If you’re concerned about protecting your identity online, you may have heard of VPNs. But what exactly are they, and can they truly make you untraceable? In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of VPNs, and whether or not they can help keep you anonymous on the internet in 2024.
We’ll start by examining how VPNs work, and what they can and can’t do to protect your online privacy. From there, we’ll delve into the limitations of VPNs, and discuss other measures you can take to stay anonymous online. So if you’re ready to learn more about VPNs and online anonymity, read on.
What are the best “anonymous” VPNs in 2024?
If you’re looking for a VPN that can help you stay anonymous online, you’ll want to choose a service that offers a zero-logs policy, strong encryption, and anonymous payment options. While no VPN can make you completely anonymous, the following VPNs are some of the best options available in 2024.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is widely regarded as the best anonymous VPN available in 2024. This VPN service accepts Bitcoin payments, has a strong no-logs policy, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. In our testing, we found that all ExpressVPN plans work for Netflix, and the one year plan is the best value, offering three months free and a 30-day risk-free trial.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the best value anonymous VPN available in 2024. This VPN service is highly secure, with advanced tools and apps for all platforms.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is the best secure anonymous VPN available in 2024. This VPN service is super secure, very affordable, and offers a proven zero-logs policy.
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is the best cheap anonymous VPN available in 2024. This VPN service offers easy-to-use apps for all platforms, a no-logs policy, and leak protection.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is the best all-rounder anonymous VPN available in 2024. This VPN service offers tons of features and stealth tools, as well as a full fleet of servers.
It’s important to note that while some VPN services claim to keep you completely anonymous, this is not actually possible. Your VPN provider can read your original IP address in real-time when you connect to a server, and some untrustworthy services even store these sensitive logs. However, a reliable VPN service can provide high levels of digital privacy with strong encryption and a no-logs policy.
When choosing a VPN service, make sure to look for a zero-logs policy, key privacy and security features, strong encryption, and anonymous payment options. Each of the VPNs listed above meets these criteria and will greatly improve your online privacy.
5 Best VPNs to use to become Anonymous in 2024
5. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a reliable VPN service that offers excellent security features and high speeds. It is a great option for users looking to become anonymous online.
Pricing
VyprVPN offers two pricing plans:
- VyprVPN Basic: $3.75/month (billed annually)
- VyprVPN Premium: $5.00/month (billed annually)
Pros
- Strong encryption protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP
- No-logs policy
- Chameleon technology for bypassing VPN blocks and censorship
- High-speed servers in over 70 countries
- Easy-to-use apps for all platforms
Cons
- Limited simultaneous connections (up to 5 devices)
- No cryptocurrency payment options
Aggregated or Anonymized Logs?
Anonymized
Website
VyprVPN Demo
VyprVPN is a well-known VPN provider that has been in the industry for many years. It offers excellent security features, including strong encryption protocols and a no-logs policy, which ensures that your online activities remain private. VyprVPN also offers Chameleon technology, which helps users bypass VPN blocks and censorship. This technology is particularly useful for users living in countries with strict internet regulations.
During our testing, we found that VyprVPN’s servers were fast and reliable, making it a great option for streaming and downloading. The app is also easy to use, with a simple interface that is suitable for beginners.
One downside of VyprVPN is that it only allows up to 5 simultaneous connections, which may not be enough for some users. Additionally, the service does not offer cryptocurrency payment options, which may be a dealbreaker for some privacy-conscious users.
Overall, VyprVPN is a great option for users looking for a reliable and secure VPN service. Its high-speed servers and Chameleon technology make it an excellent choice for users looking to bypass VPN blocks and censorship.
Fast Anonymous VPNs in 2024
When it comes to choosing a VPN, speed is a crucial factor. Fortunately, all of our recommended anonymous VPN providers offer fast speeds, ensuring that you can browse, stream, torrent, and game without any frustration.
To help you understand what speeds you can expect from our top VPN picks, we regularly run speed tests and provide the latest results in the table below.
| VPN Provider | Reliability | Performance | Speed | ProPrivacy.com SpeedTest (average) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 9 | 10 | 100 | 100 |
| NordVPN | 8 | 9 | 568.0 | 85.9 |
| Private Internet Access | 8 | 8 | 254.93 | 62.2 |
As you can see, all of these VPN providers offer fast speeds, with ExpressVPN and NordVPN being the fastest. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your actual speeds may vary depending on various factors such as your location, internet connection, and the VPN server you choose.
Can You Get a Truly Anonymous VPN?
While VPNs provide a higher level of digital privacy, they do not offer true anonymity. VPNs allow you to browse the internet with a greater level of anonymity by masking your original IP address. However, online services can still detect who you are through various means.
For instance, websites can use cookies to track your online activity and recognize your login details. They can also engage in browser fingerprinting and track device-level information such as IMEI or MAC number. Additionally, your user agent can reveal your identity to online services.
Therefore, it is important to note that VPNs are not truly anonymous. VPN providers can detect your original IP address in real-time if they want to, which means they know who you are at all times. This is why VPNs are not referred to as “anonymous.”
If you want true anonymity, you will need to use Tor browser. However, private VPNs with zero-log policies and robust encryption are still worth testing. It is also crucial to remember that VPN providers can always identify user IP addresses and monitor traffic in real-time, even if they claim to have no-logs policies.
In summary, VPNs offer a higher level of digital privacy but not true anonymity. It is important to understand the limitations of VPNs and take necessary precautions to protect your online identity.
How to Be More Anonymous with a VPN
If you’re looking to enhance your online anonymity, a VPN is an excellent place to start. While a VPN cannot provide complete anonymity, it does come with features that offer a high degree of digital privacy, and some of these features are essential to ensuring that you have the most “anonymous” experience possible. Here are some of the key features to look for in a VPN:
Choose a No Logs VPN Service
The most private VPNs keep zero logs, meaning that once you’ve finished your VPN session, there are no connection or usage logs stored anywhere. With no logs stored anywhere, nobody can come knocking at the VPN’s door for evidence of a paper trail. A no-log VPN is the closest thing you will find to an anonymous VPN.
Connection Logs and End-to-End (E2E) Timing Attacks
Timestamps stored alongside IP addresses allow for time correlation attacks (E2E timing attacks). This is when data gathered from third-party endpoints (websites) is tied to a VPN user by analyzing what time they logged onto a specific VPN server. For this reason, these kinds of logs can pose a direct risk to your privacy. Look for VPNs that do not store connection time stamps and IP addresses, as well as other personally identifiable account details.
Shared IPs
Using a VPN server with “shared IPs” means that many other people, as well as yourself, are all using that server IP address at the same time. This provides a certain level of anonymity by mixing your web traffic with the web traffic of many other VPN users. A dedicated IP, on the other hand, is one that only you use, and is much easier to track. If you’re the only person using the address, after all, you won’t be lost in a sea of fellow VPN users.
Pay with Bitcoin or with Cash
If you want to boost your online anonymity, you’ll need to ensure that your VPN provider knows as little about you as possible. We’d recommend using a burner email and a fake name, and paying with “washed” bitcoins wherever you can. Really privacy-conscious VPNs even allow you to send cash in the post! Bear in mind that the VPN will still know which IP address you’re connecting to their servers from. That IP address will be unique to your home and can be used to determine where you are as well as some other basic personal details.
Double Hop or Chaining VPNs
Double Hop is a feature that allows VPN users to jump through various VPN tunnels, usually via two (but sometimes more) servers. This helps to further obfuscate the VPN user’s web habits and location, particularly if those servers are also shared IPs. Chaining VPNs will slow your internet connection down because of the extra processes it entails. However, if you prefer to trade connection speed for this extra security measure, it is worth a try.
Use a VPN with Strong Privacy
When you use a VPN that has strong encryption and a zero-logs policy, you’re preventing local network administrators (workplaces, schools, shared accommodations, landlords, Wi-Fi hotspots) from being able to tell what you are doing online. A VPN will also stop ISP tracking – which means they can’t retain web browsing habits on behalf of the government (in countries with mandatory data retention). In the US, where ISPs are legally permitted to retain and sell web browsing histories to create a source of revenue, VPNs prevent ISPs from keeping those logs in the first place. If a VPN keeps zero logs, it has nothing to hand over to the authorities – even if they come knocking at the VPN’s door with a warrant. It is for this reason that a zero-logs VPN with strongly implemented OpenVPN encryption is the most private option on the market.
How to Maintain Online Anonymity?
If you want to stay anonymous online, there are a few things you can do:
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your privacy from third-party scrutiny.
- Avoid using your real name or personal information when creating accounts or posting online.
- Use a secure browser that doesn’t track your online activity or store your browsing history.
- Use a disposable email address for online registrations and avoid using your primary email address.
- Be mindful of the information you share online, including your location, personal details, and browsing habits.
Remember, while VPNs can protect your privacy, they don’t provide true anonymity. To stay truly anonymous online, you’ll need to take additional steps to protect your identity and avoid leaving digital footprints.
Using a VPN through Tor
Some people may want to use both Tor and a VPN simultaneously for added security and anonymity. While some VPNs offer a VPN into Tor and VPN through Tor, it is generally considered unnecessary for most users.
Using a VPN into Tor can prevent the first Tor node from knowing your real IP address, which can be useful if you are somehow traced through the Tor network. However, this method does not protect you from malicious Tor exit nodes, which can monitor unencrypted non-HTTPS traffic entering and leaving the Tor network. Additionally, Tor exit nodes are often blocked, limiting your access to certain websites.
On the other hand, VPN through Tor allows you to route your traffic via Tor before it arrives at the VPN, providing an anonymous VPN experience since the VPN will not know your real IP address. However, for this to be effective, you must sign up for the VPN anonymously with a burner email and use an anonymous payment method such as posting cash through the post or using “washed” bitcoins. It is important to note that the fixed endpoint of VPN through Tor reduces your anonymity on the Tor network since it is not randomized like typical Tor usage.
Overall, using a VPN through Tor may provide added anonymity, but it is only necessary for those who require the highest level of security and are willing to take the necessary precautions to maintain their anonymity. For most users, using either Tor or a VPN alone is sufficient for their needs.
Staying Anonymous on Mobile
Achieving complete anonymity on your mobile device is a challenging task. This is because mobile phones are usually associated with the person that owns them, making it difficult to stay anonymous. Even if you use a VPN, it won’t make you completely anonymous on your Android or iPhone device.
One option to achieve higher levels of anonymity is to purchase a cheap phone and SIM with cash from a supermarket. This way, you can avoid being tied to your mobile contract or pay-as-you-go SIM. To further enhance your anonymity, you can use a zero-logs VPN purchased with a fake name, a burner email address, and paid for in cash or with bitcoins.
However, keep in mind that if you use your mobile device from your home’s Wi-Fi address, your IP address can still be tracked by the VPN. In case the authorities serve a warrant and the VPN keeps connection logs, an end-to-end timing attack could be used to figure out your IP address, which would then be tied to you by your ISP. For this reason, it’s crucial to use a zero-logs VPN for strong privacy.
Moreover, even if your VPN doesn’t keep logs, it could still be served a warrant and gag order, leading to eventual monitoring of its VPN servers in real-time. This is why VPNs are said to provide privacy, not anonymity.
To summarize, while VPNs are not a foolproof way of achieving complete anonymity on your mobile device, they are still a great way of staying secure on public Wi-Fi and unblocking content. Purchasing a cheap phone and SIM with cash and using a zero-logs VPN can provide higher levels of anonymity, but it’s important to keep in mind the limitations and risks involved.
Are any Free VPNs Anonymous?
When it comes to free VPNs, it’s essential to be cautious. While some free VPNs may offer anonymity, many are not trustworthy. Free VPNs have to generate revenue somehow, and some do so by logging user data and selling it to third parties.
If anonymity is a top priority, it’s best to avoid free VPNs altogether. However, if you do choose to use a free VPN, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable one. Look for a VPN that has a no-logs policy and is transparent about its data collection practices. Additionally, consider using a paid VPN service for better anonymity and security.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when considering a free VPN:
- Free VPNs may log user data and sell it to third parties.
- Reputable free VPNs do exist, but it’s best to be cautious.
- Look for a VPN with a no-logs policy and transparent data collection practices.
- Consider using a paid VPN service for better anonymity and security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while many VPNs claim to provide total anonymity, it’s often just a marketing tactic. However, VPNs are still incredibly valuable online services that offer the highest level of digital privacy available on the market without sacrificing performance. If you’re looking for true anonymity, Tor browser is the way to go, but keep in mind that it’s not suitable for data-intensive tasks like streaming, gaming, and P2P torrenting.
Fortunately, VPNs are an ideal solution for these types of activities, especially torrenting. They provide a unique privacy service that has no real alternative. Our top VPN picks keep no logs, implement high standards of OpenVPN encryption, and offer additional security features to protect your internet traffic. By using one of our recommended VPNs, you can rest assured that your online activity is secure and private.
If you have any questions about our top 5 VPNs or have tried them yourself, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re confident that our recommendations will provide you with the most private VPN experience possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated VPN services for anonymity in 2023?
Here are some of the top-rated VPN services for anonymity in 2024:
| VPN Service | Features |
|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | No-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, 3000+ servers in 94 countries |
| NordVPN | No-logs policy, double VPN encryption, 5500+ servers in 59 countries |
| CyberGhost VPN | No-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, 7000+ servers in 90 countries |
| Surfshark | No-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, 3200+ servers in 65 countries |
How do no-log VPNs ensure user privacy?
No-log VPNs ensure user privacy by not keeping any logs of user activity. This means that they do not keep records of your online activity, such as websites visited or files downloaded. By not keeping any logs, no-log VPNs ensure that your online activity cannot be traced back to you.
Can you truly remain untraceable with a free VPN service?
While free VPN services may offer some level of anonymity, they often come with limitations that can compromise your privacy. Free VPNs may have a limited number of servers, slower speeds, and may even sell your data to third parties. It is recommended to use a paid VPN service if you are looking for complete anonymity.
What factors should be considered when choosing a VPN for anonymity?
When choosing a VPN for anonymity, the following factors should be considered:
- No-logs policy
- Strong encryption
- Number of servers and server locations
- Connection speed
- Compatibility with your device
- Customer support
Which countries offer the best jurisdiction for anonymous VPN services?
Countries that offer the best jurisdiction for anonymous VPN services are those that have strong privacy laws and are not part of any international surveillance alliances. Some of the best countries for anonymous VPN services include Switzerland, Panama, and the British Virgin Islands.
Are there any VPNs that consistently avoid detection by websites and ISPs?
While no VPN can guarantee 100% avoidance of detection, some VPNs have proven to be more effective than others. VPNs that use obfuscation techniques, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, have been known to consistently avoid detection by websites and ISPs.
