A VPN is almost essential if you want to protect your privacy and protect your digital identity when you’re online.
While this is achieved through several features of major providers, including tight encryption, a host of smart protocols, and additional tools such as kill switches and IP rotation, their no-logging policy is paramount if you want to understand how they handle your private data.
This guide takes a look at one of the rising stars of the VPN world, Norton VPN, to lift the veil on its no-logging promise and see just how private your data really is when you entrust it to the cybersecurity giant.
What is a no logging policy?
With a no-logging or no-logging policy, a VPN provider specifies what personal information it stores about its users’ online activities during use.
As the name suggests, they usually promise the kind of data they will never store, so the provider does not store any information about you and your online activities.
This typically includes data such as your IP address, browsing history, online time, and anything else that can be used to identify or track your behavior. Therefore, even if the provider were forced to release your data (for example by a court of law), it would not be able to because it simply does not have the information to make it public.
While REAL No logging policies, or policies that promise no data will be stored, are very rare. Most private VPNs have strong, proven policies that ensure as little information about your online activities is stored as possible.
What data does Norton VPN collect and why?
Like most major providers in the VPN industry, Norton VPN is not a completely data-free service.
But compared to other VPN providers, Norton VPN’s tracking is very poor. Please note that only what is absolutely necessary for the “safe and efficient” operation of the application is collected. This means that everything collected is minimal and anonymous.
It does not keep track of what you surf, when or for how long. Only data about service status, application status and overall network performance is stored.
What exactly does it mean that data is stored?
First of all, they exist. Connection events. Only the day (not the time) is recorded when you log in or out of Norton VPN. This is done to monitor performance, troubleshoot problems, and reduce server overhead. And even this lasts no longer than twelve months.
Application Events Let Norton decide when the app is installed, what updates are performed, what operating system you’re using, and what types of devices you’re using. This is done to ensure compatibility, improve software performance and diagnose errors – data is deleted after 18 months.
Norton also offers users the ability to send Bug reports If the application does not work, to improve the service in the future. This is not an obligation and only occurs if the user expressly agrees to send this report. Again, the report contains no personal or browser data and is kept for a maximum of 90 days.
Finally it Aggregated data is presented When the VPN is used, it is also logged to manage network resources and prevent abuse (for example, when a user uses more bandwidth than normal). These are also stored for 18 months before being discarded.
Although Norton VPN has a no-logging policy, the company understands that there are some exceptions. And it is also abundantly clear that this information cannot or should not be used to identify or compromise someone’s digital identity.
What data does Norton not collect?
Norton VPN’s no-logging policy is apparently intended to highlight data that is not stored about users.
Browse historyAs you can probably imagine, this is the first item listed. This includes the websites you visit, the content you view and the applications you use.
HE Traffic destination It is also not registered. This is where internet and traffic data, as well as the servers and websites used, end up.
HE The IP address of the device Even during the connection, no logging takes place, which means that the IP address remains unknown without registering it. Session length data is not recorded or stored, so you cannot be identified based on the time you spend online.
DNS queries They are also not logged, meaning any lookups your device performs to translate domain names to IP addresses remain secure.
The result of all this is that there is no online footprint, meaning that you and your online activities cannot be identified, tracked or tracked in any way. No records of your downloads, browsing or online visits are tracked in any way, which is exactly what a no logging policy should do.
How effective is Norton VPN’s no logging policy?
Norton VPN’s no-logging policy not only goes further than most VPN services, but is also very clear about what is and isn’t logged, something that not all other VPN services can offer.
This transparency is a good sign that you can trust what you’re getting, with no DNS logs, IP logs, browser data, or session timestamp logs.
Overall, it is one of the providers that pay the most attention to user privacy.
Can I trust Norton VPN’s no logging policy?
Norton VPN makes it very clear what it tracks and what it doesn’t, stressing that there is no such thing as a digital ID. In addition, the company regularly conducts third-party audits to identify and resolve potential issues.
Third-party cybersecurity solutions company VerSprite recently confirmed that Norton does not store logs of your online activities or other private data. Norton’s secure infrastructure and policies were also examined.
The provider also conducts quarterly transparency reports to provide even greater peace of mind to its users who want confidence in their security.
Anyone looking for a no-logs VPN that offers real privacy while being easy to use should find Norton’s VPN policy solid and reliable.