Astrill VPN: A Buffet of Protocols for Different Needs Astrill VPN caters to a wide range of users by offering a diverse selection of VPN protocols, each with its own strengths: OpenVPN: This industry-standard protocol is a popular choice for its reliability and strong encryption (256-bit AES). It is available in both TCP and UDP variants, offering a balance between security and speed. TCP ensures reliable data delivery, while UDP prioritizes speed but may experience occasional data loss. WireGuard®: This modern protocol is known for its exceptional speed and ease of use. It utilizes state-of-the-art cryptography for robust security. However, WireGuard® is still a relatively new protocol, and its long-term security implications are being evaluated by the cybersecurity community. StealthVPN: This is a proprietary protocol developed by Astrill VPN. It is based on OpenVPN but adds an extra layer of obfuscation to disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. This can be helpful in bypassing restrictions imposed by firewalls or internet service providers that might try to block VPN connections. Choosing the Right Protocol: The best protocol for you depends on your individual needs: For maximum security and reliability: Opt for OpenVPN (TCP). For blazing-fast speeds: Choose WireGuard®, but be aware of its relative newness. To bypass restrictions and enhance anonymity: Consider StealthVPN. Additional Considerations: Not all protocols are available on all devices. Check Astrill's website for compatibility information. Some protocols can be more resource-intensive than others, potentially impacting your device's performance.

Claimed No-Logs Policy: Astrill boasts a no-logs policy, stating they don't track or store any data related to your online activity while connected to their VPN servers. This includes details like websites accessed, content downloaded, IP addresses, and timestamps. Limited Logs with Explanations: However, Astrill retains some connection logs for 20 days. This data includes the connection time, duration, country of connection, device type, and their client application version. They claim this information helps them diagnose server issues and improve service, but it raises concerns for privacy-conscious users who value complete data deletion. Jurisdictional Benefit: Astrill is based in the Seychelles, a country outside major surveillance alliances like Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes. This location makes it less likely for governments to compel them to share user data compared to providers in alliance countries. Security Features: Astrill prioritizes user security with features like multi-hop encryption, which routes your data through multiple servers for additional anonymity. Additionally, they offer a kill switch that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing accidental IP leaks. Transparency Issues: While Astrill outlines their practices, some users find the policy explanations lacking compared to more transparent VPN providers. The specific details retained in the 20-day connection logs and their purpose remain unclear. In Conclusion: Astrill offers strong anonymity features and a location outside surveillance alliances. However, the data retention practices and lack of complete transparency in the privacy policy might be a concern for users demanding absolute anonymity. Consider your privacy needs and weigh the potential benefits against the remaining questions before choosing Astrill VPN.

AstralVPN caters to users seeking a balance between robust security and clear communication about data practices. Unlike some VPN providers with vague no-logs claims, AstralVPN outlines a specific no-logs policy. They emphasize that no data related to your online activities, websites visited, or content accessed is ever stored on their VPN servers. This includes IP addresses, timestamps, and even the amount of data you transfer (though they do monitor total traffic used for network planning purposes, without any personal identification). However, they do retain minimal connection logs for 20 days. This data includes the connection time, duration, country you connected from, device type, and their client application version. While this information doesn't directly identify you, it has raised concerns for some privacy-focused users who prefer absolutely no data retention. AstralVPN's location in the Seychelles, outside of major surveillance alliances like Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes, adds another layer of privacy assurance. They further bolster security with features like multi-hop encryption, which routes your data through multiple servers for an extra layer of obfuscation. Additionally, a kill switch automatically shuts down your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing accidental exposure of your real IP address. While AstralVPN appears to prioritize user privacy, the 20-day connection log retention might be a point of consideration for users demanding absolute anonymity. It's important to weigh the level of detail provided in their policy against your specific privacy needs.