All posts tagged: VPN

I speed-tested Surfshark’s new ‘heavenly’ Dausos VPN protocol – how it compares to WireGuard

I speed-tested Surfshark’s new ‘heavenly’ Dausos VPN protocol – how it compares to WireGuard

Published by skeptic

Surfshark and Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Surfshark has launched a new VPN protocol that promises better security and barrier-breaking speeds. Instead of sharing a tunnel with other user traffic, Dausos provides each user with their own tunnel. Initial tests reveal promise, but it isn’t quite there, yet, in terms of performance compared to WireGuard.  Surfshark has unveiled Dausos, a new virtual private network (VPN) protocol designed to improve consumer-grade VPN speeds and security. What is Dausos? Named after the Lithuanian word for heaven and as a nod to ascendence, Dausos is Surfshark’s proprietary VPN protocol, which the company hopes will set it apart from the likes of WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 as a purpose-built protocol designed for consumer VPN use. Also: Best VPN services 2026: Expert tested and recommended The company says that while many protocols used by VPN networks today were not originally designed for consumer use — and were instead simply adapted to be fit for purpose — Dausos has been specifically built for this task. What …

Swiss Privacy Goes Global: Proton VPN Grows Coverage to 145 Countries

Swiss Privacy Goes Global: Proton VPN Grows Coverage to 145 Countries

Published by skeptic

Privacy in the digital age is more important than ever, and using a strong VPN can help keep your internet behavior safe from prying eyes. We write a lot about VPNs, and one provider has been making moves over the past two weeks to expand its global coverage.  Proton VPN is the privacy tool in question, and the Swiss-based company’s network, which has the best free VPN option on the market, now spans roughly 20,000 servers across 145 countries — with new server locations in Lebanon, Nicaragua, Gabon, Papua New Guinea, Kyrgyzstan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo — making it the top provider on our best VPN list for worldwide coverage.  VPNs, or virtual private networks, operate by masking your actual IP address with one from a remote server, allowing you to disguise your location and keep your internet activity secure. There are a multitude of ways a VPN can enhance your experience, whether you’re looking to access streaming titles from another country or get around oppressive government firewalls that can block important …

Surfshark Just Dropped a Next-Gen VPN Protocol That Could Be Faster and More Secure Than Other VPN Connections

Surfshark Just Dropped a Next-Gen VPN Protocol That Could Be Faster and More Secure Than Other VPN Connections

Published by skeptic

Surfshark today released its brand-new Dausos VPN connection protocol, which the company says elevates three key elements for VPN users: 30% faster speeds than industry-standard protocols, enhanced security with a hybrid post-quantum encryption and dedicated, private server-side tunnels for each individual session.  This means that Dausos should give Surfshark users smoother connections, improved privacy and faster performance to benefit data-heavy activities, like streaming and gaming.  VPN protocols are essentially the rules that determine the encrypted connection between your device and the internet while on a VPN. Long gone are the days when OpenVPN dominated as the hotshot of the VPN protocol world. It’s still a fine protocol with airtight security that can be great when you need stable connections on any network or want to bypass firewalls, but it’s a lumbering hulk that wasn’t built for the speed or security requirements of today’s VPN users.  Modern times call for modern VPN protocols, and Surfshark is the latest of CNET’s top VPN picks to spin up its own proprietary next-generation VPN protocol. Dausos sounds poised to …

My VPN was blocking my printer and Chromecast — and the fix took 10 seconds

My VPN was blocking my printer and Chromecast — and the fix took 10 seconds

Published by skeptic

If you are someone who relies on a seamless home network, you expect your devices to work in sync. Your phone talks to your TV, your PC talks to your printer, and everything just works in a perfect rhythm, until one day it stops. You try to print your documents or cast your phone to a TV only to find that your printer and Chromecast are not showing up. You spend hours trying to troubleshoot the problem by restarting the router, reinstalling the drivers, and checking the hardware. You find that neither your Wi-Fi nor the hardware is broken, but the real culprit was the VPN app that you are using. Virtual Private Network, aka VPN, protects your online activities by masking your IP address by creating a secure tunnel. But in this pursuit, your VPN also walled off your local network. Here’s how you can fix it in a few seconds. Related Flip this one VPN setting and your speed might jump It’s surprising how much of a difference playing with this one VPN …

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN: Which VPN service is better?

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN: Which VPN service is better?

Published by Sam Flores

Choosing between a well-established VPN provider and a newcomer isn’t that hard. But choosing between two premium providers with glowing reputations can be challenging. We’ll compare ExpressVPN to NordVPN to see which, if any, has the more compelling offering. ExpressVPN NordVPN Rating 87.9% 92.3% Best price $3.49/month $3.09/month Servers 3000 8000 VPN Protocols OpenVPN NordLynx NordWhisper Streaming services Netflix Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ Prime Video ESPN HBO ITVPlayer Netflix Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ Prime Video HBO Platforms Windows macOS Linux iOS Android Android TV Apple TV Amazon Fire Routers Windows macOS Linux iOS Android Android TV Apple TV Routers No logs policy Yes Yes Connections 8 simultaneous connections 10 simultaneous connections Best for Privacy, security, and streaming Privacy, security, and convenience features Website Visit site Visit site Company background ExpressVPN (Salon) ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that does not have mandatory data retention laws and is well outside the Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. It is owned by Kape Technologies, which is a British-Israeli digital security outfit that purchased ExpressVPN in …

Surfshark vs NordVPN: Which VPN service is better? 

Surfshark vs NordVPN: Which VPN service is better? 

Published by Sam Flores

VPNs are no longer just for tech-savvy users—they’re essential tools for streaming, keeping data secure and everyday browsing. Whether choosing NordVPN or Surfshark, users must navigate a rapidly changing landscape of security features and performance benchmarks. This Surfshark vs NordVPN guide compares two leading VPNs and covers everything users need to know. Whatever you’re looking to do online, we break down both providers across key categories. Surfshark and NordVPN have rolled out major changes this year, including enhancements to protocols, expanded server networks and updated audit reports on their no-logs policies. Surfshark also released a web content blocker, while NordVPN strengthened its threat protection features. This article explores which provider — NordVPN or Surfshark — better fits your needs, whether it’s affordability, customization or performance across devices. NordVPN vs Surfshark at a glance The NordVPN Surfshark comparison below highlights key differences in pricing, features and performance. NordVPN Surfshark Best price From $3.49/month From $1.99/month Servers 8,300 servers in 126 countries 3,200 servers in 95 countries VPN protocols Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Streaming services …

Using a VPN May Subject You to NSA Spying

Using a VPN May Subject You to NSA Spying

Published by skeptic

Six Democratic lawmakers are pressing the nation’s top intelligence official to publicly disclose whether Americans who use commercial VPN services risk being treated as foreigners under United States surveillance law—a classification that would strip them of constitutional protections against warrantless government spying. In a letter sent Thursday to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the lawmakers say that because VPNs obscure a user’s true location, and because intelligence agencies presume that communications of unknown origin are foreign, Americans may be inadvertently waiving the privacy protections they’re entitled to under the law. Several federal agencies, including the FBI, NSA, and FTC, have recommended that consumers use VPNs to protect their privacy. But following that advice may inadvertently cost Americans the very protections they’re seeking. The letter was signed by members of the Democratic Party’s progressive flank: Senators Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Edward Markey, and Alex Padilla, along with Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Sara Jacobs. The concern applies specifically to Americans who connect to VPN servers located in other countries—something millions of users do routinely, whether to …

Firefox is adding a free VPN for all users – but can you trust it?

Firefox is adding a free VPN for all users – but can you trust it?

Published by skeptic

Mozilla Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Firefox is launching a VPN for its browser users. The built-in VPN is free and arrives March 24.  Limitations mean you shouldn’t cancel your current VPN. Mozilla is launching a free virtual private network (VPN) service for users of it Firefox browser. In a blog post published last week detailing upcoming updates with the rollout of Firefox 149, Mozilla said the VPN will be free and available to all Firefox users. Mozilla’s VPN Mozilla’s VPN has been around for some time as a standalone product, but as a frequent VPN reviewer and tester, I haven’t seen it make much of an impact in a crowded, saturated marketplace. You can sign up for the service, which offers around 500 servers in over 30 countries, to protect up to five devices for $4.99 per month, plus tax. Also: How to turn on Google’s free VPN on your Pixel The new, browser-based offering will be available to Firefox users in the US, France, Germany, and …