Thank you all for your contributions.

I was (over)simplifying the working of a VPN just to prevent discussions about privacy aspects, because those aspects are already widely covered in other threads about VPN's.

For me it was to figure out how I can disguise my IP as easy and cheap as possible when using torrents. I thought that changing my IP was unilateral. I did not know that Vivaldi can use a different IP at the same time as Chrome. I just want to be sure that when using whatever VPN, my torrent program has a different IP. Turns out that however Vivaldi will use a different IP, my torrent program will not. So I still need to use NordVPN for that.

I have used NordVPN for several years and since I started using it when I was still a windows user. So when I wanted to migrate to Linux, I was glad that NordVPN also had a Linux version, which I am using now for 3 years. It works great performance wise, so no problems with that.

But, next step will be to look for a better privacy protection VPN program to use for my torrents since I already knew that NordVPN is not so privacy friendly as they used to be or maybe better, as I thought they'd be.

 

NordVPN isn't what it used to be either, but luckily there seem to be alternatives. I asked the AI because I don't use a VPN!

VPN Recommendations for Secure Torrenting

Spoiler: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best options for torrenting due to its strict no-logs policy,
which has been verified by independent audits (Cure53, KPMG). It offers:
- Military-grade encryption and DNS/IP leak protection.
- Fast speeds with only 6% speed loss.
- P2P-friendly servers in 105 countries, including Germany.
- Headquartered in the British Virgin Islands (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance).

Surfshark supports torrenting on all servers and has a proven no-logs policy. It is cheaper and allows unlimited device connections.
CyberGhost and ProtonVPN offer specialized P2P servers and strict privacy policies.

NordVPN warnings:
- NordVPN has changed its privacy policy and now states it will release user data upon government requests.
- It logs VPN activity in memory, allowing for later sharing.
- The email address is forwarded to a third-party provider (Iterable Inc.) upon registration.

Conclusion: For maximum protection while torrenting, users should switch to a VPN with a proven no-logs policy and independent audits. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or ProtonVPN are better alternatives here.

Source:AI

 

I know. But when I started it was reviewed as very good and it came with a very interesting price. And very important for me was that I could be pay without creditcard via iDeal, a very simple and safe method. It also has a Linux version which was also very nice.

Now I am looking at Proton, but unfortunately it cannot be payed by iDeal.
ExpressVPN neither.
Surfshark however can be payed with iDeal and is cheaper also.
Well, I have got some homework to do!

 

Hello @paul_audioz, thanks for your experience. I also used NordVPN, but now Surfshark seems to be the only alternative:

Test Conclusion

With unprecedented ease of use, a fast and comprehensive infrastructure, and powerful stealth features, Surfshark proves that good VPN services don't have to be expensive. The provider's privacy promise is credible, and clever innovations such as freely configurable multi-hops and alternative ID complement the positive image.

Surfshark also performs excellently when streaming geo-restricted content. However, the upload speed is only satisfactory, and there's no genuine free version to try out. The bottom line is that you can't currently get a better service in this price range – Surfshark VPN is therefore our money-saving tip.

Update (January 26, 2025): Surfshark now offers a free seven-day trial.

Source: www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tests-Internet-Surfshark-Test-24304099.html

 

Strange that NordVPN still gets the best review in this Computerbild test.
I guess they do not consider data privacy issues.

Do you know the benefits of "Surfshark One" next to "Surfshark Starter"? When only using torrents? Does one really need those extra features of "Surfshark One"?

 

Surfshark One vs. Surfshark Starter for Torrenting

Surfshark Starter offers a VPN with AES-256 encryption, unlimited devices, and unlimited server locations – sufficient for secure torrenting.

Surfshark One adds:
Antivirus: Real-time protection against malware (e.g., in downloaded files).
Alert: Monitors for data leaks (emails/passwords).
Search: Ad-free, anonymous searches.

Is this necessary for torrenting?
No, if you already use a separate antivirus program and don't need identity monitoring.

Yes, if you want additional protection against infected downloads or data leaks.
Surfshark Starter costs €1.99/month (2 years), while Surfshark One costs €2.69/month.
The Starter plan is sufficient for pure torrenting.

 

I am on Linux, the best anti-virus program you can have at the moment!

Thanks for explaining the extra benefits and that I do not need them for just torrenting.

 

Nordvpn adverts all over the place. You see it everywhere. Why? Most likely because the shitters are in bed with authorities that will prosecute anything and everything. What better way of keeping the have-nots in line than steering them to pay for a service that will bite them in the ass later.

Also just to be clear, stay way from VPN's that offer a bunch of extraneous junk like;
- "browser protection"
- anti-virus
- "email"
- "monitoring" anything (yeah right. because you need MORE monitoring)
- "ad free" searches?? (wtf?...Hell no!)
- etc...etc...

NONE of that junk is applicable to a proper VPN service and is simply there to ward you off looking deeply into their practices and logging policies. ALL of the above are things YOU as a user should be responsible for and should be providing locally yourself, and not relying on some dubious "VPN" service.

 

Last edited: Apr 7, 2025

I cant find this. All I see on the site is 30 day money back "guarantee" that still requires signup and full payment before I can even try if it will work

I travel a lot to other countries, some of them have very strong blocking techniques and not all VPN's will work there. I need a solution that truly works worldwide. Most of these VPN's say it works everywhere but actually doesn't.

 

The AI says the following:

Surfshark has been offering a free seven-day trial since January 26, 2025, available via the Android and iOS mobile apps, as well as the macOS app. This trial can be downloaded directly from the respective app stores. A payment method must be provided to use the trial, but no charges will be made during the trial period. It is important to cancel your subscription in a timely manner to avoid automatic renewal and associated fees.

Alternatively, Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service across all compatible devices. This option requires an upfront payment but offers the option of a refund if you cancel your subscription within the 30-day period.

Surfshark's free trial allows users to test all of the VPN's features, including unlimited device connections, advanced security protocols, and excellent streaming performance.

 

Yes, and not really, no. They're in Panama, and must comply with the laws of their country obviously, but while the US government is a strong persuader and can place requests to the Panama General Prosecutor for logs and dats, Nord cannot give information it doesn't have - only email address and CC payment for the account, if memory serves. This is what's known, to be specific (my neurodivergence likes facts):

Key Takeaway:

• NordVPN excels in privacy protection with AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy verified by independent audits and advanced features like Double VPN, CyberSec and a kill switch. Operating from Panama, it shields users from ISP tracking and surveillance. While no service offers total anonymity, NordVPN’s robust security makes tracking nearly impossible, ensuring safe and private browsing.

From NordVPN: Oct 29, 2024

In October 2024, in connection with a criminal investigation, NordVPN received a binding warrant from the Panamanian prosecutor’s office, issued in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. As a result, we were legally obligated to provide the requested user data in our possession.

We want to emphasize that, in accordance with our privacy policy, the only information we were able to provide was payment-related data and confirmation about the existence of the account tied to the email address provided to us by the authorities. We do not collect or store any internet traffic logs, connection logs, or other information related to online activity. Therefore, we had no such data to provide.

Protecting your security and privacy remains our priority.

We, NordVPN, confirm that we take full control of our infrastructure. We have not provided access to user traffic to any third party. We do not collect user traffic logs and have never been compelled to do so by any third party. We have not disclosed any private keys, and we have not been forced to modify our system to allow access or data leakage to a third party of any kind.

Up until now, we have NOT received any of the below-listed inquiries that led us to disclosing any user-related data:

• binding National Security letters
• binding gag orders

1/1/2024 — 2/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 783,751

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 35

2/1/2024 — 3/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 807,659

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 30

3/1/2024 — 4/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 829,643

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 16

Moving forward, the number of inquiries we receive from government institutions will be updated quaterly.

1/1/2024 — 4/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 2,421,053

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 81

4/1/2024 — 7/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 2,484,219

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 59

7/1/2024 — 10/1/2024

Number of automated DMCA requests: 2,450,227

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 52

10/1/2024 — 1/1/2025

Number of automated DMCA requests: 3,002,805

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 88

1/1/2025 — 4/1/2025

Number of automated DMCA requests: 3,242,499

Number of inquiries from government institutions: 85

Up to 4/7/2025 (updated daily)

Orders which resulted in any disclosure of user information: 1

 

I travel to a lot of countries myself - 74 and counting - mostly for work. I've been using VPNs since 2004 or 2005 I think - someone at our company got hacked, we issued security protocols. I got onboard with double tunneling, etc (I switched to Mac also at the same time, and later iPhone - not 100% safe or invisible, nothing is, but a lot less headaches overnight).

Without listing the most obvious names (ai crawlers are a terrifying thing), I travel regularly to multiple countries that vigorously block apps, services, VPNs and spy on citizens and visitors alike. I have however never not been able to connect wherever I've traveled (at the studios, at the hotel, at the airport, etc).

While there is not one product that'll guarantee that you can use your VPN in every and any country (that's what you mean by "worldwide," right?), my solution, if you want to call it that, is simply to use several different VPNs.

• Rule 1: I have a subscription to 4-5 different VPNs. One will work here, but not there, etc. This is the way.

• Rule 2: avoid, if possible, VPNs with the name VPN in them - I know, that's almost all of them, right? (that said, I do carry a sub to NordVPN for Europe, the US, etc., because it's rather speedy - if not the speediest - and solid). You may have to research, but yeah, they're out there. Invaluable.

• Rule 3: hire someone ('developers' are excellent and cheap in India, Romania, Ukraine) to code you a couple of open-source based apps (desktop and iPhone) for your own personal use. I've done this twice already. Some of these guys in Ukraine code for the military: they'll appreciate your support and you'll appreciate theirs.

Other rules of thumb:

• always carry at least two phones: one for home/work, the other for travel that you can pop a SIM into (or eSIM - depending on the country), and hotspot through. Hotspot is a good way to bypass the hotel, airport, or restaurant WiFi - 4G is ample enough to do most business, even watching or downloading a movie. Most importantly it decouples you from your location and proximate prying eyes.
• ditch anything Google (including YT) and Meta (Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp), Russian (VK, Telegram), Chinese (WeChat), even Viber ('Cyprus' based, but IL owned), from your main phone while traveling internationally. It's a pain, I know. Instead, at the very least look into Signal (in the news a lot lately, but I've been using it long before the pandemic), and if you're serious, look into Threema or Session - or ask your developer/hacker from Ukraine to recommend an even more esoteric one.

 

In some countries it's illegal to install VPN on your phone/pc, so you should be careful during travels. Sometimes people get caught in authoritarian countries and it ends bad for them

 

Basically the differences, pros and cons of a VPN compared to a proxy.

 

Which countries exactly? Even in Russia or China, VPNs are restricted or blocked but not outlawed outright.

Could you name names please? I travel quite a bit internationally - wouldn't want to be "caught in authoritarian countries and it ends bad for" me.

 

I am using this one

 

Mullvad is really taking the vpn to another level, you can directly send cash through the mail to there hq lol. You can also pay in monero. They are also known to strictly refuse subpoenas from the glowies since they don't store any data from the customers. Or you can use Kali Linux (usb boot is better then virtualization) and change your ip directly and even your m.a.c. id. Cheers