VPN should protect privacy, but some providers track users themselves. Let’s explore what logs are and why no-logs policy is critical.
What Are VPN Logs
Logs (journals) are records of user activity stored on VPN provider’s servers.
Logs may contain:
- Your IP address
- Connection time
- Visited websites
- Downloaded files
- Traffic volume
Types of Logs
1. Activity Logs (Most Dangerous)
| What’s Recorded | Risk |
|---|---|
| Visited websites | Reveals interests |
| Search queries | Reveals intentions |
| Downloaded files | Evidence of actions |
| Messages | Reveals correspondence |
If VPN keeps these logs - it’s useless for privacy.
2. Connection Logs
| What’s Recorded | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Connection time | Diagnostics |
| Your IP address | Identification |
| VPN server IP | Statistics |
| Traffic volume | Resource accounting |
Less dangerous but can link you to VPN session.
3. Technical Logs
| What’s Recorded | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Errors | Debugging |
| Performance | Optimization |
Usually don’t contain personal data.
Why VPNs Keep Logs
Legislation
Some countries require VPNs to store data:
- Russia - required to store
- China - required to store
- “14 Eyes” countries - can request
Business Model
Free VPNs often sell data:
- To advertisers - for targeting
- To analytics companies - for research
- To unknown parties - without your knowledge
Technical Necessity
Sometimes logs are needed for:
- Fraud prevention
- Spam prevention
- Problem diagnostics
What Is No-Logs Policy
No-logs (zero-logs) means VPN doesn’t store data that can identify users.
What This Means in Practice
| Situation | With No-Logs |
|---|---|
| Government request | Nothing to provide |
| Server hack | Nothing to steal |
| Court order | No data |
What’s Allowed Under No-Logs
- Aggregated statistics (total traffic volume)
- Registration data (email)
- Payment info (for refunds)
What’s Not Allowed
- User IP addresses
- Browsing history
- Connection timestamps
- Link between user and activity
How to Verify No-Logs Policy
1. Read Privacy Policy
Look for:
- “no-logs policy”
- “zero-logs”
- “we do not log”
Avoid:
- Vague wording
- “We don’t sell data” (but may store)
- No policy at all
2. Check Jurisdiction
| Jurisdiction | Risk |
|---|---|
| Panama, BVI | Low |
| Switzerland | Low |
| EU (GDPR) | Medium |
| USA, UK | High |
| Russia, China | Very High |
3. Independent Audits
Large VPNs commission audits from firms (PwC, Cure53). This confirms no-logs claims.
4. Real Cases
Check if there were:
- Government requests (and what VPN provided)
- Hacks (and what leaked)
- Legal cases
Physical vs Virtual Servers
| Type | Security |
|---|---|
| Physical | Higher - full control |
| Virtual | Lower - host has access |
Physical servers exclude third-party access to data.
Reliable VPN Checklist
- Clear no-logs policy
- Jurisdiction outside “14 Eyes”
- Independent audits
- Physical servers
- Open source (plus)
- Positive reputation
FAQ
If VPN doesn’t log, how does it fight spam?
Modern methods allow limiting abuse without logging: connection limits, real-time pattern analysis.
Can no-logs claims be trusted?
Partially. Independent audits and reputation matter more than claims. Check for real cases confirming the policy.
Does my VPN keep logs?
Check Privacy Policy. If wording is vague or policy is missing - most likely yes.
Summary
VPN logs can reveal your activity to authorities, hackers, or advertisers. Choose VPN with confirmed no-logs policy and jurisdiction in a country with strong privacy laws.
Tainet doesn’t keep activity or connection logs. Privacy policy clearly states what data is collected and why.
