Remote working has caused virtual private network (VPN) usage to grow. A VPN encrypts your data packets, either between endpoints or to the VPN server. This reduces the risk of interception attacks. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that cybercriminals can still monitor encrypted traffic as it passes through the VPN server. This is why you need a no-log VPN.
A no-log VPN vendor stops traffic logging on their servers to improve your security. It’s not infallible, but it reduces your risk of being cyber-tracked for nefarious means.
In this article, I’ll cover what a no-log VPN is and provide you with a review of the top 5 solutions on the market. First, let’s look at what a no-log VPN is!
What Is a No-Log VPN?
All servers log traffic by default to help administrators with traffic auditing and traceability for cybersecurity. Some countries, like Switzerland, require servers not to log traffic through them. These countries do this for their citizens’ privacy and to reduce the risk of targeted attacks if servers become compromised.
Conversely, some countries are part of the Five Eyes (FVEY) Alliances that require server logs to help monitor the traffic of terrorist suspects or criminals. You have benefits and drawbacks for each security measure.
In this article, we’ll assume that not creating logs secures your business’s privacy better than relying on government cybersecurity and intelligence agencies. These agencies are generally looking for threats at the national level.
Log Locations
Traffic logs are often produced as part of a web service, like Apache, in the form of Log4j files. Server queries, routers, and firewalls produce logs used by the VPN vendor’s infrastructure. Additionally, the database server you use can keep your user login for a VPN service. A “no-log” policy requires the administrator to turn off these logs and any others specific to the server.
VPN Servers
VPN servers are no different and often have logs that could allow cybercriminals to identify your movements online. If a cyberattacker compromises the VPN server and accesses the log files, they can gain information about who you’re doing business with, including clients and suppliers. Bad actors can also figure out what sites you’re visiting and can create traps that are tailored to your operations to improve the attack’s success.
Since VPN implementation within a business is fairly easy in most scenarios, you should never use a VPN server that’s a liability. In the next section, we’ll look at the features you want along with a no-log VPN service!
3 Features to Look For in a VPN Provider
1. Server Type
A no-log VPN shouldn’t log traffic details that cyberattackers can exploit. When considering what no-log solution to use, you must consider the server you’re routing traffic through. In theory, you could have a no-log VPN provider routing traffic through a server legally obligated to supply governmental officials with your data.
2. Endpoint Protection
Look for a no-log VPN service provider that provides endpoint protection. This is where you create a secure tunnel between you and the destination. All data passed through the VPN is encrypted. If you don’t have this feature, your data is sent encrypted to the VPN server and is then unencrypted out of it to the destination. If this happens, VPN vendors, government officials, and cybercriminals can access your data at the VPN server.
3. Automatic Kill-Switch
Look for services that provide an automatic kill switch if your connection between you and the VPN server drops. You could otherwise be sending unencrypted data, which is a major security risk. The kill switch stops data transfer until you reestablish a VPN connection.
Now let’s look at the top 5 no-log VPN services on the market today!
Top 5 No-Log VPN Services
Below are the 5 best no-log VPN services.
1. Surfshark
Surfshark allows you to browse anonymously using 3,200+ servers located in 95 countries. The company states that it doesn’t collect IP addresses, browsing history, bandwidth usage, session information, network traffic, or connection timestamps. This policy covers a lot of logs that could expose you to cybercrime.
Surfshark has some great features, especially if you’re a jet-setter:
- Block ads and malware with CleanWeb
- Keep searches private to stop targeted ads
- Get unbiased search results by blocking web trackers
- Get notified of data leaks
- Know when to change passwords
- Keep digital freedom in internet-restricted countries
- Use the internet uncensored and access blocked content
- Stream privately without being tracked or censored
- Get secure IPTV access privately
- Watch sports games without buffering or annoying pop-ups
You’ll get the best prices when visiting shopping sites that monitor what you’re viewing and change the price when revisited. This is useful when booking flights or buying office supplies. Save data on mobile devices and boost speeds by blocking ads with CleanWeb. Plus, you can use Surfshark on an unlimited number of devices.
2. IPVanish
IPVanish is a stylish VPN that is highly configurable and fast. It’s available on all major app stores making it highly accessible and popular. That said, it’s fairly limited if used as part of an enterprise solution.
If you’ve just started your business and need a VPN on the go to cover your mobile devices, then IPVanish could be a contender:
- Has an independently audited no-log policy, which is reassuring
- Enables you to unblock various regionally restricted media services
- Connect an unlimited number of devices
- Owns and uses more than 2,000+ remote servers
- Operates in 75+ locations
Overall, IPVanish has a sleek finish and is highly popular. Yet, it appears only to serve mobile users effectively. To this end, unless you’re constantly traveling for work, you may want to opt for a more professional class of VPN.
3. KerioControl
GFI’s KerioControl is an all-in-one cybersecurity solution that provides many features, including a no-log VPN. Secure your client-to-site connections with KerioControl’s configuration-free VPN client. Alternatively, use an industry-standard IPsec VPN client like those pre-loaded on mobile devices.
Core features include:
- VPN client for Windows, Linux, Mac, and cross-platform support
- Split tunneling enables you to encrypt only the data that you need to encrypt
- Multiple client-to-site and site-to-site endpoint tunnels
- IPsec client-to-site and site-to-site configurability
- L2TP or IPsec security for mobile devices
- SSL encryption
- VPN tunnel failover protection
- NAT support
- Automatic or custom routing
- User authentication via directory services
Use the easy-to-setup VPN technology to create secure server-to-server connections between offices running KerioControl. Alternatively, you can create a secure VPN app connection to a remote office without needing KerioControl. Additionally, you can enable 2-step verification for an extra security layer on all remote access forms.
4. Proton VPN
A free VPN with no ads or secretly selling your browsing history is what Proton VPN claims. However, you’ll find Proton VPN does have a paid plan for faster speeds. This global VPN server network operates in 64 countries with 1,746+ servers and has a 2043 Gbps capacity, ensuring you stay connected.
You can expect:
- Multi-platform support
- Unique VPN accelerator that can boost encryption-decryption by 400% by overcoming your CPU limitations
- Strict no-logs policy
- Open source and audited apps
In addition to capacity, Proton VPN is fast and provides up to 10 Gbps transfer speeds, ensuring you’re unlikely to experience performance bottlenecks or capping on shared resources at peak loads.
5. Private VPN
Private VPN is, as it suggests, private and located in Switzerland, a place that requires companies not to store server logs. An interesting feature is the military-grade 2048-bit encryption standard that protects your traffic. You don’t necessarily need this level of encryption, but it does help reduce the risk of your data packet contents being sniffed.
Other Private VPN features include:
- Undetectable
- 1-click setup
- Multi-platform support
- In-house support
- No log data policy
- Easy port forwarding
One of the best features of Private VPN is the after-sales support. Support isn’t necessarily an important feature for individual use, but for enterprise software, it’s critical to stop any downtime if the solution fails. Additionally, PrivateVPN makes the installation and user experience as simple and foolproof as possible.
Final Thoughts
A no-log VPN reduces the risk of your internet use falling into the wrong hands. VPN servers are high-profile targets for cybercriminals, and it makes sense to take added precautions.
You should consider your VPN service provider’s server type and ensure that it isn’t legally obligated to supply governmental officials with your data. You should also ensure your VPN service provider offers endpoint protection so that your data remains encrypted at any point. Finally, you should check that your service provider offers an automatic kill switch in case the connection between you and the VPN server drops.
If you’re interested in VPNs and want to know more, look at our FAQ and Resource section below!
FAQ
What is a no-log VPN solution?
No-log virtual private networks (VPNs) are conventional VPN solutions with server logging features turned off. This includes web service logs that monitor your traffic, database logs that record what you query, and firewall and security logs. Some locations made server logging illegal to protect individuals using internet services from cybercriminals.
What does a no-log VPN protect me against?
No-log virtual private networks (VPNs) stop cybercriminals that have compromised the VPN server from tracking your internet usage. They won’t know what IP addresses you’re visiting and when. VPN servers are high-profile targets that enable bad actors to find targets they can monitor and eventually exploit.
Why do cybercriminals attack VPN servers?
Traffic from many businesses and individuals goes through a VPN server. Server logs allow cybercriminals to pick targets and find ways to exploit them. For instance, a bad actor could use a phishing attack that looks like a client email to gain your trust and launch a payload attack.
Should I use a no-log VPN solution for my business?
Yes, a no-log virtual private network (VPN) improves your security if cybercriminals have compromised the VPN server. The cybercriminals may not be able to access your data packets if you’re using a VPN with endpoint protection but can see what sites you’ve been accessing. This means they’ll know who you’ve been dealing with and your competitive business advantage.
How big does my organization have to be to start using a no-log VPN?
Any size of business, as well as private individuals, should use no-log VPNs. Pricing is often comparable to VPN solutions that have server logs. Use a provider that offers no-log and endpoint protection for the best protection!
Resources
TechGenix: Article on Data Leaks
Discover how data leaks occur and what you can do to protect your business.
TechGenix: Article on Always On VPNs
Learn what an always-on VPN is and how it can help your business’s cybersecurity.
TechGenix: Article on Network Security Tools
Get up-to-speed on the top 5 network security tools that can help protect your company.
TechGenix: Article on Data Center Security
Find out how to secure your data center and help your business resist cybercriminals.
TechGenix: Article on SSL VPNs
Leverage SSL VPNs in your business to gain better network protection.
