When it comes to online security, the internet has come a long way in the last decade.
The world of online is a very different landscape from when Cubed3 started back in 2003. At risk of sounding ancient: mobile phones were confined to text messages; the internet bound to computer desks and toilet trips meant memorising labels on bottles.
The internet has changed over the years, with usage surging to record levels during the 2020 pandemic. Most of us are rarely truly offline. With plenty of Wi-Fi hotspots whilst out and about, plus growing concerns around online privacy, a VPN app can offer extra peace of mind. But is it worth installing?
A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) acts as a protective layer between your device (like a phone or computer) and the internet. It secures browsing history, location, and other sensitive information before it reaches apps or websites.
For example, a VPN user could be physically sitting at Dorris’ Delicious Crumpets in the UK but connected to a secure location in France. Essentially it means your internet provider or Wi-Fi can’t see what you’re doing online and doesn’t know your location. A VPN doesn’t guarantee complete privacy, but it can help reduce being tracked by companies and sensitive data, like passwords, from being intercepted by hackers. A preventative measure, with improved privacy. Like taking a coat, in case it rains.
NordVPN is one of the major paid providers out there that aims to do just that. Setup is surprisingly simple compared to how services were configured in the past. Gone are the days of complex setup guides and DNS tweaking, instead it’s an app. There’s always an app for most things these days!
Nord has desktop options available for Windows, Mac and Linux, plus Android and iOS phones, too. These are designed to work across all internet activity – from simple web browsing to listening to Spotify, online banking, as well as spinning PokéStop in Pokémon Go whilst waiting for a latte.
One installed, the NordVPN app shows a list of countries to connect to, alongside recently accessed destinations. There’s also a single-click button that recommends the best hotspot. Select a location and it’s connected in seconds. It’s surprisingly snappy. Once up, simply browse the web as normal.
Using the service extensively for several days and it feels seamless. For the most part, just set and forget. However, some providers may flag additional security checks. For example, Google services like YouTube and Gmail did require logging in again or a two-factor check on occasion. The main reason is that it’s impossible to teleport from London to New York in seconds, so some providers may flag the sudden change, just in case.
That said, constantly toggling between VPN locations shouldn’t need to be done often. NordVPN can be left running for as long as possible, with the provider encouraging this for continual privacy. Refreshingly, there are no limits for time connected or data downloaded – essentially, it’s unlimited use. Download and upload speeds may take a minor hit since data travels through a VPN; however closer countries saw little to no drop in averages.
For this review, various countries were tested by using multiple reads from speedtest.net from the UK. Average download, upload and ping figures were then measured as a comparison.
Connecting to servers in the UK, Ireland and Spain, speeds remained constant with non-VPN performance. On paper, the average figure did drop when connecting to the US, which is expected due to distance. Despite the drop in speed, the VPN connection didn’t feel noticeably slower, still handled browsing and streaming with ease.
Up to ten devices on a single account can simultaneously connect, for added value. You can also configure a router to use NordVPN, allowing all devices in a home to connect automatically. This is fiddly to setup, however, so setting up a VPN per-device is typically the easier route.
For those wanting a simpler experience that’s solely limited to web browser activity, Nord also offers desktop browser extensions. These are plugins that protect only browser traffic – not apps or downloads. Whilst not complete protection, it is quick to install and toggle between different countries.
Outside of core functionality, NordVPN also have additional security features on the Plus or Ultimate plans – Threat Protection Pro. It’s essentially a suite of options that can be toggled on – download scanning, ad blocking, anti-tracking and flags for dodgy websites. What’s useful is that these run independently of the VPN service – e.g. can be used without being connected.
During testing, Threat Protection Pro performed well, blocking malicious websites that Google Chrome did not pick up, and flagged a handful of dodgy downloads and search results. No, not that, promise!
