Why the Fuck Can’t I Connect to NordVPN?

If you’re reading this you most likely know what NordVPN is and why you might want it, but just in case you don’t, here’s a short introduction.

What is NordVPN?

NordVPN is a VPN provider that was founded in 2010 and is based out of Sweden. As the name would suggest, NordVPN is focused on keeping your privacy intact while also allowing you to access content that might be restricted in your region.

The best part is that NordVPN frequently offers discounts for its monthly plans, making it a no-brainer for privacy-conscious users.

Why Can’t I Connect to NordVPN?

NordVPN offers end-to-end encryption, something that’s commonly associated with secure communication. In fact, even Facebook, Apple, and Google have started offering secure communications as a standard feature.

However, encryption alone doesn’t guarantee a safe and private connection. You also need to take into account the strength of the encryption, where you’re connecting from, and whether or not you’re willing to pay for a VPN service.

Where Can I Connect To?

NordVPN offers servers in more than 40 countries around the world, including some in Europe and North America. In most cases, you can connect to a server near you (just enter your postcode), but if you’re in America you might have to choose from one of their many distant servers instead.

If you have a specific region in mind, such as Asia, you can search for a nearby server by clicking the button below:

What Am I paying For?

You might be wondering what you’re paying for if you decide to subscribe to NordVPN. Since they don’t keep any personal data about you, they don’t make money from advertisers or behavioral trackers. Instead, NordVPN generates revenue by selling premium add-ons, such as the NordVPN Gatekeeper, which is a firewall that prevents your device from being throttled by telecoms while using a VPN.

NordVPN also occasionally runs special offers where they give you a free trial or discount if you subscribe during a certain period. You can’t miss those deals, especially since they’re so valuable. On the other hand, if you decide that you don’t want to continue with the service after your trial period, you can cancel at any time.

Is It Worth It?

It’s always important to consider the value you get for the money you spend. With NordVPN, you get a reasonably priced VPN service with all the basic features you need to keep your personal data secure. If you want to bypass restrictions on content or need a secure way to communicate, NordVPN is a great option.

On the downside, if you live in a country where your internet service provider doesn’t offer a VPN, you’ll have to find a way to connect without one. Otherwise, you could end up breaking the law by downloading and viewing content you’re not supposed to have access to.

Is It Easy To Use?

NordVPN’s website and app are both straightforward and easy to use, especially if you’re a beginner. Once you’ve registered and installed the app, you can connect to a server in no time and begin using the service. If you want to access the console, you can do so by clicking the Gear icon in the upper right corner.

Speaking of the console, if you plan on using the NordVPN app often, you might want to consider using a desktop client instead. Not only do they provide a more stable and responsive interface, but you can also take advantage of all the extra features the service has to offer. Plus, you can use a VPN client on most platforms, not just phones.

That said, even if you decide to use a desktop client, you might still find it easier to use the mobile app. After all, installing a desktop app isn’t for the faint of heart and requires a lot of additional storage.

How Does It Work?

To put it simply, VPNs work by creating a secure tunnel between your device and a VPN server, hiding your identity and the content you’re accessing from prying eyes. Let’s break it down a little more thoroughly.

When you connect to a VPN server, your device will establish a secure connection with the closest server and will then continue to synchronize with other servers in the network. This keeps all your personal data secure and private, even if someone is physically intercepting your communications.

In the event of a data breach, the security specialists at NordVPN will notify you and provide you with options for remediation. If your personal data is compromised, you can contact the company directly for assistance. In most cases, they can help you choose a new identity and reset your passwords so you can regain access to your personal data. In some instances, they might even help you set up a new device to replace the one that was compromised.

To keep your identity secure while using a VPN, you should choose a provider that uses strong encryption, is highly scalable, and regularly updates its servers. In addition, you should be aware of any third-party data collection practices while using a VPN. For example, do you have an advertisement on your device when you use a public WiFi network? If so, you have no expectation of privacy and should not expect your VPN provider to keep your personal data private. In that case, you might want to avoid using public WiFi networks altogether if your primary source of income is still based on selling personal data.

Features

Besides keeping your identity secure, a VPN can also provide you with a safe and private place to download and share content. In most cases, this will be in the form of legal streaming services such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer that wouldn’t be available in your region otherwise. It also works for torrenting and other file-sharing applications.

Speaking of torrents, one of the things that make NordVPN so valuable is that the company is extremely focused on user experience and privacy. As a result, they don’t just provide end-to-end encryption, they also incorporate it into the design of their applications and servers.

For example, if you’re using the Safari web browser on an iOS device, you’ll notice that when you hit the Download button on a Torrent website, the page automatically navigates you to a secure HTTPS page (the green padlock in the address bar confirms that you’re actually on a secure site).

On the desktop, the same principle applies. When you attempt to download a torrent, your web browser (or the software you’re using) will notify you that you’re leaving a secure environment and ask you if you want to continue the action. In most cases, you’ll simply choose to ignore the warning and continue with the action, as leaving the secure environment doesn’t necessarily pose any danger. (Of course, this also depends on how reputable the site you’re downloading from is.)

Since VPNs work by establishing a secure connection with a server, it’s a good idea to test the speed and reliability of the service you’re about to subscribe to before making your decision. As mentioned above, end-to-end encryption alone doesn’t guarantee a private connection, so it’s also important to consider the strength of the encryption used and where you’re connecting from. One of the best things about NordVPN is that they regularly test their services in real-world conditions, so even if there are problems, you can be sure that they’re aware of them and are working to fix them.