Jul 19, 2017 02:02 PM
(This post was last modified: Jul 19, 2017 04:02 PM by Pronouncer.)
![[Image: 2HKf63B.png]](https://i.imgur.com/2HKf63B.png)
Introduction
In this thread, we will be covering the basics of using a VPN,
which VPN's to avoid and my opinions on numerous VPNs.
(I may be harsh to some VPN providers including HF VPNs but this is all based on previous discoveries and user feedback).
Why should I use a VPN?
The real question is what is your reason not to use one? There is no harm in using a VPN even if you do nothing of questionable manner. A VPN assists in the process of making it harder to be backtracked and help you avoid unwanted monitoring. A VPN is in no way at all an "All in one solution".
Why buy a VPN?
The question that gets asked again and again, is why purchase a VPN? The simple answer is enhancing your Anonymity. We have to understand
that being entirely Anonymous is impossible. There will always be a piece of information that is left behind when you use the internet. So in this instance, we will take the meaning less literally. There is nothing that will keep you Anonymous. A VPN helps you increase your Anonymity and privacy. A real life example of what a VPN could be classed as is a case for your phone. It will protect your phone in ways but your phone can still break, so can your online persona.
Do I buy a 0 Logs VPN?
The first thing we need to understand that No Logs rarely exists, there is something which we call “Minimal Logging” that the term HF VPN’s should use, but obviously, that would affect their sales which are what they care about not your security. The reason I say this is because there will always be a log somewhere, either a purchase log, a connection log, client side log, and the un-avoidable logs such as ISP logs. Minimal Logging is done on every HF VPN provider. There are some VPN providers that can provide you with 0 Logs, but you have to understand some countries in which the VPN provider is required logs. United Kingdom had a data law passed stating that there has to be logged from an ISP stored for a number of years. When you see HF VPN's terminating users for sharing accounts, or breaking terms of service yet claiming they have 0 Logs that should already be enough for you to question their methodology. There is no way if a system had 0 Logs for a VPN provider to terminate your account for doing certain actions. I hope you also have already got to the point of knowing never to purchase a VPN with PayPal or BTC that is non-tumbled (Avoid directly sending BTC from services such as coinbase)
So whats a good VPN provider?
In this section I will cover a bunch of Public VPN’s and go over my thoughts, I in no way intend to sales trash, just will be pointing things out. I am also no way affiliated with any of these VPN providers, I will provide my personal VPN provider at the end.
ExpressVPN
On the Express VPN website, they have a statement saying “Surf Anonymously”, this is in fact, a misuse of the word anonymously. They do not in anyway keep you anonymous. I urge you all to read the terms of service of all VPN's. With ExpressVPN they have this statement in their TOS. “In addition to the information you provide through our order-form, we may store the following pieces of data: IP address, times when connected to our service, and the total amount of data transferred per day. We store this to be able to deliver the best possible network experience to you. We keep this in formation secure and private. If we receive complaints regarding copyrighted materials such as music and movies being shared over our network, we may filter traffic to see which account is sending it, and then cancel that account”
PureVPN
Yet another Anonymous VPN service that stores a few logs. On their website they have this statement, “we will never release any information about you or your account to anyone except law enforcement personnel with the proper documentation and paperwork” Meaning they do store your account information which means IP address too.
[censored]
Cyberhost used to be a reputable VPN provider that used to take Anonymity seriously, they previously had this as a statement “[censored] keeps no logs which enable interference with your IP address, the moment or content of your data traffic” They have since their release modified that and replaced it with this statement “may process and use personal data collected in the setup and delivery of service (connection data). This includes Customer identification and data regarding time and volume of use” Leaving us with the obvious knowledge to avoid them.
PIA
I don't have too much to say about this VPN provider, they are a pretty solid VPN service. They do not log any information that links to the user (Obviously if you pay to buy any VPN with PayPal then a payment record will be available). They do not keep a record of your connections etc. Still, I suggest be cautious and pay with tumbled btc. Statement from their website: we will never release any information about you or your account to anyone except law enforcement personnel with the proper documentation and paperwork
IPVanish
A 0 log VPN provider yet running under United States law. See how this can go wrong? (If you don't search up Telecommunications data retention law)
SlickVPN
They claim 0 logs, unfortunately, we have no way or proof of them logging or against. They are one of the only providers that actually own the physical servers in a data center. This is already a huge positive over the majority of other providers. They have physical access to a few of their servers but the others are purchased of a third party, however, they won't disclose which ones those are. The servers they own they guarantee 0 logs even on ISP end, but the third party locations they have 0 guarantees.
PRQ
A Swedish VPN provider, Sweden originally had a Data Retention Directive in 2012, In April of 2014 they had scrapped this entirely, they now have gone back to this, and are in the process of entirely going back to the logging minimal of 6 months. Some ISP and data centers have yet to revert back to this law, and others agree to pay the 5,000,000KR fine on a monthly basis. We are unsure what data center PRQ uses but its safe to say its no longer one of the safest options. PRQ says that they don't log, yet say they won't do anything “As long as the usage doesn’t violate the ToS”. This comes to question how true is the statement in VPN providers TOS. It is common knowledge that even if you have a TOS if you do not enforce it you will face prosecution as a seller. So a heads up to people selling shady products on HF do not say “For educational use” or “Not for illegal purposes” then allow people to perform illegal actions, you will still be charged for not stopping them.
![[Image: 05a8365b697b069bd97007a72a760d95.png]](https://i.gyazo.com/05a8365b697b069bd97007a72a760d95.png)