Get a VPN for your privacy and security

Fast encrypted connections
Secure browsing and online gaming
Additional protection online

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for “virtual private network” — a service that protects your internet connection and privacy online. VPNs create an encrypted tunnel for your data, protect your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allow you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely.

Why do I need a VPN?

No one likes to be watched or tracked – even if they have nothing to hide. That’s why it’s important you step up your privacy game. Here’s when you need a VPN:

For secure online entertainment

Like gaming online? You can forget about DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling with NordVPN. It’s a VPN gamers love: you’ll get the fastest connection speeds, and easily set up secure virtual LAN parties with your friends with our Meshnet feature.

Want a more relaxed evening of sitting back and enjoying a show? Watch your favorite TV series and movies without slowdowns — NordVPN can save your movie night by preventing your ISP from throttling your connection.

For private internet browsing

Government agencies, marketers, and internet service providers would all love to track and collect your browsing history, messages, and other private data. Best way to hide it? Using a VPN to keep your data to yourself.

NordVPN will guard your back every step of the way. Our Threat Protection feature will make sure you don’t accidentally download malware or land on a malicious website while blocking intrusive ads and third-party trackers.

For safe traveling

Use NordVPN to secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, so you can browse in full privacy even when you’re far away from home. Hackers have many methods to steal your data on public hotspots, but with a VPN your online traffic is invisible to them.

If you want to access your home content while traveling around the world, a VPN can also help. Install NordVPN on your device, and never miss a friend’s post on social media.

Be safer for longer.

Get 63% off NordVPN + 3 extra months

Get the Deal

30-day money-back guarantee

Be safer for longer.

Get 63% off NordVPN + 3 extra months

Get the Deal

30-day money-back guarantee

Be safer for longer.

Get 63% off NordVPN + 3 extra months

Get the Deal

30-day money-back guarantee

Be safer for longer.

Get 63% off NordVPN + 3 extra months

Get the Deal

30-day money-back guarantee

How does a VPN work?

VPN works by creating a secure encrypted connection between your device and the remote server so that your data can travel in secrecy.

It’s worth finding out how a VPN works so you can make use of its full potential. Here’s what’s going on behind the scenes:

When you connect to a virtual private network service, it authenticates your client with a VPN server.
The server then applies an encryption protocol to all the data you send and receive.
The VPN service creates an encrypted “tunnel” over the internet. This secures the data traveling between you and your destination.
To ensure each data packet stays secure, a VPN wraps it in an outer packet, which is then encrypted through encapsulation. This is the core element of the VPN tunnel, keeping the data safe during transfer.
When the data arrives at the server, the outer packet is removed through a decryption process.

Get NordVPN

How to set up a VPN

Set up your NordVPN account and have an encrypted VPN connection wherever you go in three easy steps:

Download

Download the NordVPN app to your device.

Open the app and tap “Sign up” to create a new account or “Log in” if you already have one.

Connect

To connect to the fastest server immediately, tap the “Quick Connect” button.

That’s it – you can now enjoy a fully encrypted VPN connection!

VPN encryption protocols

When people use a VPN, privacy and speed are their main concerns. That’s why we offer several different types of VPN protocols — you can choose one that’s best for your particular needs.

OpenVPN
OpenVPN is the most popular encryption protocol, currently used by the majority of VPN providers in the world.

One of OpenVPN’s biggest strengths is that it is highly configurable. It also offers a nice balance between speed and security, as you can use it on both TCP and UDP ports. While the TCP port is a more stable option, UDP is faster, and many users prefer it for a seamless online gaming and live streaming experience.
IKEv2/IPSec
IKEv2 is a tunneling protocol, which is usually paired with IPSec for encryption. It has many advantages, such as the capacity to restore a secure connection after the internet drops. It also adapts well to changing networks. That makes it a great choice for phone users who often switch between home Wi-Fi and mobile connections or move between hotspots.
NordLynx
If you’re looking for both privacy and speed, NordLynx is the way to go. It’s our default protocol, a unique tech solution based on WireGuard — the fastest tunneling protocol out there. What makes WireGuard so fast? The secret lies in its code — all 4000 lines of it. Compare that to the tens of thousands of lines in other VPN protocols, and you’ll see why it’s so mind-blowingly quick.

To make it as secure as possible, we combined WireGuard with our custom double NAT system. It allows users to enjoy a fast internet connection without compromising their security.

Frequently asked questions

Can you be tracked if you use a VPN?

A VPN gives you a new IP address and encrypts the connection between your device and the VPN server, so no one can see what data you send and receive. But it won’t make you anonymous — there are other ways someone could track your actions online. Hackers could install malware (keyloggers, spyware, etc.) on your device. If you overshare on social media or use the same username everywhere, anyone with decent googling skills could gather a wealth of information about you.

A VPN is not an all-in-one solution for anonymity but rather an extra layer of security that protects your internet traffic.

Is using a VPN legal?

Yes, VPNs are legal in many countries, but some have banned VPNs altogether or heavily regulate their usage. However, it’s still possible to use a VPN connection in these countries to bypass censorship and gain unrestricted internet access. If you decide to do it, make sure to download the NordVPN apps and get your subscription before traveling there.

Are there any alternatives to VPNs?

You can use other software that offers similar features to a virtual private network, but nothing can replace the all-round security and privacy a VPN offers. A Smart DNS will help you gain access to blocked sites, but it won’t encrypt your traffic. Tor will protect your privacy, but many websites will block your access.

So if you want a service that protects your privacy, gives you a new IP address, and encrypts your data at the same time, opt for a reliable VPN provider.

Is a virtual private network safe to use?

Yes, if you choose a trustworthy VPN service provider, using it is absolutely safe.

Which VPN providers you can’t trust? The one that says it’s free. It will track your online activity, what websites you visit, the content you interact with, and sell it to the highest bidder. Why? Because they must maintain hundreds of servers in different countries and hire people to take care of the infrastructure. A service that big has to make money somehow, so you end up paying for it with your data. Besides, it’s doubtful a free VPN will properly encrypt your connection and it might even contain malware or spy on your entire local network.

However, if you do your research and choose the best VPN provider out there, you’ll find that using a VPN makes your digital life much more comfortable.