![]() ![]() We verified that Windscribe’s firewall feature worked as described using our kill switch testing tool. With a normal kill switch, the VPN program has to detect a VPN connection drop, and during that time, small data packets can potentially leak. The Firewall blocks all connections outside the VPN tunnel. This feature is very similar to a typical kill switch, but more effective. Windscribe’s “Firewall” setting in the Windows and macOS software stood out during our testing process. ![]() In the case of the Ukrainian server seizures we mentioned above, PFS blocked anyone from accessing historic VPN user traffic. Even if someone got their hands on your private key, it becomes useless as soon as you disconnect. We’re pleased to see this as it’s more secure than SHA-256, which many other VPNs use.įurthermore, the VPN operates Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), which ensures encryption keys aren’t reused between sessions. Windscribe securely encrypts network traffic.īoth the free and premium version of the software uses a secure SHA512 authentication key for the handshake. It obfuscated all incoming and outgoing network packets. Using Wireshark, a packet-sniffing tool, we verified that Windscribe securely encrypts web traffic. This encryption method is virtually unbreakable and can be trusted to protect sensitive web data. The VPN software encrypts network traffic using AES-256. Previously, the app defaulted to IKEv2, a closed-source protocol that we only recommend using if security is not a priority. Thankfully, the app now automatically uses WireGuard, which is a trustworthy open-sourced protocol. Uses Secure Tunneling Protocols & Encryptionīoth the free and paid versions of Windscribe use industry-standard VPN protocols and encryption methods. In our TunnelBear review, you can read how it used audits to identify vulnerabilities and fix them before they could be used to jeopardize the privacy and security of its customers. We’d like to see Windscribe commission third-party security audits to prevent this from happening again. It is very unlikely that all of these conditions were met. However, despite the claims of many other VPN review websites, there is no evidence that Windscribe user traffic was monitored.įor traffic monitoring to be possible, a user had to be connected to Ukraine through a manual configuration file while using OpenVPN and a legacy DNS resolver. These servers were unencrypted as Windscribe incorrectly didn’t consider Ukraine a “high sensitivity region.” In June 2021, two of Windscribe’s servers were seized by the Ukrainian government. You can see how Windscribe’s logging policy compares to other VPNs in the table below:Īlthough we still rate Windscribe as a highly-secure VPN, we’ve recently downgraded its Security & Features rating due to a security breach. In addition, its diskless server network means data can’t be extracted from a server. We’d still like to see a third-party audit as well, though, as an extra safeguard.įor additional privacy, Windscribe allows you to sign up using cryptocurrency if you don’t want to provide a name or address. In every case, Windscribe hasn’t shared any user data as it doesn’t have access to it. Windscribe maintains a page documenting the 100+ law enforcement data requests it’s received since 2018. This has been verified many times by real-world events. The important thing is that none of the information can be used to personally identify you from your online activity. This isn’t ideal as other true no-log VPN services, like Private Internet Access, function without retaining anything. You can read Windscribe’s full privacy policy on its website.Īs you can see, Windscribe does log some data, which it claims are needed for maintenance purposes. Here’s a short video reviewing the best and worst parts of Windscribe’s VPN software: There are now better alternatives available. Windscribe Free has recently stopped working with US Netflix. Windscribe’s long-distance download speeds are sometimes 50% slower than the competition. You want the fastest connection speeds.Although it has been proven to not log user data, Windscribe’s unencrypted r rs were once seized by government officials and it hasn’t been audited by a third party. Windscribe lets you configure the VPN exactly to your needs, including with a customizable DNS blocker. You’re an advanced user who wants personalized options.Windsribe’s free version is a top-tier VPN service that doesn’t cost anything. Windscribe Pro works with more streaming sites than any VPN, including 32 international Netflix libraries. You want to access a range of geo-blocked streaming services. ![]()
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