CyberGhost VPN

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CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost logo
Basic data

Maintainer CyberGhost SA
developer CyberGhost SA
Publishing year 2004
Current  version Windows : 7.2.4


macOS : 7.1.0

operating system Windows , macOS , Linux , iOS and Android
category VPN
License Freeware
German speaking Yes
www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost VPN is an internet anonymization service operated by CyberGhost SA in Bucharest, Romania . The service is used via proprietary software clients for Windows , Android , Mac OS and iOS or alternatively via native VPN protocols such as IPSec , L2TP / IPSec, PPTP or OpenVPN . After a time-limited test period has expired, the service is chargeable, either on a subscription basis or as prepaid through Bitcoin or offline purchases. In 2017, the formerly German / Romanian company was sold to the Crossrider Group, a controversial step in which the Crossrider company is critically discussed. The London-listed company based on the Isle of Man renamed itself Kape Technologies PLC in March 2018. Kape Technologies has branches in London and Nicosia , among others , with the group's headquarters now in Israel in Tel Aviv . Kape Technologies is also the owner of other VPN providers ( brand strategy ) such as "ZenMate" or "PIA - PrivateInternetAccess".

functionality

CyberGhost VPN sets up an encrypted virtual private network . The user logs into the VPN network with the unique IP address assigned to him by his provider and then receives the address of an anonymization server so that the selected VPN server appears as the addressee for the websites visited by the user .

The connection from the user to the servers of the service is encrypted with 256 bit AES . The connection between the service's servers and the Internet is anonymized in order to maintain privacy and protect against espionage and surveillance . The protection is based on the exchange of the user's IP address. On the server side, the service promises to block analysis websites using AdBlock Plus community filters and websites with malware.

The anonymization servers that can be selected are located in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, South America and the USA. This gives customers access to websites and content that are blocked according to geographic criteria (see also geotargeting ).

The provider operates its own domain name server (DNS). Regional censors should not be able to access these servers of the service provider.

According to the provider, every intermediate server has a firewall that blocks incoming traffic in order to fend off certain attacks from the Internet using a " proxy server ".

Anonymization

On the servers of the service, the IP address of the user is exchanged for an IP address of the service, which is shared with all users of the selected server. The IP address of the service should not retrospectively be associated with any real identity of an individual user. The account opening as a prerequisite for participation in the service is completely anonymous by providing arbitrary user data.

software

CyberGhost VPN is primarily offered as a proprietary client with its own installer for Microsoft Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 10 32- and 64-bit), Mac OS X, iOS and Android. For other platforms and users who prefer native protocols, OpenVPN, IPSec, L2TP (with IPSec encryption) and PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) are available for manual configuration. It should be noted that PPTP has been compromised in the past.

The seventh version is available for macOS end devices. This differs optically from the previous sixth version for other platforms. The versions for Windows, Linux and macOS were implemented in a uniform design.

Public reception

In Germany, for example, the annually recurring partnership with Computer Bild from Axel Springer Verlag, Hamburg, which includes complete commercial 12-month subscriptions. Other media partners are Komputer Swiat and PC Format (Poland), Computer Shopper, PC Pro and PC Advisor (Great Britain), Chip (Czech Republic, Romania), PC Magazin , PC-Welt and PCgo (Germany), PCforAlla (Sweden), Computer easy (Netherlands), Win Magazine, Computer Bild and Idea web (Italy).

A crowdfunding campaign by the company at the end of 2012, which enabled unlimited free access, attracted attention .

criticism

As with all VPN services, CyberGhost VPN users are reliant on the assurance that they will not track user activities, collect, store or disclose any personal data on request. The service counters this mistrust with the anonymous account creation and the willingness to be checked by independent network and civil rights organizations and checked for compliance with the commitments.

CyberGhost touts, "we don't track user web activity," "we don't collect or store any data," and "you surf instantly undetected. No ISP, website, or government can track your digital tracks!" and "Prevent tracking: Enjoy online surfing without fear of hackers, mass surveillance and recording your network habits."
In fact, the CyberGhost VPN app (v. 7.0.4.121.4062, Android) sends data to AppsFlyer in San Francisco , Google Analytics, Google CrashLytics, Google Firebase Analytics, Mixpanel in San Francisco and Instabug in Cairo , including to the Version of the app and Android, to mobile network provider, manufacturer, model, display resolution, whether Google Play Services, NFC chip, WiFi / Bluetooth are available, the battery charge status, the Google Advertising ID and gyro sensor data. CyberGhost does not offer an option to switch off data transmission to the trackers.

Law enforcement and data retention

Since an anonymization service can in principle be misused for criminal purposes, it is also exposed to strong criticism from the law enforcement authorities. CyberGhost counteracts these demands with the argument that it is precisely the law-abiding citizens who benefit most from anonymization as they can exercise their rights on the Internet without hindrance. Their interests clearly weigh more heavily - especially since, according to CyberGhost, almost all police investigations in recent years related to merchandise management offenses and not a request for the release of user data in a terrorism case.

Not complete anonymization

Anonymization services advertise the replacement of the IP address as an identifier. This can lead to a false sense of security. Computers contain programs that make contact with the Internet and use cookies or other features to disable the use of a hidden IP address through OS fingerprinting .

Insufficiently anonymized payment transactions

In tests of anonymization services, the working group on data storage (AK supply) criticized the forms of payment for the service. The purchase of a paid tariff removes the anonymity of the users following these reports. CyberGhost only offers a box version that can be purchased in cash in German-speaking countries. Because of this criticism, it has been possible to purchase a prepaid subscription with Bitcoins since 2013 .

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/de_de
  2. ↑ The death knell for PPTP . - heise.de
  3. ↑ Golem.de: VPN should become free via crowdfunding (November 20, 2012)
  4. ↑ Mike Kuketz: CyberGhost VPN: Android app contaminated with trackers . kuketz-blog.de, January 27, 2019
  5. ↑ CyberGhost VPN: About the misuse of the anonymization service ( Memento of the original from May 13, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / support.cyberghostvpn.com
  6. ↑ Working group on data retention: Internet anonymization services in the test (as of January 2009)