Aircove by ExpressVPN Becomes the First Device with Lightway 2.0, and Improvements Continue.
The new VPN router promises to be faster, provide greater privacy, and offer enhanced security.
ExpressVPN has released a significant update for its router with built-in VPN, the Aircove. This new version promises improvements in speed, security, and privacy for the Aircove and Aircove Go devices. Among the new features is a guest Wi-Fi function that offers greater control over privacy, as well as up to double the connection speeds compared to previous versions. Additionally, these models are the first to incorporate the new Lightway protocol, developed in Rust.
The AircoveOS v5 update has undergone a successful audit by cybersecurity experts at Cure53, validating ExpressVPN's security infrastructure. The design of this update has been largely based on direct feedback from users. David Gilbert, product manager for Aircove, commented, "We listened carefully to what mattered most: from faster connections to isolated network access for friends and family, and we've built these improvements into every aspect of the Aircove architecture."
Among the enhancements, the Aircove is expected to achieve speeds of up to 330 Mbps using ExpressVPN's Lightway TCP protocol. While it may not yet match the fastest VPNs, it represents a considerable improvement and is more than sufficient for most online activities without delays.
The new guest Wi-Fi feature allows for isolating untrusted devices on a separate network, ensuring these devices benefit from the same robust VPN encryption without the risks of interacting with other devices on the home network. Similar to the existing device group feature, the guest Wi-Fi group can be customized by setting different VPN locations and activating advanced protections such as ad blockers and parental controls.
The Aircove and Aircove Go are pioneers in adopting the Lightway protocol, which promises to make the VPN experience faster and more secure. Rust, the programming language used, is designed to maximize performance and security, facilitating the implementation of new solutions and code improvements.
Cure53 evaluated the security of AircoveOS v5 and found no significant vulnerabilities in the reviewed code. Gilbert concluded, "The result is our most secure and highest-performing operating system to date, and we are excited to offer an enhanced VPN router experience with Aircove."
