Virtual private network provider ExpressVPN has released a new VPN protocol that it says will provide faster, more reliable, and more secure connections. Typically, VPN providers use off-the-shelf protocols for their solutions, but ExpressVPN decided to build its new offering, Lightway, from scratch. “Most VPN services are based on a standard set of protocols, methods by which your device connects to a VPN server, each with their own strengths and weaknesses,” the ExpressVPN blog explains. “But ExpressVPN set out to create a whole new protocol to meet modern needs. The result is Lightway, which is now available to all ExpressVPN subscribers on the ExpressVPN apps for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers, with iOS on the way. "Customer response to the new VPN protocol has been positive so far, with many praising its speed and low battery consumption. The latest version of the ExpressVPN app, which uses the new protocol, currently has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 according to user surveys.
Maximum performance
Based on its years of experience in the industry, ExpressVPN claims to have tuned Lightway to ensure maximum performance. The protocol is not cluttered with legacy features, making it extremely lightweight, comprising only around 1,000 lines of code. As a result, ExpressVPN users should only take a fraction of a second to establish a VPN connection, depending on their own network capabilities. Lightway automatically re-establishes the connection when devices change networks or if a connection drops unexpectedly. Security is also a key consideration of the new protocol, which uses WolfSSL's cryptography library to protect connections. ExpressVPN users can test the new Lightway protocol now by updating the app to the latest version and changing the protocol settings. Additionally, the company confirmed that Lightway's core library will soon be open sourced, giving the service more transparency.- We've also highlighted the best proxy service providers.