Today, ExpressVPN, a leading consumer privacy and security company, announces the UK launch of ExpressVPN Aircove, featuring new features that enhance security and speed for users. Aircove stands as the world’s first and only Wi-Fi 6 router with built-in VPN functionality, providing a user interface tailored for families seeking comprehensive protection. Developed by the same security experts behind ExpressVPN’s award-winning VPN software, Aircove offers users effortless home security with VPN protection right out of the box.

With Aircove, users can safeguard and encrypt every device in their homes within minutes, including smart TVs, voice assistants, and other smart home devices typically incompatible with VPN software. After its initial release in the US in 2022, Aircove is now available to customers in the UK.

This becomes particularly significant as 81% of Brits currently use smart devices for entertainment purposes, such as Smart TVs and streaming devices. Additionally, nearly a third rely on smart devices for building safety, utilizing smart cameras, house alarms, or smoke detectors. Alarming research reveals that 98% of all IoT device traffic remains unencrypted, posing a risk of potential data breaches via devices like baby monitors or other smart home gadgets.

Harold Li, Vice President of ExpressVPN, commented on the launch, stating, “The use of smart devices is growing significantly,  according to a recent study the average UK home now containing nine connected devices. By 2030, it is projected that there could be up to 50 billion IoT devices used worldwide. When you add traditional devices like laptops, tablets, and phones, it becomes increasingly challenging to keep track of and ensure the protection of every device. That’s why we created Aircove – to provide users with a simple, flexible, VPN-protected internet connection across every room, on every device, for every household member.”

Introducing Advanced Protection Features

Since its US launch, Aircove has received multiple product updates through auto-updates. The UK launch brings the addition of advanced protection features that will gradually roll out to all Aircove users in the coming days. These include Threat Manager (a tracker and malware blocker), an ad blocker, and parental controls to block adult sites and restrict internet access during specific times. Threat Manager prevents devices from communicating with known trackers or engaging in malicious behavior, while the ad blocker prevents advertising content from displaying during browsing sessions.

Aircove already simplifies the task of keeping children safe on devices 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, ensuring a safe online environment. For instance, parents can block their kids’ iPad access during evenings while allowing them to use the family computer for school work. Parental controls also extend to blocking adult sites and ads on all devices accessible to children, while Threat Manager protects against malicious third parties.

Enhanced Functionality and Privacy

Aircove’s features include a ‘Device Groups’ functionality, enabling users to effortlessly categorize their devices into up to five groups, each associated with a specific VPN location. This feature empowers users to easily assign devices to desired locations. For example, grouping smart TVs together and connecting them to a US location or placing a phone in the Paris group for French account banking. Additionally, Aircove allows multiple users or devices to utilize the VPN for various purposes without compromising one another’s activities.

User privacy and security were paramount in designing Aircove. For instance, sharing the home Wi-Fi network with visitors can be done by providing a QR code for scanning, eliminating the need for password sharing. Aircove’s auto-update feature ensures users always have the latest features and security enhancements, ensuring a safe and secure network.

Third-Party Audit for Enhanced Security and Trust

To bolster security and instill trust, ExpressVPN engaged cybersecurity firm Cure53 to conduct a penetration test and source code audit of Aircove before the launch. The audit, conducted between June and July 2022, demonstrated that the ExpressVPN team has achieved an excellent level of security for the audited components. Cure53 acknowledged the high priority given to security during development and affirmed the software’s robustness.

For further details, the full audit report on Aircove by Cure53 is available on Cure53’s website.

Aircove utilizes Wi-Fi 6 technology, delivering faster and more reliable wireless connectivity with speeds of 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, with a special launch price of US$169 (~£131).

Tony McChrystal, Director of ReputationDefender EMEA, offers insights into the influence of online reputation on individuals’ career prospects. In this role, he leads the Europe, Middle East, and Africa division of the world’s leading online reputation management company. This article delves into the topic of online reputation, highlighting how online content can affect an individual’s professional trajectory.

Online reputation management, commonly referred to as ‘ORM,’ empowers individuals and businesses to take control of the online discourse surrounding them. Online reputation plays a significant role in shaping how others perceive individuals during online searches. Every person and business possesses an online reputation, making it crucial to proactively manage and counteract misleading information to create a positive impression.

ORM essentially comprises two distinct cycles: a vicious cycle, where individuals neglect their online reputation and risk being affected by rumors and misinformation, and a virtuous cycle, where they actively cultivate a positive online presence.

Whether a recent graduate embarking on their career journey or a seasoned professional aiming for advancement, a lack of positive search results on Google can significantly impact job opportunities. As individuals climb the corporate ladder, prospective employers meticulously scrutinise their online reputation portfolio. Recruiters increasingly scour social media platforms to evaluate potential candidates. Consequently, a dearth of information about a candidate can raise doubts regarding their credibility, ultimately affecting their employability.

Both graduates and professionals need to pay close attention to their online reputation, considering that 69% of employers admit to conducting Google searches on job candidates as part of the screening process, according to a study by CareerBuilder. Social media content, including posts, pictures, and comments, can wield a substantial influence on an individual’s employability. In fact, the same study reveals that 54% of employers have rejected candidates based on their social media activity. This issue is particularly critical for job seekers aged 16 to 34, with 10% missing out on job opportunities directly due to their social media presence.

The internet has become the primary source of information today, with most people instinctively relying on it and making important decisions based on what they find online. According to research by Edelman Insights, two out of three individuals consider the internet the most reliable source of information about a person. When considering local businesses, 97% of people check online reviews, as reported by BIA Kelsey. These statistics underscore the potential impact negative online content can have on individuals and businesses.

For job seekers, maintaining an active presence on social media can be an invaluable asset, providing a platform to showcase their enthusiasm and expertise in their chosen field. However, it is crucial to evaluate whether all content portrays them in a positive light. A throwaway comment from years ago or mistakenly associated content could have devastating consequences on their professional life.

To assess their digital footprint, individuals should log out of their browsers to ensure search results are not influenced by their browsing history. When searching for oneself on Google, adding an occupation or city can help narrow down results and retrieve the most relevant content.

Most people do not venture beyond the first page of Google search results. However, if negative material appears on the first page, it can significantly impact a candidate’s job prospects. Content that can diminish the likelihood of being hired includes evidence of criminal behavior, indications of substance abuse, discriminatory statements, divulgence of confidential information about previous employers, provocative images or videos, and critical comments about former employers or colleagues.

For professionals aspiring to advance their careers, adopting a proactive approach to ORM is essential to ensure that their online reputation becomes an asset rather than a liability. Prudent steps for managing their digital footprint include adjusting privacy settings, actively building a positive online presence, addressing inaccuracies, and taking measures to remove negative content.

Whether at the beginning of their careers or already established, professionals must exercise caution before posting any content on social media, considering the significant and potentially long-lasting impact it can have.

Even after joining a company, employees should be aware that their social media posts remain subject to scrutiny, as more than half of employers admit to monitoring their employees’ social media activities. Although self-Googling might seem self-indulgent, it is a critical first step for career-oriented individuals to trace their digital footprint and safeguard their professional reputation.