So, for me, a VPN reduces massively the attack surface.

There is this law, where if you don't see the purpose of something, is probably because you never needed it. Which is fine, but don't gatekeep others wanting to use them.

Edit: OP forgot to format text, so my anger should be directed to however said the quote...

[freedomben]

Yes agreed. I use tailscale for the same purpose, and it's so much simpler than having to properly ingress everything from the internet. I have a few older devices on the LAN that have reached EOL as well and would be a terrible idea to expose them directly to the internet (not so much because I don't want someone turning off my light, but more so I don't end up as part of a botnet)