Articles by Silvia Iacovcich, Contributing Writer

Silvia Iacovcich is a tech journalist with over five years of experience in the field, including AI, cybersecurity, and fintech. She has written for various publications focusing on the evolving regulatory landscape of AI, digital behavior, web3, and blockchain, as well as social media privacy and security regulations.

Silvia is fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, and also knows a little Russian. Outside of work, she reads a lot (not just tech books, although many are) and enjoys hiking, running, and trying new types of beers.

Articles by: Silvia Iacovcich

Lighthouse in the night, with Amnezia VPN and Digital Rights Defenders logos on top

Amnezia VPN now supports human rights defenders with free premium VPN subscriptions

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 4 August 26

Amnezia VPN and Civil Rights Defenders have launched a public call to provide free VPN subscriptions to human rights activists and journalists.

Private Internet Access now lets you ditch Google as it brings its VPN app to F-Droid

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 4 August 26

PIA has launched its Android app on the open-source app store, giving Big Tech skeptics an alternative way to install its service.

Updating your app might not keep you safe: How outdated OpenVPN code leaves VPNs exposed

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 29 July 26

Our audit of Windows VPNs uncovers a graveyard of old OpenVPN configurations, with more than 50% of apps using versions over a year old.

Surfshark’s FastTrack now covers more than 2.000 servers — your city might be on the list too

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 17 July 26

Surfshark extends its FastTrack technology to thousands of servers across all continents and now covers more than half of its entire network. Here’s why it matters

NordVPN is now part of Mastercard’s lifestyle perks — find out if you are eligible

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 13 July 26

Mastercard cardholders can now sign up for a NordVPN subscription without paying a penny. Here's all you need to know.

'The death of privacy online' — Proton launches interactive map to show age verification laws are spreading fast

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 13 July 26

Proton has launched an interactive map to show that age verification laws are spreading faster than people might realize.

Google signage at the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, US, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Google's update on IP tracking has crossed a new line — here's why a VPN is more crucial than ever

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 6 July 26

Google will soon start tracking users' IP addresses for advertising measurement purposes, also in the UK and EEA. Here's what this means for your privacy and how a VPN can help.

A general view of stadium video board signaling a Powerade Hydration Break during the FIFA World Cup 2026

American soccer fans turn to VPNs to dodge the World Cup's hydration break ads

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 4 July 26

Americans hate hydration break ads and are massively turning to VPNs to avoid them, says Planet VPN.

Big letters AI in pink in front of pink and blue strands of light suggesting a digital explosion

Big Tech slapped with $3.5bn in fines for using your personal data to train AI — and 'it could be only the beginning,' warns Surfshark

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 25 June 26

Surfshark found that 9 out of 10 AI-related fines concern the unlawful use of personal data. But the enforceability of privacy protections remains a key challenge.

Proton VPN new mobile app interface – promo image

Security experts reveal Proton VPN avoids internal tunnel IP fingerprinting on iOS

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 19 June 26

According to a security researcher at Mysk, Proton VPN successfully dodges internal tunnel IP fingerprinting on iOS.

'This is an important release' — Amnezia VPN strengthens its apps to fight Russia's new approach to VPN blocking in latest update

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 12 June 26

The VPN continues to strengthen its resilience as attacks become more sophisticated

PureVPN has turned ChatGPT into a VPN assistant that handles the tedious manual tasks for you

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 12 June 26

PureVPN has launched its integrated ChatGPT-powered assistant, providing a conversational, AI-powered VPN experience. Here's how.

ExpressVPN promo images: Identity Defender app on the left, ExpressMailGuard on the right

'No critical findings' — ExpressVPN’s new products get thumbs up from third-party security audit in firm's 27th round of independent review

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 1 June 26

ExpressVPN has undergone 27 audits, clearing the bar for its ExpressMailGuard and Identity Defender. Here's why it matters.

The FBI flag (Federal Bureau of Investigation) painted on a brick wall.

FBI confirms 25 ransomware groups using First VPN’s now seized services — here’s what we know

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 29 May 26

FBI links First VPN’s activities to gangs involved in cybercrime and calls for tighter security controls and behavioural monitoring to prevent cyberattacks.

Someone holding a passport with two boarding passes inside it

Travelling back from Asia? Surfshark warns against the silent data collection of the most popular local travel apps

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 9 May 26

Surfshark’s latest research reveals that the most popular travel apps in Asia are real data hoarders

Man looking at phone surrounded by price tags relating to his personal data

How much is your digital identity worth? NordVPN's new tool reveals the true price of identity theft

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 8 May 26

NordVPN has launched a calculator that helps you work out how much your digital footprint costs on the dark web

Norton VPN enters the AI agent space with 'first truly AI native' VPN for agents

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 4 May 26

Norton VPN has launched VPN for Agents, its AI-native VPN built for autonomous AI agents. Here's all you need to know.

You heard right — NordVPN has rolled out an AI voice checker to protect you from audio deepfakes on Chrome

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 1 May 26

NordVPN has just launched a new feature for its Chrome extension, AI Voice Detector, that warns you if you are dealing with synthetic or human voices.

NordVPN expands its server network to 211 locations worldwide — and takes over the US

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 15 April 26

NordVPN now ranks as the first VPN by number of servers, especially boosting its presence in the US. Here's all you need to know.

Meet Dausos, Surfshark's 'paradise' VPN protocol that seeks to raise the bar for speed and security

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 13 April 26

Surfshark has launched its own bespoke VPN protocol, Dausos, which promises to deliver up to 30% faster speeds and improved security. Here's all you need to know.

Mullvad Browser's testers now get access to updates every four weeks, also on Linux ARM devices

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 30 March 26

Mullvad Browser’s testers get faster access to updates as the interface has just transitioned to the Firefox Rapid channel. Here's all you need to know.

ProtonVPN downloads spiked in 62 countries in 2025 — but with VPNs 'more important than ever' the countries responsible weren't all those you'd expect

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 23 March 26

ProtonVPN downloads spiked in 2025 across 65 countries worldwide, with shutdowns and censorship driving the surge

NordVPN’s new tool helps you spot online scams — and it’s free for everyone

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 19 March 26

While for subscribers the roll-out enriches the Threat Protection Pro suite, anyone can use NordVPN's new scam checker tool without spending a penny.

Computer Hacked, System Error, Virus, Cyber attack, Malware Concept. Danger Symbol

ExpressVPN uncovers 3.7 million items of leaked AI chatbot data. A reminder of how vital encryption is

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 18 March 26

Data from AI-powered chatbots may expose more than you think, according to a recent study by ExpressVPN. Here's all you need to know.

Green background featuring laptop with connect button

NymVPN is one-year old — and it's celebrated its birthday with a host of announcements for the future

By Silvia Iacovcich Published 16 March 26

What does the future hold for "the world's most private VPN"?

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