What is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) acts as a second router. When you connect to a VPN, all your internet traffic it is routed through a VPN server. This means that the VPN server processes your incoming and outgoing data, it masks your IP address and encrypts the connection. It is useful on public Wi-Fi, for bypassing geoblocks and hiding activity from ISPs.But VPN is not an anonymization tool like Tor.
What to look for when choosing a VPN
Recommended VPN
Mullvad VPN
🟢 Recommended Open Source AnonymousMullvad is a Swedish VPN service known for its emphasis on anonymity. Does not require email or personal information, accepts payments in cash and cryptocurrencies. Stable application, many features and a long history.
Key benefits
Attention:Mullvad leases some M247/DataPacket servers.Only use servers marked "Mullvad owned"!
IVPN
🟢 Recommended Open Source TransparentIVPN is a Gibraltar VPN service with an emphasis on transparency. Does not require an email to register, is open source and regularly publishes transparent reports.
Attention:IVPN uses M247/DataPacket servers. Choose your servers carefully.
Windscribe
🟢 Recommended Judicially verifiedWindscribe is an interesting VPN that won a lawsuit in Greece, proving its no-logs policy. He runs a blog where he exposes the practices of other VPN companies. Anonymous registration.
Judicially verified
In 2021, Windscribe won a court case in Greece that proved their no-logs policy.
Cannot register if you are already using a VPN (exploit protection).
With caveats
Mysterium VPN
🟠 With reservations Decentralized Residential IPMysterium is one of the best decentralized residential VPNs. Great for bypassing AntiVPN systems thanks to residential IP addresses. Less suitable for maximum privacy.
Advantages
- • Residential IP addresses
- • Bypasses AntiVPN systems
- • Decentralized
- • Many locations
Email required. The application may be unstable. Not ideal for maximum privacy.
Self-hosted VPN
🟠 With reservations AdvancedA custom VPN server gives you full control over protocols and configuration. However, it comes with significant drawbacks.
Advantages
- • Full control
- • Custom protocols
- • Customizable
Disadvantages
- • Only 1 location
- • No crowd blending
- • Can be expensive
- • Unreliable providers
Unrecommended VPN
⚠️ What to avoid
- • Free VPN- They all collect and sell your data
- • Headline/Pre-advertised VPN- Big advertising budgets = bad practices
- • VPN without independent audit or judicial verification
- • VPN with lifetime subscription- Unsustainable model
Kape Technologies PLC
🔴 Not recommended Ex-MalwareAn Israeli company formerly known as Crossrider that produced malware and adware. They now own several large VPN services.
Proprietary VPN:
Nord Securities Corp.
🔴 Not recommended Panama ShellA company with a controversial history including data leaks and links to Tesonet data mining.
Problems:
- • NordVPN- 2018 breach cover-up, Tesonet data mining link
- • Surfshark- Merged with Nord Securities
Proton AG - ProtonVPN
🔴 Not recommendedThe same company as ProtonMail with a history of logging and cooperating with authorities. Swiss laws are weaker than the marketing claims.
Problems:
- • Same company as ProtonMail (IP logging scandal)
- • Swiss laws weaker than claimed
- • Cooperation with the police in cases of activists
Another VPN not recommended
J2 Global / Ziff Davis (US)
- • IPVanish - handed over logs to DHS
- • StrongVPN
- • SaferVPN
Zenguard (UK/India)
- • HMA - 2011 LulzSec, 2020 DHS
GADGETS REUNIS (China/HK)
- • PureVPN - 2017 FBI, real-time monitoring
- • Ivacy VPN
Innovative Connecting (Singapore)
- • Turbo VPN - Chinese spyware
- • Thunder VPN - Chinese spyware
- • Snap VPN - IP leaks
- • VPN Proxy Master - 8 trackers
Aura / Pango Group
- • Hotspot Shield - 2017 FTC complaint
- • UltraVPN
Other
- • TunnelBear - McAfee, logs
- • Hola VPN - sells IP for DDoS
- • Opera VPN - Chinese, logs everything
- • Cloudflare WARP - FBI partnership
- • Google One VPN - complete telemetry
Unsafe server providers
WARNING:If your VPN uses these server providers, disconnect immediately!
| Provider | Jurisdiction | Why is he dangerous? |
|---|---|---|
| M247 | Romania/UK | Direct Interpol feeds, MITM full ranges |
| OVHcloud | France/Canada | Mandatory data retention, 2021 fire destroyed "no logs" evidence |
| DigitalOcean | USA | Seizure of droplets without a court order, NSL compliance |
| Vulture / Choopa | USA | Logs all traffic by default, forwards to the FBI |
| AWS | USA | Direct PRISM access, all metadata vacuumed |
| Linode | USA | DHS/ICE compliance, no legal challenge |
| Hetzner | Germany | BND cooperation, mandatory login |
| Leaseweb | Netherlands | FBI seizing servers, no resistance |
| Psychz Networks | USA | Marketed to the feds, honeypot provider |
| Cogent | USA | Known NSA tap, backbone monitoring |
TL;DR - Quick summary
If you see M247, OVH, Hetzner, Psychz, DigitalOcean, Leaseweb, AWS, Linode, or Cogent in your VPN server list→ DISCONNECT IMMEDIATELY
If your VPN is owned by Kape, Nord Securities, Zenguard, J2 Global, or Gadgets Réunis→ CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION
Safe choice:Mullvad (custom servers only) or IVPN/Windscribe with careful server selection
Comparison of recommended VPNs
| VPN | Price | Anonymous reg. | No-logs verified | Own servers | Open Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | €5/month | Audit | Partly | ||
| IVPN | $6-10/month | Audit | M247 | ||
| Windscribe | $5.75-9/mo | Court | Unknown | ||
| A mystery | $2-10/month | N/A (decentralized) | N/A (P2P) |