VPNs: What They Are, and Why You Need One

What Is a VPN?

When you use the Internet, you are identified by your IP address. It’s assigned to you by your internet service provider (ISP) and used by them to send back the information you request, such as web pages. They can also use it to make a record of every website you visit.

As you surf the Web, each packet you send contains your IP address. An IP address can reveal your location and ISP. It’s logged by most of the websites you visit, and over time, they can associate it with other personal information you supply, such as your name, phone number, and address.

When you type in the address of a website, a DNS server is queried so that you can be directed to the IP address of that website. By default, that DNS server belongs to your ISP. They create a log of all of your DNS queries to create a complete history of your web activity.

A virtual private network, or VPN, protects your privacy by routing your traffic through a third-party server. Everything still goes through your ISP, of course, but it’s encrypted.

That means they can see that you’re connected to a VPN, but that’s all. Even your DNS queries go through the VPN server so they don’t know which sites you visit.

On the other side of the connection, all traffic is associated with the VPN server’s IP address, not your own, and that address is likely to change on a regular basis. Your web activity is visible, but your identity isn’t. There’s no way to trace that activity back to you.

Privacy Is the Primary Reason to Use a VPN

Maybe you feel like you have nothing to hide, but that doesn’t mean that others should be able to create a complete log of everything you do. You wouldn’t be comfortable if I followed you around recording everything you say and taking photos of everything you do. You’d find that creepy.

But that sort of tracking has become pervasive. In fact, in some parts of the world, it’s a legal requirement. Some governments require ISPs to log your entire web history and provide government agencies and other authorities with controlled access to it.

Which VPN Services Are Most Committed to Protecting Your Privacy?

Using a VPN entrusts your privacy into the hands of a single entity: your VPN provider. They alone know which websites you visit. It’s crucial that you choose one that you can trust.

• What is their business model? If they’re not making money from the subscription fees they charge, they may be monetizing your web history.
• Where are they located? They will often (but not always) be under the same data retention obligations as ISPs in that country.
• What personal details do they collect about you? Do they allow you to pay for the service anonymously by using cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency?
• Does their privacy policy state that they won’t log your activity? How do you know that they don’t? Are they audited by third parties? If they’ve been taken to court, did they have any logs to share?

1. ExpressVPN

When it comes to privacy, ExpressVPN is one of the most highly respected VPNs out there. Their most affordable plan is $99.95/year (equivalent to $8.32/month) and anonymous payments via bitcoin are possible.

They’re not as fast as some of their competitors, or as successful at streaming geo-protected content. But their servers use RAM-only servers, so once the power is turned off, no data is retained.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark provides many of ExpressVPN’s privacy benefits as well as faster servers, reliable media streaming, and no limit on the number of devices you can connect. Their most affordable plan is $59.76 for two years (equivalent to $2.49/month). Anonymous cryptocurrency payments (CoinPayments, CoinGate) are supported.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN is fast, secure, and easy to use. It has a good privacy policy and offers additional security features. Its most affordable plan is $89 for two years (equivalent to $3.71/month) and this can be paid for with cryptocurrency if you want to remain anonymous.

You can trust their no logs policy. They are located in Panama where there are no mandatory data retention laws, and they’re audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG in Switzerland, an independent company that verifies they keep no logs.

4. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Private Internet Access is a company whose no logs policy has been verified in court. It’s a service with an easy-to-use app suited to non-technical users, and its most affordable plan costs $69.95 for two years with a bonus two months (equivalent to $2.69/month).

While the company is based in the United States, Techspot reports that their no logs policy has been tested and verified in two different court cases, one in 2016 and the other in 2018. They had no information to hand over to the court or FBI.

5. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a company that places a strong focus on privacy. Their service costs $159 for two years for the Plus plan (equivalent to $6.63/month) and a limited free plan is also available. Payments can be made via bitcoin.

The company is based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws and remains outside of US and EU jurisdictions. Their apps are open-sourced and independently audited.

6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is fast and affordable and offers excellent security and privacy. Their most affordable plan is $99 for three years (equivalent to $2.75/month), and this can be paid using bitcoin.

They’re based in Romania and have a UK parent company. They have a strict no-logs policy and also offer “NoSpy” servers for an additional fee. These are housed away from third parties in a special data centre.

7. TorGuard

TorGuard allows you to choose the balance between speed and security with easily-accessible settings. Their most affordable plan is $139.99 for three years (equivalent to $3.89/month), which can be paid for anonymously with gift cards or cryptocurrency.

They’re based in Germany and claim to keep no logs at all, though their policy could be clearer. According to PCMag Australia, company representatives report that there are constant security audits and a bug bounty program, though none of the audits are publicly available.

8. PureVPN

PureVPN is a popular VPN service that was unfortunately found to be keeping records of which IP addresses clients access while claiming to have a no-logs policy. The most affordable plan is $79.92 for two years (equivalent to $3.33/month), but there’s no way of paying this anonymously.

Restore Privacy reports that, in a court case, they were able to attain enough information from PureVPN to arrest a suspect on cyberstalking claims. They are obviously keeping some record of user activity, but they’re not the only VPN where “no logs” means some logs.

9. Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN is a lesser-known VPN with a good reputation in privacy circles. They have a flat monthly rate of €5/month and one-time payments can be paid anonymously using cash, gift vouchers, or bitcoin. However, they have servers in fewer countries than most of their competitors.

They do have strong privacy policies and don’t ask for any personal information (not even an email address) when you set up an account. They’re based in Sweden where VPNs are not required to log their users’ activity, and they hire lawyers to keep abreast of changes in legislation that affect privacy. The only personal information they’re required to keep is your payment method.