PIA makes WireGuard default in v3.8.0 update, claims faster Windows speeds

In patch notes cited by TechRadar, PIA says the driver can increase WireGuard speeds by more than three times on higher-bandwidth systems. WireGuard is a more modern and less CPU-intensive protocol than OpenVPN, and TechRadar notes it is faster on average across device types. PIA had previously offered WireGuard as an optional protocol while using OpenVPN as standard. Making WireGuard the default gives users quicker access to a faster connection in most circumstances, the report says.

OpenVPN remains available as an optional protocol, which TechRadar says will be welcome for businesses and large networks that rely on its developed infrastructure. For Windows users, the update also adds the OpenVPN DCO kernel driver. According to the report, that driver can boost connection bandwidth by up to 100 per cent depending on the system and connection specifications. OpenVPN is generally slower than WireGuard, so PIA is adding speed improvements for users who keep the older protocol.

The update adds the AmneziaWG protocol to Linux and macOS, making it possible to obfuscate VPN use. While most consumer VPNs disguise web traffic, obfuscation disguises the fact that a user is connecting through a VPN. TechRadar reports that this is useful for getting around VPN blockers in regions or environments that restrict VPN use. The addition means Linux and macOS users can hide VPN use if necessary while retaining WireGuard's fast connection speeds and light resource usage. Users can activate the Amnezia protocol by going to the Protocol page, selecting WireGuard, and switching on Obfuscation, according to the report.

The release also patches a macOS bug that left the app hanging if split tunnelling system extension setup was left incomplete in system settings. TechRadar notes that PIA has not always been the best for regular updates and expansions, but recently the Colorado-based firm has issued a string of useful updates. Those include expanding its server network and adding an F-Droid app for de-Googled Android users. Most recently, PIA added 10 new locations to its server network across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.

TechRadar says the update cadence gives PIA a better chance of holding onto its spot as one of the best cheap VPNs on the market. The v3.8.0 release keeps OpenVPN available for users who need it, while shifting the default to WireGuard and adding an obfuscation option on desktop platforms where VPN restrictions can be a concern.

Editor's Summary

PIA's v3.8.0 update makes WireGuard the default protocol across platforms, adds a Windows kernel driver and OpenVPN DCO driver, and brings AmneziaWG obfuscation to Linux and macOS. The company says the changes can more than triple WireGuard speeds on higher-bandwidth systems and boost OpenVPN bandwidth by up to 100 per cent. The release follows recent server and app expansions by the Colorado-based VPN provider.