Protect your online traffic by encrypting it with NordVPN.
What is VPN encryption?
VPN encryption is a process that scrambles your online data so that no unauthorized party can view it or use it in any way. This way, you not only protect your information but also conceal your identity. Strong encryption is a fundamental feature of any VPN — it’s what makes them secure and private.
VPN encryption protects your information from:
Internet service providers
They may track your internet traffic and sell your data to advertisers.
Hackers
They exploit unsecure connections to steal data and gain access to your devices.
Governments
Restrictive regimes are known for tracking and spying on their citizens.
How does VPN encryption work?
- Your device initiates a connection to a VPN server.
- Once the device is authenticated, the VPN client encrypts all information traveling to the server.
- The VPN service creates an encrypted tunnel and passes your data through it.
- Your data packets are wrapped in outer packets and encrypted through encapsulation.
- When they arrive at the VPN server, the outer packets are removed to access the data within through decryption.
What encryption protocols do VPNs use?
There are three main encryption protocols: DES, RSA, and AES.
DES (data encryption standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses 56-bit keys. It is widely considered to be insecure and has been mostly replaced by more advanced algorithms.
RSA (Rivest–Shamir–Adleman) is an asymmetric encryption algorithm that uses two keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. It’s used for secure data transfers and digital signatures.
AES (advanced encryption standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses 128-, 192-, or 256-bit keys, making it significantly more secure than its predecessors. It is the gold standard of encryption used by high-end services, including NordVPN.
What is AES?
AES is the most advanced encryption protocol used and approved worldwide by governments, cybersecurity experts, and cryptography enthusiasts. NordVPN uses AES with 256-bit keys, which means it has 2^256 possible combinations.
How secure is AES?
No known practical attack can break AES encryption. If you tried to brute force it by checking all possible key combinations, you would need more resources than humanity currently has at its disposal. While theoretically no encryption cipher is truly impregnable, AES with 256-bit keys is absolute overkill when it comes to security. To break it, you would need to build supercomputers – of a kind that cannot yet be built – that would work on decryption for billions of years.
NordVPN uses three different VPN encryption protocols
NordVPN creates a tunnel to transmit your data to VPN servers securely. NordVPN uses three different VPN security protocols to determine how that tunnel is actually formed.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an extremely versatile VPN encryption protocol, which you can use both for UDP and TCP ports – for safe browsing, gaming, and live streaming. To guarantee the protection of your sensitive data, NordVPN uses AES-256-GCM encryption algorithm with a 4096-bit DH key.
The whole global cybersecurity community has a stake in OpenVPN since it has an open source code, which is freely available for review and modification. With every new bug report, with every new-found vulnerability, with every line of code, this security protocol gets stronger and better. It thrives on transparency.
NordLynx
When it comes to VPN technology, Wireguard®* is at the cutting edge. It’s an incredibly fast protocol, which uses top-tier cryptology and consists of just 4,000 lines of code (100 times less than OpenVPN). It’s easy to deploy, audit, and debug.
The chink in Wireguard’s armor is it can’t ensure complete user privacy. That’s why we developed NordLynx, a double NAT (network address translation) system, on its backbone. It allows a secure VPN connection and does not store identifiable data on the VPN server. It’s the fastest secure virtual private network solution on the market.
*WireGuard® is a registered trademark of Jason A. Donenfeld.
IKEv2/IPsec
Internet protocol security (IPsec) operates with the newest version of the Internet Key Exchange (IKEv2) to enhance security, stability, and speed. IKEv2/IPsec employs powerful cryptographic algorithms and keys. IKEv2 is known for its ability to quickly reestablish a VPN connection if the network connection is interrupted, making it a good choice for mobile devices that frequently switch between different networks.
You get top-tier encryption with NordVPN
Without VPN encryption, your traffic is vulnerable to hackers, ISPs, advertisers, and other snoopers. Third parties can access your information through both lawful and unlawful ways. You have to take matters into your own hands and make sure you control who uses your data. It’s easy to do with NordVPN! We strive to make your online experience as private, secure, and smooth as possible. Choose NordVPN and get top-notch encryption with the best speeds on the market.
How can your data be exposed?
Your data is at risk even if you’re smart with it.
Your traffic is vulnerable by default
All your online activity is visible to your ISP and ethical ISPs that protect the privacy of their clients are few and far between. Nothing prevents it from tracking and logging your online behavior, selling the data to advertisers, or handing it over to the authorities.
Do not trust anyone with your data
Keeping your information away from cybercriminals, advertisers, and your ISP will help you in a multitude of ways. For one, you won’t have to deal with targeted pricing and tailored ads. VPN encryption will also protect you from DDoS attacks while gaming, and it will keep your information safe while you travel or use public Wi-Fi.
To put it simply, if you use the internet, you need next-generation VPN encryption.
The triple-S VPN experience: Speed, security, simplicity
Speed — thanks to NordLynx, you can experience blazing speeds and unlimited bandwidth without compromising your privacy. Security — NordVPN offers a host of extra security features, such as Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet, and Threat Protection (available with selected plans). Simplicity — you don’t need to be a cryptographer to use NordVPN. Just download the app, log in, and connect to encrypt your private data.
Frequently asked questions
What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of scrambling regular information to make it unreadable to others — only an authorized person with a decryption key can unscramble and read it. Encryption uses algorithms to turn data into code and make it look like gibberish. Encryption is a crucial part of digital security and is often used for storing data safely and to ensure private communications.
Is a VPN always encrypted?
Yes, VPNs are always encrypted. But not all providers offer the same features, and some might even be prone to data leaks, so choose your virtual private network provider carefully.
Is VPN encryption necessary?
Yes. You need VPN encryption to enjoy the internet safely. VPN encryption is especially important if you use public Wi-Fi in places like restaurants, hotels, or airports. These hotspots are often riddled with security holes, making it very easy for criminals to track and exploit your data. With VPN encryption, your online traffic looks like nonsensical gibberish, making it impossible to understand.
What is the best VPN encryption?
AES is considered the gold standard of encryption, recommended by cybersecurity experts worldwide.
How do I know if my VPN connection is encrypted?
All virtual private network connections should be encrypted by default, but you can see if it is properly doing its job by performing a DNS leak test.
What encryption protocol does NordVPN use?
NordVPN uses the OpenVPN protocol, which is well known for its security and reliability. Since 2020, users have also been able to choose NordLynx, which is built around the WireGuard® protocol. It provides high-speed connection while also maintaining top-notch security. Users can also set up the IKEv2/IPsec protocol on their devices manually.
What are the types of VPN encryption?
There are two types of VPN encryption: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses a single key shared between two parties, while asymmetric encryption has public and private keys. Only a person who possesses both keys can access data and decrypt it.
