I tested Surfshark's new Dausos VPN protocol - here's how it compares to WireGuard

2026-04-21 · Source: News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET · Field: Technology & Digital — Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Cloud Computing & IT Infrastructure · Depth: Intermediate, short

Summary

Surfshark has introduced Dausos, a new proprietary VPN protocol designed to enhance consumer-grade VPN speeds and security. Unlike traditional protocols that share traffic tunnels among users, Dausos provides each user with a dedicated tunnel, aiming for a more streamlined experience and reduced traffic contamination. It utilizes AEGIS-256X2 encryption, a security improvement that may offer post-quantum protection. Surfshark claims Dausos could be up to 30% faster than WireGuard, though initial tests show WireGuard still performs better for download speeds, while Dausos slightly surpasses it in upload speed retention. An independent audit by Cure53 found no critical or high-severity findings within the protocol. Currently, Dausos is available in beta on macOS, with plans for broader platform rollout.

Key takeaway

For IT professionals evaluating VPN solutions or existing Surfshark users, Dausos presents a promising new protocol with dedicated tunnels and enhanced encryption. While WireGuard currently retains a slight edge in download speeds, Dausos offers better upload performance and post-quantum security potential. You should consider testing Dausos, especially given its beta status and ongoing refinements, to assess its suitability for your specific network demands and security posture.

Key insights

Surfshark's Dausos protocol offers dedicated user tunnels and AEGIS-256X2 encryption for enhanced VPN performance and security.

Principles

• Dedicated tunnels improve VPN traffic isolation.
• AEGIS-256X2 enhances encryption security.

Method

Dausos creates individual traffic tunnels for each user, preventing interference from other users' traffic loads, and employs AEGIS-256X2 encryption for security.

In practice

• Try Dausos on macOS via the Apple App Store.
• Compare Dausos performance against WireGuard.

Topics

• Surfshark Dausos Protocol
• VPN Protocols
• WireGuard
• AEGIS-256X2 Encryption
• Consumer VPN

Best for: Security Engineer, IT Professional, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by News and Advice on the World's Latest Innovations | ZDNET.