NordVPN Review: Why You Should Be Using a VPN, The Features of NordVPN, And 6 Pros and Cons to Consider
In the current era of online security and privacy, it’s more important than ever to use a VPN. Whether you want access to censored content, mask your IP addresses, or simply want to keep your data private, a VPN is an essential tool.
However, when choosing a VPN, you want the guarantee that the VPN will protect your data and keep your identity safe. NordVPN has a strong reputation for security and privacy, making it a popular choice among VPN users.
NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN service providing online security and privacy solutions since 2012. It has offices in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Panama, and the Netherlands.
Despite its location, Nord Security operates under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with the USA (MLAT). NordVPN owners claim it does not affect its processing of information. NordVPN servers are located in Panama, which offers an extremely free and unregulated environment.
The company strongly focuses on security and privacy, with features like military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy to give you total private internet access. The company also offers a variety of other features, like a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
NordVPN has almost every feature that you would want in a VPN. The robust security and fast data transfer capabilities of NordVPN make it a popular choice globally.
How to Use NordVPN
To use NordVPN, you must sign up for an account and download the VPN software. The software is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Once you have installed the software, simply launch it and log in with your account details.
After that, you can choose which server you want to connect to and click the “Connect” button. The NordVPN software will then encrypt your traffic and route it through the selected server, and now you have a VPN connection.
Also, NordVPN makes registering and integrating a single website from one location to another easier. Compatible with almost every major hardware model and device, NordVPN can even be used on a router, unlike many other VPNs. The VPN protects everything on the router from unauthorized users and even gaming consoles.
Features of NordVPN
NordVPN offers a variety of features that make it an attractive choice for VPN users.
Meshnet: Meshnet is a feature of NordVPN that uses the NordLynx protocol that allows users to route traffic between two different computers. Unlike an online VPN service, you can create a virtual server at home and connect to a local VPN server remotely, but everything takes place on your NordVPN Network. To use this service, you must first connect electronic equipment to it. You can connect ten devices or 50 external devices at once. Usually, external devices enable access to a mesh network. NordVPN is needed for every device connected to this mesh network.NordVPN also offers a static dedicated IP address.
Dark Web Monitor: NordVPN’s dark web monitor system functions almost exactly as advertised. After being activated, the service monitors for any breach of your privacy and malicious websites. That is, any time your data is found on the surface web or the dark web, you’ll be alerted.You are asked to change your passwords if any of your information is compromised. Darkweb monitor is accessible for Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, or Android.
NordLocker: NordLocker is a file encryption service that NordVPN offers. It uses military-grade AES-256-bit encryption to protect your files. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to encrypt and decrypt files.
Strict no-logs policy: NordVPN does not keep any logs of your online activity. This is important for privacy because it means that even if someone were to hack NordVPN, they would not be able to see what you have been doing online.Although no law regulates data retention in Panama, NordVPN has effective no-logger policies. Panama also remains outside the infamous Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances.Also, NordVPN switched from disk-less servers to RAM-less servers. This makes user data server-side impossible to store because the computer doesn’t have internal storage. All the files on the website will automatically disappear. NordVPN has two separate audits of its logging policy performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).
Pros and Cons of NordVPN
As we have seen from this NordVPN review, it is a popular VPN service with over 12 million users. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using NordVPN.
The Pros of NordVPN
Fast data transfer speeds: NordLynx has become the standard VPN protocols on the NordVPN apps, though it can be used as OpenVPN or IKEv2. This is also a safe option, but NordLynx provides almost twice as good a performance. NordLynx is an extension of Wireguard, the most recent VPN protocol that claims efficiencies, simpler, and faster audibility than competitors such as IPsec. Wireguard, however, uses a static IP address to give users access to the VPN server, and the VPN server stores users’ details as a result.
Robust security features: NordVPN has received steady good reviews from leading experts in its field. PCMag.com and the Techradar site rated NordVPN as the top VPN provider due to its strong privacy and various features.
Good customer service: A chatbot offers the first line of support. The chatbot is very helpful with some technical support issues. The company also has 24/7 live chat support, and they reply to queries within 24 hours, which is excellent.
Kill switch: The kill button will block internet access on the device to prevent unauthorized access from the ISPs’ networks when the internet connection drops or the VPN connection drops. On a computer, you can specify which app is protected by a kill switch or not. For instance, you can disable your BitTrust browser unless it detects unexpected disconnects. NordVPN also offers Double VPN, which is available on Android and macOS. This feature routes internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.
The Cons of NordVPN
NordVPN and Linux: More users have started deploying paid VPN services for Linux systems. NordVPN is aware of and focuses on making it easy for users of its Linux server VPN. They offer support staff that has extensive knowledge of Linux topics. They also have a Linux NordVPN app. NordVPN supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora & others. NordVPN supports various operating systems, such as QubeOS, CentOS, OpenSUSE, and RHEL. Your computer will probably have a server on that site. However, server management is handled via a terminal. Of course, the majority of Linux users do not like that.
A bit more expensive: NordVPN is more costly than some other VPN companies, but it’s worth it for the features you get. NordVPN doesn’t also have a free trial but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How Much Does NordVPN Cost?
NordVPN has three pricing tiers:
$11.95/month – Standard
$12.99/month – Plus
$14.29/month – Complete
The Plus and Complete tiers include a password manager and a NordLocker encryption system for encrypted files.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is NordVPN Right For You?
Whether NordVPN is the right provider for you depends on your needs. If you need a VPN for security and privacy, then NordVPN is a good choice. It has robust security features and a no-logs policy. If you need a VPN for streaming, then NordVPN is also a good choice. It can unblock significant streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
However, if you need a VPN for torrenting, then NordVPN is not the best choice. Although it can unblock The Pirate Bay, it does not have dedicated P2P servers.
