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Surfshark is looking to revolutionize the VPN industry, as it launches Dausos – its new proprietary VPN protocol/.
Many of the best VPNs operate their own protocols, but Dausos is the only one to offer users their own private data tunnel. Nobody else shares your tunnel, and this means improved performance, less interference, and, according to Surfshark, a 30% improvement in speeds.
The protocol is quantum secure and has been fully audited by Cure53 – and it's coming to Surfshark's Mac VPN app first.
30% faster than the industry standard
Surfshark claims that Dausos can result in speeds 30% higher than the current VPN protocols. This is down to its ability to provide a dedicated tunnel for each user's session, which Surfshark says will "dynamically adapt to network conditions and device capabilities by intelligently distributing user data packets."
Traditional VPN tunnels typically operate a single tunnel for all users on a given server. Changing this approach results in "optimized performance tailored to the user's specific network configuration."
Karolis Kaciulis, Leading System Engineer at Surfshark explained that this means "smooth, uninterrupted connectivity" for Surfshark's users. You're separate from everyone else and there's no interference.
"A key security aspect of this protocol is the isolation of user data traffic. While the risk of cross-traffic exposure in modern VPNs is very low, our unique protocol design goes the extra mile to ensure a clean, private, and secure path for each user's data," Kaciulis went on to say.
"Furthermore, the protocol's unique design avoids unnecessary and redundant checking of data packets, which enhances connection performance and even further prevents the theoretical possibility of data packets interfering with each other," concluded Kaciulis.
We haven't yet had the chance to run our own speed tests with Dausos, but Surfshark's internal testing reported an average download speed of 318 Mbps – compared to WireGuard's 244 Mbps.
In our latest speed tests, Surfshark's WireGuard speeds peaked at 1,021 Mbps. If the 30% figure is true, and scaled up, Dausos has the potential to reach approximately 1,300 Mbps.
Exceeding security standards
Dausos utilises full post-quantum encryption. A hybrid key exchange is used to protect your data. It combines X25519, the trusted, modern standard, with ML-KEM, the new industry standard.
Surfshark created its own post-quantum "self-signed root certificate authority issuing system." Essentially this is what your device uses to check websites, software, and connections are what they say they are.
As post-quantum encryption becomes more widespread, post-quantum certificates will be needed. Kaciulis said Surfshark "wanted to be at the forefront and adopt this technology as soon as possible."
Dausos generates new key pairs for every new session and re-keying instance, without any relation to previous sessions. This means if a key is lost, nothing can be derived from it and your data remains secure.
Ports, for server connections, are randomized, adding additional layers of security. The use of AESGIS-256X2 cryptographic algorithms combines speed and secure, authenticated encryption. Kaciulis said this allows Surfshark "to advance current VPN technology and offer users a faster, more secure VPN experience."
Audited and patented
Cure53 conducted a penetration test and source code audit of Dausos, with a focus on the connected architecture and cryptography. No critical or high severity findings were found and Dausos was seen as "a stable and resilient platform."
Surfshark has also filed a patent for Dausos, and it is available now to Surfshark's Mac VPN users, with support for further platforms coming soon.
To access Dausos, ensure your Surfshark app is up to date. Then navigate to Settings → VPN Settings → Protocols, and select Dausos.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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