The "New" ExpressVPN

[jasonX]

 

A LOOK INTO THE "NEW" EXPRESSVPN

ExpressVPN is a virtual private network service offered by the British Virgin Islands-registered company Express VPN International Ltd. ExpressVPN has emerged way ahead of the virtual private network (VPN) apps in 2020, offering outstanding speeds and a reputation for reliability and security. The #1 trusted leader in VPN! ExpressVPN interface has an easy-to-navigate interface makes it an app of choice for newcomers just learning about VPNs, and its multiplatform compatibility expands its value to a wide base of consumers. 


ExpressVPN uses dynamic encryption keys for "Perfect Forward Secrecy" thus every time you connect to ExpressVPN servers; the security certificate's authenticity is verified. Once authenticated, a unique encryption key is negotiated through a key exchange. ExpressVPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy by default.

Indeed, ExpressVPN has come a long way since launching in 2009. The customer's digital needs have changed over the past decade, and ExpressVPN strives to meet the digital needs of the consumer every step of the way with industry-leading features like TrustedServer, Network Lock kill switch, the “new” Lightway VPN protocol, and much more. 
 

What is a VPN?

 

Why use a VPN

 

A new era for ExpressVPN

 

A new era for ExpressVPN

A fresh look, inspired by forward motion
Last January 18, 2021, ExpressVPN began a "new era" of ExpressVPN service to all it's loyal users and fans! This new era involved the transition from the old to the "new logo" and exciting developments in their VPN services! Speed has always been at the heart of ExpressVPN. From near-instant connection times, to blazing-fast download speeds, to the lightning-quick responsiveness of their 24/7 Support Team, ExpressVPN knows a need for speed drives the consumer's digital exploration.

Our new logo embodies that forward movement and energy—think of it as a digital tailwind to help you on your online journey, wherever it is you choose to go.

How we all engage and interact with the internet and our devices is constantly evolving; our expanded color palette and expressive illustration style represent that richer online experience. You’ll see it in our bold-colored buttons, in the welcoming peaches and purples on the app home screen, in the vivid imagery of our website, and in the vibrant blues of our enhanced icons and illustrations.

Among our exciting developments:

ExpressVPN’s Lightway technology, developed from the ground up by our engineers to provide a faster, more secure, and more reliable experience, particularly on the mobile devices that so many of us rely upon. Lightway offers seamless connectivity (no more drops when you get the elevator!) and longer battery life thanks to its elegant, lightweight codebase.

Protection Summary, currently available on Android, offers a convenient, personalized snapshot of just how ExpressVPN is keeping you safe and secure online. Watch for wider availability later this year. Security Assistant, another app feature just launched in beta testing on Android, is a growing suite of capabilities aimed at helping you understand and take better control of your privacy and security, with actionable checklists tailored to your device.

The Digital Security Lab, a first-of-its-kind initiative that informs our mission of building a safe, private, and open internet for all. Through in-depth research in collaboration with thought leaders and digital activists around the world, we hope to educate consumers about cybersecurity issues and empower them with the tools and resources they need to build a better digital future.

 

 

A new era for ExpressVPN

 

 

Designing the future of ExpressVPN

Below is an excerpt from the ExpressVPN's blog about the ExpresVPN's new identity, rebranding and all. Read on below. 

You may have noticed ExpressVPN has a new look and feel this week, just one component of an exciting new era for our company as we continue our mission to build a safer digital world. With new features, new technology, and a refreshed brand, we want you to feel the full possibility of online exploration. (What can we say? We’re ambitious around here!)

The new ExpressVPN visual identity is a window into the vast, inspiring possibilities of the online world—portrayed in an expanded, vibrant color palette, a new, more expressive illustration style, and a new logo, along with other changes to the website and our apps.

So how do you translate an idea and a feeling into a unified visual identity? We sat down with our design director and VP to hear more about the journey that’s helped usher in this exciting new era for ExpressVPN…

This is a design overhaul on a scale we’ve never seen before at ExpressVPN.

What was the impetus?

Ryan Neebe, design director: 
The short answer is, the clothes weren’t fitting quite right anymore. We’ve been leading the VPN industry in innovation—TrustedServer, Lightway, Digital Security Lab, etc.—but our look and feel wasn’t quite as cutting-edge.

Harold Li, vice president: 
And, looking beyond the core VPN features, we’re introducing an expanded suite of privacy and security tools in the coming months and years. It’s a new era for us and our users, which called for a refreshed brand identity.

 

Blog Post_Designing the future of ExpressVPN

 

ExpressVPN FEATURES

 

Anonymous Browsing.

ExpressVPN takes every user's privacy seriously! ExpressVPN believes everyone has a right to privacy. That’s why they never keep logs of the user’s online browsing activity. Stay private, stay secure, and enjoy a higher degree of anonymity. ExpressVPN has been a vocal advocate for internet privacy since 2009. They proudly support nonprofit organizations fighting to protect the right to online privacy, online security, and free speech. Today ExpressVPN is one of the world’s leading providers of premium VPN services.

 

• Browse with privacy
  
  ExpressVPN never logs the user’s internet traffic or VPN connections. Therefore, nothing can match the user with an IP address or timestamp. Shared IP addresses cannot be traced back to you.
  
  
• Pay anonymously
  
  When user’s pay with Bitcoin via BitPay, the only information needed to be provided is an email address, so no need to reveal the user’s identity. 
  
  
• Stay safe from monitoring
  
  ExpressVPN does not share the user’s information with anyone. Because ExpressVPN don’t keep logs, there’s simply no information to share or any possibility of leaking your activity to third parties.
  
  
• The best anonymous VPN protection
  
  ExpressVPN’s core mission is to enable customers to use the internet privately and securely with the help of a VPN. They are not only committed to safeguarding the user’s privacy, but also are transparent about the information they do and don’t collect. And ExpressVPN invite’s independent auditors and testers to review their privacy policy and technology.
  

ExpressVPN takes your privacy seriously.
Other VPN providers claim “no logs” on their privacy policies without going into much detail. Do they know if customers manage to use their apps successfully? Can they enforce a limit on simultaneous usage from more than five devices?

If a provider claims to “know nothing” but won’t answer simple questions about what they specifically do or don’t know, then it would be reasonable to question their claims of “no logs.” Unfortunately, most providers lack transparency when it comes to what matters most to VPN users: “his privacy”.

ExpressVPN does NOT and WILL NEVER log:
 

• IP addresses (source or VPN)
  
• Browsing history
  
• Traffic destination or metadata
  
• DNS queries
  

ExpressVPN has carefully engineered their apps and VPN servers to categorically eliminate sensitive information. As a result, ExpressVPN can never be compelled to provide customer data that does not exist.

What ExpressVPN collects and why:
As outlined in our Privacy Policy, ExpressVPN collects minimal information about usage of services:
 

• Apps and app versions successfully activated
  
• Dates (not times) when connected to the VPN service
  
• Choice of VPN server location
  
• Total amount (in MB) of data transferred per day
  

None of the above data enables ExpressVPN or anyone else to match an individual to specific network activity or behavior. ExpressVPN are unable to answer questions related to data that they do not possess, such as how a customer has used their VPN service.

Why does ExpressVPN need to collect any information at all?
 

• To troubleshoot technical issues related to ExpressVPN apps
  
• To provide technical support to customers, identify connection problems, and give country-specific advice on how to use our service
  
• To enable ExpressVPN engineers to identify and fix network issues
  

ExpressVPN also collects anonymized analytics data such as speed test data, connection failures, and crash reports. These diagnostic reports do NOT tie back to individual users because ExpressVPN has engineered apps to never know which user sends which data. The user can specify in the settings menu of any ExpressVPN app whether to send this data.


ExpressVPN does not keep activity logs or connection logs from our users. Here’s what that means:
 

• No activity logs. ExpressVPN does not see, record, or store which websites you visit. We never log the destination or contents of your traffic, and we run our own private, encrypted DNS on every VPN server for added privacy and anonymity.
  
  
• No connection logs. ExpressVPN never logs connection timestamps, session duration, your source IP address, or the ExpressVPN IP address that your computer assumes when connected to the VPN.
  

 

More Info on Browse with greater privacy and anonymity HERE

More Info on The best anonymous VPN protection HERE

 

VPN split tunneling

"Split Tunneling" is the standout feature of ExpressVPN letting the user encrypt just part of his traffic through certain browsers, but leave everything else untouched. The user can browse locally AND through his VPN at the same time. The user just needs to decide which apps will use the VPN. Adding and removing apps is also easy. 

VPN split tunneling lets the user route some of his device or app traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while other devices or apps access the internet directly without losing access to local network devices. 

With a split-tunneling VPN, the user can:

• Stream foreign movies while using web services from local IP addresses
  
• Download safely without slowing down other web activity
  
• Access network printer while surfing the internet securely
  

ExpressVPN split tunneling works two ways:
 

• Split Tunneling: Protect all connected devices or applications except for those specifically excluded.
  
  
  
• Inverse Split Tunneling: Protect only selected devices or applications. Everything else flows outside the VPN.
  

 

More Info on "What is VPN split tunneling?" HERE

More Info on "How to use the split tunneling feature?" HERE

 

TrustedServer security: Only with ExpressVPN

The most advanced VPN server technology, independently audited to confirm essential privacy protections. This is ExpressVPN TrustedServer.


With TrustedServer:
 

• All data are wiped with every reboot, as VPN servers run on RAM only
  
• Servers never write to the hard drive, further minimizing data risk
  
• The entire software stack is reinstalled on every server at startup
  
• We (ExpressVPN) know what’s running on every server, with no inconsistencies
  

Servers are typically run on hard drives which retains all data written to them until they are erased or overwritten. The risk is that those servers may contain sensitive data / information. That "data / information" may be at risk if a 3rd-party were to hack or seize the server. Hackers who overcome the server’s defenses might be able to install a backdoor that remains indefinitely. ExpressVPN has solved that "risk" by letting ExpressVPN servers run on "volatile memory", or RAM. Since RAM requires power to store data, all information on a server is wiped every time it is powered off and on again—stopping both data and potential intruders from persisting on the machine.


TrustedServer increases consistency, and security
Traditionally, server administrators install the operating system (OS) and software when the server is first set up, then add updates over time. Every change applied is an opportunity for differences to arise among servers, decreasing confidence that each one is using the exact same code. A server set up years ago might be running in a way that’s dangerously different from what the administrators are auditing today. TrustedServer ensures that every one of ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ VPN servers runs the most up-to-date software. Each time a server starts up, it loads the latest read-only image containing the entire software stack, OS and all. That means ExpressVPN knows exactly what’s running on each and every server—minimizing the risk of vulnerabilities or misconfiguration and dramatically improving VPN security.

 

ExpressVPN TrustedServer: Raising the bar

 

More info on “TrustedServer security: Only with ExpressVPN” HERE

 

Private DNS

DNS (Domain Name System) is a directory of all websites and services. If the user has a URL, he can use DNS to look up its corresponding IP address. Anyone can take part in the Domain Name System by running a server, but most people use a free DNS service. These services are usually run by internet service providers, content delivery networks, advertising networks, or, occasionally, volunteers.
 

What is DNS?

ExpressVPN protects internet traffic and the user’s DNS queries by running its own encrypted DNS on every VPN server.
 

• No activity logs and no connection logs
  
• No DNS blocking, filtering, or hijacking
  
• Faster DNS queries
  
• 256-bit encryption
  

 

More info on "Private DNS" on every server HERE

 

Strong VPN encryption

ExpressVPN uses the highest standard of encryption. ExpressVPN uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit keys—also known as "AES-256". It’s the same encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government and used by security experts worldwide to protect classified information. 

What does this mean? 
AES 256-bit encryption is symmetric, meaning the same key used to encrypt your data must be used to decrypt it. This makes it near-impossible to break. Even the world’s most powerful computer would take billions of years to decrypt just 0.1% of the data it holds.

The SHA-512 HMAC authentication ExpressVPN uses is highly secure for data transfers, such as P2P file sharing. Using a shared secret key, both the sender and receiver of the download have a way of verifying the authenticity of the file.


How secure is ExpressVPN encryption?
Besides hiding the IP address and mixing the user’s traffic with that of other users, ExpressVPN also encrypts traffic between secure VPN servers and the user’s computer, so that it can’t be read by third parties in between, such as the user’s internet service provider or the user’s local Wi-Fi operator.

ExpressVPN's AES (same encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government and used by security experts worldwide to protect classified information) 256-bit keys means 2^256 or 1.1 x 10^77 possible combinations. That’s 115,?792,?089,?237,?316,?195,?423,?570,?985,?008,?687,?907,?853,?269,?984,?665,?640,?560,?000,?000,?000,?000,?000,?000,?000,?000 combinations! A brute-force attack on a 256-bit keyspace is simply infeasible, even if all the world’s most powerful supercomputers ran for as long as the universe has existed so far, billions and billions of times over.

VPN protocols
ExpressVPN offers a variety of VPN protocols to implement strong encryption between the user’s computer and the VPN server location he connects to. When he (the user) uses the ExpressVPN app, he can easily switch between the protocols, although it’s recommended that the user choose the automatic setting, which will select the protocol optimal for his speed and security.

Speech bubbles with different VPN protocols.
In addition to offering a standard set of protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2, ExpressVPN built “Lightway” to outdo them all in speed, reliability, and security. 

Here are some of the features of ExpressVPN encryption with Lightway:

Server authentication
Lightway connects over D/TLS 1.2, based on TLS, which in recent years has replaced SSL as the dominant standard of encrypting data in transit. The user's browser and this server for example use HTTP over TLS (HTTPS) to encrypt the content of this web page. The user can inspect the details of this connection by clicking on the lock icon in the browser’s URL bar.

Like HTTPS and OpenVPN, Lightway uses certificates to protect the user against man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM). With HTTPS, there are centralized registrars called certificate authorities (CAs). Their certificates are pre-installed by the user's operating system or browser, and any web certificate signed by one of these authorities will be considered trusted by the user's computer. In HTTPS, there are common standards to issue and revoke certificates, as well as to attribute the domains they are issued for to a specific owner.

Lightway does not rely on external certificate authorities to validate the authenticity of VPN server certificates. Instead, the VPN client has a certificate preloaded that is used to authenticate a VPN server.

When using an external or open-source Lightway client, the user will be able to load this certificate himself.

The two ciphers used in Lightway are AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20/Poly1305. Owing to the excellent hardware acceleration of AES available in most devices, Lightway will mostly default to this well-proven cipher. Only on lower-powered routers or entry-level mobile devices might ChaCha20 be used.

HMAC authentication
HMAC stands for keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code. A Message Authentication Code is a protection against data being altered in transit by an attacker who has the ability to read the data in real time. Out of many possibilities on how to reliably authenticate messages, TLS and OpenVPN use hashes (hence the H in HMAC).

Control-channel encryption
To ensure the integrity and confidentiality of encrypted data even on low-powered hardware, ExpressVPN uses AES-256-GCM. AES is one of the most widely used symmetric encryption standards, based on the Rijndael cipher developed by Belgian cryptographers Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen in 1998. The 256 refers to the fixed size of each encrypted block, 256 bits. GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) allows the user's computer to encrypt multiple packages at once, ensuring that the user's connection never hangs even for a short moment.

Data-channel encryption
Data-channel encryption protects against the user's information being visible to the parties that his data travels through. ExpressVPN uses a symmetric encryption scheme, in which the key is negotiated using the elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman key exchange. The ExpressVPN server and the VPN app use clever mathematics to negotiate and verify a secret key that is then used to encrypt the data for the entire session.

 

More Info on "Strong VPN encryption and security explained" HERE

 

How VPNs use tunneling and encryption

Lightway VPN Protocol

A VPN protocol forms the foundation of a VPN service, shaping every aspect of your experience. Most providers use the same off-the-shelf protocols, but now ExpressVPN has engineered its own: Lightway.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s pioneering "new" VPN protocol, built for an always-on world. It makes the user’s VPN experience speedier, more secure, and more reliable than ever. Designed to be light on its feet, Lightway runs faster, uses less battery, and is easier to audit and maintain.
 

Lightway: A next-generation VPN Protocol

The fastest is getting faster
ExpressVPN has already been ranked the fastest VPN by TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, and others. Lightway will make any user’s VPN connection even faster.

With Lightway, the user will also be able to get connected to ExpressVPN more quickly—often in just a fraction of a second. Nine out of ten beta users reported that Lightway got them connected to the VPN faster than before.

Secure and transparent
Lightway uses wolfSSL, whose well-established cryptography library has been extensively vetted by third parties, including against the FIPS 140-2 standard. Soon, the core library of Lightway will be open-sourced, ensuring that it can be more transparently and widely assessed for security.

Always-on protection
If user’s are switching between networks or the user’s signal drops out, Lightway doesn’t skip a beat. That’s because the VPN connection becomes idle, not terminated. Whether the user is switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or stepping in and out of an elevator, Lightway will maintain the same connection, to the same ExpressVPN server.

This means the VPN connection picks up the moment the user’s device gets back online, ensuring no interruptions to your browsing or security. In many common situations, such as waking a device from sleep more or deactivating airplane mode, the time it takes for the ExpressVPN connection to become active again is virtually imperceptible.

 

More Info on "Lightway VPN Protocol" HERE

 

What is Network Lock? (ExpressVPN kill switch)

What is Network Lock?
Network Lock is the ExpressVPN kill switch. With Network Lock, the ironclad privacy and security defenses of ExpressVPN are always in the user’s corner, even when the power flickers, a change Wi-Fi networks, or the computer goes to sleep. It’s standard on the ExpressVPN apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers.

Network Lock is pre-activated by default. The user’s internet traffic will automatically be blocked if the VPN drops or network connection is disrupted. When the VPN connection is back up, the user will be unblocked and back in action in just moments. By halting all online activity, Network Lock keeps your personal information from being exposed to your internet service provider (ISP) or other prying eyes.


When is Network Lock activated?
Network Lock is activated by default so whenever you connect to the VPN, Network Lock becomes active, and it stays active until the user chooses to disconnect. It keeps the connection secure when:
 

• User switches between Wi-Fi networks or the user’s signal flickers
  
• User closes his laptop or puts his computer to sleep
  
• User toggles his internet connection on or off
  
• The user’s ISP has a momentary outage
  

 

More Info on "What is Network Lock? (ExpressVPN kill switch)" HERE

 

How to use ExpressVPN Network Lock for Windows

 

The Digital Security Lab

ExpressVPN's goal is to help build a safe, private, and open internet that empowers people around the globe. By doing high-quality research ExpressVPN successfully approaches any problem or threat, based on in-depth research tools of ExpressVPN's Digital Security Lab.

ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab, focuses on real-world problems with a broad impact in the areas of:
 

• Digital privacy
  
• Cybersecurity
  
• Access to knowledge
  
• Information flows
  

 

Introducing ExpressVPN’s Digital Security Lab

The ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab aims to empower consumers with useful information about their privacy, security, and rights online. ExpressVPN does that by:
 

• Advancing public understanding of the online landscape.
  
  
• Investigating privacy harms, producing actionable reports about security issues, and providing the guidance consumers need to better safeguard their digital lives. 
  
  
• Expanding the reach of research and breaking down complex technical problems into results that are accessible to everyone.
  

These are some of the research topics we are currently pursuing:
 

• Mobile app privacy
  
• IoT security issues
  
• Proximity tracking and location surveillance
  
• Censorship, internet filtering, and connectivity
  

 

ExpressVPN Leak Testing Tools

Rigorous, regular testing is key to ensuring a VPN service protects against leaks. As part of ExpressVPN’s investment into user privacy and security, ExpressVPN has developed an extensible suite of leak testing tools designed for both manual and automated regression testing.

These tools currently test for a number of different types of leaks, including:
 

• IP address leaks
  
• IP traffic leaks
  
• DNS leaks
  
• WebRTC leaks
  
• BitTorrent leaks
  
• Leaks resulting from unstable network connections
  
• Leaks resulting from VPN servers being unreachable
  

The case studies below provide in-depth investigations into each scenario, explaining how they could impact the user's privacy and security, as well as outlining how he (the user) can use the ExpressVPN Leak Testing Tools to evaluate VPN’s effectiveness.
 

Case study 1: “Vanilla” leaks

Case study 2: WebRTC leaks

Case study 3: Network transition leaks

Case study 4: Unreachable VPN server leaks

Case study 5: VPN process crash leaks

 

More Info on "Digital Security Lab" HERE

 

 

ExpressVPN and LastPass partnership

A “new partnership” emerged between ExpressVPN and LastPass. The partnership (started January 18, 2021) helps all new and existing LastPass Premium and Families subscribers be offered a 30-day free trial of ExpressVPN. With this new offer, LastPass Premium or Families subscribers can also experience the security-enhancing benefits of a VPN at no extra cost. LastPass Premium or Families subscribers can access their ExpressVPN free trial through the Security Dashboard in their LastPass account.
 

More Info on "New partnership brings ExpressVPN protection to LastPass users" HERE

 

The 2021 ExpressVPN Scholarship is now accepting entries

 

Write the best essay for the Future of Privacy Scholarship and win $5,000!

Applications are now open for qualified students in United State of America for ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship. The ExpressVPN scholarship started in the spring of 2016 and was an overwhelming success —over a thousand students entered.  ExpressVPN tried to build on that for this year by opening it up to more people and increasing the prize money.

ExpressVPN also doubled the first prize to US$ 5,000! On top of that, ten runner-ups will get a 12-month ExpressVPN subscription (valued at US$99).

Why does ExpressVPN hold this scholarship competition?
As internet-ready devices proliferate in classrooms worldwide, so do threats to the privacy of the individuals who use them.

Students are taking notice, and they’re often the most savvy users of these technologies, so it makes good sense to get their take on emerging trends in technology that affect them.

That’s why we created the ExpressVPN Future of Privacy Scholarship. Through an annual essay competition, students delve into urgent issues of the digital age, with the chance to win cash and other prizes.

With the Covid-19 pandemic presenting an ongoing challenge for countries to control and mitigate, debate has also grown over how countries should balance the needs of public health with that of individual privacy, if at all.

Students have been particularly affected by the pandemic, whether navigating their education online through Zoom classes or in physical classrooms with invasive surveillance measures where schools have reopened. To add to the woes, they’ve also had to forgo important life events, from graduation ceremonies to the trappings of university life.

ExpressVPN wants to give students a platform to reflect on their experiences and how they should translate to real policy.

 

More Info on "The 2021 ExpressVPN Scholarship" HERE

 

ExpressVPN Apps

 

Use ExpressVPN on every device! ExpressVPN offers the user flexibility for every major platform and solutions for all his favorite devices. ExpressVPN is not only a VPN for computers! A single subscription can be used simultaneously on five supported devices. The account holder can install the app on as many devices as he wants. If he needs to connect to more than five devices at the same time, he should try the ExpressVPN app for routers.

 

What do you get with ExpressVPN software?
 

• Best-in-class 256-bit encryption
  
• Unlimited bandwidth
  
• 5-star customer support
  
• 30-day money-back guarantee
  

 

 

More Info on "VPN app, and protect any device
" HERE

Torrenting via Android with ExpressVPN images below

 

ExpressVPN for Windows images

 


 

ExpressVPN Server Locations

ExpressVPN's has 3000+ VPN server locations in 160 VPN server locations in 94 countries all over the world! The number of servers offered means the user can specifically select a server nearer to him within a certain country, thus better speeds, lower latency, and more reliability are always assured.

When a user connects to one of ExpressVPN’s servers, the server and IP address are usually in the same country. However, ExpressVPN also offers virtual server locations where the user's IP address is within his target country, but the physical server is elsewhere. This means ExpressVPN provides a more reliable connection with better speeds. The user will still have an IP address in your target country, regardless of the virtual location of the server.

 

 

ExpressVPN Plans and Pricing

 

 

More Info on "Plans and Pricing" HERE

 

What's new in the latest ExpressVPN build?

ExpressVPN for Windows ExpressVPN 10.0.9 for Windows (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Fixed a rare issue that could show “Unexpected Error” after the Location Picker is clicked.
  

ExpressVPN for Mac version 10.0.0 (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Introducing ExpressVPN’s new app design.
  

ExpressVPN for Android version 10.0.0 (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Introducing ExpressVPN’s new app design.
  

ExpressVPN for iOS version 10.0.0 (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Introducing ExpressVPN’s new app design.
  

ExpressVPN for Router version 2.6.6 (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Introducing ExpressVPN’s new logo.
  

ExpressVPN for Linux version 3.4.2 (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Updated notification icon with ExpressVPN’s new logo.
  

ExpressVPN for Chrome, Firefox and Edge (Jan 18, 2021)
 

• Introducing ExpressVPN’s new app design.
  

 

ExpressVPN Update History HERE

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Home Page HERE

Get ExpressVPN HERE

ExpressVPN Support Center

ExpressVPN FAQ HERE

ExpressVPN Blog

ExpressVPN Setup Tutorials

How-To Privacy Guides

 

Some interesting ExpressVPN Blog Posts

 

Protect your messaging apps with a password now

450 apps found with location trackers

Top 5 VPN Uses

The safe browsing guide: 21 ways to protect yourself online

How to delete your Facebook account, Google search history, and more

Ultimate Guide to Mobile Security for iPhone and Android Devices

The best messaging apps for privacy and security in 2021

Turn your old Android phone into a security camera

 

EXPRESSVPN APPS LINKS

 

ExpressVPN for Windows

ExpressVPN for Mac

ExpressVPN for iPhone and iPad

ExpressVPN for Android

ExpressVPN for Linux

ExpressVPN for Routers

ExpressVPN Chrome Extension

ExpressVPN Firefox Extension

ExpressVPN Edge Extension

 

SET-UP VIDEOS LINKS

 

ExpressVPN for Windows - App setup tutorial

 

ExpressVPN for Mac - App setup tutorial

 

ExpressVPN for Android - App setup tutorial

 

ExpressVPN for iOS - App setup tutorial

 

Linux ExpressVPN app setup tutorial

 

Android APK ExpressVPN app setup tutorial

[dinosaur07]

Wow, this is definitely one of the best reviews I've ever seen for one of the best VPN on the market!
Awesome work @jasonX.

[jasonX]

Added "new" ExpressVPN images above. The ExpressVPN Valentines 2021 Giveaway will open soon! Stay tuned!

[dinosaur07]

Indeed a very good VPN.

[jasonX]

ExpressVPN
The VPN that works!

 

ExpressVPN has continued to provided and has empowered millions of users to take control of their internet experience. This award-winning consumer VPN service is backed by its open-source VPN protocol Lightway, delivering user privacy in to all their users worldwide. 

A new innovation (now built-in with the VPN), ExpressVPN Keys 'password manager' and ExpressVPN Aircove router make digital privacy and security easy and accessible for all. ExpressVPN’s products have been extensively vetted and certified by third-party experts, including PwC, Cure53, KPMG, and others.



PwC audits ExpressVPN servers to confirm essential privacy protections

ExpressVPN’s protections examined in 2 new independent audits, by KPMG and Cure53




A vocal advocate for internet freedom and privacy, ExpressVPN is a proud financial supporter of nonprofit organizations fighting to protect digital rights, including the Internet Defense League, OpenMedia, and others.

Last September 2021, ExpressVPN joined the Kape Technologies family of leading privacy and security brands.

ExpressVPN officially joins Kape Technologies


Today, ExpressVPN enables millions in over 180 countries with VPN secure servers in 105, to access the free and open internet—and to do so privately and securely.

Some relevant facts: 
 

• Multiple locations to choose from in key geographies like the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, and many more.
  
   
  ExpressVPN’s VPN server locations
  
• 24/7 live chat customer support
  VPN apps available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Apple TV, and selected routers; configurations for other routers, consoles, streaming boxes, and more; extensions for popular browsers
  
  
• No activity logs and no connection logs
  
   
  Best no-logs VPN: Stay anonymous and secure
  
  KPMG LLP completes new assessment of ExpressVPN’s Privacy Policy claims
  
  ExpressVPN Privacy Policy

Advocates for internet privacy and digital rights; proud financial supporters of:
 

• The Internet Defense League
  
• Fight for the Future
  
• OpenMedia
  
• Access Now
  

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Home Page

ExpressVPN for Windows

ExpressVPN for Mac

ExpressVPN for iPhone

ExpressVPN for Android

ExpressVPN for Linux

ExpressVPN for Router

ExpressVPN for Apple TV

ExpressVPN for Fire Stick

ExpressVPN for Android TV

ExpressVPN for Chrome Extension

ExpressVPN Security Audits

Tutorials

ExpressVPN FAQ

Plans and Pricing

ExpressVPN Blog

ExpressVPN Server locations

ExpressVPN Support

ExpressVPN NEW transparency report

What is VPN split tunneling?

What’s new in ExpressVPN’s latest app versions?

 

SOME RELEVANT YOUTUBE LINKS

 

How to install ExpressVPN on Windows


How to download ExpressVPN on iOS


How to set up a Mac VPN


How to set up an Android VPN


How to set up a VPN on Linux


How to set up a VPN app on Apple TV


ExpressVPN Aircove Go: A portable VPN router


Introducing the Aircove family: Wi-Fi routers with VPN protection


ExpressVPN Aircove: A security-first home Wi-Fi router


ExpressVPN Keys: A simple, secure password manager


Best ways to store your passwords | ExpressVPN stories

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site

[jasonX]

ExpressVPN Keys
ExpressVPN’s built-in password manager

ExpressVPN's new innovation which is now built-in with the VPN is it's password manager -- 'Keys'. ExpressVPN Keys helps you manage unlimited passwords, credit card details, and notes securely on any device—and even alerts you to data breaches and vulnerable passwords. Best of all, it’s included with any ExpressVPN subscription!

What is a password manager?
A password manager like ExpressVPN Keys securely stores passwords and other sensitive data in an encrypted digital vault. It can also fill in your details automatically when you sign in to websites and apps.

How a password manager works
Password managers like ExpressVPN Keys can generate and store strong passwords for all your online accounts—and then fill them in for you when you sign in. In addition to usernames and passwords, ExpressVPN Keys can also securely store notes and credit card details, and even generate two-factor authentication (2FA) codes for compatible apps and sites. Everything you store in Keys is encrypted in a secure vault that only you—not even ExpressVPN—can access using your primary password.

Why you need to use a password manager
Creating and remembering passwords for all your accounts is a hassle, which is why many people use (and reuse) weak passwords. The risk is that this leaves your accounts vulnerable to data breaches and hacks. 
With a password manager, you only need to remember one password to manage and secure all your online accounts. ExpressVPN Keys can even generate long, complex passwords that are safer against brute-force attacks and alert you if any of your passwords have been exposed in a data breach.
 

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Home Page

ExpressVPN Keys

ExpressVPN completes rollout of built-in password manager, Keys

 

SOME RELEVANT YOUTUBE LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Keys: A simple, secure password manager


Best ways to store your passwords | ExpressVPN stories

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site

[jasonX]

Introducing ExpressVPN's Aircove

Introducing ExpressVPN's Aircove developed by security experts, Aircove is ExpressVPN’s range of Wi-Fi 6 routers with built-in VPN.* While any router can provide internet access, our Aircove range goes one better: It instantly brings all the benefits of ExpressVPN to everything on your network—even smart home appliances and streaming sticks. If it’s connected, it’s protected.

Your personal bubble of protection
VPN security doesn’t have to be complicated. With Aircove running, your entire Wi-Fi network is protected—and friends and family can share your VPN! That’s because Aircove counts as one out of the eight devices that you can connect to ExpressVPN simultaneously on a single subscription. You have full control over which devices connect to which VPN server location, or whether they connect to VPN or the internet at all. And with advanced protection features, you can even set parental controls and shield your family from malicious and explicit content.


Flexibility for every family
Create up to five groups for all your devices. One group for family or friends, one for all your streaming devices, or one just for you. You get to connect to up to five different VPN locations at once, and changing a group’s location doesn’t interrupt your other connections.

For each group, set a VPN location or choose:
 

• Smart Location, which selects the best location for you based on network conditions
  
  
• No VPN, for when you want a device connected to the internet but not using VPN
  
  
• No internet, for when you want to block individual devices from accessing the internet
  
  
• Which advanced protection features to apply, if any
  

 

 

Aircove_HOW IT WORKS

 

ExpressVPN launches Aircove Go —the first portable router with built-in VPN protection

 

Aircove Go is a compact and lightweight VPN router, created with a focus on user freedom and security. Developed exclusively by ExpressVPN, this palm-sized innovation brings privacy protection to users who want a powerful yet portable VPN solution for all their devices. Aircove Go delivers the same built-in VPN functionality, advanced protection features, and simple five-minute setup process as ExpressVPN’s first award-winning router Aircove.

Aircove Go’s easy, one-time setup process lets users turn any Wi-Fi connection into their personal VPN-protected network. Aircove Go’s exclusive Wi-Fi link feature lets you connect to the internet via another Wi-Fi network. So in each new hotel room, holiday rental, or co-working space, you can easily get connected without your Ethernet cable. And because Aircove Go is powered by USB-C, that’s one less plug to pack.



 

Latest verion of AircoveOS v4.7.4 (2024- July-8)

 

• Introduced dark mode so you can use the Aircove dashboard comfortably at night.
  
• Added an alert reminding you to disconnect from the VPN to access a Wi-Fi captive portal.
  
• Fixed a bug that could lead to the Aircove dashboard showing a blank screen.
  
• Fixed a bug that prevented Wi-Fi Link from connecting to networks using WPA3 encryption.
  
• Fixed a bug that delayed updates from being detected if you didn’t sign in to your ExpressVPN account.
  
• Fixed some issues with settings backup and restore.
  
• Fixed a bug with IP address validation in the UI.
  
• Updated the SSL certificate.
  

NOTE: An active ExpressVPN subscription is required for VPN features, with a 30-day free trial included for new users.


 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Aircove Home Page

Aircove Go

Introducing Aircove Go, the first portable router with a built-in VPN

Tom's Guide on ExpressVPN's Aircove

Techradar on ExpressVPN's Aircove

 

SOME RELEVANT YOUTUBE LINKS

 

Introducing the Aircove family: Wi-Fi routers with VPN protection


ExpressVPN Aircove: A security-first home Wi-Fi router


ExpressVPN Aircove Go: A portable VPN router

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site

[jasonX]

ExpressVPN Split tunneling returns to all Windows users

Split tunneling is once again available to Windows users, thanks to some dedicated bug fixing by ExpressVPN’s engineers.

ExpressVPN has temporarily disabled its split-tunneling feature for a certain set of users to fix a bug that's been exposing its users' DNS requests.

After being tipped off by CNET's Attila Tomaschek, ExpressVPN released an emergency update to disable split tunneling while it worked on a fix.

"Although the issue is believed to involve less than 1% of users on a single app platform, Version 12 for Windows, ExpressVPN rolled out an update that disabled split tunneling on that platform entirely, to minimize the potential ongoing risk to customers," ExpressVPN says. "The feature will remain deactivated while engineers investigate and fix the problem."

 

What is VPN split tunneling?

ExpressVPN has just released new versions of both Version 10 and Version 12 of the ExpressVPN app for Windows, to introduce new filter logic and eliminate any potential for unexpected DNS request behavior when split tunneling is activated.

We recently rolled out an update that removed split tunneling on Version 12 of our Windows app after an expert VPN reviewer reported unexpected DNS request behavior when using split tunneling. No other VPN protections, such as encryption, were affected. Although we estimated this issue to affect less than 1% of Windows users, we immediately disabled split tunneling on Version 12 while we worked on finding a solution.

The newest Windows releases (Version 12.74.0 and Version 10.51.0) are now available, and we recommend that all Windows users update their apps today.

How did we track down and eliminate the bugs?
The first step in any bug-fix process is to consistently reproduce the issue. This means not only investigating the impacted code but also ruling out any external factors that may have contributed to the bug to ensure that the full extent of the issue and its root cause are properly understood.

The issues around split tunneling were challenging to consistently reproduce. We were eventually able to pinpoint that there was not a single bug with a simple fix creating the issue, but a complex situation where specific issues and use cases converged to create a set of scenarios where DNS leaks could occur (but would not always occur).

In total, we diagnosed two separate bugs with two distinct root causes.

The first issue was introduced when we built our split-tunneling feature for Version 12 of the ExpressVPN Windows app (this issue was never present in Version 10). In every instance, the DNS cache service should have been automatically directed to use the VPN. However, when split tunneling was activated in “Only allow selected apps to use the VPN” mode, the DNS cache service was allowed to operate outside the VPN, which meant that some DNS requests might be misdirected. This has been corrected on Version 12 of the Windows app.

The second issue was caused by the presence of other VPN apps on a Windows device. When other VPN apps were installed, even if they were not in active use, it was possible for their filtering rules to affect the performance of our app. This cross-contamination only occurred when split tunneling was turned on. We improved the filtering logic to eliminate potential DNS leaks with split tunneling. This second issue had the potential to affect Version 10 and Version 12 of the ExpressVPN app for Windows, and so the fix was pushed on both versions of the Windows app.

However, this second issue only impacts Windows users who have the ExpressVPN app, have split tunneling turned on, and also have other competing VPN apps installed. All three conditions would need to be met in order for a potential leak to happen. We also know from the difficulty reproducing the issue that it only happens in some situations, even if all three conditions were met. We estimate that far less than 1% of Windows users could have been affected by the second bug.

Once the issues were properly identified and diagnosed, our engineers were able to build and merge a fix, add automatic tests, and test the new code to ensure the fix was complete.

After rigorous checking by our in-house team, we also offered the original bug reporter a chance to beta-test the fix before we released it to our users. Attila Tomaschek, the VPN expert and staff writer at tech publication CNET who reported the bug, confirmed through independent testing that our build was bug-free and ready for our Windows users.

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

More Info HERE

ExpressVPN Removes Split-Tunneling Feature for Leaking DNS Requests

After a tip, ExpressVPN acts swiftly to protect customers

How to use the split tunneling feature

vpnmentor_What Is VPN Tunneling — The Ultimate Guide For 2024

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site

[jasonX]

ExpressVPN launches post-quantum protection on Lightway

ExpressVPN announced that it has added post-quantum protection to Lightway, its next-generation VPN protocol. Users can be protected against attackers with access to quantum computers by updating to the latest version of the ExpressVPN apps for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows.

This makes ExpressVPN an early pioneer in the VPN industry to implement post-quantum protections. 

“We believe that by playing an active role in the transition to a quantum-safe world, we can future-proof ourselves and our users. We are proud to be innovators who are helping to lead the charge for a quantum-safe future in the VPN industry,” said Pete Membrey, chief engineering officer, ExpressVPN.

Quantum computers and their impact on privacy and security

As quantum computers continue to evolve and become more powerful, they will eventually be able to crack encryption algorithms that are currently deemed secure. Experts estimate that it would take a classical computer around 300 trillion years to break a standard RSA-2048 bit encryption key, while a quantum computer with enough qubits could crack it in days.

One of the most insidious threats posed by quantum computing is the Store Now, Decrypt Later (SNDL) attack. SNDL is a cryptographic technique that involves storing encrypted data for an extended period before decrypting it. Threat actors are already swiping up lots of encrypted information, often the kind with a long shelf life, and stockpiling it until quantum computers can crack it open for them in the future. 

The potential risks of quantum computers are so threatening that in December 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law H.R.7535, the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which encourages “federal government agencies to adopt technology that will protect against quantum computing attacks.”

“ExpressVPN’s goal is to protect our users and help them take control of their internet experience. This is why it’s important for us to deploy post-quantum cryptography as early as possible, so that we can help our users stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats,” Membrey added.

ExpressVPN’s post-quantum implementation is based on wolfSSL’s integration with the Open Quantum Safe team’s liboqs. It utilizes P256_KYBER_LEVEL1 for UDP and P521_KYBER_LEVEL5 for TCP. 

What is Lightway?

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s pioneering new VPN protocol, built for an always-on world. It makes your VPN experience speedier, more secure, and more reliable than ever. Designed to be light on its feet, Lightway runs faster, uses less battery, and is easier to audit and maintain.

A VPN protocol forms the foundation of a VPN service, shaping every aspect of your experience. Most providers use the same off-the-shelf protocols, but now ExpressVPN has engineered its own: Lightway.


The fastest is getting faster
ExpressVPN has already been ranked the fastest VPN by TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, and others. Lightway will make your VPN connection even faster.

With Lightway, you’ll also be able to get connected to ExpressVPN more quickly—often in just a fraction of a second. Nine out of ten beta users reported that Lightway got them connected to the VPN faster than before.


 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN launches post-quantum protection on Lightway

H.R.7535 - Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act

Info on liboqs

Lightway: A modern VPN protocol by ExpressVPN

Lightway: A next-generation VPN protocol

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site

[jasonX]

ExpressVPN
WHAT'S NEW!

ExpressVPN for Windows v12.85.0 (2024-July-23)
 

• Our engineers have been tinkering away with bug fixes and performance enhancements to give you a smoother VPN experience.
  

ExpressVPN for iOS v11.156.0 (2024-July-1)
 

• We’ve done a few nips and tucks to keep our app in top form for you.
  

ExpressVPN for Mac v11.58.0 (2024-June-28)
 

• Your VPN experience has just leveled up thanks to a few improvements and tweaks.
  

ExpressVPN for Android v11.58.0 (2024-Aug-1)
 

• Our tech wizards have waved their magic wands! Enjoy enhanced app stability and performance.
  

ExpressVPN for Apple TV v11.138.0 (tvOS) (2024-March-20)

 

• We spruced up our internal engines; the app is running better than it was.
  

ExpressVPN for Linux v3.74.0 (2024-July-23)

 

• We’ve tightened up a few lines of code to ensure the app is in top form when you need it.
  

ExpressVPN AircoveOS v4.7.4 (2024-July-8)
 

• Introduced dark mode so you can use the Aircove dashboard comfortably at night.
  
• Added an alert reminding you to disconnect from the VPN to access a Wi-Fi captive portal.
  
• Fixed a bug that could lead to the Aircove dashboard showing a blank screen.
  
• Fixed a bug that prevented Wi-Fi Link from connecting to networks using WPA3 encryption.
  
• Fixed a bug that delayed updates from being detected if you didn’t sign in to your ExpressVPN account.
  
• Fixed some issues with settings backup and restore.
  
• Fixed a bug with IP address validation in the UI.
  
• Updated the SSL certificate.
  

Browser Extension v2.0.2 (ExpressVPN Keys) (2023-Sept-27)
 

• Fixed an issue where the scrolling position in the list of logins would be lost when syncing occurs.
  
• Fixed an issue with auto-save, where the auto-save dialog would not show the expected username or password when updating an existing entry
  

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

ExpressVPN Home Page

What’s new in ExpressVPN’s latest app versions?

Content lifted/derived from ExpressVPN Site