There’s no denying that the internet has changed our lives, for better and for worse. Back in 2018, around 60% of Americans had fallen victim to some form of phishing scam or cyberattack. You can bet that number has only gone up, putting our work and personal lives in jeopardy. So what’s the way out?
In recent times, VPNs have become all the rage, mostly because they allow us to get past the geo-restriction blockade. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, if you want to get technical, wraps your data in a cloak of anonymity. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to see what you’re up to, including those pesky scammers and the government.
But here’s the catch. Not every VPN is up to the task, and while some are rock-solid, others could be leaking your online activity all over the place. That brings us to NordVPN. It’s one of the big names in the market, but is it really as safe and reliable as it claims to be?
Whether you’re concerned about privacy, and data security, or just want to browse without restrictions, we’ll see if NordVPN lives up to the hype.
Encryption and Protocols
The first thing we checked to see if NordVPN is really that safe and secure is its encryption and protocols.
Indeed any VPN is only as good as its encryption level and protocols. Think of encryption as a secret code that only you and your VPN know. It scrambles your data so that anyone trying to intercept it gets nothing out of it. NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is the same level of security used by governments and militaries around the world.
But encryption is just one piece of the puzzle. The protocols a VPN uses are basically the routes your data takes through that encrypted tunnel. So, it is equally important that this route is more like a highway than a busy street. NordVPN offers several options here, including NordLynx (its very own version of the WireGuard protocol), OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec.
Each has its strengths, but NordLynx stands out for its speed and security balance. When we tested NordLynx, switching it on was a breeze. Just a couple of clicks in the settings, and it was good to go. The difference in speed on NordLynx protocol was quite noticeable, and NordVPN works perfectly with Netflix and many other streaming platforms. Also, it gives the best surfing experience with faster loading pages.
This is why we recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for secure streaming media content online and surfing.
NordVPN No-Logs Policy and External Audits
It’s one thing to claim that you’re big on privacy, but delivering on the promise is what matters. The whole point of having a military-grade secure connection is to have your data behind the vault. However, some VPNs out there are either forced to log data or do it anyway to make money. This is where we appreciated NordVPN’s no-logs policy the most and what really makes it stand out as a reliable and trustworthy VPN provider.
What sets NordVPN apart is that it has put its money where its mouth is by undergoing multiple independent audits. Companies like Deloitte have examined their servers and practices to ensure that your data stays your own.
When we looked into the audit reports, it was clear that NordVPN’s commitment to privacy isn’t just talk. The audits confirmed that NordVPN doesn’t store any information about your browsing activities, connection timestamps, or IP addresses. For anyone who values privacy, this makes NordVPN a trustworthy choice.
NordVPN’s Security Features
NordVPN is reliable, with strong encryption and protocols and a vast server network. It offers 6,400+ servers in 111 countries, so you’re covered almost anywhere.
But is NordVPN really that secure? Well, specialty servers like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN offer enhanced security by routing your traffic through multiple servers or combining VPN with Tor, which makes NordVPN ideal for torrenting.
The Obfuscated Servers were particularly useful for bypassing networks found in restrictive countries like China. Also, P2P-optimized servers delivered solid performance for torrenting. If you need a consistent IP address for services that don’t like VPNs, the Dedicated IP option is also available, giving you a personal, unshared IP address for an extra fee.
Leak Protection and Kill Switch
Another extremely important point when checking NordVPN’s reliability was whether we could find any leaks.
When it comes to that, NordVPN has you covered with robust defenses against DNS, WebRTC, and IP leaks. During our tests, We ran multiple leak tests using tools like ipleak.net, and NordVPN passed with flying colors with no leaks detected.
The Advanced Kill Switch is another essential feature. This function ensures that if your VPN connection drops, your internet access is immediately cut off, preventing any accidental exposure of your data. We tried it out by deliberately disconnecting the VPN, and true to its promise, the internet connection was instantly severed, leaving no room for leaks. This proves that NordVPN really has your back and can definitely be considered safe and secure.
The #1 VPN in the world also offers two versions of the Kill Switch: the Internet Kill Switch, which blocks all traffic, and the App Kill Switch, which allows you to choose specific apps to shut down if the VPN disconnects. This flexibility is great for maintaining security without disrupting your entire online experience, particularly when streaming or using specific applications.
Split Tunneling and Threat Protection
NordVPN’s Split Tunneling feature gives you control over which apps and websites use the VPN connection and which don’t. We used this feature to maintain high speeds during online gaming and streaming while still protecting sensitive activities like online banking. Setting it up was simple, and it allowed us to fine-tune our security settings without compromising performance.
Then there’s Threat Protection Pro, which goes beyond basic VPN services and another special feature that makes NordVPN one of the most reliable and safe VPNs to use. This feature blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, and even scans downloaded files for malware. What’s impressive is that it works continuously, even when the VPN isn’t connected. We tested it by visiting ad-heavy and potentially risky websites, and Threat Protection effectively blocked unwanted content and flagged suspicious downloads.
For users on Android, iOS, and Linux, there’s Threat Protection Lite, which activates while you’re connected to a VPN server. Although it’s a bit more limited compared to the full Threat Protection available on Windows and macOS, it still provides a solid line of defense.
Meshnet and Dark Web Monitor
NordVPN also offers some unique features that set it apart from other VPN services. One of the most interesting is Meshnet, which allows you to connect different devices around the world through encrypted private tunnels.
We found it easy to set up and use, especially for sharing files securely or even gaming with friends across different locations. Having a virtual LAN that’s completely protected gives you extra flexibility in how you use your devices.
And if all this was not enough to convince you about NordVPN’s security and reliability, there’s more!
Another standout feature is the Dark Web Monitor. If you have tried to access dark web or if there’s a data breach, your personal information might have been leaked in data breaches and NordVPN comes to the save by scanning the dark web for any of your data leaks. We set it up with just a single click, and it ran in the background without any noticeable impact on performance. It’s a reassuring tool to have, especially if you’re concerned about identity theft or personal data leaks.
Is NordVPN a Safe Choice?
From our personal experience with NordVPN, we can confidently say that it’s not just safe—it’s one of the most secure VPNs out there. The combination of military-grade encryption, a verified no-logs policy, and advanced features like Threat Protection and a customizable Kill Switch makes NordVPN a top contender for anyone serious about online privacy.
But beyond the security features, what really stands out is the ease of use and the extra tools it offers, like the Dark Web Monitor and Meshnet, which go above and beyond standard VPN services. The app is intuitive, the connection speeds are solid, and the specialty servers provide added flexibility for different needs.
As for pricing, NordVPN offers great value, especially when you consider the quality of service and the peace of mind it provides. For just over $3 per month with the best deals, you’re getting a comprehensive package that covers all bases.
In our view, NordVPN is a smart investment for anyone looking to safeguard their online activities. It’s reliable, feature-rich, and user-friendly, making it a safe choice that’s reasonably priced. If you’re ready to enhance your online security and are considering NordVPN, but want to know more about it in detail, check out our detailed NordVPN review and found out if fits your requirements.
FAQs
Here are a few frequent questions about NordVPN.
Is NordVPN safe to use?
Yes, NordVPN is one of the safest VPNs available. It uses AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced security features like Threat Protection and a Kill Switch to protect your data.
Does NordVPN protect against DNS and IP leaks?
Absolutely. NordVPN has strong leak protection, and in our tests, it successfully prevented DNS, WebRTC, and IP leaks, keeping your real information hidden.
How does NordVPN’s Kill Switch work?
The Kill Switch automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, ensuring your data isn’t accidentally exposed. For flexibility, it offers both an Internet Kill Switch and an App Kill Switch.
Can NordVPN be trusted with my privacy?
Yes, NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited multiple times, confirming that they don’t track or store your online activities.
What unique security features does NordVPN offer?
NordVPN offers advanced features like Double VPN for extra encryption, Obfuscated Servers for bypassing restrictions, and a Dark Web Monitor to alert you if your data is found in dark web leaks.