VPN for me will only ever be Nord. I get a sizeable discount for the plan I have based on the renewals, and it’s the only product I trust. I’ve tried Proton but wasn’t impressed with the performance.
Here’s an overview of the main reasons I chose NordVPN:
Privacy Protection and Data Encryption VPN Encryption: NordVPN uses strong AES-256 encryption to protect your internet traffic from prying eyes, whether you’re on public Wi-Fi or a private network. Privacy on Public Networks: On public Wi-Fi, like in cafes or airports, your data can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your data, making it difficult for others to intercept or steal. IP Address Masking and Location Privacy Hides Your IP Address: A VPN replaces your IP address with that of the VPN server, keeping your location and identity private. This is especially useful to avoid trackers, advertisers, or anyone trying to identify your real location. Avoid ISP Tracking: Some ISPs track user activity or throttle bandwidth for certain websites. NordVPN’s IP masking and encryption can prevent ISPs from knowing what you’re accessing, potentially avoiding throttling. Accessing Geo-Restricted Content Bypass Geographic Restrictions: Many streaming services, websites, and content platforms restrict access based on geographic location. NordVPN has a large network of servers across many countries, allowing you to connect from a server in another country and access content that would otherwise be restricted. Sports Events and Streaming Services: If you’re traveling or living outside your home country, a VPN can help you access sports events, TV shows, or streaming libraries that are available in specific countries. Enhanced Security for Online Activities Protection Against Cyber Threats: NordVPN has features to protect users from malicious websites, phishing attempts, and ads (with their CyberSec feature). This extra layer of security can be helpful if you browse frequently or deal with sensitive information. Double VPN and Onion Over VPN: These features provide additional layers of security. Double VPN routes your traffic through two servers, making it more difficult to trace, while Onion Over VPN combines VPN encryption with the privacy benefits of the Tor network. Secure Torrenting and P2P Safe Torrenting: NordVPN offers P2P-optimized servers, which provide faster speeds and protect your IP address while torrenting, which is often vulnerable to tracking. Bypass ISP Restrictions on P2P Traffic: Some ISPs limit or throttle P2P connections. With a VPN, ISPs can’t see that you’re torrenting, potentially allowing for smoother P2P downloads. NordVPN’s Strong No-Logs Policy Strict No-Logs Policy: NordVPN doesn’t log your activity, meaning they don’t store records of what you’re doing online. This commitment to privacy has been independently audited, making NordVPN a strong choice if data privacy is a top priority. Additional Features Unique to NordVPN Meshnet: NordVPN’s Meshnet lets you connect your devices to create a secure private network, which is useful for file sharing, LAN gaming, and remote work. Threat Protection: This feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware to protect your device and improve browsing speed. 24/7 Customer Support: NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support, which is helpful if you run into any technical issues or need assistance setting it up on various devices.In summary, NordVPN is perfect for those who prioritize privacy, access to a global internet, and security against online threats.
In terms of drawbacks, there are a couple. it seems that some email clients do not work well behind VPNs (although Outlook et al do not seem to be affected by this), and the bypass features do not seem to work either. This is really only an issue if you are using the VPN at software level to encompass all traffic, rather than using the browser plugin, but an issue nonetheless.
