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RATING
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ENCRYPTION
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| 1 |
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NordVPN
See Review |
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AES 256-bit, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN |
| 2 |
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CyberGhost VPN
See Review |
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AES 256-bit, PPTP, IPsec, L2TP, OpenVPN |
| 3 |
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ExpressVPN
See Review |
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AES 256-bit, PPTP, IPsec, OpenVPN |
| 4 |
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IPVanish
See Review |
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AES 256-bit, IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec |
| 5 |
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PureVPN
See Review |
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AES 256-bit, PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, Stealth |
Logless VPN – What Is It?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are being more sought after than ever. Individuals as well as big businesses want to achieve high level of privacy and restrict third-party traffic sniffing to a minumim. Logless VPN networks add an additional layer of security and offer a solution to safely transfer documents and sensitive data, while also prevent corporate espionage. People are seeking services of a Logless VPN to prevent from middle-man attacks and know that their communications and Web surfing happen in a secure manner.
In truth, the best Logless VPN is a paid one. Not only there are more than twenty free VPNs that allow for a third party to gain access to the information sent over the network, but some of them even sell clients’ data to other parties, while claiming that nothing of the sort is happening.
To prevent middle-man access to delicate data and to ensure that it is sent via a secure tunnel one important policy should be kept – that of the VPN being Logless. For that to happen, the VPN service should first keep no logging of their users’ data and communications. Second, a Logless VPN cannot allow for sensitive information to leak. Thus, a DNS Leak Protection is a must and goes hand in hand with a Logless VPN. A complete DNS Leak Protection includes IPv4 address, IPv6 address and WebRTC communication to stay within the private tunnel. The tunnel should above all else be encrypted. That is because even if a hacker is able to sniff out some information he cannot break its cipher to get to the actual data.
Be aware, that if the government wants to see which websites and web locations a user visits, the ISP provider can demand and get that information. Thus, no real anonymity is achieved, but the specific data will be encrypted, secure and remain private within the network.
Big companies even implement policies preventing employees from having access to master keys used for the decryption process of the channeled data in real time. In order to provide our readers with the top Logless VPN services for 2018, we have carefully examined the companies that excel in the VPN business and have outlined their advantages and disadvantages in terms of providing a secure and stable service.
NordVPN – Security, Privacy, Speed, Servers
NordVPN’s Security
NordVPN holds the number one spot considering all of its features combined in a VPN that works at an excellent level. Regarding security, NordVPN has a proven DNS leak protection, including the IPv4, IPv6 and WebRTC address protocols, as well as mobile protocols such as IKEv2. In addition, PPTP, L2TP, IPSec and OpenVPN are also used to ensure the most secure and up-to-date protection service. Double layer encryption is employed in the tunnels which NordVPN hosts, which is nearly impossible to break, even if super computers are working non-stop for years trying to decipher it. In the event that someone sniffs some of the traffic, it will still be encrypted, so NordVPN has set the bar high for the most secure VPN requirements.
NordVPN’s Privacy
What makes NordVPN stand out in terms of security can also be applied for making it a real private network. NordVPN’s privacy standards are highly advanced, such as the Onion Over VPN feature, which includes the TOR network service as another layer of privacy. The VPN’s double encryption makes it impossible for a middle-man to see what is transferred through the tunnel. In case of any intrusion, there is also a kill-switch, which is an added bonus we welcome whole-heartedly. NordVPN also utilizes an anonymized login policy that conceals your identity further, making the service privacy-friendly.
NordVPN’s Speed
NordVPN does not have any limitations imposed on its users in terms of traffic. A constant speed is used, but you should be aware that VPN services tend to be a bit slower than regular Internet speeds. The company has set up UDP (OpenVPN) which automatically chooses the closest available server for you. However, some users report that the speed is slower than that of some competitors.
NordVPN’s Servers
NordVPN has not made explicit where exactly their servers are located on the map, due to security precautions, but be aware that they are set up across 62 countries and are around 5000 overall.
What We Like
Decent license price.Unlimited traffic.A single license covers more than 6 devices.
What is Missing
Multiple devices cannot be connected simultaneouslyComplicated evaluation period.Slower speed compared to competitors.CyberGhost VPN – Security, Privacy, Speed, Servers
CyberGhost is a company, based in Romania and they have grown to become one of the best companies in the VPN sphere with strong encryption, speedy serveers and also cheap services. The company has a lot of tunneling protocols and they strive their best to compete with NordVPN – the company with one of the lowest prices out there.
CyberGhost’s Security
When it comes to security, CyberGhost does not allow itself to deviate from the top notch security protocols in the business. They have established a 256-bit encryption on your traffic, from your computer system, inside the CyberGhost network and to whatever your destination is when the tunnel is switched on. That encoding works regardless of the software you use and keeps you secure from data sniffing such as Deep Packet Inspection. It also uses the proprietary protocols for kill-switching.
When it comes down to encryption, they use OpenVPN, L2TP as well as IPSec.
CyberGhost’s Privacy
With their “No Logging” policy, they want to advertise proudly that they do not keep track of any information and are a true Logless VPN. In practice, when you check out their Terms of Service, there are some elements they collect, but they do not seem to use the collected information for anything. And while many VPN companies do log the data of the user, CyberGhost VPN do seem to have more paranoid measures to secure themselves against any tracking requests. The following protocols are used by CyberGhost VPN: CyberGhost Client, L2TP, IPSec, OpenELEC (OpenVPN, PPTP) and standard PPTP. These protocols along with the encryption and the VPN being logless makes for a safe connection for any user.
CyberGhost’s Speed
When it comes down to speed, the sheer amount of servers says it all – they are all specifically optimized to provide the best connection to the closest host to them. The servers contain optimization protocols which ensure that the encryption process do not slow down the internet connection itself. Not much of a loss in the download speed for Torrenting, which was a peasant surprise.
CyberGhost’s Servers
CyberGhost VPN provides support with over 3,108 servers online, located around 60 countries and they currently support connections to around 15 million users without having any major disruptions in connection, which is an impressive achievement. Adding to that the variety of servers are optimized for different tasks such as Streaming and Torrenting. Geographically restricted services like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix can be reached via the VPN’s servers, with over 400 other media services. CyberGhost is pleasurable to use when watching your favourite movies, TV shows, TV series, live streams, gaming recordings, demos or listening to radio stations.
What We LikeVery competitive pricingLogless and has DNS Leak ProtectionAll IPv6 connections can be turned off.What is MissingMore advanced security settings for tech-savvy users to configure.Could include more extra features.The service could support more countries and locations.ExpressVPN – Security, Privacy, Speed, Servers
ExpressVPN is based in the Birtish Virgin Islands, and has expanded to a global company, that boasts with fasts speed and that is still one of the most secure VPN services out there. That might be true considering that the DNS Leak Protection is tested and it does cover IPv4, IPv6 and WebRTC protocols. The encryption protocols it uses are top notch and the service is available on almost all modern and well-known platforms:
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Various Router brands
- Linux
ExpressVPN offers pricing that is a bit cheaper than NordVPN. ExpressVPN keeps no logs of user data and provides a great 24-hour customer support service.
ExpressVPN’s Security
ExpressVPN is among the most secure VPN services even in 2018. It has a checked DNS leak protection, including the IPv4, IPv6 and WebRTC address protocols. That is very important as it stops any data to be sniffed and stolen by third parties. ExpressVPN has a strong encryption, besides which, the company also covers the latest standards in terms of security. OpenVPN encryption is also supported, allowing for an excellent level of security to be maintained.
ExpressVPN’s Privacy
Regarding privacy, ExpressVPN is a Logless VPN and any traffic that goes through is considered safe from prying eyes. ExpressVPN also uses a strong encryption protocol with 256-bit ciphers, so even if traffic and communication data somehow get sniffed, they will be locked with the encryption algorithm and appear as gibberish symbols rather than bare text.
ExpressVPN’s Speed
ExpressVPN is said to be quite faster than NordVPN, which speaks for itself. The connection is also very stable and extremely fast regarding the minimum speed drops as well. Experts who have tested the service report that it is among the fastest companies who provide paid VPN services and that it connects instantaneously to the Internet.
ExpressVPN’s Servers
The servers of the company are numbered around 2000, which might be less than other VPN services. However, the spread is wider as it provides more than 148 cities and over 94 countries to choose from. The company allows for up to three devices to use its service. As with NordVPN, this company also keeps the exact numbers and other details around its operations rather vague.
What We LikeWide coverage of nearly 100 different countries.The speed is arguably the fastest among the competitors.Policy to not log any traffic and data is strictly kept.What is MissingThe price is a bit higher than most of the competition.The company could have more servers.No support via phone.IPVanish – Security, Privacy, Speed, Servers
IPVanish is continuously emerging in different reviews, charts and news traveling from mouth to mouth. IPVanish is located in the United States and its Chief Technology Officer is Josh Gagliardi, who works at Highwinds, which is a subsidiary of the cybersecurity giant StackPath. IPVanish provides speeds almost as close as a person’s original Internet connection speed.
IPVanish’s Security
IPVanish is questionable whether it provides a full DNS Leak Protection and if all the problematic IPv4, IPv6 and WebRTC protocols are covered. IPVanish utilizes OpenVPN, IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols. This is also a logless VPN. IPVanish also uses 256-bit AES encryption. All of the above listed features ensure a secure browsing experience for users.
IPVanish’s Privacy
In terms of privacy, IPVanish is a good choice, due to the fact that it does exactly what is stated on its website. It uses multiple protocols to hide your IP address and adheres to its no-logging information policy, so it is definitely better than a free VPN service.
IPVanish’s Speed
IPVanish slows down Internet speed, but only by a very little margin. It claims to be the World’s fastest VPN, but that is arguable. It offers unlimited bandwidth. However, if you are looking for a quick support, note that IPVanish does not provide such. On the support page there is a note that states that a backlog of up to a day and a half might occur. If you are a business that relies heavily on Internet, that is a downside to be considered.
IPVanish’s Servers
The servers of IPVanish are located in more than 60 countries, with around 1155 servers located in all seven continents across the globe. However, there is not much transparency about them other than that. Still, servers are plenty and provide a decent availability and network coverage.
What We LikeAll VPN features included with every plan.No traffic logs.Unlimited bandwidth.What is MissingSlow Support response.More expensive than ExpressVPN.Some geo-restricted content remains inaccessible.PureVPN Review – Security, Privacy, Speed, Servers
PureVPN is located in Hong Kong and has an extremely large network, spanning over 140 countries across the globe. It is not as fast as ExpressVPN, but it also provides an extensive DNS Leak Protection over IPv4, IPv6 and WebRTC protocols. You can safely use up to five computer systems with just one PureVPN License.
PureVPN’s Security
When it comes to security, the company definitely lives up to the good renown it has built over the years. PureVPN utilizes AES 256-bit encryption and the latest security protocols – IKEv2, OpenVPN, PPTP, SSTP, L2TP/IPSec among others. Split Tunneling and Virtual Router are arguably the best technologies that it can offer. The main reason for this is that as Virtual Router provides high-end router protection, the Split Tunneling service allows for encrypting only the important bits of data. In this way you are being protected, while slow-downs in connectivity, due to the result of encryption, are kept to a bare minimum.
PureVPN’s Privacy
When we talk about privacy, PureVPN is fairly decent choice among competitors. Not only does it offer high-end encryption but also is a logless VPN. In regards to DNS leaks and such, not only that PureVPN has IPv6 covered as well as the more commonly used protocols, but you are guaranteed to get your money back, in case something goes amiss.
PureVPN’s Speed
The performance of the servers of PureVPN shows that their management is very decent. They have low ping and have a steady uptime, thus speed is not any problem for clients of this VPN product.
PureVPN’s Servers
PureVPN hosts over 2,200 servers across the World. They are set in 180 locations in more than 140 countries. Their number might be less than other companies, but there is higher density, meaning that more servers are placed in one place, providing reliability.
What We LikeNo traffic logs are kept.Wide, dense network coverage and stable connection.Virtual router technology.What is MissingNo free evaluation period provided.Reported to have had DNS leaks in the past.Slower than other VPNs in this price range.Disclaimer! Keep in mind, that no VPN service provides complete security and privacy, but just adds one layer of protection in that direction. In addition, a VPN is held by a company. The company may change its policies or provide data to governments if National Security might be at stake. Using a VPN does not make you free of any rules and regulations – you have to abide by the laws of the country you reside in, the country hosting the VPN service and probably some others. You are not completely anonymous by simply setting and using a VPN.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
Follow Me:
I chose to use NordVPN because they do not keep logs and they genuinely care for the free internet. Also, the level of encryption is very high. I tested this VPN myself and can affirm, that no data leaks appeared while testing.