How to Know Your Server Is Strong in NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services that provide fast and secure connections to users worldwide. The strength of their server network is proven by the millions of active daily users that they support.

However, being a reputable VPN services provider, they also offer a complementary service named VPN Security Audit. This service scans your computer or mobile device for viruses, malware, and other forms of security vulnerabilities. It then provides detailed security report to help you identify and fix any issues. 

What is NordVPN?

NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) provider that was launched in 2011 and acquired by F5 in 2018. The service allows users to keep their personal data secure while on the move by using a VPN connection to unlock restricted content and apps, ensure confidential communication, and hide their online activity.

Why should you get a VPN Security Audit from NordVPN?

Getting an audit from NordVPN is a great way to ensure your server is up to date with the latest security patches and shows no signs of being compromised. A VPN audit from NordVPN will also point out any security weaknesses that you might have on your end, such as weak or default passwords, which could lead to potential breaches. Last but not least, getting a VPN audit from NordVPN will highlight any weaknesses in your IT infrastructure, which could lead to serious disruptions in the future.

The Evolution of VPNs

Thanks to the ever-evolving threat landscape and increasing user awareness of the dangers of being unprotected online, VPNs have come a long way in terms of usability and convenience. Here are some of the most significant advancements that have changed the game.

Hardware Is Everything

A few years ago, being able to secure your VPN connection relied heavily on the hardware that you used to interact with the internet. For instance, you would need a dedicated hardware VPN router to ensure that your internet connection is always protected when you used public WiFi. These days, hardware concerns are no longer priorities – what is important is the software that you run to secure your connection.

Flexibility and Convenience

One of the biggest setbacks of using dedicated hardware to secure your VPN connection was its inflexibility. If you wanted to use a different WiFi network or connect via a mobile device, you would either have to stop using the dedicated router entirely or find a way to compromise the security of your data. Thankfully, with the rise of the VPN app, all of that has changed. You can now connect to a different network with a simple click of a button, and use a different login and password to access your account.

With the convenience of the VPN app comes the ability for users to connect from virtually anywhere – the network will just have to reach out and share the open socket with the app. When using a VPN app, you are not tied down to a single location, and can utilize the full suite of powerful encryption algorithms available to ensure that no one but you can access your data. In fact, several renowned VPN services even offer a native app for iOS and Android – eliminating the need to use a third-party app to access your data on the go!

Increased Awareness

One of the most significant advancements that has changed the game for VPNs is the increasing awareness of the dangers of unencrypted connections. It is now considered to be extremely dangerous to connect to public WiFi without a VPN. Even more worrying is the fact that many VPNs do not provide any encryption at all, putting users at significant risk of cyber criminals and government snoopers. Many VPN services have chosen not to compromise their users’ security in order to gain more users, but it is always a mistake to assume that the convenience of more traffic will always lead to a safer and more private connection.

VPN Is The New SMB

Just as we have seen the demise of the dedicated hardware firewall, we are also beginning to see the rise of virtual private network (VPN) protection as a viable choice for SMB and enterprise-level networks. The main reason for this is the increasing ease of use and scalability that VPNs provide, as well as the knowledge-sharing environment that they foster among security professionals.

Why Should You Get A VPN Security Audit?

NordVPN aims to provide the best possible service to their users, and because of this they offer a complimentary service named VPN Security Audit. This service will scan your computer or mobile device for viruses, malware, and other forms of security vulnerabilities. It then provides detailed security report to help you identify and fix any issues. 

Getting a VPN scan from NordVPN is a great way to ensure your server is up to date with the latest security patches and shows no signs of being compromised. A VPN audit from NordVPN will also point out any security weaknesses that you might have on your end, such as weak or default passwords, which could lead to potential breaches. Last but not least, getting a VPN audit from NordVPN will highlight any weaknesses in your IT infrastructure, which could lead to serious disruptions in the future.

In short, getting a security audit from NordVPN is a great way to ensure your data is always safe and secure while on the move. If you are interested, you can get the complimentary VPN scan here – https://vpn.nordvpn.com/#nordvpn_setup

What Is A VPN?

As we mentioned above, a VPN is a virtual private network – it creates a secure connection between your computer or mobile device and an internet server that is located somewhere else. The service then allows you to access content that is restricted to certain regions, or hide your online activity from snoopers and cyber criminals.

There are several different types of VPNs, all with their perks and quirks. Here are some of the more commonly known ones.

PPTP

Point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) is a tunneling protocol that was initially developed for use within a company (hence the name “PPTP”, which stands for “Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol”). It uses L2TP to securely exchange data between 2 computers (or mobile devices) over an internet connection. Like most VPN protocols, PPTP is based on the concept of “tunneling”, which relies on encryption to secure your data while in transit.

PPTP provides authentication through the use of a secure login page, and encryption using the 128-bit RC4 algorithm. It also supports a dynamic IP address allocation, allowing you to access a remote server from anywhere with an internet connection. However, it should be noted that PPTP is a fairly old protocol, and is known to be insecure and easy to circumvent. As a result, most companies now use a more modern and safer protocol for their VPN needs.

L2TP

Layer two tunneling protocol (L2TP) is a way of securely exchanging data between 2 (or more) devices over an internet connection. It was initially devised to provide authentication and encryption between a VPN client (your computer or mobile device) and a VPN server, to ensure that only data that is intended to be private is not easily accessible by third parties. Like most VPN protocols, L2TP is a tunneling protocol, which relies on encryption to secure your data while in transit.

L2TP uses MD5 for authentication, and supports authenticated IPSec encryption (in which you specify a shared secret that is used to encrypt all data that is sent between the client and server) as well as unauthenticated IPSec encryption (in which the server encrypts all traffic with a unique encryption key that is not known by the client). In addition, L2TP supports several different data encryption algorithms, allowing you to choose the level of security that you want.

L2TP was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), with feedback from companies such as Cisco and Microsoft. It is now used by several well-known VPN services, including Private Internet Access, StrongVPN, and ScaredVPN.