How Safe Is Your Private Information if you use NordVPN?
NordVPN is a well-known and trusted VPN service that offers its users strong security and privacy features. Anthony Bahn tests these features out and finds that they work as advertised, making NordVPN a great choice for online privacy. In this NordVPN review, Anthony Bahn discusses the pros and cons of using NordVPN, as well as how it stacks up against other popular VPN services.
NordVPN Overview
NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) provider that offers clients for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and Android TV. For wireless routers, NAS devices, and other platforms, manual configuration is available.
NordVPN: From Humble Beginnings
Founded by Eimantas Sabaliauskas, Tom Okman, and Jonas Karklys in 2012, NordVPN has quickly grown to become one of the most popular VPN services on the web. In 2013 NordVPN hit the 1,000 user mark, and quickly in 2014 that number grew to over 10,000 users.
What is under the hood of NordVPN
In order to conceal their IP address and to encrypt all incoming and outgoing data, NordVPN directs all customers’ internet traffic through a distant server managed by the service, which is run by NordVPN. The NordVPN applications have used the OpenVPN and Internet Key Exchange v2/IPsec technologies for encryption, with the company introducing its own proprietary NordLynx technology in 2019. NordLynx is a virtual private network (VPN) tool that is based on the WireGuard protocol, which attempts to provide greater performance than the IPsec and OpenVPN tunneling protocols. NordLynx is a VPN tool that is based on the WireGuard protocol.
April 2020
NordVPN has announced that the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol would be gradually implemented across all of its platforms. Preparation for the broader rollout involved a total of 256,886 tests, which included 47 virtual machines hosted by nine distinct service providers in 19 different cities across eight different nations. The testing revealed that the average download and upload speeds were higher than those of OpenVPN and IKEv2, respectively.
L2TP/IPSec and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) connections for routers were also utilized at one point by NordVPN, but these were later phased out due to the fact that they were generally out of date and insecure. NordVPN offers desktop software for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS, as well as an Android TV app. NordVPN also offers a free trial period. As an added bonus, subscribers have access to encrypted proxy plugins for the Chrome and Firefox web browsers. Subscribers have the ability to connect up to six devices at the same time.
December 2020
A second security audit was conducted on NordVPN by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG. The results were positive. The NordVPN Standard VPN, Double VPN, Obfuscated (XOR) VPN, P2P servers, and the product’s central infrastructure were all examined during the testing process. The audit confirmed that the company’s privacy policy had been adhered to, and that the no-logging policy had once again been observed to be true.
NordVPN has begun a network-wide rollout of 10 Gbit/s servers, which will replace the company’s previous 1 Gbit/s servers. The company’s servers in Amsterdam and Tokyo were the first to support 10 Gbit/s, and by December 21, 2020, more than 20% of the company’s network had been upgraded to support the higher bandwidth.
2021
An application security audit, carried out by the security research organization VerSprite, was successfully completed by NordVPN. When VerSprite carried out penetration testing on the system, the business said that it discovered no serious vulnerabilities. Following the audit, one weakness and a few issues were discovered, and they have since been fixed.
NordVPN Reputation
NordVPN is widely regarded as one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs) available. In fact, NordVPN surpassed all competitors to become the market leader in 2021. Their efforts to promote their service on prominent social media platforms such as YouTube have contributed to this success to some extent. NordVPN has worked hard to become the premier VPN service on the market.
Because of this, NordVPN has worked tirelessly since its founding in 2008 to establish a reputation as an extremely dependable and fast VPN service provider with high privacy standards. NordVPN received high scores for streaming in our NordVPN review. This is because it generally succeeds in circumventing Netflix’s VPN defenses, allowing its customers to fully benefit from the possibilities of a proxy network while also being able to access American Netflix content. In this NordVPN review, we’ll talk about the speed, security, and user-friendliness of the service, as well as the server network, security protocols, and other services like NordVPN’s password manager, NordPass, and their encrypted cloud storage, NordLocker.
- PCMag: “Excellent”, Editors’ Choice VPN for two years in a row.
- Forbes: Best VPN Overall.
- WIRED: Best VPN Product for general use, highlighting speed and streaming.
- TechAdvisor: Best VPN overall of 2020, the only product to score a perfect 5/5.
How does it stack up in my review, you may actually be surprised.
Break down of NordVPN
What Operating Systems can run NordVPN?
NordVPN can run on Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android, Android TV, and so many other devices
NordVPN is one of the top VPN services available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada for all of your devices. It provides dedicated apps for all major operating systems. In addition, you can cover up to six devices with a single subscription. Simple steps will guide you through the process of setting it up on your phone, work laptop, your child’s iPad, or your Wi-Fi router.
Not interested in encrypting your entire device? Make use of the split tunneling functionality to choose which apps connect to a VPN and which remain on the same local network at the same time.
Current Price of NordVPN
NordVPN has a standard NordVPN subscription plan that costs at the time of this post, as low as $3.71per mo to $11.95 per month. If you prefer to only pay as you go, NordVPN’s large selection of custom plans has got you covered.
There is also an option to purchase Nord Security 360 which gives you a secure, high-speed VPN, a premium password manager, and 10GB of encrypted cloud storage. At the time of this post, these plans start as low as $6.69/mo to $21.93/mo.
What Protocols does NordVPN use?
NordVPN uses OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Wiregaurd. NordVPN utilizes these protocols to encrypt traffic and get around geo-blocks, but NordVPN’s best feature may be the number of devices that can connect at once. NordVPN allows you to encrypt up to several devices simultaneously on a single subscription
Does NordVPN have a Money-back Guarantee
NordVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is NordVPN’s Logs Policy
NordVPN is registered in the country of Panama, a country renowned for great privacy legislation. Therefore, NordVPN is not required to store any of your personal information. NordVPN does not keep any logs which means that they cannot provide your data to authorities or anyone else if their servers are ever seized. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, making it one of the best choices for privacy fanatics.
As previously stated, NordVPN is based in Panama and is registered there. They have extremely stringent privacy laws in this nation, and as a result, NordVPN is not required to keep logs on its users.
As a result, NordVPN operates on diskless RAM servers in order to maintain its “no logs” policy and avoid server hacks. This type of server does not have the ability to save data, which implies that it cannot contain any sensitive information. A hacker will not be able to steal any information because there will be no data or configuration files to be retrieved in the event of a hack.
Furthermore, NordVPN has support for obfsproxy. It is intended to prevent Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which allows data packets transported across the VPN tunnel to stay anonymous. Users in countries such as China and Turkey, where the use of a VPN is normally prohibited, may be able to use a VPN as a result of this. In addition, NordVPN provides additional protection against IP leaks.
Split tunneling is also supported by NordVPN, which is ideal for users who want to separate their internet traffic into multiple streams.
How does NordVPN Handle Geo-Restricted Streaming services such as Netflix
Simply can NordVPN unblock Netflix geolocation restrictions? The answer is yes.
NordVPN lets you fight for your right to watch content wherever you are. NordVPN allows access to American Netflix, which currently has the largest selection of movies and TV shows available. NordVPN is also one of the few VPNs that still works with Netflix. NordVPN is effective at getting around regional restrictions, allowing its users to unblock geo-restricted streaming services including Pandora, Spotify, BBC, ABC, Hulu, NordVPN is also effective at getting around regional restrictions.
Does NordVPN have a kill switch?
The VPN Kill Switch is a sophisticated security feature that keeps your data from being exposed to the public internet.
An option known as the VPN Kill Switch prohibits your device from making unsecured connections while connected to your VPN. It keeps track of your connection to the remote server on a constant basis. If it is mistakenly turned off, the VPN Kill Switch prevents your device from accessing the internet (or specific apps).
When you utilize Kill Switch, your internet traffic is safer, which means that your sensitive information is protected from being accidentally exposed. It serves as the final line of protection in your VPN defense.
Until the encrypted tunnel is reestablished or until you turn off the VPN Kill Switch, your connection will be continued to be blocked. That is why it is vital to have a kill switch installed in the event that your VPN connection drops.
NordVPN software has two versions of the Kill Switch depending on the operating system you are running on.
Windows – If the connection to a NordVPN server is lost, you can stop internet access or designate which programs should be restricted on your Windows computer. Blocking specific apps is intended for expert users who have a thorough understanding of every app that is currently operating on the device. Systems-wide Kill Switches are the more secure alternative.
MacOS, Android, iOS, and LInux
A Kill Switch is built into the NordVPN Linux, iOS, and macOS apps in the event that a VPN connection is lost. This results in a system-wide network lock and prevents the device from being used while the VPN connection is down. If you’re using the OpenVPN protocol on your Mac, you’ll be able to choose which applications you want the Kill Switch to shut down when the VPN is active.
Additionally, the inbuilt Kill Switch option for Android 7 or later can be enabled by heading to Settings -> Wireless and networks -> More -> VPN in the Android settings menu.
The Kill Switch in NordVPN will not be activated immediately when you first launch the software after downloading it. To enable it, go to the app’s settings and select “Enabled.” Our Windows and macOS apps will also allow you to define which applications you want the Kill Switch to prevent from running. If you’d like to learn more about NordVPN’s Kill Switch, please see our Help Center.
Click here to find out more.
Server Locations
NordVPN offers NordVPN has 4,000 servers located in 60 different countries. NordVPN’s server park is one of the largest VPN networks you can find on the market. NordVPN was built to ensure that there are NordVPN servers in every part of the globe, from Asia and Africa to North America and Central America. NordVPN server locations include Russia, Australia, Austria, Mexico, India, Spain, Sweden, France, and many more NordVPN has servers in South Africa.
NordVPN is constantly updating a list of server locations expanding the service and increasing speeds. Click here to find the current list of NordVPN server locations.
Does NordVPN protect you on the dark web?
The short answer is yes, and they do it in a very unique way by an application called Dark Web Monitor. Dark Web Monitor goes beyond the capabilities of a VPN to provide you with greater control over your data while protecting you online. It is Sherlockian in nature, and it scours the shadowy, mysterious underbelly of the internet seeking credentials that may belong to you that have been revealed.
NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor is able to help you out in this situation. It takes care of the legwork for you by monitoring the dark web and notifying you of any exposed credentials that may be associated with your account. As a result, you will be able to take immediate action to defend yourself.
Activating this protection is simple, you just open the NordVPN app and navigate to the Settings section, where you can enable Dark Web Monitor by simply flicking a switch. Within seconds of completing this action, NordVPN begins searching the dark web for credentials connected with your email address – the one you used to sign up for the service. While one-time scans must be initiated manually, Dark Web Monitor runs continuously as long as the feature is activated on your computer. There is no need to take any further action. To find out more about this feature click here.
How does NordVPN affect your internet speed?
Traditional VPN providers are notorious for slowing down the user’s internet connection. What good is a secure connection if you are not able to browse? The speeds of the leading VPNs in the business were tested by AV-TEST, an independent information security institute. As a result, what happened? NordVPN is the fastest VPN service available. Click here to read the full report.
How can NordVPN accomplish these speeds? The simple answer is more. More servers equate to greater flexibility and a faster internet connection. NordVPN has more than 5200 servers in 60 countries, ensuring that you get a smooth and fast VPN experience no matter where you go. Simply specify the server location, and we will locate the fastest VPN server for you!
How complicated is NordVPN?
NordVPN makes an effort to keep its software and apps as simple as possible, but this is not done at the price of the options and settings. While maintaining a perfectly balanced appearance that is also attractive to the eye, they have done it without compromising on options. To put it simply can a non-tech-savy user be able to launch NordVPN and establish a VPN connection and connect to a VPN server of their choice? The answer is yes.
You can read our final thoughts on NordVPN’s usability, the design of their apps, and the many payment methods they accept in the sections below:
- The NordVPN website is easy to navigate and well-organized.
- The NordVPN software is simple to set up on a wide range of operating systems and devices.
- NordVPN has a big library of frequently asked questions as well as user guides and tutorials.
- The software has a clean appearance and operates in a fairly intuitive manner.
- The NordVPN customer care team is easy to reach and responds to inquiries in a timely manner.
- Do you want payment options? It is possible to pay for a NordVPN plan using a credit or debit card, cryptocurrency, or alternative payment options such as iTunes gift cards.
How is NordVPN’s customer service?
Sometimes it is not the technology that differentiates a VPN company, it’s the customer service. NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support, and they offer a great FAQ page for self-help. NordVPN also has an extremely helpful video tutorial section that shows you exactly how NordVPN works without requiring any reading.
With NordVPN, customer service should not be an issue even if it is your first time using NordVPN. NordVPN has an extensive tutorial center with around a massive amount of tutorials that are detailed, easy-to-follow guides on NordVPN’s apps. NordVPN also offers 24/7 live chat support and email support by real people that can help you with anything you need to know about NordVPN. that is something that is unique about Nordvpn customer support they really ensure that they make the VPN technology accessible to all customers, even those who do not have technical experience. A very unique stance for a VPN company.
NordVPN Pros and Cons
Pros
Speed – NordVPN has more than 5200 servers in 60 countries, ensuring that you get a smooth and fast VPN experience no matter where you go.
Security – NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, uses the strongest encryption on NordVPN servers, and offers a wide range of security features.
Ease of use – NordVPN has a very easy user interface that is simple to use for all customers regardless of their technological capabilities. Nordvpn customer support is extremely helpful if any problems arise during installation
Customer service – NordVPN has a great FAQ page for self-help and NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support. NordVPN also has an extremely helpful video tutorial section that shows you exactly how NordVPN works without requiring any reading.
Cons
Price may be a little high for users who are looking for a low-cost option. However, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to make NordVPN a very attractive option for those who want a reliable and trusted VPN service. NordVPN refund policy is unconditional, meaning that you will get your money back no matter what happens with NordVPN.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
For this review, I will compare to the biggest competitor of Nordvpn and that would be ExpressVPN.
I want to focus on Price, Features, VPN Servers, Speed, and Security.
Price
NordVPN has the lowest-highest price per month and the lowest price per month service. – Winner NordVPN
Features
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of the few VPN services that provide command-line utilities that make it simple to install their services on devices that run Linux. Both companies also provide native apps for a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices.
When compared to ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers a slightly higher number of simultaneous connections (up to five) (six versus five). If you install the VPN on a router in either situation, that counts as only one connection against your allotted number of connections.
CyberSec, a system developed by NordVPN, is an ad-blocker and malware-protection solution. This feature can be enabled within the app. – Winner NordVPN
Vpn Servers
NordVPN is in over 59 countries with over 5,200 servers compared to ExpressVPN who is in 94 countries and has just over 3,000 servers. Despite the fact that ExpressVPN has more server locations in more countries, NordVPN has a greater number of possibilities in terms of its entire server network.
Unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN has a server option known as VPN chaining, which is not available with the latter (also known as multi-hop VPN or double-hop VPN). This route runs your data across two servers, encrypting packets twice as much as it would normally. However, while this is a useful security feature, it will cause your connection to slow down a little. Instead, NordVPN allows you to route your data through their servers before it is forwarded to and from the Tor network. – Winner NordVPN
Speed
It is simple NordVPN wins and easily in this as we have talked about earlier in the article. Click here for the results of the head-to-head speed tests. – Winner NordVPN
Privacy
Because neither company is headquartered in a ‘Five Eyes’ country, neither is subject to security agency pressure to disclose the data of their users’ online activities or to cooperate with US or UK court orders to trace a specific customer’s whereabouts.
All virtual private networks (VPNs) claim to keep no logs. Upon closer inspection, however, you will discover that what they frequently imply is that they do not maintain any activity records. An activity log would keep track of every action taken by the user, including website visits and data downloads, and store them in a central location. Because prosecutors and law enforcement agencies can trace a link from its destination all the way back to its source, they can track you down to your front door, which is a bad thing. Although a VPN breaks the chain of that trace, connection logs can still be utilized to track down a person who has been through the VPN.
Unlike other VPN providers, NordVPN does not maintain any VPN usage logs or connection records that may be used to identify what the user is doing while connected. However, it does gather advertising IDs on mobile devices for its own purposes.
However, ExpressVPN goes out of its way to avoid collecting any data that could be used to identify you. It does this by aggregating connection logs. Its logs contain information such as your account ID, the date (not the time) of connections, the location from where the connections were made and the total quantity of data transferred. The fact that the corporation does not store your real IP address should make it impossible to track you down in the event that you do something wrong.
This raises the question of whether it is possible to open an account without revealing one’s identity. If you are required to provide your credit card information in order to open an account, you can be tracked down using that method. Your identity can also be tracked back to you if you have an email address.
The fact that NordVPN does not keep any logs makes them the clear winner in privacy concerns. – Winner NordVPN
Winner: Hands down NordVPN Wins
NordVPN Pricing Plans
NordVPN 2-Year Plan
This plan is the most cost-effective, as it provides the average NordVPN user with a saving of about 68% off.
$89.00 Billed for the first 2-years that comes out to $3.71/mo. Click here to purchase NordVPN.
NordVPN 1-Year Plan
This plan is a very good deal as well. Selecting this option you will save 58%.
$59.00 for the first year. Click here to purchase NordVPN.
NordVPN 1-Month Plan
This is the most flexible plan that comes in at $11.95 per month
Click here to purchase NordVPN.
Final Thoughts on NordVPN
NordVPN is a well-known and trusted VPN service that offers its users strong security and privacy features. NordVPN has one of the most competitive pricing plans on the market, with an average NordVPN user saving about 68% off their first 2 years thanks to Nord’s biennial plan. Nord also does not keep any logs, so you can rest assured your data will be safe from prying eyes. If you’re looking for a dependable VPN provider, NordVPN should be at the top of your list!
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