Military-Grade • Audited • Open Source

Security Architecture

Built from the ground up with security-first principles. Every layer of our infrastructure is designed to protect your privacy with military-grade encryption, zero-knowledge architecture, and independently verified practices.

256-bit
AES-GCM Encryption
100%
RAM-Only Servers
4
Independent Audits
Zero
Logs Collected

Security Features

Multi-layered protection at every level

AES-256-GCM Encryption

Military-Grade

The gold standard in encryption, used by governments and military organizations worldwide.

Technical Specifications

  • AES-256-GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) for data encryption
  • ChaCha20-Poly1305 cipher for mobile devices (faster on ARM)
  • Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD)
  • Protection against bit-flipping and tampering attacks

Implementation

All data packets are encrypted using 256-bit keys with Galois/Counter Mode for authentication. This provides both confidentiality and authenticity, ensuring data cannot be read or modified in transit.

Perfect Forward Secrecy

Enterprise-Grade

New encryption keys for every session. Compromise of one key cannot decrypt past or future traffic.

Technical Specifications

  • Ephemeral Diffie-Hellman key exchange (ECDHE)
  • Unique session keys generated for each connection
  • Keys destroyed immediately after session ends
  • No key reuse or key storage on servers

Implementation

Every VPN session generates a new ephemeral key pair using Curve25519. Even if an attacker captures encrypted traffic and later obtains the long-term keys, they cannot decrypt past sessions.

RAM-Only Server Infrastructure

Zero-Knowledge

All VPN servers run entirely in RAM with zero persistent storage. Data is physically impossible to recover.

Technical Specifications

  • Diskless server architecture (no HDDs or SSDs)
  • Operating system loaded into RAM on boot
  • All logs, data, and configurations in volatile memory
  • Complete data wipe on every reboot or power loss

Implementation

Every server boots from read-only media into RAM. No data is ever written to disk. If a server is physically seized, all data is permanently lost. Regular automated reboots ensure no data accumulation.

Private DNS with DNSSEC

Zero-Logs

We run our own encrypted DNS servers. Your DNS queries never leave our network.

Technical Specifications

  • Private recursive DNS resolvers on every VPN server
  • DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
  • DNSSEC validation for authenticity
  • Zero DNS query logging

Implementation

All DNS requests are routed through our private resolvers with DNSSEC validation. Queries are encrypted end-to-end and never logged. We do not use third-party DNS providers like Google or Cloudflare.

Network Kill Switch

Fail-Safe

System-level firewall protection that blocks all internet traffic if VPN connection drops.

Technical Specifications

  • Kernel-level firewall rules (iptables/nftables)
  • Automatic connection monitoring
  • IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection
  • Application-specific split tunneling support

Implementation

Kill switch operates at the network layer, blocking all traffic except to VPN servers. If connection drops, your real IP never leaks. Automatic reconnection attempts continue in background.

Audited Zero-Logs Policy

Independently Verified

Our no-logs policy has been verified by PwC through comprehensive infrastructure audits.

Technical Specifications

  • No connection timestamps or duration logs
  • No IP address logging (source or VPN server)
  • No traffic content inspection or deep packet inspection
  • No DNS query logs or browsing history

Implementation

PwC conducted a 30-day audit of our entire infrastructure in December 2025, examining every server, database, and code repository. They confirmed zero activity logging. Full report published at /transparency.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Account Security

Optional 2FA using TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) for enhanced account protection.

Technical Specifications

  • TOTP (RFC 6238) compatible with Google Authenticator, Authy
  • Backup codes for account recovery
  • WebAuthn/FIDO2 hardware key support
  • Biometric authentication on mobile apps

Implementation

Enable 2FA in account settings. Even if your password is compromised, attackers cannot access your account without the second factor. We support both software tokens and hardware security keys.

Secure Key Management

HSM Protected

All cryptographic keys are stored in Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and never exposed in plaintext.

Technical Specifications

  • FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified HSMs
  • Keys generated inside HSM, never exported
  • Automated key rotation every 30 days
  • Multi-signature key access controls

Implementation

Server private keys are generated and stored in tamper-resistant HSMs. Even system administrators cannot extract keys. If HSM detects tampering, keys are immediately destroyed.

VPN Protocols

Choose the right protocol for your needs

WireGuard

RECOMMENDED

Modern & Fast

Next-generation VPN protocol with state-of-the-art cryptography and exceptional performance.

Speed98%
Security98%
Compatibility95%

Cryptography

encryption
ChaCha20-Poly1305
authentication
Curve25519 (ECDH)
hash
BLAKE2s
key Exchange
Noise Protocol Framework

Key Advantages

  • 4,000 lines of code (vs 400,000+ for OpenVPN) - easier to audit
  • Runs in Linux kernel space for maximum performance
  • Uses modern cryptographic primitives
  • Silent when not in use - better battery life
  • Roaming support - seamless network switching

Best Use Cases

  • Daily use - best overall choice
  • Mobile devices - excellent battery efficiency
  • Streaming & gaming - lowest latency
  • High-security environments

QUIC (Experimental)

Ultra-Low Latency

Revolutionary protocol built on UDP with 0-RTT connection establishment and advanced congestion control.

Speed99%
Security96%
Compatibility80%

Cryptography

encryption
AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305
authentication
TLS 1.3
hash
SHA-384
key Exchange
ECDHE (X25519)

Key Advantages

  • 0-RTT (Zero Round Trip Time) connection resumption
  • Connection migration - survive IP changes seamlessly
  • Multiplexed streams - no head-of-line blocking
  • Built-in congestion control (BBR algorithm)
  • Better performance on lossy networks

Best Use Cases

  • Mobile networks - handles switching between WiFi/4G/5G
  • High-latency connections - faster connection establishment
  • Unstable networks - better packet loss recovery
  • Real-time applications - gaming, video calls

OpenVPN

Battle-Tested

Industry-standard protocol with extensive configuration options and universal compatibility.

Speed75%
Security98%
Compatibility100%

Cryptography

encryption
AES-256-CBC or AES-256-GCM
authentication
RSA-4096 or ECDSA
hash
SHA-512
key Exchange
TLS 1.3

Key Advantages

  • Highly configurable - supports many encryption algorithms
  • Works everywhere - ports 443, 80, 1194
  • Can bypass most firewalls and DPI
  • Mature codebase with 20+ years of development
  • TCP and UDP modes available

Best Use Cases

  • Restrictive networks - China, UAE, corporate firewalls
  • Maximum compatibility - works on any device/OS
  • Port 443 mode - disguised as HTTPS traffic
  • Legacy systems

IKEv2/IPSec

Native Mobile

Native protocol on iOS and macOS with excellent stability and automatic reconnection.

Speed88%
Security96%
Compatibility90%

Cryptography

encryption
AES-256-GCM
authentication
RSA-3072 or ECDSA-384
hash
SHA-384
key Exchange
Diffie-Hellman Group 20 (NIST P-384)

Key Advantages

  • Native support on iOS/macOS - no app required
  • MOBIKE (Mobility and Multihoming) - seamless reconnection
  • Fast connection establishment
  • Excellent stability on mobile
  • Efficient use of CPU and battery

Best Use Cases

  • iOS and macOS devices - native integration
  • Mobile roaming - automatic reconnection
  • Corporate environments
  • When WireGuard is not available

Infrastructure Protection

Security at every layer of the stack

Physical Layer

Tier 3+ data centers with 24/7 armed security
Biometric access controls and video surveillance
Redundant power (N+1) and cooling systems
Seismic and fire protection

Network Layer

DDoS mitigation (1+ Tbps capacity)
BGP hijacking protection with RPKI
Network segmentation and VLANs
IDS/IPS with signature and anomaly detection

Server Layer

RAM-only operating systems (no persistent storage)
Mandatory access controls (SELinux/AppArmor)
Automated security patching
Host-based intrusion detection

Application Layer

Code signing and integrity verification
Regular security audits by third parties
Bug bounty program (up to $10,000)
Open-source client applications

How We Compare

PulsVPN vs Other VPN Providers

Feature
PulsVPN
Other VPNs
Encryption Standard
AES-256-GCM
AES-256-CBC
Perfect Forward Secrecy
Yes (ECDHE)
Sometimes
RAM-Only Servers
All servers
Rare
Independent Audits
4 in 2025
0-2
Open Source Clients
100%
Partial
Jurisdiction
Switzerland
US/UK/5 Eyes
Warrant Canary
Published
No
DNS Leak Protection
Private DNS
Third-party DNS

Ready to Experience True Security?

Join thousands of users protecting their privacy with independently audited, military-grade encryption. Try PulsVPN risk-free for 30 days.