ProtonMail Launches VPN Application for macOS
1.6.2018 securityweek  Apple

Encrypted email service provider ProtonMail on Wednesday announced the availability of a virtual private network (VPN) service for macOS users.

Initially introduced for some of its paid ProtonMail users in early 2017, the VPN service saw a wider launch on Windows last year, and also arrived on Android in January 2018. Last year, the CERN-founded company also launched a Tor hidden service and an encrypted contacts manager.

Following a beta testing period, the Swiss-based service provider is now making the VPN application available for all macOS users, allowing them to easily protect their Internet connections. Users who already have a ProtonVPN or ProtonMail account only need to download the application, log in, and start using it immediately.

Developed by the same team behind ProtonMail, the VPN service takes advantage of technologies such as Secure Core and Tor integration and is available for free with no ads. Furthermore, the company claims that users can enjoy it without worrying about malware or monetization of user data.

“With our VPN for Mac application, it is now extremely simple to switch countries, create custom profiles, connect to the Tor network, and route your traffic through our Secure Core servers. Not to mention all the essential perks of ProtonVPN, like hiding your IP address, defending against cyber-attacks, and unblocking censored content,” ProtonMail says.

Users opting for the free plan get unlimited bandwidth and access to servers in three continents. Upgrade options are available for those looking to gain access to more servers and extra features.

Many members of the ProtonMail community have requested the macOS app, the company says. Over the past months, the service provider has worked closely with over ten thousand beta testers to address bugs in the application and ensure it is not only easy to use, but also visually appealing.

The macOS app also takes advantage of the modern IKEv2 protocol for higher performance, providing users with a faster and more stable connection (it promises speeds of more than 300 Mbps, under the right conditions).

Users will be able to easily connect to any country with a single click, to choose from the available Secure Core servers, Tor servers, and P2P servers, and to create and save custom connection profiles. A VPN kill switch is also available, designed to cut the Internet if the connection to the VPN drops, thus preventing data from leaking when the VPN is not connected.

“More people are starting to wake up to the fact that privacy matters, and it is important to make tools like VPN widely accessible, especially for the over 1.5 billion people around the world who live under Internet surveillance and censorship,” Dr. Andy Yen, CEO of ProtonMail, said in a statement.