What is a no-log VPN?

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, allow people to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely by encoding, or encrypting, the data sent or received during the user’s online session. This shields users’ privacy and anonymity by protecting their personal information.

Many VPN providers also safeguard their customers’ anonymity by offering a no-log network, meaning that they do not collect, or “log,” any information transmitted through the network. They don’t save information about your personal details, where you go online, what you download, or what you search for. Therefore your privacy and anonymity are protected from everybody — even your VPN provider.

Trust is key

Why do VPN service providers do this? If you’re entrusting a company to encrypt and protect everything you do online, shouldn’t you fundamentally trust that business to follow the same practices? Most VPN companies believe the answer is yes. They don’t log any of your information because they don’t want it. These no-log VPN service providers, like Norton Secure VPN, won’t build databases of your personal information to sell to third parties.

Read the fine print

Sometimes VPN providers do have to collect a minimal amount of information, such as your email, but these exceptions to the rule should be available in the provider’s Privacy Policy.

Remember: All VPN services are different. Not all VPN providers operate no-log networks, so you should choose your VPN service carefully if this is important to you.