Choosing a VPN Provider: Looking Beyond Marketing Claims
Published: June 05, 20254 min read
The Zero-Log Myth
Almost every commercial VPN advertises a "zero-log policy." However, court logs and historical leaks reveal that many providers log connection times, IP addresses, or bandwidth utilization. True zero-logs can only be proven through independent infrastructure audits.
Three Criteria for Evaluating a VPN
1. RAM-Only Infrastructure
Servers operating on RAM cannot store data persistently. If seized, all data is wiped instantly.
2. Favorable Jurisdiction
Select providers based outside surveillance alliances, in jurisdictions with strong data privacy laws.
3. Anonymous Payment Gateways
Pay using privacy coins like Monero (XMR) to avoid linking traffic to your identity.
Key Questions to Ask
- Does the company run its own DNS resolution, or are queries forwarded to third parties?
- Has the provider's infrastructure been audited by a respected third party?
- Does the client code use standard WireGuard, or a proprietary closed protocol?