VPN Archives - Itechment

ProtonMail Launches VPN Service for Everyone, Includes a Free Tier

HIGHLIGHTS
ProtonMail’s ProtonVPN service is now available to all
The VPN service was being tested in last few months
The ProtonVPN also has a free tier for users
Switzerland-based ProtonMail has officially released its VPN service, ProtonVPN, which includes a free tier for users apart from paid options. The new virtual private network (VPN) service comes from the provider of end-to-end encrypted email app, ProtonMail, which was made available last year to all on Android and iOS through an app. To recall, ProtonMail was developed by researchers at MIT and CERN.

As expected from a VPN service, the ProtonVPN is developed to let users browse the Web without being tracked as well as also bypass online censorship.

ProtonMail Co-Founder Andy Yen on the launch of new VPN service said, “In the past year, we have seen more and more challenges against Internet freedom, now more than ever, we need robust tools for defending privacy, security, and freedom online.”
ProtonVPN’s free tier offers servers in three countries, and allows usage on one device though bandwidth speed isn’t guaranteed. The Basic tier of the service has been priced at EUR 4 per month (and EUR 48 annual fee), and offers access to all ProtonVPN servers across 14 countries as well as high speed bandwidth. It also allows usage on two devices. The Plus tier has been priced at EUR 8 per month (EUR 96 annual fee), and offers features like high bandwidth, connection to up to five devices, access to Secure Core, and Tor servers. The ProtonVPN Visionary tier offers top tier features like up to 10 devices allowed, highest bandwidth on offer, secure core and tor server access, and ProtonMail Visionary included as an add-on. The Visionary tier has been priced at EUR 24 (or EUR 288 annual fee).

One of the biggest highlights of the ProtonVPN is its secure core architecture which the maker claims routes users connection through encrypted tunnels. “ProtonVPN’s advanced security features ensure that an attacker cannot eavesdrop on your connection. It also allows you to access websites that might be blocked in your country. This means an advanced adversary who can monitor the network traffic at the exit server will not be able to discover the true IP address of ProtonVPN users, nor match browsing activity to that IP,” says the maker.

ProtonMail reveals that the secure core servers for the ProtonVPN are located in hardened data centres in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. ProtonVPN was being tested for few months ahead of final launch by the ProtonMail community consisting of over 10,000 members.

[“Source-ndtv”]

Apple CEO Tim Cook Speaks Up About Removal of VPN Apps in China

HIGHLIGHTS

Apple last month removed many VPN apps from the China App Store
CEO Cook commented on the removal during the earnings call on Tuesday
He said the store remains stocked with licensed VPN apps in China

Apple last month removed software allowing Internet users to skirt China’s ‘Great Firewall’ from its app store in the country, sparking criticism that it was bowing to Beijing’s tightening Web censorship.

Chinese Internet users have for years sought to get around heavy Internet restrictions, including blocks on Facebook and Twitter, by using foreign virtual private network (VPN) services.

ALSO SEEApple Doubles Down on China as Rivals Pull Ahead

Beijing mandated in January that all developers must obtain government licenses to offer VPNs, leading to the Apple decision.

During the Q3 2017 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the issue, “Essentially, as a requirement for someone to operate a VPN, they have to have a license from the government there. Earlier this year, they began a renewed effort to enforce that policy, and we were required by the government to remove some of the VPN apps from the App Store that don’t meet these new regulations. We understand that those same requirements are on other app stores, and as we checked through that, that is the case.”

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“We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like in other countries, we obey the laws where we do business,” Cook said. “And we strongly believe that participating in markets and bringing benefits to customers is in the best interest of the folks there and in other countries as well. And so we believe in engaging with governments even when we disagree,” Cook added.

Cook maintained that the App Store in China remained stocked with licensed VPN apps, including creations from developers outside that country.

ALSO SEEiPhone 8 Launch on Track, Signals Apple; Reports Strong iPhone Sales

“We are hopeful that over time, the restrictions we are seeing are loosened, because innovation really requires freedom to collaborate and communicate, and I know that is a major focus there,” Cook said.

[“Source-gadgets.ndtv”]

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