Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN, based in the United States, has maintained a strong presence in the VPN market for over 10 years. Throughout this extensive period, PIA VPN has consistently bolstered its reputation as a reliable choice for safeguarding online privacy and security. It offers a range of effective, albeit limited, features dedicated to enhancing user safety and security. In this review, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of these features to determine if PIA VPN stands out as a solution for user privacy and security.

Privacy

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN, while offering numerous advantages for privacy and security, does face a significant challenge due to its location in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes alliance known for intelligence-sharing agreements. The primary disadvantage of PIA VPN’s US-based location is the potential for government surveillance and data requests. Being subject to legal obligations in a Five Eyes country means that PIA VPN could be compelled to share user data or provide backdoors for government access, potentially undermining the privacy it aims to provide. Users seeking maximum privacy might consider VPNs based in jurisdictions outside the Five Eyes alliance for enhanced security.

PIA VPN is open source, providing several benefits to users. Its open-source nature allows the software’s code to be freely scrutinized by the community, enhancing trust. Users can verify the absence of backdoors or malicious code, ensuring their online privacy and security. Open-source development also leads to regular updates and improvements in PIA VPN’s performance and features. Overall, PIA VPN’s commitment to transparency through open-source software is a key factor in its reputation as a trustworthy VPN provider. PIA servers use RAM exclusively, which means that even the tiniest traces of your online activity are automatically wiped clean when the server restarts.

Moreover, PIA VPN maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not retain records of users IP addresses, bandwidth usage, browsing history, DNS queries, VPN sessions, or connection logs. PIA’s servers are RAM-only, ensuring that even the most insignificant traces of online sessions are automatically erased upon reboot.

In 2022, PIA VPN underwent an audit by Deloitte. You can access the PIA VPN Audit Report to verify the authenticity of PIA’s claims. Additionally, you can review PIA Privacy Policy by following this link.

Security

PIA VPN employs the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with options for both 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, ensuring robust data security and user privacy. Additionally, PIA VPN harnesses the security prowess of the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, providing users with enhanced security, speed, and reliability.

However, it’s important to note that while AES 128-bit encryption was once considered strong, in today’s evolving cybersecurity landscape, it may no longer meet the robust security standards required. To address the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the imperative to safeguard sensitive data, AES 256-bit encryption should be the new standard. This upgrade not only aligns with regulatory compliance but also fosters trust among users.

PIA VPN lacks Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), a crucial security feature in VPN protocols. PFS plays a vital role in VPNs by generating unique session keys for each data exchange, ensuring that even if one key is compromised, past and future communications remain secure. The advantages of PFS are significant: it protects against data interception and decryption, enhances privacy, and reduces the risk of data breaches. The absence of PFS in PIA VPN can be a drawback, especially in the context of modern cybersecurity. Without PFS, if an attacker obtains access to the encryption key, they could potentially decrypt past and future communications, compromising user data and privacy. Adding PFS to PIA VPN would provide enhanced security, bolstering user trust and privacy. It would ensure that even if an encryption key is compromised, the integrity of past and future data remains intact.

Speed and Performance

PIA VPN delivers exceptional speeds when connected to their servers. During my testing, I consistently experienced impressive speeds for both downloads and uploads on servers in Germany, United States, and United Kingdom. You can verify the speed results and refer to the table below for a more comprehensive understanding.

* Tested on 100 Mbps optical fibre connection.

PIA VPN quickly connects to the selected VPN server. In my testing on both Windows and smartphone device, it immediately connected to the server without any hiccups. If you wish to choose OpenVPN protocol , it gives the option to select the data encryption type i.e. 128-bit or 256-bit, TCP or UDP, options to give remote as well as local port. The lack of Stealth protocol which is mostly used in countries using heavy surveillance or censorship for smartphone and other devices is concerning.

No DNS Leak

PIA VPN undergoes rigorous DNS leak testing. I’ve thoroughly examined servers in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom using bash.ws, dnsleaktest.org, and dnsleaktest.com, and the results are reassuring—no DNS leaks were detected, guaranteeing utmost user privacy.

Server Network Coverage

PIA VPN boasts high-speed servers in 91 countries, although the exact number of servers within this extensive network is not specified. These servers utilize 10 Gbps network connections, delivering lightning-fast browsing, streaming, and torrenting experiences. With no bandwidth restrictions, you can use PIA VPN to your heart’s content. Furthermore, PIA VPN enhances user privacy through RAM-only servers that wipe all data upon reboot, leaving no trace of online activity. This rigorous approach bolsters security, minimizing the risk of data breaches. RAM’s speed ensures quick and responsive VPN connections, aligning with PIA VPN’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance, fostering trust among users. The reliability of RAM-only servers further enhances the VPN service’s overall quality, making them a valuable asset for PIA VPN.

In 2020, PIA introduced virtual server locations to its network. These servers, although not physically situated in the exit node’s region, deliver a dependable and private internet experience. They are deployed in countries where legal or infrastructure constraints hinder the use of physical servers, ensuring fast and low-latency connections. Identifying virtual server locations within the app is straightforward; simply look for a globe icon next to the country, denoting a geo-located server.

The absence of Tor over VPN servers, dedicated gaming servers, and specialized torrenting and streaming servers in PIA VPN’s offerings is noteworthy. Many users actively seek additional layers of privacy and security in their chosen VPN services. For example, Tor over VPN servers could have bolstered anonymity by routing traffic through the Tor network. Dedicated gaming servers might have optimized the gaming experience, reducing latency for avid gamers. Furthermore, specialized torrenting and streaming servers could have catered to users in search of peak P2P and media streaming performance. The incorporation of these features could have broadened PIA VPN’s appeal, attracting a more diverse user base with varied privacy and security needs.

User Interface

PIA VPN offers a user-friendly yet detailed User Interface. Server selection is effortless right from the main screen, providing vital information like your VPN IP and data usage. You can also customize this information to suit your needs. However, it lacks crucial features—VPN uptime, essential for assessing connection stability, and the ease of switching to different protocols are both absent.

Device Compatibility

PIA VPN is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TV’s, Routers, Web Browser Extension.

Simultaneous Connections

PIA VPN offers unlimited connections to devices, meaning you won’t be disappointed even if you have a large number of devices you want to connect and use with VPN services.

Pricing

PIA VPN offers three pricing plans: $2.11/month for 2 years + 3 months, $7.50/month for 6 months, and $11.99/month for 1 month. Opting for the 6-month or 2 years + 3 months plans grants you 500 GB of cloud storage from pCloud for 1 year. Additionally, PIA VPN provides a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, allowing you to explore all its features and see if it meets your expectations.

To make a purchase, PIA VPN offers only the credit card option. If you prefer using a debit card for your purchase, please note that it won’t be accepted, and your payment will be declined. This limitation may be viewed as a drawback, as ideally, there should be options to buy with both credit and debit cards. On the positive side, PIA VPN also accepts payments with cryptocurrencies. However, the absence of PayPal as a payment method can be disappointing, limiting payment options and potentially leaving some users wanting more.

Additional Features

MACE

The MACE feature, developed by PIA, primarily serves to block domains used for ads, trackers, and malware. My testing on both Windows and smartphones confirms its effectiveness in ad-blocking. On smartphones, it provides systemwide ad-blocking, covering not only browsers but also apps. However, I’ve noted a couple of significant drawbacks:

1. MACE is not readily available when you download the application from the Play Store. To use this feature, you must manually download the .apk file from the PIA website. Upon inquiring, PIA’s customer support attributed this to Google Policies, which is unusual since ad-blocking features are available in the store for other VPNs.
2. MACE occasionally fails to block pop-ups and ads on specific websites, rendering its ad-blocking capabilities less reliable.
3. The app lacks a statistics feature, preventing users from tracking the number of ads, trackers, or malware blocked during a VPN session or overall VPN usage.
4. There is no option to whitelist or blacklist specific domains manually, either independently or due to MACE’s filter list. Integrating popular third-party filters into MACE could have offered users added flexibility and control.

Split Tunnelling

PIA VPN provides split tunnelling, enabling users to select which traffic is routed through the VPN, granting them greater control and flexibility. It’s worth noting that on smartphones, this feature is labelled as ‘Per App Settings,’ which, while understandable, could benefit from consistent naming across devices. In my testing, it functioned effectively on both Windows and smartphone devices. It’s important to restart the VPN service for the changes to take effect.

Kill Switch

PIA VPN employs a Kill Switch feature that serves as a fail-safe, guaranteeing your online privacy and security. In the event of an unexpected VPN connection drop, the kill switch promptly severs your internet connection, safeguarding your data from exposure. On smartphones, it utilizes the built-in ‘Always-On’ feature to ensure the kill switch is always active.

Multi-Hop with Obfuscation

PIA VPN offers a multi-hop feature, significantly enhancing user privacy and security. This feature utilizes both SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy protocols, allowing your internet traffic to traverse multiple servers in diverse locations before reaching its destination. This multi-hop routing adds an extra layer of anonymity, making it exceedingly challenging for anyone to trace your online activities.

For Windows users, various SOCKS5 options are available, including Server IP address, Port Number, Username, and Password for proxy connection. However, smartphone users have limited options, with only the Port Number provided. It’s worth noting that the proxy app selection can be a bit tricky, as once selected, there is no apparent way to deselect the app for proxy usage.

It’s important to mention that the Obfuscation option is visible on smartphones only when the OpenVPN protocol is selected, and the use of Shadowsocks is not available on smartphones. In testing, proxy usage on Windows was successful, but smartphone VPN connections to proxy servers encountered issues.

Port Forwarding

PIA VPN provides a convenient port forwarding feature, empowering users to selectively open network ports while connected to the VPN. This versatility enhances accessibility, making it particularly suited for hosting services, online gaming, or remote device access. Notably, this feature maintains security by exposing only the designated ports, potentially improving the performance of applications that rely on specific port access. To enable this setting, navigate to the ‘Network’ section, and upon reconnecting to the VPN server, you’ll receive a designated port number for your intended use. While I tested this on both Windows and smartphones and found the port number displayed below the VPN IP, it’s worth noting that on smartphones, it may take a few minutes for the port number to appear, which could be slightly frustrating. Additionally, it’s important to be aware that not all servers support port forwarding.

Dedicated IP

PIA VPN introduces a distinctive approach to dedicated IPs through a token-based system. This innovative feature ensures that the dedicated IP token remains strictly confidential, with no association to the user on the server side; it’s securely stored on the client side. It’s crucial to emphasize that the purchase of this dedicated IP is virtually untraceable to a specific user, emphasizing a level of anonymity that’s paramount for users deeply concerned about privacy and security.

A word of caution is warranted: While the token-based dedicated IP system provides unparalleled privacy, users must remember that if they misplace their dedicated IP token, there’s no means of recovery. Hence, it’s imperative for users to exercise caution and safeguard their dedicated IP tokens.

Custom DNS

PIA VPN stands out with its inclusion of custom DNS settings, accessible not just on Windows but also on smartphones. This addition is particularly noteworthy, as not all VPNs provide support for custom DNS configurations on mobile devices. By default, PIA VPN employs its own DNS, but you have the option to integrate custom IPv4 DNS settings. It’s essential to note, though, that the lack of support for hostname DNS may disappoint users who prefer configuring their VPN with cloud-based DNS services reliant on hostnames, a feature often chosen for added security.

Customer Support

It’s worth noting that PIA VPN’s customer support is praiseworthy. They are known for their quick and helpful responses to user queries and technical concerns. This high level of responsiveness greatly enhances the overall user experience and underscores PIA VPN’s dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction. I have even tested PIA VPN refund policy and can confidently report that the refund process was swift and hassle-free.

Final Verdict

PIA VPN, or Private Internet Access VPN, offers a decade-long track record of reliability. It strikes a balance between speed and security with its transparent, open-source nature and strict no-logs policy. However, its US-based location raises privacy concerns due to Five Eyes alliance membership. Unique features like multi-hop, token-based dedicated IPs, and port forwarding add depth. Prompt customer support is a plus. Yet, limitations include the absence of Tor over VPN servers and specialized servers for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. While a solid choice, users should consider their specific priorities.

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