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How to Use NordVPN

How to Use NordVPN Software

Online security has never been more critical in our increasingly digital world. Our information is passing over primarily unsecured networks as we access everything from bank statements to family photos, leaving our data open, exposed, and easily stolen. 

With identity theft rates on the rise, now is the time to start thinking about our online security. It can be mind-numbing trying to find one that will have a fast connection and won't cost you an arm and a leg, especially with so many options on the market and jargon to sort through. 

In this article, I'll go over NordVPN's selling point and give you an idea of what to expect when you sign up for a service plan. Many people have turned to NordVPN as a quick and easy way to keep their data safe and their connection private. 

Thanks to our guide, even if you've never used a VPN before, you'll be able to get started with NordVPN like a pro. If you've used a VPN before, you'll be able to compare our assessment of NordVPN to your previous experience.

How To Install NordVPN Software

One of the most daunting parts of getting a VPN is actually using the VPN. A perfect VPN that you never use is worse than an imperfect VPN that you always use. NordVPN does very well at this point. The company makes the entire sign-up, setup, and installation process as easy as possible. All that's required is a valid email address. To get started with your NordVPN usage on your Windows, just follow the following easy steps:

#1 - Register in this link: https://join.nordvpn.com/order/

Nordvpn pricing plans

After signing up is complete, you'll receive a confirmation email from NordVPN. Click the activation link, and you're good to go.

NordVPN Activation

#2 - Go to this download link: https://nordvpn.com/download/. The software could be downloaded in a matter of seconds.

Nordvpn download

#3 - Browse the downloaded file in the location you saved it after its download.

nordvpn-open

#4 - Hover "Run as administrator" from its download directory to initiate the installation of NordVPN's software.

nordvpn run

#5 - The UAC or User Account Control of Windows will pop up to ask for the administrator password. Input the correct password and click "Yes" to proceed.

nordvpn uac

#6 - After completing the installation process, input your login details which you have received in your email. Lastly, click "Login now" and do your activities with animosity and security.

nordvpn login

How To Activate NordVPN

When you first start NordVPN, you'll see a world map with markers for each country where the service has servers. The map is zoomed in by default; otherwise, choosing from the many servers in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa would be impossible. The country selection is impressive, as you can see from the map, with nearly 60 state-level locations to choose from.

If you just want to connect to a server within the United States or the United Kingdom, click the place marker for that country; NordVPN will connect you automatically.

nordvpn software activation-1

You can now select the country you want to connect to from the drop-down menu:

nordvpn server selection

Select Servers from the top menu of the desktop program if you're going to get into the nitty-gritty of the NordVPN network. There is a list of all of their servers there. 

It's also straightforward to browse their servers. Indeed, you'll find their "special" servers at the top, followed by all servers sorted by country. You can now select them from the following list: What exactly are these unique servers?

nordvpn manual servers-selection-1

NordVPN has five types of servers: Double VPN, Ultra Fast TV, and Dedicated IP (some of which are in the United Kingdom), Onion over VPN, Anti DDOS, and P2P servers (but none located in the UK). 

Additionally, you can see the server's load and distance for each server. When you connect, you can also choose your download and upload speeds. You can also save a server to your favorites by clicking the heart icon next to it in the list or the sidebar if you're connected to it.

nordvpn favorite servers

If you want to double-check that you've changed your server and IP address, There are numerous websites that you can visit successfully. These websites tell you accurately your current IP. 

Must-Have Settings of NordVPN

As with many VPNs, there are a lot of options available. But at least there are the essential ones for any user, among them:

  • CyberSec can best be described as a mechanism to control traffic. Their new feature resembles a content blocker but with the difference that it runs on the system level and not as a browser extension.
  • Launch on Windows startup
  • Selective Kill-Switch List (it's possible to tell the kill switch which applications to shut down in the event of a VPN problem).
nordvpn settingsnordvpn settings

NordVPN Advanced Settings

To get more options, click Show advanced settings at the bottom of the Settings tab (you'll have to confirm you know what you're doing). The most interesting are:

  • Using Proprietary DNS Servers
  • Protocol selection: OpenVPN/UDP or OpenVPN TCP. UDP is mainly used for online streaming and downloading. TCP is more reliable but a little slower than UDP and usually used for web browsing. UDP by default.
nordvpn settings

8 Main Usages of NordVPN

You can click on Show advanced settings at the bottom of the Settings tab to get more options (you'll have to confirm you know what you're doing). And the most interesting are:

  1. Enhanced security. When you connect to the network through a VPN, the data is kept secured and encrypted. In this way, the information is away from hackers' eyes.
  2. Remote control. In the case of a company, the great advantage of having a VPN is that the information can be accessed remotely, even from home or from any other place. That's why a VPN can increase productivity within a company.
  3. Share files. A VPN service can be used if you have a group that needs to share files for a long period of time.
  4. Online anonymity. Through a VPN, you can browse the web in complete anonymity. Compared to hiding IP software or web proxies, the advantage of a VPN service is that it allows you to access both web applications and websites in complete anonymity.
  5. Unblock websites & bypass filters. VPNs are great for accessing blocked websites or for bypassing Internet filters. This is why there is an increased number of VPN services used in countries where Internet censorship is applied.
  6. Change IP address. If you need an IP address from another country, a VPN can provide you with this.
  7. Better performance. The bandwidth and efficiency of the network can be generally increased once a VPN solution is implemented.
  8. Reduce costs. Once a VPN network is created, the maintenance cost is very low. More than that, if you opt for a service provider, the network setup and surveillance are no more a concern.

Notable Features

NordVPN employs AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption with 256-bit keys. The US government used it to protect classified information and the NSA to protect national security data before becoming the most widely used algorithm in symmetric key cryptography. 

It's now an excellent choice for software, hardware, and firmware that require high throughput or low latency. In addition, NordVPN recommends two different security protocols for ensuring strong VPN encryption between your device and the server you've connected to. 

When you connect to one of the NordVPN apps, it usually chooses the most appropriate encryption settings for your speed and security needs.

IKEv2/IPsec

IKEv2/IPsec is the most exciting NordVPN security protocol family. It uses high-level cryptographic algorithms and keys to encrypt and secure users' traffic. Furthermore, in IKEv2/IPsec, NordVPN employs NGE (Next Generation Encryption). 

As a result, it is the protocol that provides military-grade encryption standards, stability, and high-performance speed and cannot be cracked by even the most powerful computers, at least for the time being. 

For these reasons, it is highly recommended by NordVPN and has been adopted as a default in the NordVPN apps for iOS and macOS.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a mature and reliable piece of open-source software that allows us to provide a secure, fast, and reliable VPN service. It's a flexible protocol that works with both TCP and UDP ports. 

While TCP is a more reliable option for accessing the web, UDP is faster and better for online gaming and live streaming. They use AES-256-CBC with a 2048-bit DH key to ensuring your sensitive data is secure. 

OpenVPN supports a wide range of robust encryption algorithms and ciphers. It is currently the default operating system for Windows, Mac OS X, and Android. Finally, in certain situations, both security protocols have advantages and disadvantages. 

Both are, however, recommended by NordVPN and are secure options to use if your online privacy and security are a concern. 

We invite you to look at our NordVPN Review page for a complete and detailed review of the NordVPN service.

Common Questions about NordVPN

Should I leave NordVPN on all the time?

This depends on your needs and preferences. If you want to keep your online activity hidden, you should leave your VPN on. However, if you only need privacy for certain activities or are connected to public Wi-Fi, you can turn it off. However, leaving your VPN on all the time is generally more secure. If you decide to turn it off, turn it back on before connecting to public Wi-Fi or any other networks you want to keep private.

Is NordVPN good for Netflix?

NordVPN is a good option for Netflix because it offers high-speed servers in various locations. In addition, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, so your activity will never be tracked or monitored. NordVPN is also one of the few VPNs that can bypass the Netflix proxy. This means that you can always access your favorite shows and movies, even if you're not in a country that Netflix is currently available in.

What company owns NordVPN?

NordVPN is a privately-owned company that was founded in 2012. It is based in Panama, which is outside of the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes alliances. NordVPN is one of the few remaining true zero-log VPN providers. This means that they do not keep any logs of user activity or data. Independent audits verify this. NordVPN is one of the best performing VPNs in speed and reliability. It is also one of the most affordable VPNs on the market.

Takeaways

NordVPN is a dependable and well-respected service provider with years of experience in the virtual private network (VPN) industry. With numerous features and options, this company provides a fantastic product that will appeal to a wide range of users. 

It is true that they are not the most inexpensive option on the market, but their overall value for money is exceptional, as demonstrated below. 

NordVPN service is an excellent choice if you're looking for a dependable VPN service that will keep your data safe and private at all times.

By: Michael Miller
Michael is the CEO of VPN Online, one of the fastest-growing media companies in the cyber-security space. VPN Online was started in 2019 after Michael consulted with many Fortune 500 companies and saw the lack of understanding about cybersecurity many of their employees had.