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ExpressVPN's Open Source Browser Extension

ExpressVPN OpenSource Browser Extension

It is no secret that the internet has really grown over the last 10 years but like with most things there are both good and bad sides to it. Nowadays, it is kind of difficult to tell whether you are truly safe whenever you browse the web. With reports of people having their information stolen from them and activities monitored, it’s easy to see why one would become paranoid when going online.

This is the reason why many users install VPN programs like ExpressVPN on their devices to keep their browsing experience safe and anonymous. Unlike antiviruses, a VPN’s main purpose is to hide one’s IP address and prevent it from being tracked or monitored by their ISP and other third parties.

ExpressVPN has recently released an open-source browser extension for Google Chrome. This app has been given plenty of high reviews from several reliable tech authorities and platforms. If you were to read any ExpressVPN review on the internet right now, you would likely see the following reasons as to why it is held in such high regard:

  • Unlimited downloads
  • 30-day money back guarantee
  • Fast browsing speeds
  • User-friendly interface
  • Kill switch feature
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Thousands of servers to choose from
  • Compatible with multiple devices including Android, Linux, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
  • 256-bit secure encryption (U.S. government-grade security for data)

With such a solid reputation in the VPN community, users should have no problem feeling confident about this browser extension. Does it live up to the hype though? Let us find out, shall we?

Testing Their Security

ExpressVPN did not earn a good reputation by just sitting around. One of their approaches to ensuring that they have top security is through independent third-party testing. They often engage in penetration testers and security auditors to help them test out their security.

These audits were once used to strengthen their security, but with the VPN industry constantly involving they have opened their eyes to the importance of being more transparent by publishing their results.

Their latest audit involves collaborating with Cure53, one of the most respected cybersecurity firms in the world. They provided Cure53’s experts with complete access to their builds and source codes. According to the firm’s independent report, the Chrome browser extension assessment came back with some “positive” results.

Approximately eight (8) issues were identified by Cure53 during their investigation, but none of these issues gave a security level threat that went higher than “medium”. According to the firm, this is an indication of “good security”.

In layman’s terms, there were no issues found that would otherwise have a fundamental impact on the core security features of ExpressVPN’s browser extension.

What Are Its Limitations?

While ExpressVPN has plenty of positive features that make it worth trying out, it is not without its limitations. For starters, there is a limit to the number of connections allowed for one account. Each ExpressVPN account is only allowed to connect to up to three (3) devices, which can be a problem for users who wish to access multiple devices with their accounts.

The company itself is also known for being secretive and there is really no indication or suggestion to know the people running it. However, this is a common practice in the VPN industry and is a fair bargain considering how they provide users with complete privacy when browsing.

As you can see, the limitations of ExpressVPN really don’t have that much of an impact on its overall performance. The only serious limitation that is worth noting is its limited number of connections for one account, but this all comes down to personal preference in the end.

What Does the Browser Extension Do?

The browser extension lets the user control the ExpressVPN app through their Firefox and Google Chrome browsers. Aside from keeping one’s web browsing activities secure and anonymous, the browser extension also allows users to spoof their HTML5 geolocation. This feature is useful for those who wish to keep their actual locations a secret anytime they browse the internet.

Why It’s Worth Trying Out

Even if you’re not an expert on VPNs and web browsers in general, ExpressVPN’s user-friendly interface is made for users of all experience levels. It doesn’t require any technical know-how and even those who are not that tech-savvy will find themselves getting the hang of it rather quickly.

It also has a zero data-logging policy which means your browsing activities will remain anonymous even to ExpressVPN itself.

It has also been optimized to unblock certain content streaming websites like Hulu, Netflix, and Kodi. Fans of the NFL will also love this because ExpressVPN will let them keep up with their favorite teams with the International Season Pass. The browser extension can also perform consistently well with WebRTC, DNS, and IP leak tests.

Unlike other VPNs that sometimes affect browsing speed, ExpressVPN has high-speed connections. This means you can browse the web and download files without feeling like the connection is being throttled. It also allows users to torrent large-sized files with unlimited bandwidth.

With all of these great features, there is simply no reason for one to not try out ExpressVPN’s open-source browser extension. It provides users with stability, security, and value all in one easy-to-use package.

By: Michael Miller
Michael is the CEO of VPN Online, one of the fastest-growing media companies in the cyber-security space. VPN Online was started in 2019 after Michael consulted with many Fortune 500 companies and saw the lack of understanding about cybersecurity many of their employees had.