In more ways than one the zeal to rely on VPN providers is on the increase in various countries, as a lot of top notch companies are closing their borders and businesses to 3rd teir countries, making accessibility to the products and services they offer almost impossible.
A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection so you can browse the internet and conduct online business and have free accessibility while protecting your data and identity. Up to a quarter of all internet users are now employing a VPN as their must-have security software.
NordVPN is a well known VPN provider might even be The World’s Most Advanced VPN. In this review, we’ll run analysis on multiple tests to see if they are as good as advertised.
What is NordVPN and What Does it Do?
According to their website (www.NordVPN.com), NordVPN was launched 2008 in Panama and is operated by Tefincom co S.A.
The fact that their company is located in Panama isn’t in any way an issue and red flags can’t be raised on how they might run their business.
All good VPN providers are located in independent countries that don’t share information on logging (Switzerland, Singapore, Caymans, BVI and so on). However, I decided to dig a little deeper to find more information about their company.
NordVPN definitely hides this information well enough. I wonder why. I’ll say it – nobody cares what you do and who you are as long as you deliver an excellent service and don’t keep logs, right?
Good enough when I actually upgraded to a premium account and paid for the test account to write this NordVPN review, my payment went to CloudVPN Inc. – which is located in the U.S. (five eyes jurisdiction is bad for VPNs).
CloudVPN Inc (NordVPN?)
When I asked NordVPN about this intransparency, they simply told me that they just handle payments through CloudVPN Inc. and it’s not associated with their VPN application/company.To believe or not to believe? Hard to say.
Is NordVPN Secure?
Technically NordVPN comes with 256-AES-CBC with a 2048bit Diffie-Hellman key. I generally like to see DH over RSA, due to the former enabling Perfect Forward Secrecy. On iOS and MacOS clients, you’ll be encrypted via an IKEv2/IPsec protocol; AES-256-GCM and a 3072bit DH key.
On a Non-Technical note: NordVPN have gone all out on security and have employed above industry standard encryption algorithms.
Double Data Protection
If you opt to turn this feature on, NordVPNs double encryption will relay your data via not one, but two subsequent VPN servers, before it reaches the web page or application you’re attempting to access. By chaining your connection through two VPN servers, your data gets encrypted twice.
In addition to the (often unnecessary) double encryption, the second VPN server will be unaware of your original IP address and connections are always made via both UDP and TCP protocols. This is a “one extra step” security feature. The vast majority of you are unlikely to ever require it, especially if you’re use is limited to simple P2P and Netflix unblocking. Not to mention the impracticality of the drastically reduced speeds you’re going to incur.
Additional (safety) features:
CyberSec
The main feature of CyberSec remains the website blocking feature which automatically scans websites you’re about to visit against popular blacklists and protects you from getting involved in phishing scams and other cyber threats. In case your device is already infected and being used in a botnet, CyberSec will block your participation by detecting and cutting any forced involuntary communications.
Ad-Blocker
And of course, the ad-blocker. It will not only block your regular ads, but will also hide unwanted pop-ups and autoplay videos ads. This is especially useful and recommended if you’re using mobile data as ads love to use up unnecessary bandwidth.
NordVPN Advantages
1. Lots of Servers
NordVPN currently has up to 1100+ servers in 63 countries. Some paid VPNs only have 20-30 countries and 50 servers. However, two bigger (and probably better) VPNs like ExpressVPN and PIA have both more than 1,500+ servers.
2. Many Different Protocols
Technical: You have a full choice of NordVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP and SSTP. Windows clients come with NordVPN, while iOS & Mac default to IKEv2/IPsec.
3. Compatible with Most Devices
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
Routers
Consoles
Not only do they have applications for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android they have detailed tutorials for protocol connectivity for them and 40 other mobile OS, RaspberryPi’s and routers.
4. Comes With Great Features (Including Kill Switch)
Kill Switch NordVPN software automatically kills your connection if your VPN connectivity is interrupted, blocking your device or terminating certain programs from accessing the internet.
DNS Leak Protection If you have set up your VPN connection manually (say you didn’t want to connect via OpenVPN) or have recently reset your Windows, you’re prone to DNS leaks. These DNS requests will then be completely unprotected.
NordVPN have implemented measures to protect you and negate such leaks. Onion Over VPN For extra protection, or those desiring to visit the dark web (TOR network), NordVPN offers you the ability to route your traffic first through their VPN and then send it to the Onion router.
SmartPlay SmartPlay technology ensures you can access more than 400 geo-restricted streaming services; Netflix, Amazon Prime, Pandora, BBC and others. With more and more VPN servers unable to access Netflix, this is a welcome feature.
5. NordVPN Customer Support is Good (Live Chat)
NordVPN can be contact by support@nordvpn.com or through live chat.
Even after reviewing over three dozen different VPN providers, hundreds hours of testing, examining and reviewing, we still have questions or need for technical assistance.
Whether it’s to double check the encryption offered for your router, or a simple troubleshoot on a newly built rig, you will be forced to deal with the customer support of your VPN of choice.
If you’re a newcomer or not technically inclined? You might have some technical questions.
Any VPN worth their salt will have a prolific database of tutorials, how-to guides and informational articles in addition to live chat & quick email support.
Live Chat & Email
NordVPN supportNo different to the best of the best, NordVPN has recently began offering 24/7 live chat that will assist you with any question you may have. I used their live chat twice, for an encryption question and an open ended question.
NordVPN Knowledgebase
After going through their directory and quickly skimming to any support related page I could find, I estimate NordVPN to have well over 500 guides and tutorials.
NordVPN Disadvantages
Bad Performance: Slow Download Speed is one of the issues so far I’ve observed probably because they provide a whole lot of servers.
NordVPN Pricing and Plan Option; Their yearly plan’s pricing is very competitive. And if you feel like you want to run a short campaign or have a quick business you want to take care of in a short time I’d advise you go for the cheapest plan and move on.
How to Use and Install NordVPN
Download the NordVPN application from playstore here, or head over to their official site for the software www.nordvpn.com. Start by logging into your account on NordVPN’s homepage to bring up yourProfile page.
How to Refund NordVPN
As stated on their homepage, NordVPN offers 30 days money back guarantee.
NordVPN is an excellent VPN service provider that I’ll conveniently recommend to anyone. But just have it at the back of your mind to make sure you read their terms and conditions and find out other underlying factors before purchase.
