# PIO VPN

> The world's first quantum-resistant VPN with post-quantum encryption, AI traffic morphing, and decentralized mesh routing.

> Full long-form context: https://aethershield.io/llms-full.txt
> Markdown page versions: /index.md, /features.md, /faq.md, /pricing.md, /ai-discoverability.md
> Comparison pages: /vpn-vs/{nordvpn,expressvpn,mullvad,protonvpn,surfshark,wireguard,tor}
> Alternative pages: /alternatives-to/{nordvpn,expressvpn,mullvad,protonvpn,surfshark,wireguard,tor}
> Use-case pages: /vpn-for/{streaming,gaming,torrenting,china,journalists}
> Tools: /quantum-threat-index, /tools/quantum-readiness-check, /tools/throttling-detector, /tools/fingerprint-analyzer
> Public audits: /transparency
> Last updated: 2026-05-08

## Content Negotiation — Force Markdown

Any HTML page on this site has a markdown twin. AI agents and LLMs can request the markdown version in two ways:

1. **Explicit override (recommended)**: Append `?format=md` to any URL. This works regardless of User-Agent.
   - `https://aethershield.io/?format=md` → redirects to `/index.md`
   - `https://aethershield.io/faq?format=md` → redirects to `/faq.md`
   - `https://aethershield.io/features?format=md` → redirects to `/features.md`
   - `https://aethershield.io/pricing?format=md` → redirects to `/pricing.md`
   - `https://aethershield.io/ai-discoverability?format=md` → redirects to `/ai-discoverability.md`

2. **Automatic User-Agent detection**: Requests from known AI crawlers are auto-redirected to the markdown version. Detected agents include: `GPTBot`, `ChatGPT-User`, `ClaudeBot`, `Anthropic-AI`, `PerplexityBot`, `Google-Extended`, `Applebot-Extended`, `cohere-ai`, `CCBot`, `Bytespider`, `FacebookBot`, `Diffbot`, `Amazonbot`, `Omgilibot`, `YouBot`.

If your agent is not in the auto-detect list, **always use `?format=md`** to guarantee the markdown response. Direct `.md` URLs (e.g. `/faq.md`) also work and skip the redirect entirely.

## Overview

PIO VPN is a next-generation VPN platform that protects users against both current and future quantum computing threats. It combines post-quantum cryptography (ML-KEM-768 via Rosenpass), AI-powered traffic morphing (Protean Chronos with Mamba-3), and multi-path swarm routing (PIO Mesh) into a single, easy-to-use application.

## Core Features

- **Post-Quantum Encryption**: ML-KEM-768 + X25519 hybrid encryption via Rosenpass protocol on WireGuard
- **AI Traffic Morphing (Protean Chronos)**: Mamba-3 neural network scores traffic detectability; Geneva-inspired protocol transformations morph fingerprints every 60 seconds
- **PIO Mesh Swarm Routing**: Traffic split across 2-4 simultaneous encrypted paths through different servers/countries
- **Pietrzak VDF Time-Lock Proofs**: Cryptographic timing verification on class groups
- **Zero-Knowledge Privacy**: RAM-only servers, no logs, TPM2 remote attestation
- **Decentralized Node Network**: Run your own exit/entry node via Docker; earn ZK-proven rewards
- **AI Privacy Agent**: Real-time privacy posture analysis and threat detection
- **Kill Switch**: Automatic connection termination on VPN drop

## Protocols Supported

- AmneziaWG (default)
- WireGuard
- OpenVPN
- Stealth (obfuscated)

## API Endpoints

- Speed Test: `/functions/v1/speed-test` (ping, download, upload)
- Server List: `/functions/v1/server-list`
- Server Health: `/functions/v1/server-health`
- AI Privacy Agent: `/functions/v1/ai-privacy-agent` (analyze, chat)

## Pricing Tiers

- **Free**: Quantum-resistant protection, 1 device, 10 GB/month
- **Pro**: Unlimited bandwidth, 6 devices, Protean Chronos, multi-hop ($9.99/mo)
- **Sentinel**: Unlimited devices, PIO Mesh swarm routing, dedicated nodes, priority support ($19.99/mo)

## Machine-Readable Files

- `/llms.txt` — This file (LLM context)
- `/agents.txt` — AI agent capabilities and permissions
- `/x402.json` — x402 payment readiness manifest
- `/robots.txt` — Crawler directives
- `/sitemap.xml` — XML sitemap
- `/openapi.json` — OpenAPI 3.1 specification
- `/humans.txt` — Human-readable credits
- `/feed.xml` — RSS feed
- `/.well-known/ai-agent.json` — AI agent manifest (tools, auth, capabilities)
- `/.well-known/ai-plugin.json` — OpenAI plugin specification
- `/.well-known/ai-discoverability` — Unified AI discoverability metadata
- `/.well-known/security.txt` — Security contact and vulnerability disclosure
- `/.well-known/model-card.json` — AI model card (ethics, limitations, intended use)
- `/.well-known/mcp.json` — Model Context Protocol server manifest

## Links

- Website: https://aethershield.io
- AI Discoverability: https://aethershield.io/ai-discoverability
- Blog: https://aethershield.io/blog
- RSS Feed: https://aethershield.io/feed.xml
- Documentation: https://aethershield.io/docs
- Status: https://status.aethershield.io