If you're using a service to route all your internet traffic through its servers, you have to be able to trust that service. It's easier to trust companies that have been around longer, simply because their reputation is likely to be known. The trouble is that the VPN industry is very young, and some VPN companies have been playing dirty . In this environment, figuring out who to trust is very difficult.
At PCMag, we give special attention to the privacy practices of VPN companies and not just the technology they provide. In our testing, we read through the privacy policies and discuss company practices with VPN company representatives. We look for a commitment to protecting user information, and practices that gather and retain as little user information as possible.