Latest news with #OpenVPN
Edinburgh Reporter
8 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
VPN Demand Explodes in UK – Planet VPN Steps into the Spotlight
As the Online Safety Act enforced age-verification mandates across adult platforms from 25 July, UK users have turned en masse to VPN services. Among them, Planet VPN has gained attention for its privacy-first approach and growing utility. Here's a closer look at what makes Planet VPN stand out – and why its priorities appeal to a wide user base. 1. Privacy First: No-Logs Policy & Pro-Privacy Jurisdiction No Monitoring of User Activity Planet VPN emphasizes a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect or store details of your online activities. This privacy-first stance appeals directly to users avoiding intrusive age-verification systems. Planet VPN emphasizes a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect or store details of your online activities. This privacy-first stance appeals directly to users avoiding intrusive age-verification systems. Romanian Headquarters, EU Privacy Protection Registered in Romania, Planet VPN operates outside major surveillance alliances like the 'Five Eyes'. The company assures that local law does not force it to retain user data – a reassurance that resonates strongly with privacy-conscious users. Photo by Florian Krumm on Unsplash 2. Security & Encryption: Protecting Data on Every Front High-Level Encryption Standards Planet VPN employs AES-256 encryption, a gold standard deployed by banks and militaries worldwide, as well as secure protocols such as OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP. Planet VPN employs AES-256 encryption, a gold standard deployed by banks and militaries worldwide, as well as secure protocols such as OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP. Built-in Leak Prevention & Kill Switch Independent testing flagged no IP, DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 leaks during use. A functioning kill switch ensures internet traffic is immediately halted if the VPN drops, preventing accidental exposure. 3. Speed & Performance: Competent, Yet Select Impressive Speed Retention Reviews have found only minimal speed reductions when connected to Planet VPN servers – often just a 3% to 13% drop compared to baseline speeds, depending on location. Reviews have found only minimal speed reductions when connected to Planet VPN servers – often just a 3% to 13% drop compared to baseline speeds, depending on location. Server Load Indicators Aid Performance The dashboard shows server load via color-coded indicators (green to red), helping users select less crowded servers that maintain faster, more stable connections – though this feature is limited to desktop and not yet available on mobile. 4. Global Reach & Free Access: Getting Started with Ease Extensive Worldwide Server Network Planet VPN offers 1,260+ servers across more than 60 countries, including coverage in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Even the free tier provides access to servers in the US, UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Planet VPN offers 1,260+ servers across more than 60 countries, including coverage in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Even the free tier provides access to servers in the US, UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Free Version with No Data Limits A standout free plan offers lifetime access, no bandwidth restrictions, and no account registration required. This makes Planet VPN highly accessible for users wary of sharing personal details. 5. Usability & Customer Support: Friendly, Reliable, Responsive Simple Interface Across Platforms Planet VPN boasts a clean, intuitive user experience on desktop and mobile. A one-click 'Connect' button, combined with easy-to-navigate server selection, makes the service friendly even for VPN novices. Planet VPN boasts a clean, intuitive user experience on desktop and mobile. A one-click 'Connect' button, combined with easy-to-navigate server selection, makes the service friendly even for VPN novices. 24/7 Multichannel Support Users can access help at any time via phone, email, or live chat. The customer service team is praised for being courteous and prompt in resolving issues. Users can access help at any time via phone, email, or live chat. The customer service team is praised for being courteous and prompt in resolving issues. Prompt App Updates & Bug Fixes For instance, after a Google update disrupted the Android app, Planet VPN swiftly rolled out a bug fix and informed users to update via the Play Store. 6. User Feedback: Real Voices Real user discussions highlight both trust and caution: 'Planet VPN is registered under the jurisdiction of Romania … we are not required to monitor our users.' — reassuring transparency from the team (Reddit). These user perspectives underscore the importance of choosing a VPN with transparent practices – and recognizing trade-offs where they exist. Summary Table: Planet VPN's Priorities at a Glance Priority Area Details & Examples Privacy No-logs policy, operated under privacy-friendly Romanian jurisdiction Security AES-256 encryption, robust protocols, leak protection, kill switch Speed Minimal performance hit (3–13%), server load indicators Accessibility 1,260+ global servers, generous free tier, no registration required Usability Clean interface, intuitive setup, 24/7 support, rapid bug fixes Community Feedback Transparent jurisdiction, privacy praise, some concerns over free service trade-offs Why This Matters to Edinburgh Readers Data Protection & Digital Rights As citizens navigate increasingly regulated online spaces, privacy-aware services like Planet VPN offer an avenue for maintaining digital autonomy. As citizens navigate increasingly regulated online spaces, privacy-aware services like Planet VPN offer an avenue for maintaining digital autonomy. Remote Work & Connectivity Concerns With flexible work trends, VPNs help secure communications on public Wi-Fi and protect sensitive business data – making performance and support key factors. With flexible work trends, VPNs help secure communications on public Wi-Fi and protect sensitive business data – making performance and support key factors. Balanced Choice for Users Planet VPN may not match the advanced feature set or streaming reliability of premium VPNs, but it stands out as a practical, privacy-first choice – especially for those seeking simplicity and low cost. Like this: Like Related
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Time Business News
Free VPNs That Don't Sell Your Data: Our Top Picks
Looking for a way to browse the internet more privately without spending any money? You're in luck! There are some decent Free VPN options out there that won't sell your personal information. We've checked out a bunch of them to find the ones that are actually safe and work well. It's important to pick the right one, though, because not all free services are created equal. Some can be pretty risky, leaking your data or even infecting your device. So, let's get into the best Free VPN choices you can trust When you're looking for a free VPN that actually respects your privacy, free VPN best Reddit threads often mention Proton VPN — and honestly, it's for good reason. They've built a solid reputation for being secure and transparent, which is pretty rare in the free VPN space. Their commitment to user privacy is clear from the get-go. They don't mess around with logging your activity, and they're upfront about how they handle data requests from authorities. It feels like they're actually on the user's side, which is refreshing. Proton VPN uses strong encryption, which is what you want. They use OpenVPN on Windows and Linux, and IKEv2 on pretty much everything else like Mac, iOS, and Android. Both are really good protocols. Plus, they have a kill switch. This is super important because if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, it cuts off your internet. This stops your real IP address from showing up, which is exactly what you need for privacy. The free version is pretty decent, but there are some limitations compared to their paid plans. You can only connect one device at a time, which might be a bit of a bummer if you have a lot of gadgets. Also, the free tier doesn't include things like an ad blocker, support for P2P file sharing, or the TOR over VPN option. Still, for basic browsing and avoiding censorship, it's a solid choice. It's also great that you can use the free Proton VPN on Android without even needing to create an account. That's a big win for privacy. I found the Proton VPN apps really easy to use. Even if you're new to VPNs, you won't have any trouble figuring out the settings or connecting to a server. It's a good way to get started with VPNs. The free plan is also surprisingly fast and can even work with some streaming services, which is a nice bonus. If you decide you want more, like access to a bigger server network for geo-unblocking, upgrading to a paid plan is a pretty straightforward path. Proton VPN's free tier offers the same strong encryption and core privacy features as their paid versions. It's a reliable option for basic online security and accessing content that might otherwise be blocked. Here's a quick look at what the free plan offers: Strong encryption standards. A kill switch to prevent data leaks. Servers in a limited number of countries. One simultaneous connection. Overall, Proton VPN is a trustworthy option if you're looking for a free service that prioritizes your privacy. It's a good starting point for anyone new to using VPNs, and it doesn't sell your data. You can check out Proton VPN's privacy policy for more details on how they protect your information. Windscribe is a pretty solid choice if you're looking for a free VPN that doesn't mess with your privacy. They've been around for a while and have a good reputation. The free plan gives you a decent 10 GB of data each month, which is more than enough for casual browsing and staying secure online. Plus, you can connect an unlimited number of devices, which is a huge plus if you have a lot of gadgets or want to share with family. They also have this neat feature called ROBERT that blocks ads, malware, and trackers, which can actually speed up your browsing a bit. It's nice to see that kind of protection on a free service. With the free tier, you get 10 GB of data per month if you sign up with an email address. If you want to stay completely anonymous and skip the email, you'll get 2 GB. It's a generous amount, honestly, especially when you compare it to other free options out there. You can connect to servers in 11 different locations, which is pretty good for getting around basic geo-restrictions. Windscribe uses strong encryption, like AES-256, and supports secure protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. They also have something called the 'Windscribe Firewall' which acts like a kill switch, stopping your data from leaking if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Our tests showed no IP or DNS leaks, and they stick to a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don't keep records of what you do online. This is a big deal for privacy, especially since Canada, where they're based, is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This VPN is a great option for people who want a full VPN experience without paying. If you don't mind a monthly data cap and want to test out a VPN before committing to a paid plan, Windscribe is a good way to go. It's also good for general browsing and accessing news sites that might be blocked in your region. However, if you're a heavy streamer or do a lot of data-intensive tasks, the free plan might not be enough, and you might need to consider their paid version. Windscribe has apps for pretty much everything – Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Linux. They're generally easy to use, even if you're not super tech-savvy. The interface is clean and straightforward. Customer support isn't 24/7, which is a bit of a bummer. You'll have to rely on their chatbot or submit an email ticket if you run into problems. It's not ideal, but it's common for free services. Here's a quick look at what they offer: Data Limit: 10 GB per month (with email signup) Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 Key Feature: ROBERT (ad, malware, tracker blocker) Privacy Policy: Strict no-logs policy Overall, Windscribe is a strong contender in the free VPN space, especially if privacy and a decent data allowance are your main concerns. Just be aware of the data limits and the customer support situation. Hotspot Shield Basic is often mentioned as the fastest free VPN out there. When I tested it, the speed loss was pretty small, like 2% on local downloads, which is really good. Even when connecting to servers far away, the speed drop was only about 3% on average. That's quite impressive for a free service. The apps for Hotspot Shield's free version are designed to be super simple to use. You just hit the big 'On' button, and it connects you to a server. The main screen shows your new IP address, how busy the server is, how much data you've used, and your speed. It's pretty straightforward, even if you're new to VPNs. Unlimited data: Unlike many free VPNs that cap your data, Hotspot Shield Basic offers unlimited data, which is a big plus. Strong encryption: Your online activity is protected with good encryption. Limited server locations: Free users don't get access to the full range of server locations available in the paid version. Ads: The free app does show ads, which can be a bit annoying. Speed caps on mobile: While desktop users get good speeds, mobile users might experience speed limits. Hotspot Shield Basic is a solid choice if speed is your main concern with a free VPN. It's easy to get started with and offers decent protection for everyday browsing. Just be prepared for ads and potential speed differences if you're using it on a phone or tablet. If you're looking for a fast and reliable way to protect your online activity, consider trying out Hotspot Shield Basic. PrivadoVPN is a pretty solid choice if you're looking for a free VPN that doesn't mess with your personal information. It's a decent option for everyday use, and unlike some others, it actually lets you pick which server you want to connect to from a list of locations. That's a nice touch, especially if you're browsing affordable VPN Reddit threads looking for budget-friendly options that still give you control and privacy. One of the main things to know is that the free version caps your data usage at 10GB per month. It's not a ton, but it's usually enough for basic browsing and maybe a bit of streaming. If you need more, they do have paid plans, which are generally quite affordable. Data Limit: 10GB per month on the free plan. Server Choice: You can select servers from 13 different cities. Jurisdiction: Based in Switzerland, which is known for strong privacy laws. Privacy Policy: They have a policy that's easy to read and understand. Streaming: It's pretty good at unblocking popular streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus, even on the free tier. PrivadoVPN's commitment to user privacy is clear from its Swiss base and straightforward privacy policy. It's a good example of a free service that respects your data. They also offer a paid upgrade path if you find yourself needing more data or faster speeds. It's a good way to try out a VPN without a big commitment and then scale up if it works for you. offers a pretty solid free VPN service, and it's one of the few that doesn't really skimp on security. You get AES 256-bit encryption, which is top-tier stuff, and they support several secure protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. That's good to know if you're worried about keeping your online activity private. Plus, they've had independent audits of their no-logs policy, so you can feel more confident about your data not being collected. One of the cool things about is that its apps work on a lot of different devices. We're talking Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even Linux. They also mention it works on things like Fire TV Stick and game consoles, which is a nice bonus. However, the free plan does have some limits. You only get one simultaneous connection, so you can't use it on multiple devices at the same time. Also, free users miss out on features like a fixed IP address and dynamic port forwarding. free tier gives you access to servers in seven locations: Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. While this covers a good chunk of popular spots, it's a bit limiting if you need a server in, say, South America or Australia. Speeds might also be slower if you're far from these locations. They do offer unlimited data, which is great, but there's a monthly data cap of 10 GB. Connection speeds can go up to 80 Mbps, which is actually pretty decent for a free service and should be fine for streaming or video calls. The apps themselves are pretty user-friendly, even if you're new to VPNs. They've even got a message center where you can check for updates on new features or servers. What's really nice is that you don't even need to sign up or create an account to use the free version, so your personal information stays private. They also don't bombard you with ads, which is a big plus. Customer support is available 24/7, even for free users. That's not something you see every day with free VPNs, and it really adds to the overall value. Here's a quick look at how stacks up: Feature Free Plan Rating Privacy 8.9/10 Streaming 1.3/10 Speed 1.0/10 Security 8.5/10 Overall, is a strong contender if you need a free VPN that prioritizes your privacy and security. Just be aware of the limited server locations and the single connection limit. You can learn more about VPN on their website. ZoogVPN is a pretty straightforward option if you're just starting out with VPNs. It runs simple apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and they've got a policy that says they don't keep logs of what you do online. That's good, right? They only really collect your email address, which is pretty standard for most VPN services. Plus, they seem to have their act together when it comes to preventing leaks, which is always a plus. ZoogVPN offers free servers in just three places: the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. I found the connection speeds to be pretty decent, especially when connecting to servers that are closer to me. You can expect a small drop in download speed, maybe around 4%, which isn't too bad. They give you 10GB of free data each month. That's enough for some casual web browsing or downloading a file now and then. For those who like to download files, you can use specific servers in Amsterdam for that. Now, there are a couple of things to keep in mind with ZoogVPN's free plan. First off, it doesn't really work for getting around streaming service blocks. I tried accessing Netflix and a few others, and it just didn't happen. Even their paid version seemed to have trouble with streaming sites. The other big thing is that you can only connect one device at a time with a free account. If you want to use it on more than one device, you'll need to sign up for a new account for each one, unless you upgrade to their paid service. This can be a bit of a hassle if you have a lot of gadgets. ZoogVPN is a good starting point for beginners due to its simple interface and no-logs policy. However, its limited server locations and single-device connection limit might not suit everyone. Feature ZoogVPN Free Privacy Rating 7.5/10 Speed Rating 8.0/10 Streaming Rating 1.0/10 Data Limit 10GB/month Max Connections 1 TunnelBear is a VPN that's pretty easy to use, and it has a fun, bear-themed design. It's known for its annual independent security audits, which is a good sign for privacy. The free version lets you connect as many devices as you want at the same time, which is nice. However, there's a pretty strict data limit of 2GB per month on the free plan. This really only works for light browsing, not for streaming or downloading much. TunnelBear's commitment to regular third-party audits is a big plus for anyone worried about their online privacy. It shows they're serious about keeping things secure. TunnelBear stands out because it's one of the few free VPNs that actually gets audited every year by outside companies. This helps confirm they're sticking to their privacy promises. While the 2GB monthly data cap is a bummer, the ability to use it on unlimited devices simultaneously is a good perk for the free tier. It's a solid option if you just need a VPN for occasional use or to test out their service before committing to a paid plan. If you need to change your virtual location sometimes, like for accessing content that's only available in certain regions, TunnelBear's free version can do that. It gives you access to all their server locations. Just remember that 2GB data limit means it's best for people who don't use a VPN all the time. It's more for short bursts of activity than constant protection. Free Version Data Limit: 2GB per month Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited Audits: Annual third-party audits Device Compatibility: Lacks apps for Fire TV Stick and router support. Customer Support: Can be unimpressive. Connection Features: No multi-hop connections available. Speedify VPN is a bit of a different animal in the VPN world. Instead of focusing on just one connection, it uses a technology called Channel Bonding. Basically, it can combine multiple internet connections you have – like your Wi-Fi, cellular data, and even a wired Ethernet connection – all at once. This can really boost your speed and make your connection more stable, which is pretty neat if you're often on the go or in places with spotty Wi-Fi. For a free VPN, the speeds are generally decent. It's not going to blow you away like some paid services, but it's usually fast enough for everyday browsing and maybe some light streaming. The real benefit here is the stability that comes from bonding multiple connections, rather than raw speed alone. You won't get unlimited data, though; the free tier usually caps you at a certain amount per month, which is something to keep in mind if you use a lot of data. Speedify is pretty upfront about its privacy. They mention that they don't log your original IP address or the websites you visit. However, like many VPNs, they do collect some connection logs, like the amount of data you use and the times you connect. This is fairly standard for managing a service, but it's always good to be aware of what information is being kept. They also use encryption, which is a must for any VPN. Data Cap: The free version comes with a monthly data limit, which can be restrictive for heavy users. Server Network: While they have servers in many locations, the free tier might not give you access to all of them, or the fastest ones. Features: Some advanced features or faster protocols might be reserved for paying customers. Speedify's approach to combining internet connections is its standout feature. It's designed for users who need a reliable and often faster connection, especially when moving between different networks. While the free version has limits, the core technology offers a unique advantage. iTop VPN, based in Hong Kong, emphasizes a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record user browsing activities or IP addresses. This commitment aims to ensure user privacy and security. While it offers a free tier, it's important to note that free VPNs often come with limitations. For iTop VPN, these might include data caps or slower speeds compared to their premium plans. When looking at free VPNs, we check a few key things. For iTop VPN, we found: Privacy: The company states a no-logs policy, which is good for privacy. However, being based in Hong Kong means it's subject to different data retention laws than some other regions. It's always a good idea to check their latest privacy policy. Speed: Users have reported decent speeds with iTop VPN, which is a plus for a free service. Faster speeds mean less buffering when you're streaming or quicker downloads. Servers: Free VPNs usually have fewer servers than paid ones. iTop VPN offers a selection of servers, but the exact number and locations can change. Having servers closer to your location generally means better performance. Security: The VPN uses standard encryption methods to protect your data. We look for strong encryption and features like a kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Setting up and using a VPN should be straightforward. iTop VPN generally provides apps for major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The interface is usually designed to be easy to understand, even for people who aren't tech experts. A good free VPN should offer a simple setup process and reliable apps. It shouldn't be overly complicated to connect to a server or change settings. We also check if the connections are stable across different devices. It's common for free VPNs to have restrictions. With iTop VPN's free plan, you might encounter: Data limits per day or month. Access to fewer server locations. Potentially slower connection speeds compared to paid plans. Limited simultaneous connections. These limitations are typical for free services, as they need to encourage users to upgrade to paid subscriptions to cover their operating costs. If you need unlimited data or access to all server locations, a paid plan might be necessary. For basic browsing and occasional use, the free version could be sufficient. We found that iTop VPN does a reasonable job of balancing features for its free users. Whoer VPN is another option in the free VPN space, but it comes with some significant caveats that potential users should be aware of. While they claim to have a no-logs policy, this assertion hasn't been independently verified by any third-party audits. This lack of external validation makes it hard to fully trust their privacy claims. When it comes to privacy, Whoer VPN's commitment is a bit murky. The absence of independent audits for their no-logs policy is a big red flag for anyone prioritizing online anonymity. Without proof, their claims are just words. Whoer VPN offers a decent number of server locations for a free service, which is a plus. Having more servers means you're more likely to find one close to your actual location, potentially leading to better speeds. However, free VPNs generally have smaller server networks compared to their paid counterparts. Setting up and using Whoer VPN is generally straightforward. The apps are designed to be user-friendly, which is good for those new to VPNs. However, the free version does come with ads, which can be a bit intrusive. Limited Free Features: The free version of Whoer VPN has limitations on bandwidth and speed. Ad-Supported: Expect to see advertisements within the application. Basic Security: Offers standard encryption, but lacks advanced features found in premium services. It's important to weigh the convenience of a free service against the potential compromises in privacy and features. Whoer VPN falls into a category where the 'free' aspect might come at a higher cost to your data security than you're comfortable with. Speed can be inconsistent with Whoer VPN, especially on the free tier. While some users might experience acceptable speeds for basic browsing, more demanding activities like streaming or large downloads can be frustratingly slow. The limited server options in the free plan can also contribute to congestion and slower performance. So, finding a good free VPN isn't easy, but it's definitely possible. We looked at a bunch, and honestly, most of them aren't worth your time, or worse, they could be risky. But the ones we've highlighted? They're the real deal, offering decent privacy and security without trying to sell your information. Remember, even the best free options have limits, so if you need more power or features, checking out the paid versions with their money-back guarantees is a smart move. Stay safe out there online! Some free VPNs are safe and can protect your online activity. However, many free VPNs can be risky. They might sell your information or even put bad software on your device. It's important to pick a VPN that has a good reputation and doesn't keep records of what you do online. The best free VPNs offer strong security, like military-grade scrambling (encryption) for your data and safe connection methods. They also promise not to track your online actions or sell your personal details. Some even have a 'kill switch' that stops your internet if the VPN connection drops, keeping your information private. While many free VPNs have limits, like less data or slower speeds, the top ones can still help you stay private online. They can even help you watch shows or use websites that are normally blocked in your area. But remember, free versions usually don't offer all the features of paid VPNs. Free VPNs make money in a few ways. Some are supported by a paid version of the same service, which is a good sign. Others might show you ads, or worse, sell your personal information to advertisers. It's best to choose free VPNs from companies that are upfront about how they operate. Yes, the best free VPNs can protect your information just as well as paid ones. They use strong encryption and secure ways to connect. The main difference is that paid VPNs usually offer more features, like faster speeds, more server choices, and unlimited data. When choosing a free VPN, look for one that has a clear policy about not keeping logs of your online activity. Also, check if it offers strong encryption and secure connection types. Reading reviews and picking services from well-known companies that also offer paid plans is a smart move. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Jordan News
09-07-2025
- Jordan News
Using VPNs in Jordan: A Practical Guide to Online Privacy and Access - Jordan News
As digital connectivity deepens across the Middle East, internet users in Jordan are increasingly turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) to enhance their online privacy, protect sensitive data, and gain access to restricted global content. While VPN technology is commonly associated with tech-savvy users, it is quickly becoming a mainstream tool for professionals, students, and everyday users seeking safer, freer internet experiences. What is a VPN? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a cybersecurity service that encrypts a user's internet traffic and routes it through an external server in another country. This process masks the user's real IP address and location, effectively securing the data and anonymizing browsing activities. Why VPN Usage is Growing in Jordan The growing popularity of VPNs in Jordan is driven by several key factors: Privacy and Security: اضافة اعلان Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in cafes, airports, and hotels, pose a risk for data interception. VPNs protect users by encrypting their connection, shielding login credentials, financial information, and other sensitive data. Access to Global Content: Streaming services and news platforms frequently limit content based on geographic location. VPNs allow users in Jordan to bypass such restrictions by appearing to access the internet from another country. Protection from ISP Tracking: Internet service providers often track browsing activity. A VPN prevents this tracking by rerouting and encrypting all data before it reaches the ISP. Enhanced Anonymity: With VPNs, users can obscure their identity online, making it harder for websites, advertisers, and third-party trackers to build behavioral profiles. Legal Status of VPNs in Jordan In Jordan, the use of VPNs is currently legal. There are no explicit restrictions against owning or operating VPN software. However, authorities caution that while using a VPN is lawful, engaging in illegal activities through a VPN remains subject to prosecution under existing laws. This includes accessing illegal content, committing cybercrimes, or bypassing censorship in ways that violate national regulations. It is advisable for users to stay informed of updates from Jordan's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission or related government bodies, as digital policy frameworks continue to evolve. How to Choose a Secure VPN Provider Experts recommend selecting a provider that offers: A clear no-logs policy Strong encryption protocols (e.g., AES-256, OpenVPN, WireGuard) A wide global network of servers DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch Transparent privacy policies and third-party audits Popular VPNs that meet these criteria include both paid and reputable free options such as Planet VPN, which offers strong encryption and access to multiple server locations without collecting user data. Best Practices for VPN Users in Jordan To ensure maximum protection and compliance, users should: Always activate the VPN before connecting to public Wi-Fi Use servers in Jordan or nearby countries for better speed during routine browsing Avoid using VPNs for activities that may violate website terms of service Routinely check for IP or DNS leaks using online testing tools Combine VPN use with secure browsers and ad-blocking extensions Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts linked to VPN usag Conclusion As digital threats increase and access to international content remains restricted in parts of the web, VPNs serve as a vital solution for Jordanian users seeking greater control over their online experience. Used responsibly, they provide privacy, freedom, and a secure gateway to the global internet. For many in Jordan, the VPN is no longer a luxury—it is becoming a necessity.
Business Wire
10-06-2025
- Business Wire
OpenVPN DCO Added to Linux Kernel for Built-In Speed and Security
PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OpenVPN announced today that Data Channel Offload (DCO) has been officially green-lit for inclusion in the Linux kernel and will be part of the official distribution starting with version 6.16. This always-on kernel module named 'ovpn' was designed to deliver faster speeds without negatively impacting security, and is part of OpenVPN's mission to make Zero Trust VPN a reality for any business, regardless of size. 'After thorough review by the Linux community, maintainers, and experts, DCO is now included in the mainline kernel, which results in higher code quality, better security, and more robust implementation." Share OpenVPN DCO implements the Linux kernel module which handles the OpenVPN data channel. As such, OpenVPN no longer sends data traffic between the user and kernel space for routing and encryption/decryption. Operations on payloads take place in the Linux kernel, optimizing performance, reducing latency, and cutting the cost of the payload transfer between user and kernel space. Additionally, DCO operation is multi-threaded. Multi-threading is the process of splitting up tasks or jobs into smaller units and assigning them to different CPUs. This improves speed and performance up to 300% when compared with configurations not using DCO. 'OpenVPN DCO gives businesses superior performance, flexibility, and security,' said Francis Dinha, OpenVPN CEO. 'After thorough review by the Linux community, maintainers, and experts, DCO is now included in the mainline kernel, which results in higher code quality, better security, and more robust implementation. Users of OpenVPN can now enjoy broad adoption and know that DCO will automatically benefit from ongoing kernel updates, including bug fixes, security patches, and support for new features.' Linux networking tree (or netdev) maintainers accepted OpenVPN DCO for inclusion on April 17, 2025 as part of a patch set submission, resulting in OpenVPN DCO code being included in the Linux kernel itself from version 6.16 onwards — it will now be present by default. This means everyone will experience the performance boost of DCO without the need to install external components. Additionally, embedded devices like router platforms and development boards that run on Linux will have OpenVPN DCO — ensuring fast performance for years to come. 'Whether your company needs a self-hosted solution like Access Server or a cloud-delivered offering like CloudConnexa, OpenVPN products feature the battle-tested security that businesses of all sizes have relied on for over 20 years,' said Dinha. 'The integration directly within Linux ensures speed and performance remain obtainable for businesses without extra steps, keeping productivity and security for all at the forefront.' To learn more about OpenVPN DCO, visit About OpenVPN OpenVPN's network security solutions provide scalable, secure remote access as a Zero Trust VPN — giving complete freedom to your employees to work outside the office while securely accessing SaaS platforms, the web, and private company resources. OpenVPN's self-hosted VPN, Access Server, and cloud-delivered CloudConnexa are built on the high-performance, trusted open-source OpenVPN protocol. With over 60 million downloads and nearly 20,000 business customers, OpenVPN products connect your team and resources with security, speed, simplicity.
Engadget
30-05-2025
- Engadget
ExpressVPN review 2025: Fast speeds and a low learning curve
ExpressVPN is good at its job. It's easy to be skeptical of any service with a knack for self-promotion, but don't let ExpressVPN's hype distract you from the fact that it keeps its front-page promise of "just working." Outside of solid security, the two best things ExpressVPN offers are fast speeds and a simple interface. Our tests showed only a 7% average drop in download speed and a 2% loss of upload speed, worldwide. And while the lack of extra features may frustrate experienced users, it makes for a true set-and-forget VPN on any platform. This isn't to say ExpressVPN is without flaws — it's nearly bereft of customization options and it's notably more expensive than its competition — but it beats most VPNs in a head-to-head matchup. For this review, we followed our rigorous 10-step VPN testing process, exploring ExpressVPN's security, privacy, speed, interfaces and more. Whether you read straight through or skip to the sections that are most important for you, you should come away with all the information you need to decide whether to subscribe. Editors' note: We're in the process of rebooting all of our VPN reviews from scratch. Once we do a fresh pass on the top services, we'll be updating each review with a rating and additional comparative information. Try ExpressVPN for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. From $4.99/month at ExpressVPN Table of contents Category Notes Installation and UI All interfaces are clean and minimalist, with no glitches and not enough depth to get lost in Windows and Mac clients are similar in both setup and general user experience Android and iOS are likewise almost identical, but Android has a nice-looking dark mode Speed Retains a worldwide average of 93% of starting download speeds Upload speeds average 98% of starting speeds Latency rises with distance, but global average stayed under 300 ms in tests Security OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Lightway VPN protocols all use secure ciphers Packet-sniffing test showed working encryption We detected no IP leaks Blocks IPv6 and WebRTC by default to prevent leaks Pricing Base price: $12.95 per month or $99.95 per year Lowest prepaid rate: $4.99 per month Can save money by paying for 28 months in advance, but only once per account 30-day money-back guarantee Bundles ExpressVPN Keys password manager and ID alerts included on all plans Dedicated IP addresses come at an extra price ID theft insurance, data removal and credit scanning available to new one-year and two-year subscribers for free 1GB eSIM deal included through Privacy policy No storage of connection logs or device logs permitted The only risky exceptions are personal account data (which doesn't leave the ExpressVPN website) and marketing data (which the policy says should be anonymized) An independent audit found that ExpressVPN's RAM-only server infrastructure makes it impossible to keep logs Virtual location change Successfully unblocked five international Netflix libraries, succeeding on 14 out of 15 attempts Server network 164 server locations in 105 countries 38% of servers are virtual, though most virtual locations are accessed through physical servers within 1,000 miles A large number of locations in South America, Africa and central Asia Features Simple but effective kill switch Can block ads, trackers, adult sites and/or malware sites but blocklists can't be customized Split tunneling is convenient but unavailable on iOS and modern Macs Aircove is the best VPN router, albeit expensive Customer support Setup and troubleshooting guides are organized and useful, with lots of screenshots and videos Live chat starts with a bot but you can get to a person within a couple minutes Email tickets are only accessible from the mobile apps or after live chat has failed Background check Founded in 2009; based in the British Virgin Islands Has never been caught selling or mishandling user data Turkish police seized servers in 2017 but couldn't find any logs of user activity Owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and Private Internet Access A previous CIO formerly worked on surveillance in the United Arab Emirates; no evidence of shady behavior during his time at ExpressVPN Windows Version 12 leaked some DNS requests when Split Tunneling was active This section focuses on how it feels to use ExpressVPN on each of the major platforms where it's available. The first step for any setup process is to make an account on and buy a subscription. Once subscribed, download the Windows VPN from either or the Microsoft Store, then open the .exe file. Click "Yes" to let it make changes, wait for the install, then let your computer reboot. Including the reboot, the whole process takes 5-10 minutes, most of it idle. To finish, you'll need your activation code, which you can find by going to and clicking "Setup" in the top-right corner. You can install ExpressVPN's Windows app from the Microsoft store, but we found the website more convenient. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) Extreme simplicity is the watchword for all ExpressVPN's designs. The Windows client's launch panel consists of three buttons and less than ten words. You can change your location or let the app pick a location for you — the "Smart Location" is the server with the best combination of being nearby and unburdened. Everything else is crammed into the hamburger menu at the top left. Here, in seven tabs, you'll find the Network Lock kill switch, the four types of content blockers, the split tunneling menu and the option to change your VPN protocol. You can also add shortcuts to various websites, useful if you regularly use your VPN for the same online destinations. To sum up, there's almost nothing here to get in the way: no delays, no snags, no nested menus to get lost in. It may be the world's most ignorable VPN client. That's not a bad thing at all. ExpressVPN's app for macOS is almost identical in design to its Windows app. The process for downloading and setting it up is nearly the same too. As on Windows, it can be downloaded from the App Store or sideloaded directly from the download center. Only a few features are missing and a couple others have been added. Split tunneling is gone (unless you're still on a macOS lower than 11), and you won't see the Lightway Turbo setting. ExpressVPN recommends some servers, but it's easy to search the whole list. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) Mac users do gain access to the IKEv2 protocol, along with the option to turn off automatic IPv6 blocking — Windows users have to leave it blocked at all times. Almost every website is still accessible via IPv4, but it's useful if you do need to access a specific IPv6 address while the VPN is active. Android users can download ExpressVPN through the Google Play Store. Open the app, sign in and you're ready to go. The Android app has a very nice dark-colored design, only slightly marred by an unnecessary information box about how long you've used the VPN this week. ExpressVPN's Android app puts a little more information on the screen than it needs to, but still runs well. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) There's a large button for connecting. Clicking on the server name takes you to a list of locations. On this list, you can either search or scroll and can choose individual locations within a country that has more than one. We connected to as many far-flung server locations as we could, but not a single one took longer than a few seconds. The options menu is organized sensibly, with no option located more than two clicks deep. You will see a couple of options here that aren't available on desktop, the best of which is the ability to automatically connect to your last-used ExpressVPN server whenever your phone connects to a non-trusted wifi network. There are also a few general security tools: an IP address checker, DNS and WebRTC leak testers and a password generator. These are also available on the website, but here, they're built into the app. With the exception of the latter, we'd recommend using third-party testing tools instead — even a VPN with integrity has an incentive to make its own app look like it's working. You can only install ExpressVPN's iOS app through the app store. During setup, you may need to enter your password to allow your phone to use VPN configurations. Otherwise, there are no major differences from the Android process. ExpressVPN looks good on iPhone and iPad. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) The interface is not quite as pleasing as the dark-mode Android app, but it makes up for that by cutting out some of the clutter. The tabs and features are similar, though split tunneling and shortcuts are absent. Also, both mobile apps make customer support a lot more accessible than their desktop counterparts — plus, mobile is the only way to send email support tickets. ExpressVPN also includes browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. These let you connect, disconnect and change server locations without leaving your browser window. It's nice, but not essential unless you have a very specific web browser flow you like. Connecting to a VPN almost always decreases your speed, but the best VPNs mitigate the drop as much as possible. We used Ookla's speed testing app to see how much of your internet speed ExpressVPN preserves. For this test, we emphasized the locations ExpressVPN uses for most of its virtual servers, including the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and Singapore. Some terms before we start: Latency, measured in milliseconds (ms), is the time it takes one data packet to travel between your device and a web server through the VPN. Latency increases with distance. It's most important for real-time tasks like video chatting and online gaming. Download speed, measured in megabits per second (Mbps), is the amount of information that can download onto your device at one time — such as when loading a web page or streaming a video. Upload speed, also measured in Mbps, is the amount of information your device can send to the web at once. It's most important for torrenting, since the amount of data you can seed determines how fast you can download in exchange. The table below shows our results. We conducted this on Windows, using the automatic protocol setting with the Lightway Turbo feature active — a recent ExpressVPN addition that keeps speed more consistent by processing connections in parallel. Server location Latency (ms) Increase factor Download speed (Mbps) Percentage dropoff Upload speed (Mbps) Percentage dropoff Portland, Oregon, USA (unprotected) 18 -- 58.77 -- 5.70 -- Seattle, Washington, USA (best server) 26 1.4x 54.86 6.7% 5.52 3.2% New York, NY, USA 156 8.7x 57.25 2.6% 5.57 2.3% Amsterdam, Netherlands 306 17x 53.83 8.4% 5.58 2.1% São Paulo, Brazil 371 20.6x 53.82 8.4% 5.65 0.9% Frankfurt, Germany 404 22.4x 55.71 5.2% 5.67 0.5% Singapore, Singapore 381 21.2x 52.76 10.2% 5.64 1.0% Average 274 15.2x 54.71 6.9% 5.61 1.6% These are extremely good results. ExpressVPN is a winner on both download and upload speed. No matter where we went in the world, we never lost more than about 7% of our download speeds, and upload lost an astoundingly low average of 2%. This suggests that ExpressVPN deftly distributes its user load between servers to eliminate bottlenecks. This Ookla speedtest shows you can still get fast internet while connected to ExpressVPN -- our unprotected speeds are around 58 Mbps. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) The latency numbers look worse, but the rise in the table is less sharp than we projected. Ping length depends far more on distance than download speed does, so we expect it to shoot up on servers more than 1,000 miles from our location. Keeping the average below 300 ms, as ExpressVPN does here, is a strong showing. A VPN's core mission is to hide your IP address and make you untraceable online. Our task in this section is to figure out if ExpressVPN can carry out this mission every time you connect. While we can't be 100% certain, the tests we'll run through below have led us to believe that ExpressVPN is currently leak-proof. A VPN protocol is like a common language that a VPN server can use to mediate between your devices and the web servers you visit. If a VPN uses outdated or insecure protocols, or relies on unique protocols with no visible specs or source code, that's a bad sign. Not all protocols are available on all apps, but Mac has the full range. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) ExpressVPN gives you a selection of three protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN and Lightway. The first two are solid choices that support the latest encryption algorithms. OpenVPN has been fully open-source for years and is the best choice if privacy is your goal. While IKEv2 started life as a closed project by Microsoft and Cisco, ExpressVPN uses an open-source reverse-engineering, which is both better for privacy and quite fast. Lightway is the odd one out, a protocol you'll only find on ExpressVPN, though its source code is available on Github. It's similar to WireGuard, in that both reach for faster speeds and lower processing demands by keeping their codebases slim. However, Lightway was recently rewritten in Rust to better protect the keys stored in its memory. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with any of ExpressVPN's protocol options. 99% of the time, your best choice will be to set the controls to Automatic and let the VPN decide which runs best. ExpressVPN is one of the best services, but it's not leak-proof (as you can read in the Background Check below). Luckily, checking for DNS leaks is a simple matter of checking your IP address before and after connecting to a VPN server. If the new address matches the VPN server, you're good; if not, your VPN is leaking. First, we checked the Windows app with split tunneling active to ensure the flaw really had been patched. We tested several servers and didn't find any leaks, which suggests the patch worked, though leaks were rare even before ExpressVPN fixed the vulnerability. We checked our IP while connected to the virtual India location, which is run from a physical server in Singapore. Don't worry -- it still looks like India to streaming services. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) In fact, we didn't find any leaks on any ExpressVPN server we tested on any platform. Though questions remain about iOS, as you'll see later in this section, that's a problem on Apple's end that even the best VPNs can do very little about for now. The most common cause of VPN leaks is the use of public DNS servers to connect users to websites, which can mistakenly send browsing activity outside the VPN's encrypted tunnel. ExpressVPN avoids the risks of the public system by installing its own DNS resolvers on every server. This is the key factor behind its clean bill of health in our leak testing. Two other common flaws can lead to VPN leaks: WebRTC traffic and IPv6. The former is a communication protocol used in live streaming and the latter is a new IP standard designed to expand domain availability. Both are nice, but currently optional, so ExpressVPN automatically blocks both to ensure there's no opportunity for leaks to arise. One note about VPN security on iOS: it's a known and continuing problem that iOS VPNs do not prevent many online apps from communicating with Apple directly, outside the VPN tunnel. This risks leaking sensitive data, even with Lockdown Mode active in iOS 16. A blog post by Proton VPN shares a workaround: connect to a VPN server, then turn Airplane Mode on and off again to end all connections that were active before you connected to the VPN. We finished up our battery of security tests by checking out ExpressVPN's encryption directly. Using WireShark, a free packet sniffer, we inspected what it looks like when ExpressVPN transmits data from one of its servers to the internet. The screenshot below shows a data stream encrypted with Lightway UDP. After connecting to ExpressVPN, HTTP packets were rendered unreadable while in transit. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) That lack of any identifiable information, or even readable information, means encryption is working as intended. We repeated the test several times, always getting the same result. This left us satisfied that ExpressVPN's core features are working as intended. ExpressVPN subscriptions cost $12.95 per month. Long-term subscriptions can bring the monthly cost down, but the great deals they offer tend to only last for the first billing period. A 12-month subscription costs $99.95 and includes three months for free with your first payment, costing a total of $6.67 per month. The bonus disappears for all subsequent years, raising the monthly cost to $8.33. You can also sign up for 28 months at a cost of $139.72, but this is also once-only — ExpressVPN can only be renewed at the $99.95 per year level. There are two ways to test ExpressVPN for free before making a financial commitment. Users on iOS and Android can download the ExpressVPN app without entering any payment details and use it free for seven days. On any platform, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee, which ExpressVPN has historically honored with no questions asked. You will have to pay before you can use it, though. In our opinion, ExpressVPN's service is solid enough that it's worth paying extra. Perhaps not this much extra, but that depends on what you get out of it. We recommend using the 30-day refund period and seeing how well ExpressVPN works for you. If it's a VPN you can enjoy using, that runs fast and unblocks everything you need, that's worth a server's weight in gold. ExpressVPN includes some special features that work mostly or wholly separate from its VPN apps. Some of these come free with a subscription, while others add an extra cost. Every subscription includes the ExpressVPN keys password manager. This is available under its own tab on the Android and iOS apps. On desktop, you'll need to download a separate extension from your browser's store, then sign in using your account activation code. It's available on all Chromium browsers, but not Firefox. Starting in 2025, new subscribers get an eSIM plan through a separate service linked to ExpressVPN. The baseline 1GB holiday eSIM plans last for 5 days and can apply to countries, regions, or the entire world (though it's not clear whether the package deal applies to the regional and global plans). Longer-term plans include larger eSIM plans. You can add a dedicated IP address to your ExpressVPN subscription for an additional cost per month. A dedicated IP lets you use the same IP address every time you connect to ExpressVPN. You can add the address to whitelists on restricted networks, and you're assured to never be blocked because of someone else's bad activity on a shared IP. Unlike many of its competitors, ExpressVPN doesn't currently offer antivirus or online storage services, but there is a comprehensive bundle of ID protection tools called Identity Defender. We haven't reviewed any of these products in detail, but here's a list for reference: ID Alerts will inform you if any of your sensitive information is leaked or misused online. It's free with all plans, but you'll have to enter your personal information on your ExpressVPN account page or a mobile app. ID Theft Insurance grants up to $1 million in identity theft reimbursement and comes free with new ExpressVPN one-year or two-year subscriptions. It's not yet available to those who subscribed before it launched in October 2024. Data Removal scans for your information in data brokerages and automatically requests that it be deleted. It's also free with one-year and two-year plans. Credit Scanner is only available for United States users. It monitors your activity on the three credit bureaus so you can quickly spot any suspicious transactions. The Identity Defender features are currently only available to new ExpressVPN customers in the US. Although we worry that the consolidation of VPN brands under the umbrella of Kape Technologies (ExpressVPN's parent company) will make the industry less competitive, we don't believe it's influencing ExpressVPN to take advantage of its users' privacy. To confirm, and get a full sense of what sort of privacy ExpressVPN promises its users, we set out to read ExpressVPN's privacy policy in detail. It's long, but thankfully aimed at casual users instead of lawyers. You can see it for yourself here. In the introduction, ExpressVPN states that it does not keep either activity logs (such as a user's browsing history while connected to the VPN) or connection logs (such as the duration of a user's session and their IP address, which can be used to extrapolate browsing activity). It then specifies the seven types of data it's legally allowed to collect: Data used to sign up for an account, such as names, emails and payment methods. VPN usage data which is aggregated and can't be traced to any individual. Credentials stored in the ExpressVPN Keys password manager. Diagnostic data such as crash reports, which are only shared upon user request. IP addresses authorized for MediaStreamer , which is only for streaming devices that don't otherwise support VPN apps. Marketing data collected directly from the app — a "limited amount" that's kept anonymous. Data voluntarily submitted for identity theft protection apps. Of those seven exceptions, the only ones that count as red flags are account data and marketing data. Both categories are highly personal and could be damaging if mishandled. Fortunately, complying with subpoenas is not one of the allowed uses listed for either data category, nor does the policy let ExpressVPN sell the data to other private parties. The only really annoying thing here is that if you ask ExpressVPN to delete your personal data, you won't be able to use your account from then on. You aren't even eligible for a refund in this case, unless you're within 30 days of your initial subscription. As for marketing data, ExpressVPN collects device fingerprints and location data when you sign up for an account on its website. The privacy policy also claims this is anonymized, as its "systems are engineered to decouple such data from personally identifiable information." Audits corroborate this, as we'll see in the next section. So, while it would be better if ExpressVPN didn't collect any personal data at all, its practices don't appear to pose a risk to anything you do while using the VPN — just the ExpressVPN website. VPN providers often get third-party accounting firms to audit their privacy policies. The idea is that a well-known firm won't mortgage its reputation to lie on behalf of a VPN, so their results can be trusted. For the last several years, ExpressVPN has had KPMG look over its privacy policy and relevant infrastructure (see "TrustedServer" below). KPMG's most recent report, completed in December 2023 and released in May 2024, found that ExpressVPN had enough internal controls in place that users could trust its privacy policy. The report is freely available to read. This is a very good sign, though we're looking out for a more up-to-date audit soon. "TrustedServer" is a marketing term ExpressVPN uses for its RAM-only server infrastructure. RAM-only servers have no hard drives for long-term storage and return to a standard disk image with every reboot. This makes it theoretically impossible to store user activity logs on them, even if ExpressVPN wanted to do that. The KPMG audit, linked above, reports that TrustedServer works as advertised. Between its many clean privacy audits and the Turkish server incident in 2017, we're prepared to say ExpressVPN is a private VPN, in spite of its aggravating exception for marketing. Next, we tested whether ExpressVPN can actually convince websites that you're somewhere other than your real location. Our security tests have already proven it can hide your IP address, but it takes more than leak-proofing to fool streaming sites these days — Netflix and the others have gotten very good at combing through metadata to sniff out proxy users. The process for testing this is a lot like how we handled the DNS leak tests: try several different servers and see if we get caught. We checked five sample locations outside the U.S. to see if we a) got into Netflix and b) saw different titles in the library. The results are below. Server Location Unblocked Netflix? Library changed? Canada Y Y United Kingdom Y (second try; Docklands failed) Y Slovakia Y Y India Y Y (different from UK library) Australia Y Y In fifteen tests, ExpressVPN slipped up only once. Docklands, the UK server it chose as the fastest, wasn't able to access Netflix. We switched to a server labeled simply "London" and unblocked it without issue. ExpressVPN can change your virtual location so you can explore the wonderful world of K-drama. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) All the other locations got us access to an alternate Netflix library on the first try. We even checked whether the India server, which is physically located in the UK, showed us different videos than the UK servers. It did, which makes us even more confident that ExpressVPN's virtual locations are airtight. ExpressVPN users can connect to a total of 164 server locations in 105 countries and territories. These locations are reasonably well distributed across the globe, but as with all VPNs, there's a bias toward the northern hemisphere. There are 24 locations in the U.S. alone and a further 66 in Europe. That isn't to say users in the Global South get nothing. ExpressVPN has IP addresses from nine nations in South America (Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) and six in Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa). The network even includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia, impressive since central Asia may be the region most often shafted by VPNs. However, many of these servers have virtual locations different from their real ones. For those of you choosing a server based on performance instead of a particular IP address, ExpressVPN's website has a helpful list of which servers are virtual. The bad news is that it's a big chunk of the list. A total of 63 ExpressVPN locations are virtual, or 38% of its entire network. To reduce the sting, ExpressVPN takes care to locate virtual servers as close to their real locations as possible. Its virtual locations in Indonesia and India are physically based in Singapore. This isn't always practical, leading to some awkwardness like operating a Ghana IP address out of Germany. But it helps ExpressVPN perform better in the southern hemisphere. Compared to direct competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN doesn't have many special features. It's aimed squarely at the casual market and will probably disappoint power users. Having said that, what they do include works well. In this section, we'll run through ExpressVPN's four substantial features outside its VPN servers themselves. "Network Lock" is the name ExpressVPN gives to its kill switch (though it's called "Network Protection" on mobile). A VPN kill switch is a safety feature that keeps you from broadcasting outside the VPN tunnel. If it ever detects that you aren't connected to a legitimate ExpressVPN server, it cuts off your internet access. You won't be able to get back online until you either reconnect to the VPN or disable Network Lock. ExpressVPN's kill switch is called Network Lock on desktop, and Network Protection on mobile (Android pictured) (Sam Chapman for Engadget) This is important for everyone, not just users who need to hide sensitive traffic. The recently discovered TunnelVision bug theoretically allows hackers to set up fake public wi-fi networks through which they redirect you to equally fake VPN servers, which then harvest your personal information. It's unlikely, but not impossible, and a kill switch is the best way to prevent it — the switch always triggers unless you're connected to a real server in the VPN's network. Like most of ExpressVPN's features, all you can do with Network Lock is turn it on and off. You can also toggle whether you'll still be able to access local devices while the kill switch is blocking your internet — this is allowed by default. ExpressVPN groups three tools under the heading of "advanced protection" — Threat Manager, an ad blocker and parental controls. Threat Manager consists of two checkboxes: one that blocks your browser from communicating with activity tracking software and one that blocks a list of websites known to be used for malware. Check any of these boxes to use the pre-set blocklists whenever you're connected to ExpressVPN. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) You can't customize the lists, so you're limited to what ExpressVPN considers worthy of blocking. They share their sources on the website. While the lists are extensive and open-source, they rely on after-the-fact reporting and can't detect and block unknown threats like a proper antivirus. The adblock and parental control options work the same way: check a box to block everything on the list, uncheck it to allow everything through. In tests, the ad blocker was nearly 100% effective against banner ads, but failed to block any video ads on YouTube or Netflix. The parental control option blocks a list of porn sites. It's an easy option for concerned parents, but only works while ExpressVPN is connected. As such, it's meant to be used in conjunction with device-level parental controls that prevent the child from turning off or uninstalling the VPN client. Sometimes, you'll find it helpful to have your device getting online through two different IP addresses at once — one for your home services and one for a location you're trying to spoof. That's where split tunneling is helpful: it runs some apps through the VPN while leaving others unprotected. This can also improve your speeds, since the VPN needs to encrypt less in total. You can configure split tunneling through either a blocklist or an allowlist. (Sam Chapman for Engadget) ExpressVPN includes split tunneling on Windows, Android and Mac (though only on versions 10 and below). You can only split by app, not by website, but it's still pretty useful. For example, you can have BitTorrent handling a heavy download in the background while you use your browser for innocuous activities that don't need protecting. By now, it should be clear that we find ExpressVPN to be a highly reliable but often unexceptional VPN service. However, there's one area in which it's a clear industry leader: VPN routers. ExpressVPN Aircove is, to our knowledge, the only router with a built-in commercial VPN that comes with its own dashboard interface. Usually, installing a VPN on your router requires tinkering with the router control panel, which turns off all but the most experienced users — not to mention making it a massive pain to switch to a new server location. Aircove's dashboard, by contrast, will be instantly familiar to anyone who already knows how to use an ExpressVPN client. It even allows different devices in your home to connect to different locations through the router VPN. Aircove's biggest drawback is its price. Currently retailing at $189 (not including an ExpressVPN subscription), it's around three times more expensive than an aftermarket router fitted with free VPN firmware. Some of you might still find the convenience worth the one-time payment. ExpressVPN's written help pages are some of the best on the market. Its live chat is more of a mixed bag, and complex questions may cause delays. However, it is at least staffed with human agents who aim to reply accurately, rather than resolve your ticket as quickly as possible. You can directly access both live chat and email from ExpressVPN's mobile apps (on desktop, you'll have to go to the website). (Sam Chapman for Engadget) We approached ExpressVPN's support features with a simple question: "If I requested that ExpressVPN delete all my personal data, would I be able to get a refund for my unused subscription time?" (Remember from the Privacy Policy section that submitting a full deletion request also cancels your ExpressVPN account.) Our first stop was the written support center and FAQ page. It's divided into setup guides, troubleshooting, account management and information on each of ExpressVPN's products. The setup guides are excellent, including screenshots and clearly written steps; each one includes a video guide for those who learn better that way. Troubleshooting is just as good — no videos, but the same standards of clarity and usefulness prevail. The section starts with general problems, then delves into specific issues you might face on each operating system. Each article clearly derives from a real customer need. To get answers on our refund question, we visited the account management FAQs. This section stated that the refund policy only applies within 30 days of purchase. Pretty clear-cut, but we still wanted an answer on our special case, so we contacted live chat by clicking the button at the bottom-right of every FAQ page. Live chat is in the bottom-right corner of every page of (Sam Chapman for Engadget) Live chat starts with an AI assistant, which is not too hard to get past — just ask it a question it can't answer, then click "Transfer to an Agent." We got online with (what claimed to be) a human in less than a minute. Answering the question took longer and involved an uncomfortable 10-minute silence, but we did get a clear verdict from a real person: refunds are within 30 days only, no matter what. If the live chat agent can't answer your question, you'll be redirected to open an email support ticket. Annoyingly, there's no way to go directly to email support through the website or desktop apps, though mobile users have the option to skip directly there. ExpressVPN launched in 2009, which makes it one of the oldest consumer VPNs in continual operation. In more than 15 years of operation, it's never been caught violating its own privacy policy, though its record isn't free of more minor blemishes. Founders Dan Pomerantz and Peter Burchhardt registered the company in the British Virgin Islands from the start to take advantage of that territory's favorable legal environment for online privacy. The BVIs have no law requiring businesses to retain data on their users, and the process for extraditing data is famously difficult, requiring a direct order from the highest court. In 2021, the BVI implemented the Data Protection Act (DPA) [PDF link], which prevents companies based in the territory from accessing data on their users anywhere in the world. It's a great privacy law in theory, modeled on best-in-class legislation in the EU. However, we couldn't find any evidence that its supervising authority — the Office of the Information Commissioner — has a leader or staff. In other words, while ExpressVPN is not legally required to log any data on its users, there's technically nobody stopping them from doing so. Whether you trust the jurisdiction depends on whether you trust the company itself. Let's see what the other evidence says. Two significant incidents stand out from ExpressVPN's 16-year history. In 2017, when Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey, was shot to death at an art show. Turkish police suspected someone had used ExpressVPN to mask their identity while they deleted information from social media accounts belonging to the alleged assassin. To investigate, they confiscated an ExpressVPN server to comb for evidence. They didn't find anything. A police seizure is the best possible test of a VPN's approach to privacy. The provider can't prepare beforehand, fake anything, or collude with investigators. The Turkey incident is still one of the best reasons to recommend ExpressVPN, though eight years is a long time for policy to change. The second incident began in March 2024, when a researcher at CNET informed ExpressVPN that its version 12 for Windows occasionally leaked DNS requests when users enabled the split tunneling feature. While these users remained connected to an ExpressVPN server, their browsing activity was often going directly to their ISP, unmasked. The bug only impacted a few users, and to their credit, ExpressVPN sprang into action as soon as they learned about it. The team had it patched by April, as confirmed by the researcher who initially discovered the vulnerability. But while their quick and effective response deserves praise, it's still a mark against them that a journalist noticed the bug before they did. In 2021, an Israeli-owned, UK-based firm called Kape Technologies purchased a controlling interest in ExpressVPN. In addition to ExpressVPN, privately held Kape owns CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Zenmate (before it merged into CyberGhost). As shown on its website, it also owns Webselenese, publisher of VPN review websites WizCase and vpnMentor, which poses an apparent conflict of interest. When reached for comment, a representative for ExpressVPN said that "ExpressVPN does not directly engage with, nor seek to influence, the content on any Webselenese site," and pointed us to disclosure statements on the websites in question — here's one example. Even so, it's a good reminder not to take VPN reviews at face value without knowing who's behind them (Engadget is owned by Yahoo, which does not own any VPNs). Diving deeper into the background of Kape's ownership will lead you to owner Teddy Sagi. Go back far enough, and you'll see he did prison time in Israel and was mentioned in the Pandora Papers, among other things. More recently, headlines about the billionaire have focused more his businesses in the online gambling and fintech arenas, as well as his real estate ventures. An ExpressVPN representative told us that "Kape's brands continue to operate independently," and our investigation bore that out — we couldn't find any proof that Kape or Sagi have directly attempted to influence ExpressVPN's software or daily operations. Closer to the immediate day-to-day operations of ExpressVPN was the company's employment of Daniel Gericke as CTO from 2019 through 2023. During that time, the US Justice Department announced it had fined Gericke and two others for their previous employment on a surveillance operation called Project Raven, which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) used to spy on its own citizens. The revelation prompted a public response from ExpressVPN defending its decision to hire Gericke, arguing that "[t]he best goalkeepers are the ones trained by the best strikers." ExpressVPN's representative confirmed that the company still stands by that linked statement. Gericke parted ways with ExpressVPN in October 2023, per his LinkedIn profile. While we don't know what we don't know, we can say that ExpressVPN has not notably changed its public-facing security and privacy policies during the time it's been connected to Kape, Sagi, or Gericke. In the end, how much ExpressVPN's history matters to you is a personal choice. If you object to any current or past actions by Kape Technologies or Teddy Sagi, there are other premium VPN options you might prefer. If you need more information to make up your mind, we recommend reading through CNET's 2022 deep dive on ExpressVPN's corporate history. ExpressVPN is the VPN we most often recommend to beginners. It takes zero training to use, and consistently gets past filters on streaming sites. It also runs in the background with virtually no impact. If anything is worth the high price of admission, it's the excellent speeds distributed evenly across the worldwide server network. However, for certain specific cases, ExpressVPN may not be the best choice. There's no way to set up your own server locations, like NordVPN offers, and no double VPN connections, like you can build for yourself on Surfshark. Its corporate background is more suspect than the entities backing Proton VPN, and unlike Mullvad, ExpressVPN doesn't work in China — it's so well-known that the government targets its servers specifically. We suggest going with ExpressVPN for general online privacy, for spoofing locations in your home country while traveling, or if you regularly need to unblock sites in other countries. That encompasses 19 of every 20 users, which is fine by us, as ExpressVPN is a great service. It's just more of a reliable old screwdriver than a multi-tool.
