Tag: leaseweb

  • IVPN

    IVPN

    App Telemetry

    In our analysis, IVPN primarily establishes connections to its own domain, api.ivpn.net, which can be logically tied to the app’s core functionality. A notable feature is its lack of telemetry, reinforcing its standing as a true privacy-focused application. Additional connections to Apple’s ecosystem, namely inappcheck.itunes.apple.com and mzstorekit.itunes.apple.com, are indicative of routine in-app functionality rather than invasive tracking or advertising. Furthermore, domains such as apps.identrust.com and r3.i.lencr.org relate to certificate authorities and secure communications, which are essential components of any robust VPN service.

    Given that the connections are largely restricted to primary service domains and standard app functionality, IVPN maintains a strong commitment to user privacy. The absence of telemetry data adds to its credibility as a privacy-centric application. Thus, IVPN achieves an A rating on our privacy grading scale, serving as a benchmark for what a privacy-focused app can offer.

    Privacy Policy

    IVPN’s privacy policy is pretty much a gold standard if you’re looking for anonymity and data security. They collect the bare minimum of information needed to operate their service—no personal info like your name or email required at sign-up. Even better, they have a strict no-logging policy for your VPN activity. They’re also transparent about what little data they do collect, mostly for transactional purposes, and give you options for anonymous payments. On the legal front, they’re under EU jurisdiction, which has strong data protection laws. Overall, if you’re concerned about your online privacy, IVPN seems to tick all the right boxes.

    One of the most striking features of IVPN’s privacy policy is its commitment to collect the “minimum information required to operate our service.” The company explicitly states, “When you sign up for IVPN, you will not be asked for any personal information e.g. email address, name, etc.” By not collecting personal identifiers, IVPN makes it extremely difficult for any external entity to link VPN activity back to an individual user. This minimal data collection is a significant pro for those concerned about anonymity and privacy.

    IVPN’s no-logging policy is another cornerstone of its privacy-centric approach. The company states unequivocally: “We do not log any data relating to a user’s VPN activity.” This includes no traffic logging, no connection timestamps, and no DNS request logging. Without these logs, even if the company were compelled by legal authorities, it couldn’t provide information about user activities. This no-logging policy significantly enhances user security and privacy.

    IVPN sets itself apart by being transparent about what limited data they do collect, specifically for transactional purposes. They state: “When you add time to your account, the following information is stored: Payment ID, Account ID, Amount, Currency, Timestamp, Transaction ID.” While this data is necessary for transactions, the company also offers anonymous payment methods such as cash and cryptocurrency for those who wish to take extra precautions.

    On the legal front, IVPN is subject to European Union (EU) law, widely considered to have strong data protection regulations. The company assures users that “if it ever becomes required by law for us to keep a persistent log of our customers’ connections or any personal data relating to their network activity, we will immediately notify our customers and do everything in our power to move jurisdictions or close the service.” This commitment to privacy even in the face of legal challenges further strengthens the company’s standing as a privacy-focused service.

    Speed Test

    Speed tests, by their nature, are highly contextual. They depend on various factors, such as the user’s location, hardware configuration, and the quality of the network infrastructure. That said, they still serve as valuable frames of reference. For our tests, we chose a server located in the Seattle region. The results were impressive: IVPN delivered 516 Mbps on the download and 24 Mbps on the upload, with a latency of just 18.5 ms. Unlike many other VPN services that often suffer from server overutilization or speed throttling, IVPN showed no signs of either. The high-speed performance and low latency indicate a well-maintained and robust server network.

    Related Posts

  • F-Secure FREEDOME

    F-Secure FREEDOME

    F-Secure is a zero-logs Finland-based security company with a plethora of products, and Freedome VPN caught my eye for a reason. F-Secure has been in the security business since 1988.

    Freedome VPN is cross-platform and supports Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Mobile app mirrors the desktop experience in simplicity and usability.

    After testing numerous servers I have concluded that FREEDOME predominantly leases from Leaseweb, Performive, Euraserv, and Softlayer.

    Privacy — Ambiguous and Lacking Transparency

    F-Secure Freedome VPN’s privacy policy includes extensive information regarding the security of the service. It claims to keep no logs, which would qualify it as a zero-logging VPN service. However, if you carefully review the privacy statement, then you will see that F-Secure collects different types of information about you.

    To begin with, Freedome VPN keeps a record of your IP address as well as your private communications. The IP address of your computer and your country is tracked along with the amount of data you transmit over F-Secure. Moreover, Freedome VPN is capable of monitoring traffic for malicious or unscrupulous files and websites as well as blocking torrents. In other words, the service has a good understanding of your activities online, otherwise, it would not be able to provide this service.

    Screenshot of Freedome VPN's privacy policy

    Freedom leaves cookies on your computer despite claiming to provide privacy protection

    Its ‘Tracker Mapper’ feature also reflects Freedome’s logging policy. The option enables you to keep track of what trackers you encounter online for 24 hours, which websites they appear on, and what information they collect. Although this information will be deleted after three days, it shows just how easy it is for Freedome VPN to monitor your online activities. Freedome VPN may be very effective in terms of security, but that effectiveness is undercut with these lackluster privacy measures.

    On the plus side, Freedome VPN has its headquarters in Finland. The country is known for having one of the most stringent privacy laws in the world, making it one of the best jurisdictions for VPN firms. Thus, there is no obligation on the part of the provider to give out any information. Even with this favorable location, I am hesitant to recommend trusting Freedome VPN with your data given its tendency to monitor your activity.

  • Windscribe

    Windscribe

    Windscribe, a cross-platform virtual private network (VPN) service provider, was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. Based in Canada, it has grown to operate internationally, supporting a broad range of operating systems and platforms, and providing services to personal computers, smartphones, routers, and smart TVs​1​.

    The company’s offerings include OpenVPN, Internet Key Exchange v2/IPsec, and WireGuard protocols in its applications, supporting peer-to-peer file sharing, and ensuring user privacy with a no-log policy. Additionally, Windscribe provides open source applications and encrypted proxy support, while allowing for unlimited device connections​1​.

    Windscribe has been recognized for its social responsibility efforts, particularly in advocating for freedom of access to information in regions of political unrest. It has also developed transparency tools to shine a light on the relationship between corporate VPNs and their paid promoters​.

    Despite earning accolades from publications like Wired UK and Engadget for its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and range of server options, Windscribe has faced criticism related to security vulnerabilities. However, the company has demonstrated swift response to these issues, underscoring its commitment to user security​.

    Some users familiar with the name may be wary to trust their services, after the poor security practices were revealed in their 2021 data breach. The company has since promised to do better. You can read the original article, but here are the main highlights:

    • Windscribe left its VPN servers in Ukraine unencrypted and unsecured.
    • When Ukrainian authorities seized the servers, they also obtained Windscribe’s private key.
    • With the private key, Ukrainian officials could decrypt traffic and spy on Windscribe users.
    • Windscribe admitted that it does not follow “industry best practices” with its server network, but promised to change.
    • Windscribe is in the process of upgrading server security and hopefully undergoing a security audit.

    Based on data collected, when you are using Windscribe VPN you are predominantly using Quadranet, CDNext, Global Secure Layer, CDN77, or M247 servers.

    Global Coverage

    Windscribe showcases an impressive degree of geographic diversity in its server locations. It has a presence in 59 countries across multiple continents including North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. This comprehensive global coverage provides users with extensive options for regional access and optimizes connection speeds. Key locations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands host a significant number of servers, ensuring a robust and reliable service. Windscribe’s commitment to geographic diversity is also demonstrated by their notable presence in emerging markets. Given this extensive geographic spread, Windscribe earns an impressive score on our Global Coverage Index, receiving an 85 out of 100.

    WeVPN users acquired by Windscribe

    In 2023 VPN service provider WeVPN announced that it is shutting down due to unforeseen financial difficulties. In a statement, the company assured its customers that those with active subscriptions will be able to use Windscribe for the remaining duration of their subscription free of charge. Windscribe has agreed to offer free accounts to WeVPN users, which will provide them access to Windscribe’s network of servers, robust security features, and customer support.

    However, many are skeptical of this offer, as it appears to be a backdoor deal, and there is a lack of transparency regarding the relationship between the two companies. Windscribe and WeVPN have confirmed that Windscribe did not acquire WeVPN, but rather, it is a gesture of goodwill by Windscribe’s founder, Yegor. The company will cover WeVPN accounts for three months up to two years, but those who purchased their subscriptions from specific promotions such as lifetime deals will not be covered. Despite this offer, customers are disappointed by the lack of compensation from WeVPN and the lack of transparency regarding the closure.

    It’s super weird that they’ve removed theWeVPN founder’s and CEO information from the site, and there is so little information about them on the Internet. Specially when WeVPN founder claims to “have been running” Private Internet Access for years, and there’s a blog post saying that he used to be the President for PIA, and some other press releases saying he was the CEO.

    The cache for their “about us” section [0]:

      Jonathan Roudier
      Founder
      
      VPN Experience: 8 years
      
      Jon has nearly a decade of working in the VPN industry originally in Marketing and later in leadership and senior management. With his years of insight and customer knowledge gained from running Private Internet Access®, one of the world's biggest VPN providers, Jon decided to build his own VPN to ensure that the moral and ethics which he holds true are upheld and to provide an industry leader in transparency and accountability. Outside of WeVPN, He enjoys spending time at the gym and watching movies.
    

    Press release in PIA’s blog for when they bought Cypherpunk VPN [1]:

      Private Internet Access President Jon Roudier
    

    Press release announcing CES sponsor [2]:

      Jonathan Roudier, CEO of PIA, said “We, at Private Internet Access, are so thrilled..."

    0: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:LVfIvHK77E4J:https://wevpn.com/about-us&cd=2&hl=es&ct=clnk&gl=es
    1: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/blog/private-internet-access-london-trust-media-acquired-cypherpunk-vpn/
    2: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151221005130/en/Private-Internet-Access-Top-Mobile-Sponsor-2016

    Windscribe pros & cons

    Pros

    • Free version with 10GB of data
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • Unblocks various streaming sites
    • Supports torrenting
    • No DNS leaks
    • Highly configurable
    • Military-grade encryption
    • Lots of tunneling protocols
    • Reliable kill switch
    • Split tunneling on Android

    Cons

    • Potential speed issues
    • Not that many servers
    • WireGuard only on Android
    • No independent audit
    • Has had at least 2 unencrypted servers in Ukraine
    • Based in a 5-Eyes country