- AdGuard VPN arrives in the Meta Horizon Store as a standalone app
- The new app encrypts all VR activity rather than just browser traffic
- It joins NordVPN, ExpressVPN in offering dedicated Meta Quest apps
Diving into virtual reality has often felt like stepping into a privacy blind spot, but the tools to protect yourself are finally catching up. Following the release of its VR browser extension in March, AdGuard VPN has now officially launched a standalone app for Meta Quest headsets.
Available directly from the Meta Horizon Store, the new dedicated app brings system-wide privacy and security to Horizon OS.
This marks a significant upgrade for users who previously relied on AdGuard’s browser-only extension. Now, whether you’re battling friends in multiplayer games, streaming Netflix, or simply exploring virtual worlds, your traffic is encrypted across the entire headset.
“AdGuard VPN for Meta Quest works just like our mobile apps: it encrypts your traffic, hides your IP address, and secures your personal data, giving you a safer, unrestricted, and completely private virtual reality experience,” the company explained in its official blog post announcement.
AdGuard joins a growing — albeit still small — number of providers offering dedicated Meta Quest apps. So, if you are looking for the best VPN to secure your headset, your options just expanded.
Until recently, securing a VR headset required frustrating workarounds. Users had to configure a virtual private network (VPN) on their router, share a connection from a PC, or sideload an Android app using developer tools. The arrival of native apps eliminates these technical hurdles.
While the AdGuard browser extensions for its VPN and ad-blocker tools launched earlier this year were a welcome addition, it was limited in scope.
As Vladimir Ozersky, Lead Product Manager at AdGuard, notes: “This isn’t just another platform for us, it’s a leap forward in bringing distraction-free, secure browsing into immersive environments.”
The new standalone VPN app takes that leap further by encrypting your IP address in gaming lobbies and dedicated streaming apps, where browser-level protections simply don’t reach.
Installing the new app is just as simple as downloading any other Quest title.
Users can navigate to the Meta Horizon Store on their headset, search for AdGuard VPN, and install the app directly.
Once installed, you can simply sign in to your account to connect to one of its 80+ server locations. The app is compatible with the Meta Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3, and Quest 3S.
AdGuard isn’t the first provider to recognize the need for better VR security. The Meta Quest ecosystem has rapidly transformed from a privacy desert into a highly competitive space for cybersecurity firms.
ExpressVPN paved the way in February, launching an “industry-first hybrid” browser extension alongside a dedicated Meta Quest app. This launch made ExpressVPN the first major provider to offer full-device encryption directly on the platform, specifically pitching it as a way to combat ISP throttling during bandwidth-heavy VR gaming.
NordVPN then landed on Meta Horizon in June with its own native application. Much like ExpressVPN and AdGuard, the NordVPN app allows users to encrypt all data leaving the headset without resorting to complex router configurations.
For privacy-conscious users, this growing trend is excellent news. With three major players now offering frictionless, native applications, securing your digital footprint in the metaverse is finally as straightforward as protecting your smartphone.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mBNtrdbqF3RqsWT2kkPA2Q-2000-80.png
Source link
