In a bid to enhance user anonymity, ExpressVPN has launched a new feature called ShuffleIP.
When users connect to ExpressVPN, their device is assigned a different IP address—owned by ExpressVPN and shared by numerous users. This not only masks the user’s original IP but can also make it appear as if they are in a different country.
ShuffleIP takes this a step further by dynamically changing the IP address for each web server or website accessed. This occurs without requiring the user to change their server location manually. Instead, most VPN servers in the ExpressVPN network use a pool of IP addresses, known as a swarm, from which an IP is randomly assigned each time a new outgoing connection is made.
This means that while users maintain the same VPN location, their IP address changes with each new website they visit. This added layer of anonymity makes it extremely difficult for any observer, even those with access to the user’s device, to track or link activities to specific servers or build profiles based on browsing habits.
ExpressVPN encourages users to test this feature by searching for “what is my IP” in a search engine and visiting different websites to see varying IP addresses. However, it is important to note that not all servers support this feature, including virtual locations that use a single IP address.
Mobile device users particularly benefit from this frequent IP change. Mobile connections often break and recreate, which leads to new IP assignments each time the app reconnects. This process complicates any form of traffic analysis.
ExpressVPN ensures that even in locations without ShuffleIP, privacy is maintained through strong encryption and shared IP addresses, backed by a strict no-logs policy. However, the dynamic IP assignment of ShuffleIP offers an additional layer of privacy by preventing identifiable patterns that could be recognized by observers.
Unlike traditional VPN methods, which assign a single IP to all traffic on a device and switch IPs periodically, ShuffleIP assigns a different IP for each web server connection. This approach reduces the risk of creating identifiable patterns and enhances overall anonymity.
The ShuffleIP feature is specifically designed for web traffic, which constitutes the majority of network traffic. It ensures seamless handling of web traffic, without interrupting ongoing activities such as streaming or online transactions. While most user activities benefit from this enhanced privacy, other types of traffic, such as gaming or VoIP, maintain stability and performance.
ShuffleIP is included in ExpressVPN’s service at no additional cost, reflecting their commitment to advancing user privacy and security.
