The dossier
Field notes
Plain-language investigations into how VPN privacy actually works — no-logs audits, DNS leaks, kill switches, jurisdictions and court tests. Newest first; every claim carries a date and a source.
VPN vs Tor for Privacy: Which Should You Use?
A VPN trusts one company for speed and everyday privacy; Tor spreads trust across three relays for anonymity, slowly. They solve different problems. Here's how to choose.
Field note№009Aug 14, 2026What a VPN Does NOT Protect You From
A VPN hides your IP and encrypts your connection — and that's the end of the list. Here's what it never protects: your logins, trackers, malware, phishing, and more.
Field note№008Aug 9, 2026Does a VPN Stop Hackers, Your ISP and the Government?
A VPN hides your browsing from your ISP and the Wi-Fi owner, helps a little against hackers, and stops the government only if the provider truly keeps no logs. The honest breakdown.
Field note№007Aug 4, 2026The VPN Kill Switch: Why It Matters for Privacy
A kill switch blocks your traffic if the VPN drops, so your real IP never leaks in the gap. Why it matters, the two kinds, and when it's non-negotiable.
Field note№006Jul 30, 2026DNS Leak Test: How to Check Your VPN Actually Works
A DNS leak exposes the sites you visit even with a VPN on. Here's how to test for one in two minutes, read the result, and fix it — plus the WebRTC and IPv6 cousins.
Field note№005Jul 25, 2026VPN Jurisdiction and the 14 Eyes: Does It Really Matter?
The 5/9/14 Eyes alliances decide which governments can compel a VPN. But jurisdiction matters far less than an audited no-logs policy. Here's the honest weighting.
Field note№004Jul 20, 2026What Is a VPN Warrant Canary (and Can You Trust One)?
A warrant canary is a statement that no secret order has arrived — its removal is the signal. Useful, but legally untested. How they work and what they're worth.
Field note№003Jul 15, 2026RAM-Only VPN Servers: What They Are and Why They Matter
RAM-only (diskless) VPN servers run entirely in memory, so a reboot wipes everything and there is no drive to seize. Here's how they work and where the limits are.
Field note№002Jul 10, 2026Has a VPN's No-Logs Claim Ever Been Tested in Court?
Yes — a handful of times. When servers were seized or subpoenaed, a few audited no-log VPNs produced nothing. Here are the documented cases, with dates and sources.
Field note№001Jul 5, 2026What Does a “No-Logs” VPN Actually Mean?
“No-logs” means a VPN keeps no record of what you do — but the phrase is unregulated and often overstated. Here is what it should mean, and how to check.
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