Quite often on our subreddit, I see posts of people asking whether to subscribe to NordVPN or not. Thus, I’ve decided to clear it all up and list a few points that should help to decide.
No logs and why it is important
All of NordVPN servers are configured not to keep logs of their customers. Recently, NordVPN verified their no-logs policy for the 4th time. From time to time, they conduct these audits, which are performed by independent audit firms. According to their most recent audit, posted on the 9th of January 2024, practitioners witnessed no signs that NordVPN, in any way, violates their no-logs statement.
Diskless servers
Another huge advantage that NordVPN offers is diskless servers, also known as RAM-only servers.
For those who don’t know, it means that the server runs on volatile memory and it’s very limited on how much it can store. Furthermore, it is completely wiped upon shutdown, which is another benefit in case any of the servers is ever seized.
Bug bounty program
In 2019, NordVPN launched their bug bounty program by partnering with HackerOne, the#1 company in helping organizations identify and resolve critical system vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
This initiative allows white-hat hackers around the world to identify and resolve vulnerabilities and receive compensation for their efforts. However, based on the recent number of vulnerability reports, it is evident that NordVPN indeed develops high-quality software.
Before we jump into the feature topic
Before I jump into NordVPN’s features, I would like to note a few very important usability and privacy-related things. The first one is related to NordVPNs usability in countries with internet restrictions (eg. China or UAE). So if you are planning to use NordVPN there, you should definitely consider possible connectivity disruptions.
Although NordVPN offers many payment options, most of them will require some sort of personal information, however, if you’d like maximum anonymity, you should consider buying a gift card or a coupon at the physical shops or digital resellers.
Threat Protection and why you should care about it
Despite the aspects mentioned above, this feature of NordVPN is worth noting. The developers of NordVPN didn’t limit themselves to traffic encryption when creating their VPN service. They aimed to protect their users’ online activities in a slightly broader scope.
A comprehensive and detailed explanation of the Threat Protection can be found here. For those who will skip the blog post, I believe it’s worth mentioning that Threat Protection allows NordVPN to go beyond what a VPN typically can offer. In fact, NordVPN is the only one amongst commercial VPN services offering such feature. This feature improves online security by: blocking malicious websites, scanning downloaded files for malware, preventing user tracking, blocking potentially malicious ads. Moreover, it is constantly updated with more sub-features, such as tracker-parameter remover and more.
Meshnet
It is a type of virtual network that enables multiple devices to connect and communicate directly, even when they are located in different parts of the world. Meshnet facilitates access to resources and services on each other’s devices, both for personal and business purposes.
With this feature, I believe, NordVPN aimed to cater both tech-savvy and curious users, and not only them! They have launched it as a standalone and free service, allowing those who value and prioritize their online security to use it without subscription!
Dedicated IP and benefits of having one
NordVPN offers this option to anyone who’s interested.
A Dedicated IP provides some benefits over shared VPN servers - avoiding CAPTCHA is one of the most valued. It also ensures you get a static IP address that can only be used by you and nobody else - a great option for those who often use IP-sensitive services.
Dark Web Monitor
NordVPN designed this feature to prevent its users from exploiting account information leaked to the dangerous dark web. It continuously scans dark web sites for your credentials, and alerts you about each discovery so that you can take steps to protect your data.
Dark Web Monitor adds an extra layer of proactive security to your online activity. It’s a huge advantage for those who prioritize staying ahead of potential security risks and want to be informed promptly if their data appears in places it shouldn’t.
Despite the things that should be considered as market standards: data encryption, leak protection, multi-factor authentication, Nord also offers features like a Kill-Switch, SmartDNS, Split Tunneling, Double VPN and more.
NordVPN is currently in the process of upgrading their servers to 10 Gbps servers, which means they’ll be able to provide unparallelled speed and performance.
I truly believe that choosing a VPN can be challenging these days. However, it all comes to one’s individual needs and preferences. Some will want a VPN with the best review scores, while others will follow recommendations from their friends and close ones. Some will be looking for the most simplicity, while others will want it to be more than just a VPN. So, if you are one of those who wants more than just your standard VPN service, NordVPN is a great security tool that should be considered.