After all, there are more providers than ever before, which means that the average person has more to choose from.
Thus, you need to be able to pick a VPN provider that is best suited to your location, needs, and budget. To discover if NordVPN fits the bill, here is what you need to know:
NordVPN Australia Review
NordVPN has been consistently placed at the top of best VPN providers lists from the very beginning.
This isn’t difficult to see why. Significant coverage, good deals, and highly secure connections means that this provider ticks all the right boxes.
What’s more, it offers features that aren’t readily available with other VPN providers. Alternatives to NordVPN are Avast and ExpressVPN.
NordVPN Compatibility
Here is a list of the systems and devices that NordVPN is compatible with:
- Android
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS (iPhone and iPad)
- Android TV
- Linux
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Roku
NordVPN Features
These are some of the features that have put NordVPN on the map:
Mobile VPN Features
These days, most VPN providers secure mobile devices. NordVPN, however, takes this one step further. This feature is perfectly tailored to the wireless service that mobile devices rely on.
As such, when you move from one network to another, the VPN will adjust automatically. It also does this when you move outside of your coverage network.
Dedicated IP Address
In some instances, switching between IP addresses can leave you at a disadvantage. There are certain corporate databases and online payment systems that will not allow you to access them using these traditional VPN methods. In this instance, you can simply get a dedicated IP address.
Here, your real IP is shielded because your device is given a different one. At the same time, the consistency of a singular address means that certain legitimate sites will provide you with the access that you require.
Double Protection
For some individuals, sending their data through a single different server isn’t enough. In certain instances, you need even protection. At times like this NordVPN offers up double protection, where your information is bounced through two separate servers. This affords you an additional layer of encryption.
Onion Over VPN
If you want to add even more layers of anonymity to your online activity, then Onion Over VPN allows you to do this. Once you have connected to the Onion network, your data will be moved through multiple servers, enveloped in layers and layers of encryption.
Further down the pathway, the layers of encryption are removed one by one. The data is then decrypted and then you exit through a random node, on the web. This option ensures that your ISP provider isn’t aware that you are using Onion. As such, the feature can be especially useful in areas with stringent restrictions.
CyberSec
Of course, being spied on isn’t the only issue that you face whenever you go online. You also have to contend with malware, phishing attacks, and more. Fortunately, CyberSec is a feature that allows you to reduce the risk of being exposed to such hazards.
Whenever you visit a site, CyberSec automatically compares it to a list of blacklisted sites that may contain malware or spyware. If the address matches the one in the database, then you aren’t allowed to visit the site. This features also prevents DDOS attacks and hides annoying ads as well as other marketing media.
Browser Extensions
You will have noticed that not all websites are equally secure. There are some that lack the https precursor, meaning that there could be certain vulnerabilities with these sites. To avoid this, you can set up NordVPN browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. These provides the websites and your online activity there with an added layer of security.
Multiple Devices
Now, NordVPN does allow you to connect to up to six devices with a single subscription. This is certainly a good option for people with multiple devices. However, many other providers offer unlimited connections. As such, this feature doesn’t shine quite as brightly as the others.
NordVPN Protocols
These are the protocols that you can use with NordVPN:
OpenVPN
This is a well-known and robust piece of open-source software that has a reputation for providing a reliable and secure VPN service. This protocol can be used on TCP and UDP ports. OpenVPN uses numerous encryption algorithms and cyphers to ensure that your data is thoroughly protected.
IKEv2/IPsec
This protocol kicks up security several notches with strong cryptographic algorithms and keys. It is especially known for its speed, stability, and security. It is the default protocol for the NordVPN apps for macOS and iOS. It is highly recommended by the NordVPN.
WireGuard
This protocol is the default option for most of the apps. This is because it is among the latest and fastest tunneling protocol available today. The strong encryption and performance certainly make it capable of offering you the best experience. At the same time, users should be aware that it is experimental. As a result, NordVPN is having to continuously come up with solutions for these vulnerabilities.
NordVPN Servers
So, what about the servers? Well, there are 5900 NordVPN servers available in 59 countries.
This means users have a greater level of access to services and sites in other countries. It also offers them a chance to add even more anonymity to their online activity.
In Australia alone, there are over 200 servers to choose from! This comes in handy when you need to stay local but you don’t want to give away your precise whereabouts. As an added bonus, the servers are present in five different locations throughout the country – Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Adelaide. You can then connect to the nearest service and experience faster speeds.
Speaking of speed, the sheer number of NordVPN servers means that download speeds are excellent throughout the network. Since there are so many servers, the load is shared. As such, users don’t really experience any dips or lags.
NordVPN Security
NordVPN has continuously offer AES-256 Encryption to all users. Now, this one of the best forms of encryption currently available – it is actually used by several government organizations around the world. Thus, you can guarantee that your information is safe.
Now, the VPN provider did experience a data breach a while ago. Fortunately, it has learned from this experience and has improved its security even more. To begin with, NordVPN has partnered with VerSprite to improve its services. As such, it offers the following security features:
- Comprehensive penetration testing
- Intrusion handling
- Vendor risk assessment
- Source code analysis
- Bug bounty program
- Infrastructure security audit
- Vendor security assessment
- Diskless servers
Unblocking Solutions
Here are the unblocking solutions offered by NordVPN:
Unblocking Websites
- Flickr
- Gmail
- VKontakte
- AskFM
- Kodi
- Tumblr
- Twitch
- YouTube
- Skype
- Hi5
- WikiLeaks
- Wikipedia
- Yahoo
Streaming Services
- Netflix (US, CA, DE, UK, FR, IT, JP, AU, NL, ES, IN, BR, KR, FI)
- BBC iPlayer
- Amazon Prime
Services
- Snapchat
- Roku
- Games
- Chat apps
NordVPN Plans
There are three plans that you can choose from with NordVPN – one month, one year, and two years. Unlike other providers, NordVPN doesn’t offer shorter packages for users. So, if you do sign up with them, you are locked up for a while.
At the moment, the plans cost accordingly:
- 1 Month: USD 11.95 per month
- 1 Year: USD 4.92 per month (USD 59 is deducted for the first year)
- 2 Years: USD 3.71 per month (USD 89 is deducted for the first two years)
Now, the one month plan is one of the more expensive options, especially among other VPN providers. The good news, though, is that you do get a 30-day money back guarantee. So, if you sign up for the short term plan and aren’t happy with the service, you will be refunded.
It should also be noted that NordVPN does have plenty of offers and discounts for its long term plans. This means that you traditionally can save money when signing up. Not to mention, considering the services that you are offered, this is a pretty good deal, particularly if you are serious about your online security.
Payment Methods
One of the benefits with NordVPN is that you can choose from a number of payment options. You can pay with major credit cards, Google Play, or even cryptocurrencies. So, if you want to keep every step of your online activity a secret and anonymous, you now can.
NordVPN Signup Process
The NordVPN process is quite straightforward. Once you have selected your preferred plan, you get the option of choosing add-on services like NordPass and NordLocker for an additional cost. Then, it is just a matter of moving onto payment.
Here, you provide your billing information. Remember that for Australia, you will be charged an additional 10 percent VAT. While adding these details, you also provide your email address to create an account. Once all this has been processed, you download the app and get started.
User Interface
This is a pretty user friendly interface. It has been designed to help those who have never used VPNs before to get the protection that they need. Thus, all you have to do is to click Quick Connect option and you will be automatically connected to the server that NordVPN deems the best option for you.
There are two ways for you to select servers. The first is by clicking on the map. You also have the option of a search bar. You will be able to find specific cities and servers, giving you a wider variety of freedom in depending how you want your IP to be masked.
Another interesting feature is that you can pause your VPN connection for various time periods – the most is an hour. This is great because you don’t have to keep disconnecting and then re-connecting your connection when you need to use a website that doesn’t accept VPNs.
As with most VPN apps, NordVPN does have a Kill Switch. If your VPN connection drops for any reason at all, specific applications will lose their connection to the internet.
NordVPN Privacy Policy
One of the top benefits of using NordVPN is that it is based in Panama. Now, Panama doesn’t have any laws requiring the company to hold onto data for any period of time. Thus, NordVPN doesn’t save any logs on your online activity.
NordVPN Support
So, what about the customer service with this VPN provider? For the most part, it is quite good. There is an extensive Help Center that covers virtually every topic that you can think about. So, whether you want to know how to get setup or troubleshoot a particular problem, you will find your answers.
There is also a live chat feature that offers 24/7 support, regardless of where you are in the world. This is quite proficient at providing with the answers that you are looking for as well.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons for this VPN provider:
Pros
Diverse and Numerous Servers
There are plenty of servers to select all over the globe. This allows users to unlock various sites and services available in other countries. The greater number of servers also reduces the overall load.
Plenty of Security Options
This is certainly one of the more secure VPN providers available. Furthermore, it helps to secure your online activity in a variety of ways.
Lots of Features
There are plenty of additional features to enjoy. This ensures that you get the best possible value for your money.
Great Customer Privacy
The company is quite serious about protecting its customers’ privacy. As such, none of your details will be sold or leaked.
Cons
Fewer Connected Devices
You can only connect up to 6 devices to the network. This is far fewer than many other VPN providers.
Final Verdict
You will be hard-pressed to find a better VPN provider than this. It is reputable, has plenty of features, and is highly secure. It is also simple to use, making it the perfect option for first-time users. All in all, there is a reason that NordVPN has remained at the top of the best lists for so many years now.