Can you trust Private Internet Access?

Does Private Internet Access keep logs?

Yes, they do keep logs.

They don't collect information on their end nodes' IP addresses for privacy reasons, but if they get a hold of an email address that a PIA customer used, it will match up to a particular account or address (since the domain part changes at every registration).

Will you share logs/reports/etc that are not in response to DMCA (TOS)? They keep some logs for regulatory reasons, but would not be able to speak to why you had a specific issue with any particular customer or how long ago a specific email address existed. If you want to see the logs, they're kept in compliance with US law; for instance, a log entry could record who was sending an email at 12:01AM - but for that to have happened in your situation, there would need to be evidence that it actually happened (the time when you sent the email and the time when it was received). I am trying to understand what you are asking (if you will) regarding our security procedures. PIA has a security section that includes: A list of our TOS and Privacy Policy. A contact form. What we do. They don't go into much detail beyond that, because it's not really "their thing". But it sounds like what you wanted was pretty much contained in their security section.

Why is PIA VPN bad?

Well, PIA VPN is a simple concept.

95 if you plan to download and install OpenVPN on the PC), then configure your router (or desktop/laptop) IP to connect to PIA's network. The service works well and is one of the more popular VPN services available (though it did crash in 2025, 2025, and 2013).

The main selling point for me is the simplicity. I don't have to understand the inner workings of a VPN like the OpenVPN configuration, and as long as I can use my browser and make a HTTPS or SSH connection, I can usually count on the PIA service to be good. This article deals with a serious vulnerability in PIA's system design (at least if you use the Windows client).

The system design: the VPN has a backdoor! The basic setup to connect via a PIA service is fairly straightforward. Purchase an account. Copy your account details and paste them into the Connection settings. Select your device that will be connecting and click create account. The setup process. Source: PIA, 2025.

You get a choice from PIA of what OS is going to be connected. Click through on your chosen Operating System. Now, when you use the service, it automatically tries to connect to PIA first. As a result, you will probably need to make a few extra connections until you are connected to PIA's server (unless you specify otherwise), even if you are using Windows or macOS and not Linux.

When you get to the final connection window, you may see that you don't need to enter a password if you are using anonymous connection (which is what I assume you are when you use PIA). If you are using Windows, you can configure the client software to automatically detect when you are connected to PIA (or any other VPN service, for that matter) if you want, but it turns out there is no way to do this with the PIA Windows client software. How the system is designed. However, you only get through the setup process because of a design issue that allows the client software to automatically connect.

Can you trust Private Internet Access?

Here's why the VPN is great for your privacy and security

The free VPN service, Private Internet Access, has an impressive array of features to protect you from threats on the web and ensure your privacy.

But as with any online security and privacy product, there are risks of using a VPN service.

A common worry is whether a VPN provider is giving up any of your data or information to the government, a business, or even just a third-party hacker. To answer this, you need to understand how VPNs work and what it means for your privacy.

So if you're considering using a VPN, or already use one, this guide is here to help. You'll find a thorough explanation of what a VPN is and how it can benefit you and your online security, plus advice on how to identify and avoid a VPN that's giving up your information to others.

What is a VPN? You probably know a VPN is short for virtual private network, but to quickly learn what a VPN is and what it does, it helps to explain what a VPN service actually is. A VPN (or virtual private network) allows you to become "remote" so you can access a server or an internet resource in a different location. For example, you can sign into your Gmail account while you're at your vacation home rather than at your normal house or work.

To be clear, a VPN isn't just a fancy name for a way to tunnel your traffic over the internet. In the past, VPNs have been used for malicious reasons as well, such as to access content that isn't available where you are located. A VPN is meant to be used safely and securely to protect your privacy and your internet traffic.

However, a VPN can't guarantee your privacy if you choose to use it. To explain this, we need to discuss what privacy means in general.

As it turns out, your privacy in relation to a VPN isn't about the VPN itself; it's about the things you do in relation to it. It's about the services you use. For example, if you decide to use the VPN service Secure.me, you have to decide whether you want to have your browsing traffic protected, or whether you want your phone calls, chats, and data to be encrypted while passing through the VPN.