Norton Secure VPN Overview
Norton Secure VPN is a virtual private network service designed to enhance online security, privacy, and anonymity. Here’s a detailed look at what the product does and its key features.
What it Does
Norton Secure VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the internet, creating a secure tunnel that protects your online activities from third-party trackers, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and potential hackers. This encryption ensures that your IP address and online activities remain private, allowing you to browse the web securely, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Key Features
Encryption and Security
- Norton Secure VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is considered the gold standard in the VPN industry for its robust security. This encryption makes your internet traffic unreadable to outsiders.
Tunneling Protocols
- The VPN supports OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec tunneling protocols. Although it does not include WireGuard, some sources suggest it may use a proprietary Mimic protocol as well.
Kill Switch
- The kill switch feature is available on Windows and Android apps, ensuring that if the VPN connection drops, all internet traffic is blocked to prevent exposure of your IP address and online activities. On macOS, a similar functionality is achieved through the “Connect on demand” feature.
Split Tunneling
- This feature, available on Windows and Android apps, allows you to choose which apps bypass the VPN connection, enabling you to protect specific activities while accessing local network devices or services.
Wi-Fi Security
- Automatically triggers a VPN connection when your device connects to an unsecured network, ensuring continuous protection, especially in public places. You can customize this feature and add trusted networks to exclude them from automatic VPN activation.
Ad and Tracker Blocker
- Includes a feature to block advertisers from tracking your online activity, enhancing your privacy and reducing targeted ads.
Multi-Hop Technology
- Norton Secure VPN offers limited multi-hop technology, routing your connection through multiple servers to further obscure your online activities.
Dynamic IP Addresses
- Uses dynamic IP addresses that change every time you log on, making it harder for anyone to track your online behaviors.
Server Network
- Although the exact number of servers is not publicly listed, Norton Secure VPN has servers in over 30 countries, providing decent global coverage.
Simultaneous Connections
- Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect multiple devices with a single subscription.
No-Logs Policy
- Norton Secure VPN adheres to a no-logs policy, although it does collect some data such as device name, type, and usage data to prevent service abuse. This data is encrypted and stored for a maximum of 36 months.
Additional Benefits
- Integration with Norton 360: If you opt for the full Norton 360 security suite, you gain access to additional features like top-rated antivirus software, a private browser, privacy monitor, cloud backup, and a password manager.
Pricing and Availability
- Norton Secure VPN is available at a budget-friendly price starting from $2.49 per month, making it an affordable option for those seeking basic yet effective VPN protection.
In summary, Norton Secure VPN is a reliable and user-friendly VPN service that offers essential security features, strong encryption, and a no-logs policy, making it a solid choice for everyday web surfing and protecting your online privacy. However, it may lack some advanced features that more demanding users might require.