Which VPNs Do Hackers Use? 5 Great Choices in 2024!

Nowadays, most net-savvy users concerned about their online privacy use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide their identity and online practices from prying eyes.

If you are in the market for such a service, you should ask yourself: Which VPNs do hackers use?” since their needs are much greater than the casual user’s.

We cover five such options below and tell you what makes them great!

How Do Hackers Choose a VPN?

When choosing a VPN provider, hackers only consider several essential factors, all of which contribute to maintaining absolute anonymity online:

1. Zero-logs policy—all the best VPN services emphasize their zero-logs approach that prevents them from collecting data about your online activities, so you remain hidden from everyone, including external hackers and the VPN provider;
2. Kill Switch feature—VPNs with this network lock feature immediately block your device from going online if the VPN tunnel drops at any time;
3. Private encrypted DNS—even if your internet traffic may be encrypted, many VPNs do not hide your DNS queries, so the sites you visit may be leaked to outsiders. For that reason, look for a VPN that implements private DNS on its servers;
4. Top-level encryption—it goes without saying that every VPN service requires cutting-edge encryption protocols based on the AES-256 standard that will make the data you transmit unintelligible even if it is intercepted;
5. Bitcoin payment option—the perfect payment method to complete your online anonymity is Bitcoin since you’re only asked to provide an email address when paying without any need for your contact and credit card information.

You should look at a VPN provider’s other features, such as network speed, device coverage, and number of servers, only if it meets all of the above criteria.

Which VPNs Do Hackers Use?

The following list covers the best options that meet the requirements outlined above:

1. ExpressVPN

• Location access: Numerous servers in 94 countries
• Number of devices: 5 simultaneous devices
• Kill Switch: Yes
• DNS leak prevention: Yes
• No-logs policy: Yes

ExpressVPN has one of the biggest VPN server networks in the world, with a presence in over 90 countries, either with physical server locations or virtual servers that use an IP address in your chosen country while routing the traffic through a different one.

On top of that, this service is based in the British Virgin Islands—a privacy-friendly country without any data retention laws. Coupled with ExpressVPN’s zero-logs policy, you can rest assured your internet activities will never be revealed to anyone.

Other than that, you can expect almost all premium VPN features and options, including easy-to-use apps for all platforms, 24/7 live chat support, split tunneling, and the best encryption and tunneling protocols on the market.

Learn more about ExpressVPN and all it has to offer, from educational features to top-notch security additions, in our detailed ExpressVPN guide.

2. Surfshark VPN

• Location access: Over 3200 servers in 100 countries
• Number of devices: Unlimited number of devices
• Kill Switch: Yes
• DNS leak prevention: Yes
• No-logs policy: Yes

Rivaling ExpressVPN with more than 3200 servers in 100 countries and a slew of privacy features, such as private DNS, Kill Switch, and a no-logs policy, Surfshark offers a safe haven to any hacktivist who requires total privacy and data security.

In addition, Surfshark supplements their security with Camouflage Mode (hiding your VPN from your ISP) and NoBorders Mode (making Surfshark available worldwide).

However, this VPN service does not stop at offering excellent data protection, as it includes many more QoL (Quality of Life) elements, such as CleanWeb 2.0 (adware and malware blocker), the benefit of installing it on unlimited devices, and split tunneling.

Note that while Sutfshark uses the modern, sleek, and secure WireGuard VPN protocol by default, you can still opt-in for IKEv2 and OpenVPN.

3. CyberGhost VPN

• Location access: Over 9,000 servers in 90+ countries
• Number of devices: 7 simultaneous devices
• Kill Switch: Yes
• DNS leak prevention: Yes
• No-logs policy: Yes

Another VPN provider that offers all the essential features needed by hacktivists but with a ton of added functionalities is CyberGhost VPN.

For example, while strict no-logs policies, private DNS, and military-grade AES 256-bit encryption can be taken for granted when you subscribe to a premium VPN service, CyberGhost also heavily invests in the speed of their VPN network.

Even though VPNs tend to slow down your network, CyberGhost regularly optimizes and expands their server coverage intending to eliminate lag and buffering so users can game and stream as if encryption protocols did not burden their connection.

All in all, CyberGhost is easy to set up and use, and you’ll never have to worry about running out of data, falling prey to malware, or finding an adequate server.

4. Private Internet Access (PIA)

• Location access: Thousands of servers in 84 countries
• Number of devices: 10 simultaneous devices
• Kill Switch: Yes
• DNS leak prevention: Yes
• No-logs policy: Yes

Private Internet Access (PIA) is the only VPN provider on our list that is uniquely situated to adapt its services to U.S. customers since it is founded and based in Denver.

While you may think subscribing to a VPN service with operations in a 5 Eyes country is unwise since you may be spied on, PIA enforces a strict no-logs policy that makes it impossible for anyone to take hold of your data, regardless of any government coercion.

At the end of the day, if you engage in hacktivism, you need a VPN network that you can rely on for all your security and privacy needs. PIA offers that in heaps: world-class VPN protocols, advanced split-tunneling, secure Kill Switch, and much more.

Best of all, PIA relies on open-source transparency with publicly available code that can be scrutinized and verified by anyone, thus reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.

5. NordVPN

• Location access: Over 5400 servers in 60 countries
• Number of devices: 6 simultaneous devices
• Kill Switch: Yes
• DNS leak prevention: Yes
• No-logs policy: Yes

Last but not least, we have NordVPN—a Panama-based VPN service that operates in a country outside of the 14 Eyes alliance and with no data-retention laws.

Other than that, NordVPN employs the full suite of top-tier security features like all other entries on our list but adds a bunch of cherries on top.

For example, you can utilize their Meshnet feature to connect your devices over individual private tunnels without going through a VPN server. 

To boot, you get advanced threat protection solutions, a Dark Web Monitor service that informs you if your accounts get leaked and compromised, and access to Double VPN servers for another encryption layer and extra peace of mind.

Bottom Line

The first rule of hacking is to always stay safe, secure, and anonymous while participating in questionable internet activities. The best tool for that purpose is a top-tier VPN service with a no-logs policy, excellent encryption, and a Kill Switch Feature. Thankfully, every entry on our list is more than adequate for any kind of online operation.

FAQs

By Maxym Chekalov

With a master's degree in telecommunications and over 15 years of working experience in telecommunications, networking, and online security, he deeply understands cybersecurity's value and importance. Max leverages his vast experience and knowledge to research the latest cyber threats, scams, malware, and viruses in-depth.