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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

PureVPN Review 2024: Can You Trust This Low Cost VPN?

Our Score: 7.6/10
Ranked 81st out of 305 VPNs
Matthew Amos Published on 9th February 2024 Fact-checked by Anneke van Aswegen Senior Editor

PureVPN is a highly-rated and affordable VPN, but its had its share of controversies. A past incident involving the FBI caused significant damage to its reputation. So, has it done enough to improve its policies since then?

To find out, I did a deep dive into its privacy policy and everything else it offers. I also tested its speeds, thoroughly explored its server network, examined its security features, and more.

After all my tests, I can recommend PureVPN, but not to everyone. On the plus side, its privacy policy is now one of the best around, especially due to its always-on audits. It’s also super secure. However, there are still a few areas where PureVPN needs to improve (namely its speeds and support). Until it does this, check out this list of the best VPNs available.

Try PureVPN Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

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PureVPN Features — 2024 Update

7.7
💸 Price 2.03 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 31 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 6500+
💻 Number of devices per license 10
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Virgin Islands (British)
🛠 Support Live Chat
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Excellent Playback With Most Platforms

9.6

PureVPN worked well on all the platforms my global team and I tested from our respective countries. The only minor issues we encountered were some brief load times.

While you can hypothetically use PureVPN to access platforms that aren’t available where you live, please be aware that this probably goes against their terms of service and breaks copyright laws.

Important. My team and I do not condone any form of copyright infringement. PureVPN states that it will never monitor your online activities. This means you’re responsible for how you choose to use it. We recommend you always adhere to the terms of service of any app, website, or service you engage with.

Works With: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and BBC iPlayer

My team of international testers and I could watch Netflix in several countries. Some VPNs restrict you to a limited version of Netflix with only the content it owns. So, I was impressed that PureVPN always let us stream our complete libraries.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming Blockbuster while connected to PureVPN's Atlanta serverTesters in the UK, Australia, Germany, and Canada could also enjoy their full libraries

Some testers did encounter longer load times (up to 12 seconds). However, I was impressed that videos loaded nearly instantly when I watched Disney+ from the US.

Screenshot of Disney+ player streaming Goosebumps while connected to PureVPN's Houston serverEven when I skipped around, I was never interrupted by any instances of buffering

Disney+ is great at detecting VPNs, which can stop you from streaming the library you pay to watch. So, I appreciate that PureVPN works with it so seamlessly, and I had similar luck with Hulu while testing it from the US.

Screenshot of Hulu player streaming Love in Fairhope while connected to PureVPN's Houston serverThe video only took a few seconds to resolve into full HD quality

I also had no issues streaming Amazon Prime Video and Max libraries from the US. The former HBO Max played perfectly, but I did have to wait about 10 seconds to load The Tomorrow War on Prime.

My colleague in the UK could also watch her BBC iPlayer account while connected to PureVPN’s Manchester server. Her video froze at first, but everything worked great once she reloaded it.

In addition, our global testers could stream 9Now, 10 Play, ITV, Channel 4, DAZN, Hotstar, YouTube TV, and Sling from their respective countries. Overall, PureVPN is still one of the best VPNs for streaming. I hate going online without a VPN, so it’s great that PureVPN can keep me safe without interfering with my streaming quality.

Speed — Slows You Down on Most Servers

6.0

At any distance, PureVPN reduced our speeds much more than the top VPNs do.

Our UK expert records all our speed results from the same internet connection in the same location, so it’s easier to compare the different providers. She also performs at least 10 tests for every server to get accurate averages. All of her tests below were done with the WireGuard protocol since it was the fastest.

Speed Chart showing various speeds recorded while connected to PureVPN serversWe lost 44% on average with nearby servers and 32% with distant ones

I know that PureVPN has undergone an update to improve its server speeds. This made it much faster in our last round of tests. Overcrowding can be a factor in reducing speeds. Unfortunately, PureVPN doesn’t give you access to this information.

It was also strange that many distant servers gave us faster speeds than nearby ones. For example, most VPNs reduce your speed by 10-20% on close servers, but PureVPN performed significantly worse.

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests done with no VPN connected and while connected to PureVPN's London serverA 29% speed reduction on the closest server is a pretty bad result

The top VPNs rarely lower our speeds by more than 50% on distant servers too. On the contrary, we lost 78% of our speed with a PureVPN server that was only 3,000 km away (in Estonia). Sadly, PureVPN isn’t as fast as it once was. To maintain the maximum speed while staying safe online, check out our list of the fastest VPNs available today.

Gaming — Significant Lag Even on Nearby Servers

3.0

I wasn’t able to enjoy online gaming while connected to PureVPN. The most important factor while you’re playing online is your ping results. This determines how quickly your system can respond to inputs. When it’s too high, your character can’t instantly comply with your button presses.

Screenshot of Steam running Counter-Strike 2 while connected to PureVPN's Houston serverThe game continually froze, and it felt like I was walking through mud

In our speed results, you could see that the closest server gave our tester a ping rate of 247ms. You want your ping to be under 85ms for smooth gameplay. These high ratings made it take longer than a full second for any of my inputs to be acknowledged during the game. Obviously, this made it impossible to enjoy.

While all VPNs make it tough to play online with distant servers, there are some that let you play without issues on nearby locations. You can find one of the best VPNs for gaming without lag in this list.

Server Network — Large With Many Useful Features

9.4

PureVPN offers a sizable network of 6,500 servers across 78 countries. While this is impressive, there are a few VPNs that outmatch it. For example, ExpressVPN and CyberGhost give you access to more countries. However, the servers are well-distributed around the world with locations on every major continent including Oceania and Africa.

Europe gets the most servers with 3,000+. The Americas are right behind it with over 2,200 servers. I also appreciate that you have the option to connect to a city-level location in just about every country it offers.

I also appreciate how transparent PureVPN is about its use of virtual servers. 24 of its locations are virtual, and they’re easy to spot within the app. These don’t pose a security risk, but they can affect your speed if they’re farther away than you expected.

Screenshot of PureVPN's server network highlighting how to find the virtual serversThe VPN reduced its virtual servers significantly after customers’ requested more physical locations

Its network has several additional features too. Domain Fronting theoretically lets you access more content by connecting you to alternate domain addresses that aren’t blocked. The same goes for its streaming shortcuts, which connect you to the servers it’s optimized for different platforms. Once again, we recommend only accessing what’s offered legally in your location.

You can also access dedicated IPs for an additional fee. These are great for hosting a website, allowlisting your IP, or setting up remote access to your device.

Along with all its other features, I’m very impressed that PureVPN owns all of its servers. This cuts out a middleman that could possibly create a privacy issue. All in all, PureVPN has one of the more substantial server networks available, and it’s tough to find a VPN that tops them overall in this category.

Security — Safe and Customizable

9.6

PureVPN keeps you safe with all the security features a top VPN should have. Most important is its AES-256 bit encryption level. This is the same encryption standard used by militaries and banks around the world because it’s nearly impossible to break.

Screenshot of a leak test done on ipleak.net while connected to PureVPN's Seattle serverIt also protects you from WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks as soon as you connect

PureVPN comes with a kill switch and access to the top protocols. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps and websites are routed through the VPN tunnel. This is useful if you want to access a banking app, while the rest of your connection remains encrypted. Unfortunately, this is only offered with the Windows, Android, and Mac apps for now.

Some features are only available as add-ons, particularly DDoS protection and its PureKeep password manager. DDoS protection is important to look into if you’re an avid gamer, and it can block illegitimate traffic on e-commerce stores, or for your business.

PureDome is its business VPN that offers some alternative features. For example, there’s an admin dashboard where you can control access to dedicated IPs that up to 30 team members can use. It also offers remote access, and the admin can adjust authentication options to verify identities.

PureEncrypt lets you store and distribute your files safely. In addition to adding encryption to your files, it lets you set up passwords so only the parties you approve of can access them. It’s currently only available for Mac and Windows devices.

The only major features it’s missing are an ad-blocker and double VPN. However, the latter isn’t really necessary with the level of encryption PureVPN offers.

Protocols

There are 3 main protocols you can access, while others are available through manual set-ups:

  • WireGuard. This is generally the fastest protocol, and it’s also super secure. It’s one of the most popular, and thankfully, it’s now available with every native app. The one drawback is PureVPN doesn’t allow you to use split tunneling while connected to this protocol.
  • OpenVPN. This is the gold standard for security because it’s open source. That means it’s being tested for vulnerabilities by cybersecurity enthusiasts around the world at all times. You can opt for the UDP version for faster speeds, or TCP for added security. You can also connect to this protocol to access PureVPN’s obfuscation feature, which hides your VPN use.
  • IKEv2. This is an older protocol known for its versatility. It’s lightweight, so it can be effective for mobile devices, which continually connect and disconnect from different networks. It’s also slightly faster than OpenVPN, but slower than WireGuard.

The protocol is set to automatic by default. This will choose a protocol for you based on the situation. The manual protocols include PPTP, SSTP, IPSEC, and L2TP.

Quantum-Resistant Encryption Keys

This new feature should be able to protect you from cyber criminals when they get access to quantum technology. It’s now available in 20+ servers, and its compatibility continues to grow. However, be aware that the protocol must be set to automatic for it to work.

I’m very happy PureVPN has implemented this technology. Hackers are always looking for new ways to access your data, and I’m confident this technology will be extremely useful for keeping you safe in the near future.

Kill Switch

Last but not least, the kill switch can make sure you never go online without encryption. This is a necessary feature that every VPN needs to have. It blocks your internet connection if the VPN suddenly disconnects.

Privacy — Great Improvements to Its Past Policies

8.8

There have been controversies in the past, but PureVPN has done a ton to become an extremely privacy-friendly service. Specifically, in 2017, the company came under fire after it cooperated with an FBI investigation. The VPN traced 2 of the criminal’s email accounts through its logs, and connected them to a common IP address.

But, it listened to its customers and revamped its policies. It now keeps zero identifiable logs, and it has gone through extensive independent audits. The service also keeps its headquarters in an ideal location. If its past still troubles you, I understand. However, I’m now quite confident it won’t compromise your privacy.

Does PureVPN Keep Logs? No

PureVPN stores a little more than I’d prefer, but it’s all anonymized information that can’t be linked to you. It does keep track of the bandwidth you use, the day you connect, the server location and city, and for how long you’re connected.

Screenshot of PureVPN's privacy policy highlighting what it does and doesn't collectIt claims to only collect this anonymized data so that it can maintain its services

The most important thing is that it doesn't store your IP address or online activities. I also like that it doesn’t record session timestamps, the VPN servers’ IP, or DNS requests. Like nearly every VPN, it does require an email address, name, and payment method at sign up.

Was PureVPN Audited? Yes

PureVPN has been audited by 2 high profile auditing companies. Its systems were analyzed by Altius IT, which stated that there’s no way PureVPN can identify specific customers.

What’s most impressive is that PureVPN has an always-on contract with KPMG (one of the largest auditing firms). This means the company can audit PureVPN at any time. Every time KPMG has explored its policies, it's found that PureVPN strictly follows them. I also like that the VPN releases semi-annual transparency reports.

The only small issue is I wish the full audits were made publicly available. Many VPNs allow you to read through complete reports, but this is a minor quibble.

Based in British Virgin Islands

While PureVPN used to be located in Hong Kong, it moved its headquarters to the BVI in 2021. Neither location is within the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance.

The 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance is an agreement between countries to share their citizens' data. I always prefer it when a VPN keeps its headquarters out of their reach because they can potentially demand a company change its policies.

Does PureVPN Work in China? Yes

The company claims that you can use PureVPN in China.

Screenshot of an email from PureVPN support telling me that the VPN still works in ChinaIt recommends using OpenVPN UDP or the WireGuard protocol within the country

The Chinese government has banned several VPNs. However, it’s not common for it to go after VPN users. Still, I recommend you read up on the laws and regulations before you decide to use a VPN in the country. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities.

Torrenting — Solid Support for P2P

7.0

PureVPN officially allows you to torrent with 35+ optimized servers. However, I was also able to torrent with undesignated servers as well. Both gave me solid speeds.

I was impressed that I could torrent faster while connected to PureVPN than I could with no VPN connection. Downloading a 700MB file with my base connection would have taken about 25 minutes at the time of my tests. With an optimized German server, it would have taken only 16 minutes. I could also complete it in 23 minutes with the non-optimized Houston server.

PureVPN also supports port forwarding for faster speeds, but only as a paid add-on. That could be a little disappointing because many VPNs offer this for free, but PureVPN’s torrenting rates are great, so it doesn’t bother me.

While torrenting is legal in most countries, downloading copyrighted files isn’t. We recommend that you only access files in the public domain.

Installation & Apps

9.0

Installation & Apps — Great Compatibility With Easy-To-Use Apps

PureVPN is a breeze to use and can be installed quickly and easily. The apps also make it simple to access all of their features.

Screenshot of PureVPN's Windows app connected to the Seattle serverThe connection details tab lets you access features like the kill switch and split tunneling

The only small complaint I have is that it’s not the most attractive app. Some of its top competitors have more engaging designs, with neat visuals like interactive maps.

Setup & Installation

I was able to connect PureVPN on each device I tested without any issues. What impressed me most was how easy it was to set up on a router, which let me connect it to my Playstation 5.

Screenshot of PureVPN download page highlighting where to access the Windows appFor mobile devices, you’ll download PureVPN from the corresponding app store

Whether you’re using the browser extensions, mobile apps, or native apps for streaming devices like FireSticks, you’ll have no trouble getting going with PureVPN.

Device Compatibility

This is an area where PureVPN excels because there’s an easy way to connect it to almost any internet enabled device. The only small drawback is there’s no SmartDNS feature. Some VPNs offer this to let you easily connect devices by adjusting their DNS settings.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

PureVPN gives you full-featured apps for all 3 major desktop OS’. The Mac and Windows apps are basically identical and offer all the same major features.

The Linux app is particularly impressive because it comes with a full GUI. This means you can use it by accessing features with your mouse, instead of having to memorize a long list of cumbersome commands.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

The mobile apps are similar to desktop ones, but you lose a few features with the iOS version. Android apps come with the same protocol options you get on Windows. It also lets you utilize split tunneling. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available on iOS.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge

You can connect to 30+ servers with unlimited bandwidth on PureVPN’s extensions. However, you can’t use them without a subscription. These only protect your browser and don’t offer full encryption, so it’s best to use full apps whenever you can.

Apps for FireStick, Apple, and Android TVs

The native apps PureVPN offers for smart TVs are easy to install and offer several security features. All 3 can be found within your device’s store. The FireStick app actually lets you switch protocols, enable split tunneling, and favorite servers too.

Router Compatibility

PureVPN is compatible with tons of router types, and it offers pre configured routers. The DD-WRT router applet even lets you connect to a GUI that makes it easy to switch servers. You can also manually install it on Tomato, Asus, Belkin, D-Link, Arris, NetGear, pfSense, Linksys models, and more.

Connecting PureVPN to your router lets you encrypt connections on any unsupported devices.

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can use PureVPN on an impressive 10 devices at the same time. Most VPNs only offer 5 simultaneous connections, although there are a select few that offer unlimited connections. I tested it out on my Windows laptop and desktop, along with an Android and iOS phone. There were no issues even when I streamed on all devices at the same time.

Pricing

8.0
2 Years + 2 Extra Months Plan Standard
$ 2.03 / month per month
1 Year + 2 Extra Months Plan Standard
$ 3.21 / month per month
Monthly Plan Standard
$ 12.45 / month per month

Pricing — Good Deal for Longer Subscriptions

The longest PureVPN subscription term is quite cheap, but monthly plans are expensive. It offers a 31-day money-back guarantee, and I can confirm that it’s easy to get a refund.

Screenshot of PureVPN live chat showing how I had my cancellation and refund approved with one of its botsI was sent a confirmation email the same day and had my money back in 5

It accepts PayPal, credit cards, Google Pay, Payment Wall, and cryptocurrency payments. Credit card options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and UnionPay. I was also happy to see that it allows payments in Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.

PureVPN also has several add-ons available. The longer your subscription tier, the cheaper each is per month. PureKeep is its password manager and generator. PureCrypt is a cloud service that lets you store files online with encryption. Lastly, PurePrivacy can scan your social media accounts to increase your privacy, stop targeted ads, and alert you of security breaches.

Reliability & Support

6.0

Reliability and Support — Hard to Access Live Chat Agent

I was disappointed with how difficult it was to access a PureVPN live support agent. In the past, you’d start out with a bot and be asked to answer a series of prompts. The bot would say goodbye after telling you your question was being sent to support.

Screenshot of PureVPN 24/7 live chat where I was told that you can't use split tunneling with the WireGuard protocolThe answers I received via email were also thoughtful and easy to understand

However, if you waited a few minutes, a live agent would usually show up. However, after trying to accomplish this at least 10 times, I was only able to talk to an agent once. Most of the time, I waited for half an hour or longer, and no one answered my questions.

You can also send questions to support through email, but this can be a slow process. On a positive note, the FAQs and knowledge base on PureVPN’s site are extensive. However, I hope it resolves these issues and offers a legitimate 24/7 live chat in the future.

Compare PureVPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — High Quality VPN With a Few Drawbacks

PureVPN does so many things right. I’m thoroughly impressed with the improvements it’s made to its privacy policy, and its security is top-notch. The apps are easy to use, and they can encrypt the connection on nearly all your devices.

However, it does have a few problems. For example, it's pretty slow, even on nearby servers. This can cause issues during activities like gaming. I also wish there was a simpler way to contact support.

So, while it offers great value for the price, you may want to explore other options. If you don’t mind paying a little more for faster speeds, 24/7 live chat, and other additional features, check out this list of our top-rated VPNs available today.

  • Large, diverse server network
  • Excellent security features
  • Audited no-logging policy
  • Fast torrenting speeds
  • Compatible with most devices

FAQs on PureVPN

Is PureVPN as good as ExpressVPN and NordVPN?

PureVPN isn’t quite as good as ExpressVPN and NordVPN. It has several attractive features, like great streaming performance, affordable pricing, and excellent privacy features. However, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are both faster, optimized for gaming, and come with much better customer support.

Is PureVPN Free?

No, there’s no way to use PureVPN for free. I don’t recommend free VPNs since they always offer limited features. Most are less secure, have fewer servers, and give you a small amount of bandwidth. Some even log and sell your data to make a profit. But PureVPN does have a 31-day money-back guarantee — I tested it out, and it’s easy to get a full refund.

Is PureVPN Safe?

Yes, PureVPN is very safe. It uses 256-bit encryption, up-to-date protocols, and has a kill switch. I tested it for DNS leaks and found it to be watertight. It also follows a strict no-logging policy that’s regularly audited.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 31
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 10
VPN Plans: purevpn.com
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
PureVPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
7.8
Based on 470 reviews in 27 languages

Write a Review on PureVPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
John
John
2/10
Not Private! They cooperate with FBI! Application will NOT CLOSE (only minimizes)

PureVPN COOPERATES WITH FBI INVESTIGATIONS! You can verify this with any search! PureVPN REQUIRES USERS TO PROVIDE REAL NAME TO USE THE SERVICE! VPN Does NOT Support Close Application, Against Windows Standards! Close Actually Minimizes and it Keeps Running. Company refuses to change this back (used to operate correctly) A clear violation of your rights as owner of your PC.

Hassan
Hassan
2/10
Scam! Worst SUPPORT. WORST BILLING SYSTEM.

I paid for the subscription using crypto, and the money was withdrawn from my account to theirs, I waited 30 minutes upon the request of their system and nothing happened, then their system told me that the session was expired and no payment was received! I reached out to their support, and they kept telling me that my issue was moved to some higher level support and they will reach out. I waited, and I waited, and while I was waiting, three of their customer support reached out to me asking about my experience with the service... and when I answer and tell them that I have no service! they just ignore it. After more than 24 hours, I reached out to their support, and they told me that I'll get an answer in 2 hours, waited for 5, and still no answer. Reached out again, and they told me that the money didn't go to their accounts! I send them a screenshot that proves otherwise again, and they told me to wait again And in the end, they told me that the money will be converted back to my account in 15 days, 18 days later, and still nothing. Reached out again, and they asked me to re-tell the situation 10 times! and still no solution. All I hear from them is, I apologize for the inconvenience, we'll solve this soon, we'll move this ticket to the next level of support, and we'll reach out to you soon... empty promises!

John Jonckheere
John Jonckheere
2/10
Never worked

Tried to install with online chat assistance and never got it to install on my Firestick, that is less than a year old. It kept freezing up on installation and I could not move the City, State or the Country around, kept freezing up. I have a GB connection and every other app works fine. The tech kept telling me uninstall and reinstall the app again. I did this 5 times and still exactly the same thing it would freeze and never got it to install. So within 1 hour, I cancelled my subscription.

    About the Author

    Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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