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VPNs need to change.
Is traditional VPN technology the best it can be?
I’m not so sure.
We are seeing early signs of this.
New VPN providers are launching with unique approaches to VPN technology.
We’re seeing VPNs team up, beat censorship, and even decentralize.
So what do these changes look like?
Are they the right ones to take VPNs forward?
Two hops, two providers
The majority of VPNs work in a similar way.
One provider operates hundreds or even thousands of servers.
However, a single provider is still overseeing both hops, meaning they can theoretically see your whole journey.
But what if we added a second provider into the encryption equation?
This is exactly whatObscura VPNis doing, in a move that could be a game-changer.
The goal is becoming the “best darn VPN out there.”
Neither of the VPNs can see your traffic’s whole journey.
Obscura VPN can only see your connecting IP address, which it doesn’t log.
Obscura VPN and Mullvad both have their own drawbacks, so this clearly is not be the endgame.
But they are championing this two-provider idea, and I’d love to see more VPN partnerships like it.
NymVPN is backed by Chelsea Manningand its mixnet can be likened to the technology used by Tor.
Your traffic is encrypted before being sent through five nodes.
My issue is with the node operators.
Node operators can constantly change and can’t be audited in the same way centralized VPNs can.
I do agree this risk is unlikely, but it’s hard to ignore.
It’s up to you to decide whether you value privacy or anonymity more.
More than a VPN
10 years ago VPNs were simply just VPNs.
Not much more than a year ago,ExpressVPN’s only additional feature was its Keys password manager.
Now its suite includesCredit Scanner,Identity Defender, Threat Manager, plus itsholiday.com eSIM.
What could be next?
Why change is needed
VPNs must adapt to the issues we’re facing today.
This is a shocking statistic and one that looks very likely to increase.
Western governments are getting in on the act too.
The traditional VPN approach is becoming outdated and internet and VPN blocks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.
The industry must come together and share resources, trial new ideas, and challenge itself.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses.
For example: 1.
Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services.
Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
