Cryptostorm VPN prides itself on being a highly secure VPN service.
This review of Cryptostorm will help you understand if they achieve the security they boast of and how the service works to protect you.
How Does CryptostormVPN Work?
Signing up is fast and easy, but requires you to have an email address, as you will be sent a token on that address after you have paid for it.
The download Cryptostorm provider for Windows link is available right on the home page, which is a widget. It is easier to install it; all you have to do is to download the installer for a custom Windows OpenVPN client. For a free trial, you just have to go for Cryptostorm VPN download of the widget and select Cryptofree from the drop-down menu. The most recent OpenVPN configuration files for cryptostorm are available here and here. If you're not sure which configs to use, see https://cryptostorm.is/blog. Cryptostorm The VPN service provider for the truly paranoid Now with WireGuard support! This website is also available as a Tor hidden service at stormgm7blbk7odd.onion.
Little sister 3 vacuum autoclave manual. However, you can use a disposable email address as well.
Setup
Setting up is as easy as downloading the appropriate software for your operating system and running the package.
Cryptostorm has a self-congratulatory tone that follows you everywhere you go and may get on your nerves. But overall, it works fine after you press the 'Connect' button.
Anonymity
Logging
Cryptostorm prides itself with its no-logging policy and claims that, while being connected to them, no log files will contain any data that can identify a customer.
They say that they have modified the core source code of the OpenVPN application to remove the physical IP address. As a result, they do not retain logs of any activity on the network because it is simply not possible.
Minecraft faithful texture pack 1.13.1. Cryptostorm claims to have 'earned' a hard-earned reputation for absolute loyalty to their customers and says that it shows in their 'privacy Seppuku pledge'.
Protection
- ChaCha20 Stream Cipher: Faster than AES (software only), this cipher was developed in 2008. It is a simple encryption system and a pseudo-random number generator.
- Ed25519: This is a public-key signature system, with features such as fast signing, high-security level, foolproof session keys, faster batch verification, and collision resilience.
- Ed448: This kind of works very well on many architectures and originated in the United States. It is an excellent choice for over-engineered systems, and for its security level, it is pretty fast.
- 8192-bit RSA: This is a strong encryption system to crack and is described as 'overkill' in many forums.
- DeepDNS: This protects a user's DNS as they connect to the Cryptostorm network.
- Kill Switch: Cryptostorm comes equipped with a kill switch; if a user's VPN connection is broken, all the crucial applications being used will be cut off immediately.
- OpenVPN: Cryptostorm uses its own version of 'modified' OpenVPN, which has been designed to remove any physical IP addresses.
Other Features
Speed
Cryptostorm claims that their speeds are rather 'astonishing', but many users have reported slow speeds on various forums.
This is a common problem across VPN providers.
Ad Blocking
Cryptostorm uses TrackerSmacker, which is its DNS-based ad tracker/blocking service. It blocks hosts that are known offenders, as in use intrusive tracking methods that could compromise the anonymity. The advantage of using this feature is that the website would not know that you are blocking their ads.
Customer Support
Cryptostorm does not offer much in terms of customer support. There is no live chat for the customers to reach out to in an emergency but does provide a forum and email support. For a complete list of resources on Cryptostorm, visit here.
P2P
Cryptostorm is suitable for those who use P2P and torrenting and now supports port forwarding. This means that you can use their advanced security features to do as you please.
Server Information
Cryptostorm claims that they run only dedicated 'bare metal' servers.
The physical machines are run in Quebec and Iceland and exit nodes online in Panama, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic.
They have a total of 30 servers operating in 17 countries, and that number is constantly being updated.
Compatibility
Cryptostorm is compatible with all the popular platforms such as
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Linux
- Android
It is also compatible with many popular routers such as OpenWRT, DD-WRT, pfSense, Raspberry Pi 3, Asus, and OpenBSD.
Pricing
Cryptostorm uses a very unusual way of pricing, that is token-based. Simply put, you have to buy tokens to keep using the VPN service.
You can choose between recurring subscriptions or a one-time order, which is a far cry from other VPN providers in the same category.
Cryptostorm Vpn Review
Just like other service providers, the most extended plan is the cheapest, and the prices change depending on the number of tokens you choose.
Buying a subscription increases the number of permitted simultaneous connections. Here is how the tokens are priced:
- 1 Week: $1.86 (one connection)
- 1 Month: $6 (one connection)
- 3 Months: $16 (2 connections)
- 6 Months: $28 (3 connections)
- 1 Year: $52 ( 4 connections)
- 2 Years: $94 (5 connections)
- 5 x 1-Month Bundle: $24
- 11 x 1-Month Bundle: $48
- 25 x 1-Month Bundle: $98
- Lifetime: $256 ((for 6 connections)
The ability to pay only for a week is great because this way, you get to take a 'trial' of the service at a low cost to decide whether you like it or not.
This is great because we could not find a money-back guarantee on the Cryptostorm website.
Cryptostorm Vpn
Cryptostorm also offers Cryptofree, a free service that has limitations in bandwidth and is capped at 160 Kbps (downloading) and 130 Kbps (uploading).
Cryptostorm Vpn Review
The set up is the same as other paid modes but does not include any non-essential features. And it has no time limitation. Everyone is free to use it for as long as they like.
Payment Options
Play family feud free. The payment system at Cryptostorm can be called unique at best. Most users who are used to be paying by credit/debit cards will be surprised to see that there is no such option available on the Cryptostorm website.
https://iezf.over-blog.com/2021/01/adobe-photoshop-elements-2018-download-trial.html. The company had earlier partnered with third-party payment processor Stripe, but now there is no mention of it on the homepage.
Instead, you can pay through Paypal, Bitcoin, and alternative cryptocurrencies that include Dash, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Monero, and many more.
Company History
Established in 2007 in Iceland, Cryptostorm claims that they 'pioneered' the concept of no-logging back when no one was talking about it, and add that it has been a core foundation for them.
It is a token-based, open-source published, unlimited use, no compromise, and fast online security and privacy service.
They seem to be so serious about keeping the customer's privacy that they mention it in the Seppuku pledge on one of their forums.
Cryptostorm was formerly known as CryptoCloud, but according to various sources, it has most of the original team working with them.
The company is unique in the sense that it provides token-based authentication, has a time-tested open-source network, and is structurally anonymous.
One benefit of Cryptostorm is it is based in Iceland, a country known to give its citizens more rights over their data. They have strict data protection laws, and the country prohibits censorship in all forms of technology.
Alternatives
- Panda VPN – One of the better options if you want to combine a VPN and antivirus.
- Private Internet Access – One of the most well known and widely used services, PIA VPN is a top option.
- Proxify – Another solid offering with a focus on using proxies and normal VPN service.
CryptoStorm VPN Review Final Thoughts
Cryptostorm VPN is a reliable service that competes favorably with the other service providers.
While they do have some logging, for most people, they will be a competent VPN and cover their needs.
Overall they are worth considering for your online privacy needs.
