Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 02:41 am
ExpressVPN, a leading company in consumer privacy and security, is thrilled to announce the launch of ExpressVPN Aircove in the UK, featuring exciting new features designed to enhance security and speed for users.
Aircove stands out as the world’s first and only Wi-Fi 6 router that comes with built-in VPN by default. It offers a user-friendly interface tailored for individuals seeking to safeguard their entire family. Developed by the same security experts behind ExpressVPN’s award-winning VPN software, Aircove provides users with effortless home security, delivering VPN protection right out of the box.
With Aircove, users can easily protect and encrypt all devices in their home within minutes. This includes smart TVs, voice assistants, and other smart home devices that may not typically support VPN software. After its successful launch in the US last year, Aircove is now available to customers in the UK.
This development is particularly crucial considering that 81% of Brits currently employ smart devices for entertainment purposes, such as Smart TVs and streaming devices. Additionally, almost a third of users employ smart devices for safety measures, utilizing smart cameras, house alarms, or smoke detectors. Concerningly, a recent study discovered that 98% of all IoT device traffic remains unencrypted, leaving personal and confidential data vulnerable to potential extraction by attackers via baby monitors or other smart home devices.
Harold Li, Vice President of ExpressVPN, expressed, “The use of smart devices is growing significantly,
according to a recent study the average UK home now containing nine connected devices. By 2030, there could be up to 50 billion IoT devices in use worldwide. When we factor in traditional devices like laptops, tablets, and phones, it becomes challenging to ensure that every device connected to your home Wi-Fi network is adequately protected. That’s why we developed Aircove – to provide users with a simple and flexible VPN-protected internet connection in every room, on every device, for every member of the household.”
Introducing Advanced Protection
Following its initial launch in the US, Aircove has received multiple product updates through the auto-update feature. The UK launch introduces advanced protection features that will gradually roll out to all Aircove users over the next few days.
These advanced protection features include Threat Manager, which blocks trackers and malware, an ad blocker, and parental controls that allow users to block adult sites and restrict internet access at certain times. Threat Manager prevents all devices from communicating with known third parties involved in tracking or engaging in malicious behavior. The ad blocker prevents the display of advertising content while browsing.
Aircove already simplifies keeping children safe on any device connected to the home Wi-Fi network, and the new parental control settings allow parents to further customize their kids’ internet experience. Users can create device groups for their children, set time limits, block adult sites, and content. For instance, parents can block their kids’ iPad access in the evenings while still permitting the use of the family computer for school work. The parental controls also enable users to block adult sites and ads on all devices accessible to their children, while protecting them from malicious third parties with Threat Manager.
These advanced protection features provide Aircove users with even greater control over their online privacy and data usage.
Additional Key Features and Functions
Aircove includes the popular “Device Groups” feature, enabling users to conveniently assign their devices to up to five groups, each with its own VPN location. This feature allows users to easily set specific devices to connect through designated locations. For example, smart TVs can be grouped together to connect to a US location, while a mobile phone can be assigned to a Paris group for banking purposes. Users can also include devices, such as a home printer, in a no VPN group to enable local network functionality.
Aircove allows multiple users or devices to utilize the VPN for different purposes without compromising each other’s activities.
Prioritizing user privacy and security, Aircove offers features such as sharing the home Wi-Fi network with visitors through a simple QR code scanning process, eliminating the need for password sharing. Aircove also includes an auto-update feature, ensuring users always have the latest features and security enhancements to maintain network safety and security.
Harold Li added, “With Aircove’s plug-and-play simplicity, we are revolutionizing digital home protection. By delivering our award-winning software in an easy-to-use router device, we’re excited to offer users another way to leverage the best of ExpressVPN for their entire home.”
Third-Party Audit for Enhanced Security and Trust
ExpressVPN prioritizes security and trust by inviting cybersecurity firm Cure53 to conduct a penetration test and source code audit of Aircove before its launch. The test, conducted between June and July 2022, confirmed that the ExpressVPN team had achieved an exemplary security level for the audited components.
Cure53 expressed their satisfaction with the audit, stating, “Cure53 is pleased to report that the ExpressVPN team has established a first-rate security level for the components in focus following the completion of this audit. Overall, the code organization and quality made a positive impression, indicating that security was a high priority during development and an integral aspect of the software’s life cycle.”
To gain further insight, interested readers can access the full audit report on Aircove on Cure53’s website.
Aircove utilizes Wi-Fi 6 technology to provide faster and more reliable wireless connectivity, allowing for speeds up to 1,200 Mbps (600 Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1,200 Mbps for 5GHz). It covers homes up to 150 square meters and is available for purchase in the UK on Amazon, starting today, at a special launch price of US$169 (~£131).
