VPN Logs
VPN Logs are a buzzyworthy topic among consumers trying to pick the best anonymous VPN. As the end-user for VPN technology shifts more focus towards privacy conscious individuals rather than just business customers, the level of privacy offered by the best VPN services is shifting also to match the needs of their customers.
One of the concerns customers have is the need for increased anonymity. Because of this, VPN subscribers want to know whether there usage is being tracked and monitored. If so: to what extent? And what is being done with the information?
In this article we take a closer look at to see what vpn logs are, what VPN's use logs for, and help you decide whether you need a VPN that doesn't keep any logs at all or if you'll be fine with a standard VPN service.
One of the concerns customers have is the need for increased anonymity. Because of this, VPN subscribers want to know whether there usage is being tracked and monitored. If so: to what extent? And what is being done with the information?
In this article we take a closer look at to see what vpn logs are, what VPN's use logs for, and help you decide whether you need a VPN that doesn't keep any logs at all or if you'll be fine with a standard VPN service.
What are VPN Logs?
VPN Logs in their simplest form consist of data that a VPN provider will store regarding the usage of their service. As a customer, your entire internet connection will be routed through their servers, so the information available to the VPN provider is only limited by the extent of your usage. This is why trust is so important when choosing a VPN.
The types of logs kept by a VPN usually fall into 2 categories:
The types of logs kept by a VPN usually fall into 2 categories:
Connection Logs
Connection Logs are a relatively simple form of VPN logging and cause relatively little concern regarding invasion of user privacy. Connection logs are basically a simple record of the incoming/outgoing connections for a VPN server. They usually consist of one or more of the following pieces of data:
VPN Connection logs generally consist of:
The purpose of these logs are usually for troubleshooting technical issues, making it much easier for the VPN provider to identify the source of connection problems for their subscribers. In some jurisdictions, data retention laws require VPN providers to maintain and store these types of logs for a specified period of time.
Contrary to popular opinion, the United States does not have data retention laws for VPN Providers and as a result, some VPN's like IPVanish have been doing away with logs altogether in the interest of user anonymity.
VPN Connection logs generally consist of:
- Incoming IP Address (Your computer's web address)
- Outgoing IP Address (The ip address assigned to you by the VPN server)
- Time Stamp (start/end of VPN session + duration)
- Data Transferred (amount of data transferred during the session)
The purpose of these logs are usually for troubleshooting technical issues, making it much easier for the VPN provider to identify the source of connection problems for their subscribers. In some jurisdictions, data retention laws require VPN providers to maintain and store these types of logs for a specified period of time.
Contrary to popular opinion, the United States does not have data retention laws for VPN Providers and as a result, some VPN's like IPVanish have been doing away with logs altogether in the interest of user anonymity.
VPN Usage Logs
This type of logging covers everything else not included in a connection log. The data logged can pretty a cover a pretty broad range. Since a VPN has access to the same information your ISP (internet provider) has regarding your internet usage, let's look at some of the type of data some internet providers may keep in the U.S. as examples of the possibilities:
VPN Usage Logs Could Include:
However, there are definitely some prominent VPN companies that do log extensively, especially the free ones. This is why we recommend avoiding free VPN services at all costs, especially when transferring sensitive data like passwords, or torrent traffic.
Running a VPN company costs money. They have to provide servers, support, technicians, advertising, and security. So it makes you wonder, how do free VPN's make their money? The answer, more often then not, is the free VPN's either sell advertising, or they sell your data, or both!
VPN Usage Logs Could Include:
- Lists of websites visited
- Files Downloaded
- Software/Protocols used (Bittorrent, Netflix, Xbox, etc)
However, there are definitely some prominent VPN companies that do log extensively, especially the free ones. This is why we recommend avoiding free VPN services at all costs, especially when transferring sensitive data like passwords, or torrent traffic.
Running a VPN company costs money. They have to provide servers, support, technicians, advertising, and security. So it makes you wonder, how do free VPN's make their money? The answer, more often then not, is the free VPN's either sell advertising, or they sell your data, or both!
How Long are VPN Logs Kept For?
So a VPN is saving some information about you, but how long do they keep these logs for? The duration that logs are kept makes a big difference in terms of the privacy and anonymity that you're actually receiving from that VPN provider. The length that a vpn provider may store these logs can vary widely, from no logs at all, to 24 hours, to 6 months or more!
How does log recycling work?
When I VPN provider recycles/purges their data logs, they don't do them all at once. Instead it's more like your DVR service where it deletes old tv shows to make room for new ones.
For example, if a VPN has a 15 day log retention period, they will always have your activity from the most recent 15 days on file. When a new day starts, they'll delete the oldest day of data to make space for the data from the current day.
How does log recycling work?
When I VPN provider recycles/purges their data logs, they don't do them all at once. Instead it's more like your DVR service where it deletes old tv shows to make room for new ones.
For example, if a VPN has a 15 day log retention period, they will always have your activity from the most recent 15 days on file. When a new day starts, they'll delete the oldest day of data to make space for the data from the current day.
Logging Policies of some popular VPN's
Non-Logging VPN's
VPN's with only connection logs (no usage logs)
- Private Internet Access - from $3.33/month
- IPVanish - No logs. USA based. Torrent friendly. VERY FAST SPEEDS!
- Torguard - VPN + Torrent proxy service starting at $3.95/month
- Proxy.sh - No logs. $3.33/month. Transparency report showing all DMCA and warrant requests + action taken
- BTGuard - No logs. Excellent torrent proxy service with pre-baked utorrent client from $5/month
VPN's with only connection logs (no usage logs)
- SwitchVPN - 24 hours of logs. Torrent friendly. Based in Romania.
- IBVPN - 15 days - Torrent friendly. Extremely affordable, from $3.08/month.
Do you really need a non-logging VPN for Bittorrent?
The question of whether a no logs VPN is necessary for torrents is a popular one, and a reasonable one considering how many non-logging VPN providers we feature on this site. The short answer is: Maybe not, but it sure doesn't hurt!
The truth is that you really only need 3 things for anonymity when downloading torrents:
The shared IP addresses are key, because if multiple users are simultaneously using the same IP address, a VPN can't positively identify an individual user based solely on an IP address.
That being said, a no-logs VPN offers even greater anonymity and greater anonymity is almost always better. But this shouldn't be the only criteria that matters to you when choosing a VPN. You should also definitely consider critical factors like:
Reason's most of the VPN's we recommend are no-logs VPN's:
#1 - The truth is that many of the high quality VPN providers are moving toward reducing or eliminating their logs altogether because that's what the customers want. As a result, many of the really high quality VPN services are also non-logging. A good example of a premier VPN that eliminated their logs would be IPVanish who became a non-logging vpn in April 2014.
#2 - The other reason is that many (at least half) of the truly torrent friendly VPN providers have moved to a non-logging policy, both because of the needs of their customers, but also as a method to protect and insulate themselves from any outside pressures they may face. If they can't identify their customers based on an IP address, they can't violate their customers' privacy, and no VPN provider really wants to do that...
The truth is that you really only need 3 things for anonymity when downloading torrents:
- A VPN that keeps only connection logs for 30 days or less
- The VPN utilizes shared IP addresses (only necessary if they keep logs)
- The VPN specifically allows torrent traffic on their network.
The shared IP addresses are key, because if multiple users are simultaneously using the same IP address, a VPN can't positively identify an individual user based solely on an IP address.
That being said, a no-logs VPN offers even greater anonymity and greater anonymity is almost always better. But this shouldn't be the only criteria that matters to you when choosing a VPN. You should also definitely consider critical factors like:
- Network speed and quality
- Software features, and extra security features (encryption, firewall, etc)
- Price, Price, Price!
Reason's most of the VPN's we recommend are no-logs VPN's:
#1 - The truth is that many of the high quality VPN providers are moving toward reducing or eliminating their logs altogether because that's what the customers want. As a result, many of the really high quality VPN services are also non-logging. A good example of a premier VPN that eliminated their logs would be IPVanish who became a non-logging vpn in April 2014.
#2 - The other reason is that many (at least half) of the truly torrent friendly VPN providers have moved to a non-logging policy, both because of the needs of their customers, but also as a method to protect and insulate themselves from any outside pressures they may face. If they can't identify their customers based on an IP address, they can't violate their customers' privacy, and no VPN provider really wants to do that...
So what VPN do you Recommend for BItTorrent?
We definitely recommend your browse the rest of our site and you can get a good idea of which VPN will fit your needs the best, but here are a couple of our top VPN picks to get you started...
IPVanish (click to visit)
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IPVanish VPN
IPVanish made news in april 2014 but doing away with VPN logs altogether. It shows that they're committed to user privacy and their product roadmap has a number of additional privacy features in the works for feature software releases. In the meantime, they have the fastest network we've tested, and they specifically allow bittorrent traffic (read their faq to see for yourself). Read our incredibly in-depth review of IPvanish or just visit their site to learn more! |
Click to Visit PIA
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Private Internet Access
PIA has been around for years, and they remain an incredibly popular choice for frequent torrenters, but the debate rages on, is it the no logs policy or the Incredibly low prices that keep the customers coming back for more? Private internet access offers unlimited bandwidth on servers in 10 countries at an incredible $40/year (that's only $3.33/month). Read our full PIA Review or if you'd rather hear it straight from the horses mouth, Visit PIA now! |
Get Proxy.sh for $40/year
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Proxy.sh
Is a proxy and VPN service in one. (You get both rock solid VPN service + free proxy options at one low price). They're the only VPN that can match PIA's $40/year for unlimited bandwith and no VPN logs. They also offer one of the industries first transparency reports, showing all DMCA requests and warrants they receive regarding their customers, as well as the action taken (it's almost always nothing, since even they can't identify their users). They also have great software. Please read our extremely thorough review of Proxy.sh or just visit them. |