One point I request to make clear correct from nan start: this is simply a reappraisal of Norton VPN (formerly Norton Secure VPN, and concisely Norton Ultra VPN) arsenic a standalone app, not of nan VPN characteristic successful nan Norton 360 package. They're similar, but Norton VPN has a fewer much features, including nan expertise to take cities arsenic server locations successful countries pinch much than 1 option.
I'll authorities my sentiment up front. Norton VPN isn't a bad service, but it's not bully capable to get up of its nonstop competitors. ExpressVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN and NordVPN are each either faster, much feature-rich, much secure, much affordable aliases immoderate operation of nan four. There's nary logic to spell pinch Norton arsenic your VPN unless you're getting it arsenic portion of different Norton 360 bundle.
For this review, I ran rigorous tests that highlighted Norton VPN's strengths (well-designed personification interfaces, a verified privateness policy) on pinch its weaknesses (holes successful its security, renewals that double nan price, anemic customer support). Norton's history of focusing connected Windows intends that app is by acold nan astir complete; if you're connected immoderate different platform, expect to miss retired connected nan champion VPN protocols and nan complete characteristic set.
Editors' note: We're successful nan process of rebooting each of our VPN reviews from scratch. Once we do a caller walk connected nan apical services, we'll beryllium updating each reappraisal pinch a standing and further comparative information.
A VPN that doesn't rather unrecorded up to nan Norton legacy.
Pros
- Apps are easy to use
- IP rotation and double-hop connections
- Verified privateness policy
Cons
- Exposes IP reside while switching servers
- Poor customer support
- Not each servers unblock Netflix
$3 astatine Norton VPN
Table of contents
Findings astatine a glance
Use this array arsenic a speedy reference for my trial results, investigations and thoughts astir Norton VPN. For much details, jump to nan applicable conception utilizing nan array of contents above.
Category | Notes |
Installation and UI | All apps instal easily Navigation is intuitive, pinch intelligibly branded tabs and explanations of each feature Mac and iOS apps deficiency respective options, including divided tunneling Browser extensions are nan only measurement to usage nan advertisement blocker Smart TVs are besides supported |
Speed | Relatively important mean velocity driblet of 21.1 percent Download speeds varied pinch distance, which tin beryllium a motion of outdated infrastructure Upload speeds dropped an mean of 9.5 percent Mean worldwide latency was 322 ms, putting Norton successful nan mediate of nan pack |
Security | Windows and Android apps person WireGuard, OpenVPN and Mimic; Mac and iOS apps conscionable person IKEv2 and Mimic Mimic uses vetted encryption, but I still urge utilizing open-source protocols wherever possible Unless termination move is enabled, your existent IP reside is visible while switching server locations |
Pricing | You tin only subscribe for 1 twelvemonth astatine a time After 1 year, renewal pricing kicks in, doubling nan yearly fee The Standard plan, which includes each VPN features, costs $39.99 for nan first twelvemonth and $79.99 for early years All plans tin beryllium refunded for 60 days |
Bundles | Plus plans adhd astir of nan functionality of Norton Antivirus, but without manual scans, disk cleanup aliases email monitoring Ultimate adds parental controls and individual information removal Norton VPN is besides disposable done respective Norton 360 plans, pinch reduced features |
Privacy policy | Norton's wide privateness argumentation allows acold excessively overmuch information collection, but Norton VPN's rules are stricter An audit successful 2024 recovered that Norton VPN posed small aliases nary privateness risk |
Virtual location change | Most servers changed my virtual location to entree a different Netflix library Iceland location was many times blocked |
Server network | 106 server locations successful 66 countries Good distribution crossed bluish and confederate hemispheres No accusation connected virtual server locations |
Features | Can artifact ads connected mobile and browsers; browser type tin let definite acceptable ads Some locations link done a 2nd server, while others continually rotate your IP address Kill move useful but is only disposable connected iOS done Mimic Windows and Android users get divided tunneling by app Can scan wi-fi networks for communal attacks |
Customer support | Windows users person nan astir in-app debugging options — each different platforms conscionable nexus to nan website FAQs are difficult to navigate and person small useful information Tech support prefers to telephone alternatively than email |
Background check | Norton Antivirus was first offered successful 1991, but Norton VPN didn't motorboat until 2019 arsenic portion of nan Norton 360 resurrection No superior controversies during that time |
Installing, configuring and utilizing Norton VPN
Here, I'll do my champion to convey really it feels to usage Norton VPN connected various platforms. Its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and browsers are each similar, but location are distinctions successful some creation and features.
Windows
Once you download nan Norton VPN app from its website aliases nan Microsoft Store, an installation wizard takes complete and makes nan remainder of nan process easy. You'll person to click to assistance a fewer permissions and skip done a tutorial, but aft that, you're free to move astir nan interface.
windows app norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Norton VPN's Windows UI was a pleasant surprise. There's nary wasted item connected nan beforehand page. Click nan ample yellowish fastener to link to nan VPN, aliases prime nan server sanction to spell to nan location list, which is alphabetized. Clicking nan very first introduction successful nan database connects you to nan fastest location. IP rotator servers and double VPN routes are grouped nether tabs beneath that. There's nary clutter and nary fierce popups, and connections hap quickly.
You'll find 4 tabs connected nan left-hand broadside of nan Window. The apical 1 manages nan VPN. Then there's a shop for different Norton products (IMO nan only existent misstep), a group of thief pages and nan controls for nan VPN's settings and features. This past is subdivided into a statement of easy understandable subtabs. I'm impressed by really seamlessly nan creation useful successful explanations of what each mounting does — it makes nan full point that overmuch much accessible.
Mac
Downloading Norton VPN for Mac is simply a speedy and painless process, pinch 1 flimsy quality from Windows: you'll person to messiness astir a spot successful System Preferences to springiness Norton nan permissions it needs. Fortunately, nan setup wizard guides you done nan steps pinch matter and animations.
mac app norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
The existent interface is conscionable arsenic free of clutter arsenic nan Windows app — much truthful successful immoderate cases, arsenic there's nary shilling of nan remainder of nan Norton family. The downside is that there's besides nary thief halfway entree from nan main window; you person to spell to Settings -> Troubleshooting to find nan link. There besides aren't links to circumstantial thief articles for illustration nan Windows app includes.
Android
One connection of informing astir Norton VPN's mobile apps: you request an net relationship for nan first login and setup. It doesn't look to beryllium opening a website, but if you don't person web access, you'll get stuck successful an endless loading loop.
The beforehand pages of Norton VPN's desktop apps don't person galore creation elements, truthful nan aforesaid wide schematic is easy to compress onto mobile. The Android customer has a position indicator, a ample fastener to commencement your connection, tabs on nan bottommost and a cogwheel icon for settings successful nan top-right. It's each intuitive and responsive.
android app norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
If I were to alteration anything, though, I'd return immoderate of nan options from nan upper-right settings paper and switch them pinch nan bottommost tabs for notifications and accounts settings. VPN preferences should beryllium accessible successful 1 click, particularly protocols. Frankly, nan messages you get from this app aren't important capable to merit specified pridefulness of place.
iOS
Norton VPN's apps for iPhone and iPad are almost identical to its Android app. The only existent quality is that nan iOS customer is missing immoderate features, astir notably divided tunneling; also, nan termination move is only disposable connected nan Mimic protocol, astir which there's constricted information. Other than that, it feels bully to use. While it's not awesome that Apple users suffer retired connected nan afloat characteristic set, I can't contradict it alleviates nan problem of nan VPN preferences paper emotion overstuffed.
ios app norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Browser extensions
Norton VPN has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. The only logic to instal immoderate of these is to entree nan advertisement blocker, which doesn't travel pinch either of nan desktop apps. Other than that, it's an underwhelming extension. I urge skipping it and going pinch a dedicated advertisement blocker alternatively — you'll get much customization features that way.
chrome hold norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Norton VPN velocity test
Using speedtest.net, I tested Norton VPN to spot really overmuch it slowed down my browsing speeds. I past calculated nan results arsenic percentages. While different networks springiness you different starting speeds, nan aforesaid server location tends to slow down each those networks astatine astir nan aforesaid rate. You tin usage this array to estimate really overmuch velocity you tin expect while Norton VPN is running.
As a reference, you mostly request download velocity for loading web pages and videos, upload velocity for sending ample amounts of information and latency for real-time communication. Latency ever increases sharply complete longer distances, but a bully VPN tin still support nan jumps nether control. Let's spot really Norton VPN did.
Server location | Latency (ms) | Increase factor | Download velocity (Mbps) | Percentage drop | Upload velocity (Mbps) | Percentage drop |
Portland, OR, USA (unprotected) | 18 | — | 58.90 | — | 5.91 | — |
Portland, OR, USA (protected) | 30 | 1.7x | 55.83 | 5.2 | 5.53 | 6.4 |
McAllen, TX, USA | 164 | 9.1x | 48.96 | 16.9 | 5.70 | 3.6 |
Argentina | 422 | 23.4x | 43.02 | 27.0 | 5.72 | 3.2 |
Croatia | 379 | 21.1x | 46.35 | 21.3 | 5.65 | 4.4 |
Nigeria | 564 | 31.3x | 39.94 | 32.2 | 3.86 | 34.7 |
Indonesia | 375 | 20.8x | 44.88 | 23.8 | 5.64 | 4.6 |
Average | 322 | 17.9x | 46.50 | 21.1 | 5.35 | 9.5 |
Before I construe nan results, I should mention that nan algorithm Norton VPN uses to prime nan fastest server doesn't look to beryllium reliable. Every clip I clicked it, it gave maine nan server successful Texas, thousands of miles from my existent location successful Portland, Oregon. Moreover, nan Portland server was evidently faster. This happened many times complete aggregate days of testing.
To nan point: this array doesn't look bully for Norton VPN. Download speeds dropped an mean of 21.1 percent, nan worst showing of immoderate VPN I've tested truthful far. What's worse, nan information intelligibly inclination toward worse speeds astatine greater distances. Although it's existent that region impacts download velocity arsenic good arsenic latency, it's besides existent that a well-implemented modern server OS should beryllium capable to render that effect minimal.
speed trial norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Upload velocity looks better, pinch an mean driblet of nether 10 percent — chiefly dragged down by nan Nigeria server, which trim speeds sharply crossed each test. Latency is besides not awful. Controlling for nan expected variance owed to distance, Norton VPN hit retired some Surfshark and NordVPN successful mean worldwide ping, which suggests that gaming whitethorn beryllium its comfortableness zone.
Norton VPN information test
A VPN's superior occupation is to alteration your IP address. While doing this, it must besides encrypt your communications pinch its servers truthful cipher tin travel your relationship location — this is what separates a VPN from a elemental proxy. In this section, I'll tally 3 checks to spot whether Norton VPN tin guarantee anonymous browsing.
VPN protocols
VPNs usage protocols to found unchangeable connections betwixt your devices and their servers. Most providers prime from nan aforesaid excavation of field-tested options, but you do spot a astonishment each now and then, for illustration Norton VPN's Mimic.
Norton VPN's protocol action follows its wide inclination of serving very different experiences to users connected different platforms. Windows and Android users get WireGuard, OpenVPN and Mimic, while macOS and iOS users only get Mimic and IKEv2. Here's a rundown of each.
WireGuard is nan astir modern open-source VPN protocol presently available. It's almost ever nan fastest and uses a unafraid watercourse cipher for cryptography. The 1 downside is that it saves your existent IP reside to support nan relationship open. Norton VPN deals pinch this by assigning impermanent move IP addresses during nan authentication process.
OpenVPN is an unfastened root protocol that's been successful usage for ages. Its root codification is somewhat clunky aft years of volunteers poking it for weaknesses, but that besides makes it nan astir trustworthy option. It's accelerated connected average, though usually slower than WireGuard aliases IKEv2.
IKEv2 is a accelerated protocol that's bully astatine reconnecting mobile devices arsenic they move betwixt networks. Norton VPN uses it successful conjunction pinch IPSec encryption. If you're connected an Apple device, it's your only action different than Mimic.
Mimic is an obfuscation protocol, which makes your VPN relationship look for illustration regular HTTPS traffic. This tin get astir networks that artifact each VPN postulation sloppy of content. Mimic is based connected TLS 1.3, and uses nan aforesaid modular encryption algorithms arsenic nan different protocols.
Normally, I counsel letting your VPN take what protocol is best. Norton VPN is different. There simply isn't capable accusation astir Mimic for maine to spot it, and you shouldn't fto nan VPN move you to it without your knowledge. All nan others are fine, though.
Leak test
Testing a VPN for leaks is easy: conscionable cheque your IP reside earlier and aft connecting, and spot if it changes. I utilized IPleak.net to tally that trial connected respective Norton VPN servers. I first observed that Norton VPN prevents IPv6 leaks by blocking IPv6 altogether. On each run, nan IPv6 trial grounded to load, nary matter which server location I chose. This is an effective measurement to make leaks impossible, since almost nary of nan net is IPv6-only yet.
ipv6 blocked norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
My 2nd conclusion was that Norton VPN's servers don't leak done DNS aliases WebRTC while your relationship remains stable. However, each clip I changed from 1 location to another, my existent IP reside was visible connected nan trial surface for respective seconds. Enabling nan termination move solved this problem, but nan termination move is not progressive by default, truthful make judge you move it connected successful nan settings.
dns leak norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
There is 1 different superior problem pinch this: connected nan iOS app, nan termination move cannot beryllium utilized isolated from pinch nan Mimic protocol. This forces users to take betwixt leaving a spread successful their information aliases trusting it to a protocol pinch constricted transparency. Until this changes, I can't urge installing Norton VPN connected iOS astatine all.
I tested nan rotating IP server successful nan United States to spot if it had nan aforesaid problem, and thankfully didn't announcement it. A Norton typical besides confirmed that each servers person their ain DNS resolvers that debar nationalist servers, cutting disconnected a large root of leaks. Still, I'd urge keeping nan termination move engaged. As agelong arsenic you retrieve this, Norton VPN is secure.
Encryption test
Finally, I ran a trial pinch WireShark to spot if Norton VPN's protocols managed to encrypt my traffic. Since I've been uncertain astir Mimic, I utilized it for nan encryption test. I recovered that Mimic does successful truth encrypt information packets, moreover connected an unsecured HTTP connection. WireShark besides confirmed to maine that Mimic is utilizing TLS for cardinal speech and encryption.
encryption trial norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
How overmuch does Norton VPN cost?
Norton VPN subscriptions are only disposable for 1 twelvemonth astatine a clip — there's nary monthly option. There are 3 different subscription tiers, summarized successful nan array below. "Number of devices" refers to really galore devices you tin person installed connected a azygous account, whether aliases not immoderate of them are connected to nan VPN.
Subscription | Starting value (One year) | Renewal value (One year) | Number of devices | Features |
Standard | $39.99 | $79.99 | 5 | Basic VPN service, IP rotation, double VPN, termination switch |
Plus | $49.99 | $109.99 | 5 | Antivirus, password manager, acheronian web alerts, 10GB unreality backup |
Ultimate | $59.99 | $129.99 | 10 | Parental controls, instrumentality locator |
The Standard subscription is simply a reasonable value for what you get, but nan superior Proton VPN is hardly much costly and Surfshark is really cheaper. In different words, Norton VPN is simply a bully price, but not awesome worth — particularly erstwhile you facet successful nan renewal prices, each of which unit you to salary double aliases much what you paid nan first time. If you'd for illustration to determine for yourself, each nan plans do travel pinch a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Norton VPN broadside apps and bundles
Norton is amended known arsenic an antivirus institution than a VPN provider, truthful people Norton VPN is packaged pinch nan remainder of nan Norton 360 family. Be warned — unless you move nan action disconnected successful nan Settings -> Privacy tab, Norton will cod accusation connected your app usage and usage it to target you pinch ads for its different products.
Norton 360 is simply a monolithic merchandise statement encompassing dozens of individual subscriptions. To support this conception from bloating, I'll attraction connected nan package disposable arsenic portion of an upgraded Norton VPN subscription, past extremity by listing nan Norton 360 plans that see Norton VPN.
Features connected Norton VPN Plus
A Norton VPN Plus subscription adds respective features from Norton's antivirus suite, but isn't a complete replacement for Norton aliases immoderate different dedicated antivirus software. Plus users get astir of nan antivirus features that activity successful existent time, including a smart firewall, anti-ransomware backups, a sandbox for quarantining suspicious programs and a malicious book blocker.
VPN subscribers do not get entree to nan quicker Smart Scan option, alternatively getting a different scan characteristic that checks for online threats (note that nan FAQ page astir this erroneously says Norton VPN includes Smart Scan). VPN users besides miss retired connected nan LiveUpdate characteristic that installs information patches autonomously, positive nan automated difficult thrust cleaner.
Features connected Norton VPN Ultimate
In summation to raising nan instrumentality limit to 10, Norton VPN Ultimate adds 2 features connected apical of Plus: parental controls and Privacy Monitor. The second is only disposable successful nan US and Canada.
Parental power is some a time-based tract blocker and a monitoring app. It tin not only way a child's net activity, but besides their beingness location, giving you alerts if they time off group boundaries during a definite clip (say schoolhouse spot during a weekday). Privacy Monitor scans for your accusation connected information brokerage sites truthful you tin nonstop deletion requests, akin to Surfshark Incogni.
Norton 360 plans that see Norton VPN
Instead of subscribing to Norton VPN directly, you tin besides prime a Norton 360 scheme that includes VPN service. Norton 360 Standard and Norton 360 For Gamers each fto you instal Norton VPN connected 3 devices. Norton 360 Deluxe raises that number to five, while Norton 360 pinch Lifelock Select and Norton 360 pinch Lifelock Advantage assistance you 10 full VPN installs. Norton 360 pinch Lifelock Ultimate Plus lets you instal Norton VPN connected an unlimited number of devices.
Close-reading Norton VPN's privateness policy
To measure Norton VPN's privacy, we request to look astatine 2 different privateness policies. Like I said successful nan introduction, location are technically 2 products called Norton VPN — nan standalone work I've been reviewing and nan VPN features of nan Norton 360 bundle. I've been focused connected nan independent Norton VPN truthful far, but since nan Norton 360 VPN add-on is simply a privateness risk, I want to mention it here.
Norton lists nan privateness policies for each of its products on 1 page of its website. The VPN characteristic of Norton 360 is governed by nan apical 2 policies, Norton Security Products (desktop) and Norton 360 Mobile Apps. The standalone Norton VPN has its ain argumentation further down nan page.
The Norton 360 argumentation is simply a privateness nightmare. Both nan desktop and mobile apps declare nan correct to prevention your IP address, instrumentality fingerprints and web activity for up to 36 months, and there's nary objection for nan VPN feature. I powerfully counsel against utilizing Norton 360's bundled VPN for immoderate activity you don't want Norton seeing.
Fortunately, Norton holds nan standalone VPN to a overmuch much acceptable group of rules. It isn't permitted to cod IP addresses, browsing history aliases DNS requests, nor tin it stock immoderate of nan information it does cod pinch partners. The partners statement is important because 1 of Norton's related companies, Avast, is known to person sold accusation connected its users to corporations for advertisement targeting. A Norton typical stated that Avast is nary longer progressive successful harvesting aliases trading personification data. More importantly, he said that nary information from VPN products is shared betwixt Gen Digital brands.
Independent privateness audits
A caller audit by penetration testing patient VerSprite provides logic to beryllium hopeful astir Norton VPN's privacy. According to a study published successful August 2024, which you tin download from this page, VerSprite recovered that Norton VPN posed an wide "low" privateness risk, judged connected a standard of low, medium, precocious and captious risks.
During their audit, VerSprite informed Norton that definite conditions could make VPN users identifiable. In a 2nd information of tests, Norton appears to person fixed those vulnerabilities. That's surely reassuring, but I wish nan study — which only runs 3 pages successful each — was much circumstantial astir what nan problem really was. Regardless, nan VerSprite audit is simply a bully motion that Norton VPN is taking privateness much earnestly than Norton arsenic a whole.
Can Norton VPN alteration your virtual location?
If a VPN tin alteration your virtual location, it tin not only propulsion ISPs and different interlopers disconnected your existent identity, but besides alteration what you spot connected nan net — particularly connected streaming sites, wherever connecting done a different state tin unlock caller shows. However, Netflix and its brethren artifact VPN postulation for copyright reasons, truthful it's ne'er a guarantee that you'll get in.
netflix canada norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
I tested Norton VPN's expertise to unblock Netflix connected 5 different locations, connecting 3 times connected 3 different servers successful each place. I group nan app to automatically take nan protocol. In nan array below, you'll spot really galore tests each location passed, and whether Netflix showed caller contented each time. If I get into Netflix but nan room doesn't change, that indicates nan server mightiness beryllium leaky.
Server location | Unblocked Netflix? | Changed content? |
Vancouver, Canada | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Iceland | 0/3 | 0/3 |
Latvia | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Morocco | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Philippines | 3/3 | 3/3 |
I had nary problems successful 4 retired of 5 of nan locations I tested, but Netflix utterly defeated nan Iceland servers. No matter really galore times I disconnected and reconnected to get a caller IP address, Netflix recognized a VPN server and blocked me. This happened moreover erstwhile I switched to nan Mimic protocol.
iceland blocked norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
That indicates that Netflix has blocklisted astir aliases each of Norton VPN's servers successful Iceland, and nan institution hasn't caught up. It's different troubling denotation that Norton isn't committing nan level of attraction that its server web requires.
Investigating Norton VPN's server network
Speaking of nan server network, now's nan clip to get deeper into it. The comparative scarcity of different IP addresses connected Norton VPN, on pinch nan download velocity drops complete agelong distances, propose to maine that Norton mightiness person relegated maintaining VPN information centers to an afterthought. So, let's spot what its worldwide server action looks like.
Region | Countries pinch servers | Total server locations |
North America | 5 | 32 |
South America | 6 | 6 |
Europe | 36 | 47 |
Africa | 5 | 5 |
Middle East | 2 | 2 |
Asia | 10 | 10 |
Oceania | 2 | 4 |
Total | 66 | 106 |
All of Norton VPN's server locations are physical, pinch nary virtual locations. This makes its web much reliable — virtual server locations tin present unexpected velocity swings. However, it does limit nan number of locations Norton is tin of offering.
The action is reasonably good, pinch galore locations successful often-underserved Africa and South America, and galore options successful marquee regions for illustration nan US and Europe. However, it's a beautiful mini web for what Norton is charging. Also, arsenic we saw pinch nan Iceland location getting blocked by Netflix, having a state connected nan paper doesn't needfully mean it will do nan job.
Extra features of Norton VPN
Norton VPN added a ton of features successful nan first respective months of 2025. Most of these chiefly brought it up to par pinch different VPNs, for illustration city-level region action aliases support for smart TVs. However, location are 1 aliases 2 you won't find successful galore different places, for illustration nan IP rotator — to my knowledge, cipher other has that isolated from Surfshark. Here are nan astir important extras to cognize about.
Ad blocker
Norton VPN's advertisement blocker tin beryllium utilized connected its browser extension. Its mobile apps tin artifact nan trackers embedded successful ads, but not nan ads themselves. There's not a batch of customization potential; you tin move it connected and off, and that's chiefly it. The 1 action you person connected nan hold is to move "acceptable ads" backmost on. This tin thief you get into sites that usually artifact users pinch adblock on, aliases usage sites wherever you want to spot ads to thief them monetize.
Ad locator blocker norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Double VPN and IP rotator
Norton introduced these 2 features successful 2025 arsenic "enhanced anonymity" upgrades. Double VPN runs your VPN done 2 server locations alternatively of one, truthful you're still safe if 1 server breaks down. You tin take from 8 pre-determined multi-hop paths pinch endpoints successful nan USA, nan UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Germany and Taiwan.
double hop norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
IP rotation servers alteration your IP reside often while you're connected, which makes you harder to track. Unlike Surfshark, which lets you move this connected everywhere, Norton VPN limits you to six IP rotator locations: nan USA, nan UK, Canada, Japan, Germany and Australia.
Convenience features
The adjacent 3 features were besides added successful nan past 8 months. The server location paper now puts your past 5 locations astatine nan apical for easy retrieval. While connected to a server, you tin region nan VPN for 15, 30 aliases 60 minutes, aft which it turns backmost on. Finally, nan mobile apps person added a location surface widget truthful you tin run nan VPN without opening nan app.
pause relationship norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
Kill switch
A VPN termination move cuts disconnected your net entree if you suffer your VPN connection, truthful immoderate delicate accusation isn't broadcast unprotected. Norton VPN's termination move is vital, since it appears to concisely driblet encryption while switching server locations. Unfortunately, it's not disposable connected iOS.
Split tunneling
The Windows and Android apps for Norton VPN let divided tunneling, successful which only definite apps spell done nan VPN while others link directly. Norton uses app-based divided tunneling, but if you want to protect aliases region protection from circumstantial URLs, you tin usage 2 different web browsers.
Wi-Fi security
This feature, which appears connected NortonVPN's mobile apps only, activates whenever you link to a Wi-Fi network. Norton VPN scans that web for communal attacks launched complete Wi-Fi, for illustration DNS poisoning and SSL stripping, and sends you an alert if it detects any.
P2P optimization
Norton VPN has definite servers successful its web configured for torrenting. You can't usage it for torrenting extracurricular those locations — if you try, nan VPN will disconnect. To link to a P2P server, conscionable prime "P2P-optimized region" from nan server menu. You can't take a torrenting server successful a circumstantial region; nan app conscionable selects nan fastest.
Norton VPN customer support options
Following nan wide inclination of Norton VPN, nan Windows app gets astir of nan love, having overmuch much in-app support than immoderate different platform. Mac users get a troubleshooting tab successful nan settings menu, pinch 3 options: spell to nan online thief center, nonstop a bug study aliases spell to nan organization forum. iOS and Android conscionable person a "help and support" fastener connected nan accounts page that sends you consecutive to nan website.
On Windows, there's a abstracted thief and support tab supra nan settings tab, which gives you nonstop links to immoderate of nan astir important pages connected nan Norton website. It's besides sewage links to nan forum and thief center. Then there's nan aforesaid troubleshooting tab arsenic nan Mac app, but pinch much options. Windows users tin reset nan app to default, grounds a problem to get much circumstantial help, nonstop debug logs and tally an automated "Repair Norton" process.
If you sewage to nan website done a desktop app, it's amazingly difficult to get to nan wide support page for Norton VPN — Windows links to a splintered group of FAQ pages, while Mac sends you to a Mac-specific page for nan full Norton Family. I urge conscionable going to support.norton.com successful your browser, past clicking nan Norton VPN button. At slightest nan links successful some mobile apps return you consecutive there.
Once you person gotten to nan Norton VPN support page, you won't find overmuch of use. Help articles are constricted and time off immoderate large holes. For example, each connectivity problems are constricted to a page called "Fix problem accessing nan net erstwhile connected to Norton VPN." The only proposal for Windows, Mac and Android is to take a different VPN protocol, and there's thing astatine each for iOS.
Even worse, whenever you usage nan hunt barroom to look thing up, you're forced to watch an AI reply type itself retired successful existent time, truthful links to nan existent thief pages are perpetually jumping astir arsenic you effort to click connected them. It's this characteristic that pushes Norton's thief pages from negligent to hostile.
Live support experience
There are a fewer different ways to get support from Norton VPN. You tin cheque successful connected nan organization forum, chat unrecorded pinch an supplier aliases telephone their telephone line. The forums are reasonably progressive for Windows, but beautiful dormant for each different platforms.
I utilized unrecorded chat to inquire astir a problem pinch installing nan iOS app. I managed to scope a quality beautiful quickly, but location were respective agelong pauses during our conversation. Eventually, they escalated my lawsuit to a higher support team.
live chat norton vpn
(Sam Chapman for Engadget)
I assumed that this squad would nonstop maine an email, per modular practice. Instead, they many times tried to scope maine by phone. I was not warned that they would do this, and each time, nan telephone was flagged arsenic spam. By nan clip I realized Norton was calling me, I'd already solved nan problem myself. Be alert of this if you scheme to interaction Norton pinch a difficult issue.
Norton VPN inheritance check
The Norton package marque has existed successful immoderate shape aliases different since nan Norton Utilities package was developed for DOS successful 1982. The marque was acquired successful 1990 by Symantec, which had published its ain first antivirus programme nan twelvemonth before. Symantec began releasing Norton Antivirus successful 1991, and continued distributing it until its merger pinch Avast successful 2022. Since then, nan mixed institution has been called Gen Digital.
Compared to that agelong history, Norton VPN has only been astir for a blip. It launched successful 2019 arsenic portion of Symantec's bid to grow nan Norton Antivirus statement into a suite that could take sides against much types of threats. As such, while Norton and Symantec person been progressive successful their stock of controversies complete nan years, very fewer of them happened during Norton VPN's lifetime.
Despite Norton's agelong and checkered history, checking nan inheritance of its VPN is beautiful simple: thing has gone earnestly incorrect yet. This VPN has problems, but they're chiefly retired successful nan open, stemming from it being a comparative afterthought from a institution much focused connected different types of security.
Final verdict
For maine to urge a VPN, it has to guidelines retired successful a crowded field. After a week of moving pinch Norton VPN, I person to reason that nan only measurement it distinguishes itself is nan Norton name. For everything other it does, a competitor does it better. Surfshark scoops it connected IP rotation and multihop, ExpressVPN has amended protocols, NordVPN is faster and Proton VPN's advertisement blocker useful successful much places.
One point I will opportunity successful Norton VPN's favour is that it's moving to rectify each this. In nan past year, it's added a batch of features. The problem is that astir of those are options I'd person expected it to person already, specified arsenic city-level region action and a termination move connected Mac. It's catching up, not innovating.
It's besides bully that you tin usage nan bundles to rotation much Norton products into 1 subscription. However, since Norton is overmuch much knowledgeable astatine processing different sorts of information software, I'd counsel going nan Norton 360 way if you're willing successful those different features and treating nan VPN arsenic an add-on. Norton VPN is simply a broadside dish, not an entree.