VPNs are primarily used to secure online traffic and help users remain anonymous to avoid targeted ads, hide their location or ensure the security and privacy of their personal data.
Though many VPN providers may advertise having a no-logs policy, not all follow-through with their promises.
Much worse, some VPN providers have been caught logging data despite claiming not to do so.
In this article, we'll explore VPNs that truly help you browse anonymously and conduct third-party audits to prove they don't log user data.
Below are some of the key features to look for in an anonymous, no-log VPN. The differences between these will highlight how each VPN can suit your needs best on top of providing high quality security.
NordVPN provides an extensive suite of privacy and security-focused features that make it one of the top VPNs today.
If you're looking for a VPN provider that's shown a strong commitment to third-party testing, check out ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN has a total of 16 third-party audits for their whole suite of products, which include their VPN desktop apps, browser extensions and mobile counterparts.
In terms of its no logs claims, Proton VPN's no logs policy also passed a security audit in April 2023 by Securitum.
CyberGhost VPN: Best for large server and location network.
CyberGhost VPN has a strong no-logs policy that was confirmed by Deloitte in September 2022.
There are a few VPN providers that advertise a no-logs policy but were found to have been logging data or had privacy policies that contradicted their claims.
While some of these VPNs have since changed ownership or implemented relevant changes, you should be aware of these logging incidents.
IPVanish VPN: In 2016, IPVanish reportedly gave user logs to the United States Department of Homeland Security to track a child pornography suspect.
Hotspot Shield VPN: Back in 2017, the Center for Democracy and Technology accused Hotspot Shield of selling sensitive user data collected via its free version.
Norton Secure VPN: While it has a no-logs policy, Norton's Global Privacy Statement shows that it collects more data than users would prefer.
While we don't know what intentions certain VPNs have in possibly logging user data, possibilities may include: selling user data to marketing companies and third-party advertisers or aiding government agencies that are members of surveillance agreements, such as the Five Eyes or 14 Eyes alliances.
It's essential to choose a VPN service that has an iron-clad no-logs policy backed by strong security features and independent security audits.
Choosing the best anonymous VPNs for this list involved a holistic analysis of how each VPN protected user data.
We took a look at each VPN's no-logs policy and confirmed whether or not they collected any sensitive user data.
Finally, we looked at other relevant VPN features, such as included VPN protocols and security-focused features like RAM-only servers and pricing.
This Cyber News was published on www.techrepublic.com. Publication date: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 17:43:04 +0000