Today’s VPNs evolve in an incredibly rapid manner, with updates and new features arriving regularly. With that said, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services you’ll find today, thanks to its proactive focus on improving its service. So, let’s check what’s new in ExpressVPN by listing its most recent developments.Â
MARCH 2023: ExpressVPN's Lightway Protocol Gets Audited by Cure53 (Once Again)
Following an audit done in 2021, Cure53 was once again hired by ExpressVPN to inspect the source code of Lightway through penetration tests. The goal of the audit was to show that ExpressVPN is committed to keeping the Lightway protocol as secure as possible, which is exactly what the audit's conclusion states.
More precisely, Cure53 found no medium, high, or critical vulnerabilities. There were a handful of low-level issues only, all of which were remedied by ExpressVPN just recently. That said, it's clear that the Lightway protocol does its job more than well - protecting your privacy and ensuring no one sees what you do online.
Make sure to learn more about Cure53's audit of ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol.
NOVEMBER 2022: ExpressVPN's Windows, macOS & Linux Applications Audited by F-Secure & Cure53
ExpressVPN has worked with F-Secure and Cure53 to verify the security of its desktop suite of applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Those 3 independent audits focused on the security of ExpressVPN's software, trying to identify vulnerabilities that could lead to data leaks.
As per the publicly available results of the latest round of adits, ExpressVPN remains a highly secure and trustworthy VPN service. No critical vulnerabilities were discovered, only a small group of low-level ones (all of which were remedied in the meantime).
For a more in-depth insight into the results, head over to our news piece on ExpressVPN's audit of its Windows, Mac, and Linux apps.
OCTOBER 2022: ExpressVPN Goes Through 2 Independent Audits Done by KPMG & Cure53
In early 2022, ExpressVPN promised to increase the frequency of third-party audits. We already saw an audit of its Windows app in March 2022, but the VPN just announced that additional audits were concluded, focusing on the VPN's privacy-protecting technologies.
Conducted by KPMG and Cure53, the audits showed that ExpressVPN doesn't collect any data that could be connected to any of its subscribers. In other words, this is proof that ExpressVPN is in full compliance with its no-logs policy. The VPN doesn't know which websites you visit, what you download from the Web or anything else you might do online.
If you'd like to take a deeper look, read our dedicated news piece on the audits of ExpressVPN's privacy protections done by KPMG and Cure53.
SEPTEMBER 2022: ExpressVPN Introduces Its First Hardware Product - Aircove
Called "Aircove," ExpressVPN's router comes designed from the ground up to support the latest privacy-protecting technologies. This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router handles your household's Web connection, extending VPN protection even to devices that don't work with VPNs (such as TVs, game consoles, and similar).
At the heart of Aircove is a feature called "Device Groups." Using that feature, you can group your devices and connect them to 5 different VPN locations at once. To learn more about how this feature work, and to learn more about the device itself, head over to our dedicated guide on the ExpressVPN Aircove.
You can purchase Aircove via Amazon for $189.90 (available in the US only). And if you decide to try this device, here's how to setup ExpressVPN Aircove.
AUGUST 2022: ExpressVPN Now Supports Apple's M1 and M2 Chips Natively
ExpressVPN's macOS application now supports Apple silicon Macs natively, joining the ranks of ultra-capable VPN services that are quick to adopt the latest technologies. To access the newly overhauled application, make sure to update to version 11.5.0.
Just like most other applications optimized for Apple's M1 and M2 chips, ExpressVPN takes full advantage of the significant CPU and GPU improvements that Apple's next-generation chips bring. That means you can expect a significant performance boost along with lower battery and energy consumption.
Those who use Intel-based Macs can also update, as ExpressVPN's macOS application is now a "universal binary that supports both architectures," and you'll continue to have access to all of the previously available features, fast performance, and more.
JUNE 2022: All-New 10Gbps Servers Bring Faster Speeds & Other Improvements
ExpressVPN has announced its transition from 1Gbps servers to 10Gbps servers, a significant upgrade to its already-capable infrastructure. Servers in more than 20 countries are now 10Gbps servers (covering more than 70% of its total bandwidth).
The new servers also feature from 20 to 32 cores (instead of using 4 cores, which was the case with ExpressVPN's previously available 1Gbps servers). So, in simpler terms, you can now expect faster performance than ever before, more reliable VPN connections, as well as a better experience overall.
Of course, ExpressVPN's servers still remain loyal to their core technologies. That means they're still 100% powered by RAM and free of any activity or connection logs. With that said, you can be sure that your privacy is guaranteed.
JUNE 2022: ExpressVPN Removes India-Based Servers to Protect Users from Data Logging
VPNs that operate servers in India will soon need to adhere to the country's new data law, forcing them to record their users' personally identifiable data. More precisely, VPNs will need to record and supply information such as your name, IP address, usage patterns, and more.
To avoid endangering its users in India, ExpressVPN has decided to remove servers physically found in the country. Instead, it now offers two virtual locations that let you get an Indian IP address using servers found in the United Kingdom and Singapore. That's how ExpressVPN avoids having to log its user's data, once again proving that it sticks to its primary mission of keeping you safe and protected on the Web.
APRIL 2022: Learn About Digital Privacy Using ExpressVPN's Free Udemy Course
ExpressVPN has always been known as a highly proactive VPN service. Aside from its dedicated work on improving its service and adding new features, this VPN also offers resources that teach you more about digital privacy. However, aside from its always-helpful blog and on-point support resources, ExpressVPN now also offers a Udemy course.
The course is titled The Essential Guide to Online Privacy & Security and offers 28 lectures that last around 1 hour in total. You don't need to be an ExpressVPN subscriber to access the course, as it's free and available to everyone. With that said, we highly recommend taking a bit of time to learn how to protect yourself online.
APRIL 2022: ExpressVPN Now Includes a Free Password Manager Called - ExpressVPN Keys
Currently available in beta, ExpressVPN Keys is a premium-level password manager that now comes included in all ExpressVPN's subscription plans.
The newly released feature lets you generate, store, and auto-fill your credentials using Chrome (Windows, macOS, Linux) and Android (via the ExpressVPN app). Soon, iOS/iPadOS will gain access to Keys as well, which will be released publicly later this year.
ExpressVPN Keys is backed by zero-knowledge encryption, which means that no one (besides you) will have access to your sensitive information.
Like other password managers, Keys is protected by a single master password or your biometrics. Access to your encrypted data will happen locally on your device.
MARCH 2022: ExpressVPN Completes Another In-Depth Audit & Penetration Testing
ExpressVPN has never been afraid to subject itself to third-party audits, opening up its security systems, core technology, and privacy policy for inspection. During the last couple of years, this VPN has been audited multiple times. And, just recently, it announced the results of its latest audit, this time done by F-Secure.
The mission of this latest audit was to check ExpressVPN's application for Windows. As per F-Secure's findings, no worrying issues were identified - proving that ExpressVPN offers a highly secure client for Windows that ensures your private data never leaves your device. Several 'Informational' observations were made, and those changes were implemented in ExpressVPN's Windows app in the meantime.
We'll also note that ExpressVPN has announced a series of audits to happen throughout 2022. The VPN plans to allow third-party cyber-security companies to inspect all ExpressVPN clients, which will strengthen the VPN's security claims in the long run.
JANUARY 2022: 'Parallel Connections' Feature Comes to iOS, Improving VPN Connection Times
ExpressVPN has always been known as a VPN that takes very little time to connect. However, if you keep this VPN enabled at all times, you know that every single second counts. With that said, you'll be happy to hear that ExpressVPN has introduced a 'Parallel Connections' feature, available on iOS and iPadOS.
Instead of trying different connection methods one by one, this VPN now tries multiple methods at the same time. As soon as one of those methods proves to work, your VPN session becomes active. In practice, that means you'll connect to ExpressVPN's servers in under one second.
ExpressVPN's 'Parallel Connections' feature works on any type of network, even those with heavy data filtering and censorship. Also, it's a backend feature, which means you don't have to enable or control it manually. Instead, it already comes active.
If you wish to learn more, head over to our news piece focused on ExpressVPN's 'Parallel Connections' feature, which will become available on other platforms as well in the near future.
DECEMBER 2021: ExpressVPN Launches 'Threat Manager' (Anti-Tracking System) on iOS and iPadOS
VPN services already protect you against many types of tracking, as they send your Web data through a secure tunnel, encrypting it along the way. However, ExpressVPN has gone a step further by implementing a feature called 'Threat Manager.'
Threat Manager is backed by ExpressVPN's own DNS system. That means that the VPN already handles all your DNS queries, making sure everything you do online never leaves your VPN tunnel. Aside from that, ExpressVPN's DNS system now includes a list of domains associated with tracking- and malware-related practices.
That means that even if websites or apps collect your data (which happens quite often, even if you opt out), they'll have a much harder time sharing that data.
ExpressVPN's Threat Manager is available on iOS and iPadOS. However, it should soon extend to Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. To learn more about ExpressVPN's Threat Manager, click here.
DECEMBER 2021: Protection Against Log4Shell Vulnerability Now Part of ExpressVPN
In early December 2021, we started seeing reports online about Log4Shell, which turned out to be a severe vulnerability found in millions of applications, cloud services, individual servers, and more.
Originating in Log4j, the vulnerability was first patched by ExpressVPN, developing a solution to protect its users while being connected to secure servers. This was the first VPN to respond and one of the first cyber-sec companies to offer a solution for Log4Shell, being available only days after the reports started circulating online.
If you want to learn more, turn to our news piece that gives more information on ExpressVPN's solution for the Log4Shell vulnerability.
SEPTEMBER 2021: ExpressVPN Explains Its Connection to Daniel Gericke (ExpressVPN’s CIO)
In September 2021, it was uncovered that ExpressVPN’s CIO (Chief Information Officer) was aiding government-supported surveillance operations in the United Arab Emirates. Naturally, that caused a lot of attention to be focused on the VPN itself, questioning ExpressVPN’s honesty and dedication to keeping their customers safe on the Web.Â
Daniel Gericke, ExpressVPN’s CIO, has helped the VPN develop its privacy-protecting features. However, that same individual is now finding himself accused of malicious activities that have put the privacy of a considerable number of individuals in danger. More precisely, Gericke worked as a senior manager at an Emirates-based company between 2016 and 2019, whose goal was to execute computer network exploitation on behalf of the monarchy.Â
ExpressVPN was quick to respond that the company knew about Gericke’s activities. However, the company's stance is that Gericke's skills have helped ExpressVPN build its foundation and its high-end features.
TechNadu’s team approached ExpressVPN with questions related to Gericke's activities and involvement with the VPN itself. We were told that Gericke worked on ExpressVPN from the ground up, pushing the VPN to reduce the risk of internal threats.
Furthermore, everything related to ExpressVPN's privacy and software code requires a "four-eyes review" and multifactor authentication. And also, all ExpressVPN products are developed through rigorous, multi-person security testing before being deployed to its subscribers.Â
In all honesty, ExpressVPN has always been one of the most trustworthy VPNs out there, without any records of having a single of its customers exposed. With that said, we believe that ExpressVPN’s decision to hire an individual such as Gericke has only benefited its customers.Â
SEPTEMBER 2021: ExpressVPN Gets Acquired by Kape Technologies
Just recently, ExpressVPN announced a deal letting another company acquire this VPN. The new owner of ExpressVPN is Kape Technologies, which already owns Private Internet Access, CyberGhost VPN, and Zenmate VPN. The acquisition was sealed for $936 million and includes pretty much everything related to ExpressVPN, which will soon become one of Kape Technologies’ subsidiaries.
When approached by TechNadu’s team, ExpressVPN reassured us that none of its principles would change in the future. That means the VPN will continue employing its no-logs policy, as well as various technologies (like 'TrustedServer’) preventing their customers’ personal data from reaching its servers. Also, ExpressVPN will remain certified and part of several high-profile cybersecurity associations, giving us a signal that the VPN’s trustworthiness is still there.Â
VPNs such as CyberGhost VPN, Private Internet Access, and ZenMate VPN have remained practically the same since their respective acquisitions, without any indication that their privacy policies changed in the meantime. That gives us hope that ExpressVPN will remain one of the best-ranked VPN services for a long time to come.Â
SEPTEMBER 2021: ExpressVPN Gets Blocked in Russia (Alongside NordVPN & IPVanish)
For a while now, Russia has been trying to force VPNs to block access to certain websites based on decisions by the country's telecommunications regulatory agency. As expected, many VPNs have refused to implement such measures, leading to waves of VPNs being blocked in the country.Â
The latest victims of Russia’s VPN ban are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish, VPN Unlimited, Speedify VPN, and more. That means that ExpressVPN is no longer operational for Russian users, even though it's hard to say how successful this block will remain.Â
AUGUST 2021: ExpressVPN’s Lightway Protocol Gets Open-Sourced & Audited
As a way to highlight the safety and privacy that Lightway brings, ExpressVPN has open-sourced its premier VPN protocol. That means just about anyone can review Lightway’s code, presenting an option even for other VPNs to implement it in the future.
Due to its open-source nature, Lightway has become easy to review by cyber-sec experts and enthusiasts, showing us once again that ExpressVPN is dedicated to transparency.Â
Aside from open-sourcing the Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN hired an independent auditor to check the security of the protocol’s source code. Cure53 was hired, managing to identify several weaknesses, which have been resolved in the meantime. Head over to Cure53’s website to get the full report.
JANUARY 2021:Â ExpressVPN Gets a Complete Visual UI & UX Overhaul
Every couple of years, ExpressVPN takes a very drastic move of overhauling its visual design. That’s precisely what happened earlier this year, with ExpressVPN deciding to enter 2021 with a completely new UI and UX design. However, we’re not talking about cosmetic changes only.
In our dedicated news piece on ExpressVPN’s complete overhaul, you can read about the newly achieved uniformity across all of ExpressVPN’s apps. This VPN is now incredibly simple to use, highly polished in terms of its UI, with plenty of newly released features being consolidated and optimized to bring an unparalleled level of usability.Â
SEPTEMBER 2020: Partnership With LastPass
In September 2020, one of the most widely used password managers announced a partnership with ExpressVPN. We’re talking about LastPass, which now includes ExpressVPN as an additional tool in its arsenal of privacy-protecting features. Previously, companies like Dynabook (Toshiba), Hewlett-Packard, and Nokia have partnered with this VPN, which comes preinstalled on many laptops now.Â
That tells us that we’re dealing with a high-end VPN here, meeting the highest possible security and privacy standards, trusted by numerous companies around the world.
JULY 2019: Security & Privacy Audit Done by PwC
ExpressVPN isn’t afraid to have third-party cybersecurity companies audit its code. In the past, Code53 was hired to audit ExpressVPN’s Web browser extensions. And more recently, PwC was hired to audit the VPN’s privacy policy, codebase integrity, and TrustedServer technology.
ExpressVPN passed those security audits with flying colors, which doesn’t come as a surprise. No serious vulnerabilities were discovered, which gives us another reason to recommend this VPN to our readers.
JUNE 2019: Support For 5 Simultaneous Connections
The most significant limitation of ExpressVPN in the past was its number of simultaneous connections. However, the VPN has corrected that downside and now allows up to 5 devices to be used simultaneously (using a single account, of course).
Even though you can easily find VPNs that offer up to 10 simultaneous connections, it’s good to see ExpressVPN taking steps to be more competitive. In general, being able to connect to 5 servers at the same time should be enough for average (home) VPN users looking to protect their stationary and mobile devices.
APRIL 2019: 'TrustedServer' Technology Becomes Part of ExpressVPN
To protect its subscribers’ privacy, ExpressVPN no longer uses hard drives in its data centers. Instead, we’re talking about using RAM here. Even if ExpressVPN’s servers get sized (which had happened in the past), the VPN won’t have anything to provide to any third party.
What’s your opinion about ExpressVPN? Are you already a subscriber, or do you plan to become one? Let us know in the comments section below. And lastly, thanks for reading!