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The concept of VPN is now familiar to most people. VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, allows you to route your web traffic through an encrypted server, ensuring greater privacy while browsing and allowing you to bypass applicable blocks and geo-restrictions. In this article, we test NordVPN, which is undoubtedly one of the most famous and commonly used VPNs.
While NordVPN’s main features are those of a regular VPN, the platform is actually made up of numerous services, each of which offers countless options. In addition to the NordVPN app, you can actually subscribe to NordPass (an app for complete password management) and NordLockera private cloud of up to 1TB that lets you keep your files safe.
To subscribe to NordVPN you can click on this link.
To subscribe to the NordVPN Ultimate Offer you can click on this link.
To subscribe to NordPass you can click on this link.
Obviously, we start with NordVPN, the VPN we will focus on in this article.
When you launch the app, NordVPN offers five different screens packed with features and options to better customize your browsing experience.
The first window is probably the most commonly used and is the window related to connections.. In the latter, it is possible to connect to a VPN and choose from the numerous countries available.
As of this writing, NordVPN offers over 6,362 servers in 111 countries. The most popular destinations include the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, etc.
Through the first window, users can also select servers located in different specific cities in different countries.
Not only that. Using quick buttons, you can create a VPN connection optimized for what you want to do on the network. Of the presets that exist, those that allow you to get a connection Optimized for downloads, speed and browsing.
Likewise, on the same screen there is even the option of DoubleVPN mode, which, as the name suggests, is used to double protect user traffic. In practice, Double VPN servers protect user traffic by encrypting it and passing it through two serversthus providing an additional level of security.
This is a particularly complex solution for political activists and journalists working in sensitive areas. Of course, this option comes at the cost of slower browsing speeds, although – as we’ll see later – NordVPN manages to keep the speed loss under control no matter which setting you choose.
Alternatively, another possible connection option is OnionVPN. In this case, the VPC operates similarly to a traditional server, but also routes traffic through the Onion network, providing an additional layer of protection. In our tests, this option slowed down browsing the most.
split tuning
One of the interesting features that NordVPN offers is split tunnel. This feature can be activated when using Android and Windows apps. This option allows you to divert only a portion of your traffic (such as traffic for a specific application) through the VPN server, while leaving the rest outside the VPN path.
Basically, I imagine using this on Android, you can ensure that only a certain app goes through the VPN while keeping the traffic of other apps on the device intact.
mesh network
Another great feature that NordVPN offers is Meshnet. Essentially, it allows you to connect different devices, including the ability to exchange files in a secure and encrypted manner, since all traffic on the Meshnet is encrypted, just like when you connect to a VPN server.
Essentially, Meshnet allows you to route traffic online
through another machine. Users can add 10 devices and up to 50 external devices related to the same account through invitations.
While traffic routing is currently available on devices, Meshnet is available on Mac, iOS, Windows, Android and Linux
Windows and Linux, while all other devices can be connected to a Windows/Linux computer to perform this operation.
To avoid unauthorized access, device pairing
They must be authorized by the user, so each account is assigned a unique name; alternatively, NordVPN assigns each device a unique IP address (not to be confused with your ISP’s IP address).
For correct operation, Meshnet needs to be started on the device to be connected: now you have the option to transfer files, just select it.
How many NordVPN devices are there?
Speaking of equipment, it’s worth mentioning that all you need is a NordVPN account You can protect up to 10 devices on Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mac, Android TVand the ability to use it through browser extensions.
Additionally, NordVPN can be set up on your home router to ensure that connections are routed through the VPN to all devices connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
Browsing speed
NordVPN offers stable and truly competitive speeds, but at the expense of performance. During our testing, we conducted various speed tests, not only comparing browsing, checking browsing, but also downloading and streaming videos.
On average, we noticed that using a VPN reduced connection speeds by about 10%, and when we tested DoubleVPN or browsed via Onion, peak speeds were reduced by 15%.
NordVPN works on everything from Windows to Android TV, and its simple interface lets you quickly connect to the best servers available. While ExpressVPN’s app is more intuitive, Nord’s app is well designed and offers advanced features like split tunneling, which is useful for managing which apps should or shouldn’t use the VPN.
Threat Protection Pro
The second center accessible from the screen is the center called Threat Protection Pro, which Protect your online activity 24/7, even if you’re connected without a VPN. In fact, it is an instant protection that blocks dangerous sites, stops trackers and removes intrusive ads, as well as analyzes downloaded archives and possibly deletes dangerous ones.
Likewise, the app is used to identify risky apps present on the device.
Essentially, Threat Protection Pro is a solution integrated into the NordVPN desktop app, designed to protect you from everyday threats from the digital world, even when there is no active VPN connection.
A bit like antivirus software, it analyzes downloaded files, removes any malware, and improves browsing by blocking annoying ads and web trackers.
The system is also based on intelligence and can detect phishing attempts and suspicious sites, even sites associated with zero-day attacks.
In addition, the functionality of Threat Protection Pro can be customized in a specific configuration screen, with the option to enable certain protections and deactivate others, thereby selecting a level of protection tailored to your needs.
Servers and security
Among the features that keep users safe and anonymous are obfuscated servers, which “hide” the fact that a VPN is being used. These servers even work in countries where VPNs are heavily restricted and allow you to bypass restrictions such as firewalls.
There is no shortage of P2P (peer-to-peer) servers that are optimized for fast, secure file sharing, and dedicated IPs (an additional paid feature) are not servers themselves, but separate IPs that perform normal functions.
NordVPN specifies that its platform uses the AES encryption standard with 256-bit keysas well as offering three different types of VPN protocols: IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN and NordLynx (an adaptation of the WireGuard VPN protocol with double NAT (Network Address Translation, which eliminates WireGuard’s possible shortcomings in terms of privacy risks).
Again, NordVPN started using RAM servers in September 2020, which means that the entire NordVPN server structure runs on diskless servers so that no data is stored locally.
In addition, in terms of server infrastructure, NordVPN has also begun to establish a dedicated co-located server network that only employees can access.
Of course, it also provides Kill Switch functionif the connection between the device and NordVPN servers is interrupted, the user is disconnected from the Internet.
NordVPN Price
NordVPN offers different plans so you can choose to save as much as possible.
They are as follows:
- piano according to 2 years: €83.43 + 3 months extra (73%) – €3.09 per month
- piano add 2 years: €107.73 + 3 months extra (73%) – €3.99 per month
- piano final 2 years: €175.23 + 3 months extra (73%) – €6.49 per month
- piano according to 1 year: €59.88 (56%) – €4.99 per month
- piano add 1 year: €71.88 (60%) – €5.99 per month
- piano final 1 year: €101.88 (65%) – €8.49 per month
- piano according to 1 month: €12.99
- piano add 1 month: €13.99
- piano final 1 month: €16.49
The 2-year + 3-month subscription is naturally the most convenient offerenjoy a 73% discount.
Note that the company offers a risk-free 30-day full refund, just in case you change your mind.
Combo deals are also currently available. Users can purchase NordVPN + NordPass or NordVPN + NordPass + NordLocker packages at a discounted price.
NordVPN + NordPass costs €107.73 for a 2-year + 3-month subscription (€3.99 per month, 62% discount), while an annual + 3-month subscription costs €82.35 (€5.49 per month, 48% discount). % Discount). However, if you choose only one month, the cost is €12.99.
However, if you buy NordVPN + NordPass + NordLocker, 2 years + 3 months costs €142.83 (€5.29 per month, discount 68%); 1 year + 3 months costs €101.85 (€6.79 per month, discount 59 %), compared with 14.19 euros per month.
To subscribe to NordVPN you can click on this link.
To subscribe to the NordVPN Ultimate Offer you can click on this link.
To subscribe to NordPass you can click on this link.