Today, NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services in the world. NordVPN is recognized for its ability to provide online security and privacy, unblock Netflix and other streaming services, as well as provide fast speeds that are perfect for gaming. NordVPN has grown significantly over recent years by improving its features and following consumer trends closely.
Features of protection and privacy protection Nord
The most essential features of a great VPN service, according to NordVPN, are security and privacy. Many VPN providers claim to guarantee your online anonymity, but only a few can back up these extremely strong claims and evidence. NordVPN is one of the few providers to provide these security and privacy protections:
- Military-grade encryption
- Latest tunneling protocols
- Minimum registration
- Location in a promotion-friendly jurisdiction
Thus, NordVPN is highly popular among people who value privacy such as journalists and political activists, as well as those who want to unrestrictedly access online content. This firm keeps its promises of the greatest levels of privacy and security in a trustworthy and effective manner.
You may have recently learned about a NordVPN security breach in which it is alleged to have damaged its reputation. However, as it turned out, this problem only affected one server, and it couldn’t compromise the vital infrastructure in any way. Following the assault, NordVPN implemented a bug bounty program and collaborated with VerSprite to enhance server security.
Encryption and tunneling protocols
NordVPN uses military-grade encryption, which is employed by banks, the military, and other government agencies. This encryption is extremely secure – a brute-force hacker (with many combinations) would take billions of years to decode it.
NordVPN currently supports the following encryption types:
- NordLynx
- OpenVPN UDP
- OpenVPN TCP
- IKEv2 / IPsec
NordVPN offers a fast, secure, and highly private protocol that is designed from the ground up. NordLynx is a WireGuard variant developed specifically for this platform. NordVPN was one of the first companies to provide tunneling technology for large platforms such as iOS and macOS. IKEv2 is an excellent option for both macOS and iOS users who want better security than OpenVPN provides.
Both OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are widely used industry protocols that can handle the needs of most, if not all, consumers.
Kill Switch
The NordVPN application kill switch is an excellent feature. It ensures that you remain safe and secure when using the Internet by cutting off your connection if the VPN goes down. This prevents the true IP address from being inadvertently disclosed.
When using the internet, NordVPN will close your connection if it suddenly stops working. However, with the app’s kill switch feature, certain apps will also be closed when NordVPN suddenly stops working.
By default, NordVPN’s kill switch isn’t enabled. To enable it, go to the small gear icon in the upper right corner and click on it. There you may discover all of your important options. You may enable any or both of the kill switch features. You must also include the applications you wish to have utilized the kill switch.
No IP and DNS leaks
NordVPN has no IP or DNS leaks, so the user’s identity will not be revealed via IP addresses and online activities will not be exposed via DNS inquiries.
Privacy-respecting Location: Panama
NordVPN is a provider that specializes in cybersecurity products. Nord Security, the company that created NordVPN, is a cybersecurity software developer. Panama has no compulsory data retention requirements and does not belong to the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliance. The headquarters of NordVPN are located in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. This is crucial since VPN service providers operate under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are based.
Because Panama is a tiny country in Central America that does not require VPNs to track users, NordVPN does not collect data about its clients. This is significant when it comes to privacy. NordVPN has a no-logs policy, which means that this firm knows very little about its customers.
Independently audited no-records policy
NordVPN’s privacy policy is quite explicit about its responsibility to keep no logs of client activities. This firm, unlike others in the market, goes a step further than anyone else. Because it’s nearly impossible to figure out what individuals are doing behind closed doors, NordVPN has decided to prove that its no-logs claim is true and commissioned an independent audit to verify it.
Although NordVPN has a no-logs policy, the PwC accounting firm checked it and found no discrepancy between the firm’s stated no-logs policy and actual activities.
Other technical functions
The list of some security features in the NordVPN package is very impressive:
- double VPN (Multi-hop)
- Onion over VPN (integration with the Tor network for even greater encryption and traffic redirection)
- CyberSec (browser security feature)
- free proxy Socks5
- secret servers
- invisibility in LAN
NordVPN is the ideal solution for everyone in difficult circumstances (e.g. dissidents under totalitarian regimes), as well as any challenge in daily life. These features will provide you with everything you need, whether you want to use Torrent anonymously or securely connect to public WiFi networks.
NordLynx – safe implementation of WireGuard
NordVPN recently created NordLynx, a new solution that provides secure Internet access even in difficult conditions. In particular, NordLynx is an open-source implementation of WireGuard. As many privacy advocates have pointed out, Nord VPN’s integration with WireGuard will provide its users with the most reliable and safe level of security possible.
Perhaps more importantly, the WireGuard code is very easy to check as it only contains 4,000 lines. By comparison, IPsec has 400,000 lines of code and OpenVPN + OpenSSL’s 600,000 lines.
For NordLynx to work, NordVPN had to address a privacy issue:
“WireGuard cannot check the IP addresses of all connected to the server. Therefore, the server must contain a local table of IP addresses to gain access to the Internet and to whom. This means that the user’s real IP address must match the IP address assigned by the VPN.”
This is a common problem, especially if you’re using more than one device at once. NordVPN’s solution to this issue is to build a dual NAT (Native Address Translation) system, allowing the VPN to establish a secure connection without logging any identifying information.
Anonymous purchase
NordVPN is one of the few VPN services that enable users to buy without revealing their identity. When a person joins up for NordVPN, they will not be asked for any personal information, such as their first name or last name.
The only information you need is your email address, which can be a one-time account. Many payment methods are available, including anonymous cash mechanisms such as cryptocurrencies.
Speed: Is NordVPN Keeping Up With Others?
I only have one criticism for NordVPN: the quality of the VPN tunnel. NordVPN has had problems with certain server speeds in the past.
Because of this, I ran several speed tests using various NordVPN servers to ensure that the service was working as intended. While it isn’t the quickest VPN on the market, its performance is considerably greater than average.
I should also mention that the connection speed at any given location is sufficient to stream in high definition without buffering issues. Also, you’ll notice that as the server gets further away from your location, the speed decreases.
Simply stated, NordVPN’s speeds aren’t the greatest, but they’re reasonable for most purposes.
Does NordVPN support my device?
Your phone, as well as most other devices, will be compatible with NordVPN. Because NordVPN supports a wide range of platforms, likely, yours does as well. NordVPN has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android (both mobile and TV), Linux, and Android TV, as well as extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
With a single subscription, you can utilize NordVPN on up to 6 devices at the same time. That’s a fantastic benefit, allowing you to use one subscription per device throughout your home. NordVPN’s apps are rather similar across platforms, with a straightforward design that is simple to navigate.
NordVPN desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux
NordVPN’s software for Windows and Mac is quite similar. Both NordVPN for Mac and NordVPN for Windows feature AES-256 encryption, a CyberSec package that includes features like a kill switch, and more.
When you launch the program for the first time, a world map with server locations will be shown. You may select a country yourself or use the Quick Connect option if you wish. There is also an option to search for specific servers by city.
The Settings option from the top of the screen opens a menu with options for setting up security, notifications, auto-connect preferences, and more. I recommend that you become familiar with these settings because some of the defaults are not as secure as they could be.
For those who use Linux, NordVPN offers a built-in client. This version is not as aesthetically appealing as the Mac and Windows versions, yet it provides the same features via command lines instead of the graphical interface.
NordVPN apps for mobile devices: Android and iOS (iPhone and iPad)
On smartphones, NordVPN’s apps provide a fantastic user experience. In reality, I may even claim that the security provided by NordVPN for iOS and Android is comparable to that achieved on desktop computers.
The NordVPN app for iOS has a built-in kill switch feature. Android users will need to find the “Always-on VPN” option in their phone settings.
There are fewer tunneling protocols available on these programs, but they are among the most secure. I’d even go as far as to state that using NordVPN on a mobile device is essentially the same as using a desktop computer.
The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are where you may discover NordVPN applications. If you wish to download and install the Android program manually, you can obtain an APK file.
NordVPN for web browsers: Chrome and Firefox
For Chrome and Firefox, NordVPN offers add-ons. They are proxy add-ons that will help you change your IP address, encrypt communications, and block advertisements and trackers.
Other platforms for NordVPN
NordVPN also works with AndroidTV devices, allowing you to use a VPN on your smart TV if it’s powered by Android.
It’s probable that by default, your platform will not be supported by NordVPN. That does not, however, negate the possibility of using NordVPN on it. You may still utilize NordVPN’s services with the free OpenVPN software.
You can also use the VPN router app to connect your device. You can use OpenVPN with it (if your router supports it) and, in addition to this, you may connect your device to the internet by installing NordVPN on your router using its setup files. SmartDNS does not offer encryption, however.
Netflix and other streaming services
NordVPN has once again shown its worth by allowing me to access Netflix USA from anywhere in the world. I was unable to discover any US servers that blocked Netflix in my testing – that’s quite incredible.
NordVPN is also useful if you use other streaming services than Netflix, such as HBO Go, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and others. NordVPN can also help you stream content from Kodi. There isn’t a specific app; instead, all you have to do is follow a few directions to set up the service according to your needs.
Does NordVPN support Torrent streaming?
Yes, the Torrent protocol is supported by NordVPN. It even has special optimized P2P / Torrent servers in 45 countries with exceptional encryption, fast speeds, and limitless bandwidth.
Using the Torrent protocol and BitTorrent-based streaming apps (like Kodi or Popcorn Time) might be dangerous, but NordVPN fulfills all of the requirements and is an excellent VPN for employing the Torrent protocol.
Additionally, NordVPN is one of the few VPN services that offer a free SOCKS5 proxy. This is a convenient way to protect yourself from situations where you turn on your Torrent client but forget to turn on your VPN.
Customer Support: NordVPN live chat, email, and tutorials
NordVPN provides a variety of customer support options to address all of your user queries. These support choices include:
- 24/7 live chat support
- Frequently Asked Questions
- tutorials
In my opinion, the support department employees are of the highest class, react quickly, and have a lot of knowledge. If your problem is too complex to be resolved in chat, you can expect an email reply within hours.
The FAQ and Tutorial areas are both thorough and address the most frequent problems.
Is NordVPN Worth Using?
Yes, NordVPN is certainly worth using. It’s by far one of the most effective VPN services on the market today, and it has a long history of excellence.
With industry-leading encryption and protocols, NordVPN has no equal in terms of privacy and security. The service’s servers can access material from the Netflix platform as well as other streaming services, which is useful for torrent users.
Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t provide the greatest speeds or built-in router compatibility as other VPNs. Nonetheless, excellent customer service can assist customers in getting any help they may require from this VPN provider.
NordVPN won’t let you down if you want to use an industry-leading VPN for entertainment, security, privacy, or all at once.
