Does NordVPN keep logs of your online activities? No. It’s none of our business.
What does it mean, “a VPN without logs”?
When you connect to a VPN server, you shield your internet traffic from your internet service provider (ISP) and others. They can no longer see your online activity — but the one holding your shield can. That’s why it’s crucial to know what kind of logs your VPN provider keeps. A “no-log VPN” is one that doesn’t collect (or log) traffic that passes through its servers. This is trickier than it may seem, since many countries force services to store data for at least some time — to protect your online privacy, true no-logs VPNs operate out of jurisdictions without data retention laws, such as Panama.
How does a no-logs policy protect you?
A VPN provider’s log-keeping policy is its official stance on data retention. It sets the bar for what you, the customer, can expect when using its services. To protect your online privacy, it’s absolutely crucial to know what kind of logs your provider keeps — and to verify its claims. The best no-logs VPNs have their policies examined by independent practitioners. NordVPN was the first major service to submit its VPN no-logs practices for review, engaging PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland to conduct thorough examinations in 2018 and again in 2020. It did not identify deficiencies within the scope of its engagement — NordVPN did not keep logs of user online activities at that point in time. Neither did Deloitte when it audited NordVPN in 2022.
What are the main types of internet logs?
For private everyday browsing
- Incoming and outgoing IP address
- Connection date and duration
- Amount of data transferred
- VPN servers used
Usage logs
- Websites visited
- Files downloaded
- Software used
- Easier to track
Usage logs contain a lot of potentially sensitive personal information, but even connection logs can be used to identify you online. While you should definitely stay away from VPN providers that collect usage logs, also keep an eye out for those that keep extensive connection logs.
5 reasons why NordVPN is the best service for privacy
We keep no logs of your activity online
Worried that NordVPN logs your data? Rest easy. We offer a zero-logs VPN service. That means that we do not store your online activity. Nothing to store — nothing to see — nothing to share with anyone.
Independent practitioners have reviewed the design and implementation of our no-log VPN policy
We engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland to perform an industry-first point-in-time examination of our no-log claims in 2018. Then we engaged the organization again in 2020. Both assurance reports concluded with no deficiencies in relation to our logging policy. Deloitte came to the same conclusion when it audited NordVPN in 2022.
NordVPN is based away from the EU and US jurisdictions
NordVPN is incorporated in Panama, which has no data retention laws. We don’t collect your personal data. Your business is strictly your business — enjoy surfing the web, watching streams, playing games, or working in complete privacy.
We accept cryptocurrencies
NordVPN supports numerous payment methods, including cryptocurrencies. In fact, a crypto wallet lets you sign up and pay for NordVPN anonymously. You’ll be protected by our 30-day money-back guarantee even if you make your purchase private — after all, we offer a risk-free VPN purchase.
NordVPN has special features for extra privacy
If you handle exceptionally sensitive information, you could benefit from an extra layer of security — and that’s where NordVPN’s specialty servers come in. We offer powerful privacy-focused solutions like Double VPN or Onion Over VPN. Simply select the type of server you want in the app, connect, and enjoy the added security immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Do all VPNs keep logs?
No — the most trusted VPN providers like NordVPN don’t store usage logs. VPNs that keep usage logs don’t actually protect you all that well, since a data breach can easily expose your online activities to others.
Does NordVPN really have no logs?
Yes, our VPN no-logs practices have been thoroughly examined and verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland and Deloitte — we don’t keep usage logs of your online activity. However, in order to provide our services, we may store some customer information (such as your username).
Are there any free no-log VPNs?
While some free VPNs say that they operate under a no-logs policy, keep in mind that VPN no-logs claims are easy to make — but very hard to verify. Few if any free VPNs submit themselves to trusted third parties for review. In addition, since free VPNs need to somehow sustain themselves and maintain their servers, they might collect your data and sell it to third parties. To protect your data and privacy, we strongly recommend using a trusted VPN with a proven track record. Many offer substantial discounts for longer commitment.
What information can websites see when I use a VPN?
No, if you use a premium VPN with a strict no-logs policy, your browsing and IP can’t be tracked by anyone. However, if you log in to websites and services or use apps on your device, some information can be tracked. For example, if you log in to your Google account, Google will track and store information about the websites you visit, your Google searches, the content you looked at and for how long you did so, and other similar information. Google won’t know your virtual location because of your changed IP, but it will still be able to determine it’s you.
Are no-log VPNs safe?
Yes, VPNs that have strict and proven no-logs policy are safe to use as they don’t collect and store data about their users’ online activity. It means that all your private information and your online activity will stay private and hidden from prying eyes as long as you don’t use online services that can identify and track you and make sure to be mindful of third-party tracking cookies.
