If you're looking to boost your online privacy, it's likely you've read that using one of the best VPN services is the best way to go about it. We would know at TechRadar we're always writing about VPNs, and recommend our favorite providers.
However, security firm INVISV is arguing that a VPN isn't the right tool from a privacy and security standpoint.
This is why it has developed its INVISV Relay (opens in new tab) software that, it claims, is a better option for protecting users' data.
But, how do multi-party relays (MPRs) work in practice? And, can it really fully replace your virtual private network?
"We're challenging something basic in that space: that to protect our privacy we need to hand over our data to some specific company (like a VPN provider) who will supposedly protect us," said INVISV co-founder Barath Raghavan.
According to Raghavan and his business partner Paul Schmitt, the issue lies on the software infrastructure that implies a degree of trust between users and software providers. The same concept also applies to companies behind the best antivirus software or secure email services, for example.
They also believe that independent VPN audits - a growing practice across the privacy sector - cannot fully address this security flaw either, as these still rely on a certain degree of trust from users. Whereas, according to INVISV, it's better to put the protections directly into the software architecture.
"There's so many of these kinds of third parties that they say 'trust us, send us your data and we will fix your security or privacy problem,'" Raghavan told TechRadar. "This is not really the right design for privacy."
Available only on Android devices, INVISV Relay is an MPR, designed on the principle that none of the parties involved can see in full any user-linkable data.However, INVISV Relay certainly isn't the first MPR around. Apple Private Relay is indeed a very similar tool available for iOS.
Both these apps are built on a privacy design formulated by US computer scientist David Chaum in the 1980s something known as the Decoupling Principle.
Here, the data traffic travels across two separate servers run by two distinct organizations. Theoretically, none of the party involved can see the full string of information, meaning that it won't be possible associate users' identity with their activities.
Tor browser, for example, is built on the same premise described as "onion routing". However, being a free software and generally using three layer of encryption as a default, Tor lacks the level of performance that most mobile users might require.
"What we have done has been creating something that has the right privacy principle but is fast," said Raghavan, promising that INVISV Relay can run as fast as your normal browsing connection.
For doing so, the service uses one of the best CDN networks around, Fastly (opens in new tab), as it implements the encryption protocol known as IETF Masque that combines TLS-encrypted HTTPS connections with reliable and fast performance. It's also open-source, meaning that anyone can check out the network for vulnerabilities.
Your data will leave your device passing through a TLS-encrypted tunnelto reach the first server run by INVISV. As the company explained to us, this server will be able to see just a stream of encrypted data traveling from your IP address to the next hop, the one operated by Fastly.
At this point, Fastly will decrypt your data in transit but it will be able to see this as coming from the INVISV server instead of a specific user. It will then route your information to your final destination.
So, MPRs appear to have the potential to better secure your online data without the worry that the companies involved might store or leak your sensitive information.
However, there are still a wide range of use cases where opting for a VPN is the better bet.
First of all, both INVISV Relay and Apple Private Relay are available for mobile devices only at the moment Android and iOS, respectively. This means that a VPN is still the best solution to browse the web anonymously on your laptop or PC while enjoying fast connection speeds.
Also, a key limitation of any MPRs is that they are not designed for those looking to change their IP address. So, if you want to bypass any kind of online restrictions be it your school or workspace firewall or your government's online censorship you still need a good VPN to do so.
One of the most popular VPN uses isn't even to do with security - it's about streaming. By connecting to various servers around the world, VPN users can spoof their virtual location and access streaming content that's unavailable or prohibitively expensive in their own region. Since MPRs don't affect your virtual location, this is off the table.
"What we're really trying to point out is that there's just a different way to protect privacy that people should be doing," explains Raghavan."We're trying to provide something that's practical for the average user, that will just improve their privacy without the need to rely on any promises from anybody."
So, for those simply looking to protect their browsing and decouple their identity from their browsing habits, an MPR is a good choice. However, if you're looking for any of the other benefits traditionally offered by VPNs, an MPR can't deliver.
Read this article:
This security firm claims to have the right tool for your privacy, and it's not a VPN - TechRadar
- Tor Browser Bundle - Free download and software reviews ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Tor - Official Site [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Tor Browser (M-S0FT) - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Downloading torrents in utorrent using tor browser - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Tor Browser installieren [Tutorial deutsch] - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- TOR BROWSER KURULUM+KULLANIM - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- tor browser descargar e instalar - Video [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Entering the Deep Web-Deep Web Url link (2014) - Video [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2014]
- Red Onion Tor Browser for iPhone - Video [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2014]
- working referral link to agora hidden market place -new url ( onion site ) - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- how to install TOR Browser On LINUX - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- Tor Browser Free Download/Install|Free Latest Version|64/32 bit Windows|2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2014]
- How to Install the New Tor Browser in Kali Linux - Video [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2014]
- Grams Darknet black market search engine demo - Video [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2014]
- How to download and use Tor browser [4K] - Video [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2014]
- Free App Lets the Next Snowden Send Big Files Securely and Anonymously [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- How to get free 7 day trials for XBL works as of May 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- Free Access to Deep Web (HIdden Wikki)(Tor Browser)-free 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Cybersecurity official uses Tor but still gets caught with child porn [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Federal Cybersecurity Director Found Guilty on Child Porn Charges [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Browse Anonymously, Browse Safely - The App Center [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Tor Browser for iOS - Free download and software reviews ... [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Softonic - Tor Browser - Download [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Review: Tor Browser Bundle lets you browse in anonymity ... [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Guide to using the Tor Browser Bundle for secure communication - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- What is the Tor Browser? - Tor Project: Anonymity Online [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Tor Browser - Problem Connecting? [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Hack-Bypass Hotspot (Mikrotik) With Tor Browser - Video [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Using tor-browser on ubuntu 14.04 LTS - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2014]
- Download Tor Browser Bundle 3 6 5 For Win, Mac, Linux - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- Tor browser NOT SAFE without this quick step - Video [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2014]
- Why a thinly sourced, unverified report about Comcast has the Web in an uproar [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- Comcast Denies It Will Cut Off Customers Who Use Tor, The Web Browser For Criminals (CMCSA) [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- Comcast calls rumor that it disconnects Tor users wildly inaccurate [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- Guns, drugs and freedom: the great dark net debate [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2014]
- How to instal Tor Browser - Video [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2014]
- How to use the Tor Browser to surf the web anonymously [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2014]
- Download and Install Tor Browser Bundle - Video [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]
- TOR Browser: Safe to use 2014? - Yahoo Answers [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2014]
- install tor browser for kali linux 1.0.9 - Video [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2014]
- Alex Jones Interviews Creator of TOR Browser- Infowars September 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2014]
- Dreaming of a Tor Button for Firefox [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2014]
- Tor Executive Director Hints At Firefox Integration [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2014]
- Install tor browser on kali linux - Video [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2014]
- How to install TOR browser bundle on sparkylinux 32bit - Video [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Firefox could be adding built-in Tor support for improved private browsing [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Download Tor Browser Windows 3.6 Keygen Crack [No Survey] - Video [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2014]
- Tor Browser Bundle: Download & Start - Tutorial deutsch - Video [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2014]
- Morsay Enqute exclusif les combats de Rue - Video [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2014]
- With This Tiny Box, You Can Anonymize Everything You Do Online [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2014]
- Tor Browser Cheat TankPit - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2014]
- Anonabox plug-and-pay router wants to bring Tor to the masses [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2014]
- Anonabox Promises Total Online Anonymity That's Easy, Open Source, and Cheap [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2014]
- Investors flock to tiny device that promises online anonymity [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2014]
- This tiny box anonymises all your online actions [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2014]
- How to run all your Internet's programs thru Tor Browser - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2014]
- Tails 1.2 : Released with Tor Browser 4.0 - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2014]
- Tor Browser Windows 3.6 Crack Download Free / Download No Survey 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: October 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2014]
- How to Use the Tor Browser Bundle - Video [Last Updated On: October 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2014]
- Access Blocked site using Tor Browser and chrome [2014] - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2014]
- Be Anonymous Online : TOR Browser - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2014]
- Tor Browser 4.0 is released | The Tor Blog [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2014]
- Menggunakan TOR Browser - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2014]
- How to install and run TOR browser on Kali Linux - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2014]
- How to install and use the Tor browser in windows... - Video [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2014]
- Setup Tor Browser on Mac OS 10 - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2014]
- Facebook Just Created a Custom Tor Link and That's Awesome [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- How to Use Deep Web Using Tor Browser - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- Facebook opens up to Tor users with new secure .onion address [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- How to use the Tor browser and the Open PGP applet - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- tor browser [MEDIAFIRE][NO SURVEY] - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2014]
- Facebookcorewwwi.onion ( Preview ) - Video [Last Updated On: November 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2014]
- How to use Tor for Facebook (Windows, Mac & Linux) [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2014]
- Tor Browser Bundle - Secure your Web surfing - [Free Download] - Video [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2014]
- The Law Scores a Victory Against Dark Net Denizens [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2014]
- Tor Browser New 4 - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2014]
- How to (Install- Enable) Flash Player on Tor Browser - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2014]
- Tor Browser New 2 - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2014]
- Tor Browser New 1 - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2014]
- Developer edition and privacy are Firefoxs 10th birthday present for the world [Last Updated On: November 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2014]