The NordVPN browser extension: Features and benefits
5 min read
NordVPN is a powerful tool for more secure and private internet access. It’s available on many platforms, including a VPN proxy extension for all major browsers. The browser extension is a simple, lightweight way to protect your device while you’re online — perfect for those who want a safer browsing experience but prefer something simpler than the full VPN app. Let’s take a look at the main features and benefits of our browser extension and why it might be a perfect choice for you.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What is the NordVPN browser extension?
The NordVPN browser extension is a lightweight, fast, and easy-to-use solution designed for users who want a secure browsing experience without a full VPN application. Available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, it provides essential privacy features that protect your online activity while keeping things simple.
By using the NordVPN extension, you can secure your browser’s traffic with TLS encryption, even on unsecured sites or public Wi-Fi. The extension routes your browser’s traffic through a proxy server, giving you a different IP address and masking your real one. It’s especially useful for visiting websites that don’t use secure HTTPS connections because the extension encrypts your data and keeps it safer from online threats.
What features are available on the NordVPN browser extension?
The NordVPN browser extension is designed to provide a streamlined, secure browsing experience with a variety of features. Here are the key features you can expect from this solution:
Split tunneling
Browser split tunneling allows you to control which websites and domains will use the VPN connection and which can bypass it, accessing them with your real IP address. This feature is particularly useful if certain websites don’t work well with a VPN or if you prefer not to route specific traffic through an encrypted connection, for example, to reduce latency in online gaming. You can specify which URLs use the VPN and which can be accessed directly, which gives you more control over your browsing experience.
WebRTC leak prevention
WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a browser-based technology that enables real-time communication, like video and audio streaming, between browsers. However, it can also expose your real IP address. The NordVPN extension includes a WebRTC leak prevention feature that ensures your real IP address isn’t exposed when you’re using WebRTC.
Threat Protection
The NordVPN browser extension goes beyond basic VPN functionality and adds extra security while you browse with its Threat Protection DNS filtering. This feature blocks intrusive ads and filters out malicious domains to prevent you from landing on malicious websites.
Location spoofing
Location spoofing is a feature of the NordVPN browser extension that allows you to change your browser’s location and time zone to match the VPN server you’re connected to. This means that the websites you visit will see the location and time zone of the VPN server instead of your actual location.
Kill Switch
A VPN kill switch is a crucial security feature designed to protect your privacy by automatically disconnecting your browser from the internet if the VPN connection drops. This feature prevents any data from being transmitted without the protection of the VPN and ensures that your real IP address and personal information remain protected.
Auto-connect
The NordVPN browser extension’s auto-connect feature ensures that you are always protected by automatically connecting to a VPN server whenever you launch your browser. This feature eliminates the need for setting it up yourself, which means your browsing is secure from the moment you start your session. Auto-connect is particularly useful for users who want consistent protection without having to remember to activate the VPN each time they browse the web.
How is the browser extension different from the NordVPN app?
The NordVPN browser extension and app both keep you safer online, but each offers different features tailored to different needs.
The browser extension is a lightweight tool designed specifically for securing web browsing. It changes your IP address and connects to a VPN server but only secures the traffic going through your browser.
The NordVPN app, however, provides more full-scale protection. It secures all your internet traffic, not just what’s going to and from your browser. The app offers extra features like Double VPN, obfuscated servers, and the advanced NordLynx protocol. It also includes tools like a Meshnet for secure device connection and Dark Web Monitor to check for data leaks.
If you just need browser-level protection with minimal setup, the browser extension is a good choice. But if you want full device protection and more advanced features, the NordVPN app may be the better option.
The benefits of the NordVPN browser extension
The NordVPN browser extension has a variety of benefits that make it a simply great VPN proxy solution. Here’s why it might be the right choice for you:
- It’s easy to use. The extension works right in your browser, so you can manage your extension settings without opening a separate app. This way, you have easy access to the VPN proxy extension’s features while you browse.
- It’s lightweight and efficient. Compared to the full NordVPN app, it uses fewer system resources, which makes it a lighter option for maintaining your device’s performance and saving battery life.
- No admin rights are needed. In most cases, the extension does not require administrator rights for installation, which makes it accessible to users who may not have permission to install additional software on their devices.
- The setup is simple. Installing the NordVPN extension is quick and easy — just a few clicks and you’re done, without needing to download and install a full application.
How to set up the NordVPN browser extension
To use the NordVPN browser extension, you’ll need an active NordVPN subscription. If you don’t have one, you can sign up for a plan that suits your needs on the NordVPN website. Once you have your subscription, follow the steps below to set up the extension on your preferred browser.
Chrome
To add the NordVPN extension to Google Chrome:
- Go to the NordVPN website or the Google Chrome Web Store and find the NordVPN extension.
- Click “Add to Chrome.”
- Confirm the addition by clicking “Add extension” when prompted.
- You’ll see a notification that the extension has been added successfully.
- Click the NordVPN logo in the top-right corner of the browser toolbar, then log in or sign up with your Nord Account credentials.
Firefox
To set up the NordVPN extension on Firefox:
- Visit the Firefox Add-ons website and search for the NordVPN extension.
- Click “Add to Firefox.”
- Grant the necessary permissions by clicking “Add.”
- Allow the extension to run in a private window when prompted, then click “Okay.”
- The NordVPN logo will appear on the toolbar. Click it to log in with your NordVPN credentials.
Edge
To install the NordVPN extension on Microsoft Edge:
- Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Go to the Edge Add-ons store and search for “NordVPN” or click directly on the NordVPN extension page.
- Click “Get” to start the installation.
- Confirm the permissions by clicking “Add extension.”
- Once installed, click the NordVPN logo on the toolbar and log in or sign up with your Nord Account.
Can I use the NordVPN app and NordVPN extension simultaneously?
Using both the NordVPN app and the NordVPN browser extension at the same time is generally not recommended. Connecting through both could create a double connection, which may lead to slower internet speeds and potential connectivity issues.
However, if you still wish to use both, you can take advantage of the split tunneling feature available on the Windows app. By setting up split tunneling, you can exclude your browser app from VPN traffic. This way you can connect to the VPN using the NordVPN app for your overall system traffic while using the NordVPN browser extension to secure just your browser traffic. This setup can help you avoid the performance issues associated with a double connection.