For popular and less popular VPN providers (Nord, ProtonVPN, PIA, Tor network, etc.), how sure can you be that they don’t keep or sell logs of your data? Is there any way to be completely sure they don’t track or store your info? Whether you pay or not, I can’t help but feel there’s no service that truly keeps your data private and safe.
I trust NordVPN—they claim they don’t sell data. I get it, you can’t just take their word for it, but third-party audits back them up. You might want to check out this deal if you’re interested. I used it for my subscription, and it’s been great so far.
Here are my top trustworthy VPNs:
- TunnelBear
- Mullvad
- TorGuard
- Windscribe
I’ve used all of these, and TunnelBear is my favorite. It’s easy to use, works well, and has a fun interface with a bear tunneling around. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost were hit or miss for me, and sometimes caused issues like Google asking for captchas.
@Raven
TunnelBear is fun, but I prefer Mullvad. It’s more straightforward and privacy-focused.
Fraser said:
@Raven
TunnelBear is fun, but I prefer Mullvad. It’s more straightforward and privacy-focused.
I’ve been using WebSecure_Now for my business and streaming region-locked content. It’s affordable and works well.
@Nova
How much does it cost? Is it free?
You can trust VPNs with proven no-log policies, like these ones. There are probably more if you search online.
Cassidy said:
You can trust VPNs with proven no-log policies, like these ones. There are probably more if you search online.
Just a heads up: PIA is on that list, but they got bought by Kape, which might change things. Their proof is from cases in 2016 and 2018, so it’s a bit outdated.
Cassidy said:
You can trust VPNs with proven no-log policies, like these ones. There are probably more if you search online.
About ExpressVPN—they claim their servers wipe data every time they reboot, but how often does that really happen? Also, a company based in the British Virgin Islands doesn’t seem reliable to me, considering how much surveillance the UK government does.
Cassidy said:
You can trust VPNs with proven no-log policies, like these ones. There are probably more if you search online.
PIA? Express? Nord? Sounds like a paid list to me.
Your data stops being private once it leaves the VPN servers. Governments and big ISPs can see your traffic without even needing to involve the VPN.
Mack said:
Your data stops being private once it leaves the VPN servers. Governments and big ISPs can see your traffic without even needing to involve the VPN.
That makes sense. But how do hackers (good or bad) avoid being tracked? Do they use something beyond VPNs? How do they hide their IPs?
@Finn
It depends on who’s looking for them and how skilled they are. For small stuff, like avoiding a movie company, using a VPN or Tor might be enough. But for something like hacking into government servers, it takes a lot of planning and tools. The more often you try, the easier it gets for someone to catch you. I work in network security, and even I’m amazed by the tools available to track activity.
VPNs can’t protect you from governments or skilled hackers, but they’re fine for regular privacy. You’ve got to trust someone, so choose a provider you believe in. I went with ProtonVPN because they seem genuine. I might be wrong, but I hope not.
I’ve been using BadcatVPN for six months. Speeds are great, and IP/DNS leaks are handled well. The founder is hands-on and regularly clears server logs. It hasn’t worked for my friend in China, but that’s a tough market for VPNs in general.
@Zoren
Terrible idea. You’re making it easier for someone to find you.
Tor isn’t a VPN, and its design means you don’t have to trust it like other providers.
Fraser said:
Tor isn’t a VPN, and its design means you don’t have to trust it like other providers.
What makes Tor different? Isn’t it just bouncing your IP around through multiple servers? I thought it could still be tracked if someone tried hard enough.
You can’t be 100% sure. Pick a VPN that isn’t a registered company or is based in an offshore location.
Windscribe, Mullvad, and AirVPN are my top picks.