NordVPN Threat Protection Review

NordVPN has evolved beyond traditional VPN services by incorporating comprehensive cybersecurity features, including an effective ad blocker. With the introduction of NordVPN Threat Protection, users gain a multifaceted security tool designed to enhance online safety.

This feature not only enhances privacy by blocking malicious ads and trackers but also prevents access to dangerous websites and automatically removes infected downloads.

Dive into this review to explore how NordVPN Threat Protection operates, what it offers, and why it's becoming an essential part of maintaining your digital security.

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NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

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NordVPN Threat Protection feature explained

The NordVPN Threat Protection Pro feature enhances your online security by actively monitoring and checking each action you take, such as clicking on a link, for potential risks.

By utilizing JavaScript and URL levels powered by machine learning to identify advanced threats, it automatically blocks harmful links that could lead you to dangerous sites. Additionally, Threat Protection Pro can trim URLs to remove tracking parameters that compromise your privacy.

Moreover, Threat Protection Pro includes a driver that scans new downloads for malware. If it's unclear whether a file is safe – which is especially important when dealing with executable files – the feature can upload it to the cloud for a more thorough scan. For your privacy, it will never upload personal files like images, PDFs, or documents.

All the threats that Threat Protection Pro blocks — such as ads, trackers, malicious sites, and malware-infected files — are displayed in an easy-to-view dashboard. This allows you to see where threats are coming from and which websites to avoid.

What's more, you can customize Threat Protection Pro according to your needs by enabling or disabling certain features, like file protection. And since it's integrated with NordVPN but operates as a separate product, you can enjoy all its benefits without being connected to a VPN server.

Block threats with NordVPN Threat Protection

NordVPN Threat Protection keeps you safe from malicious ads, infected files, and trackers. It comes with a market-leading VPN in its arsenal, which also helps protect your data from third-party eyes at all times – an all-around solution for enhanced privacy and security.

cybernews® score

4.3 /5

• Blocks cyberthreats
• Comes with a VPN
• Affordable price

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How much is NordVPN Threat Protection?

You can get Threat Protection with the NordVPN security bundles. While the basic Threat Protection tool is available with all plans, for the Pro version, you have to opt for either Plus or Ultimate subscription packages.

Keep in mind that all plans come with a free NordVPN 7-day trial on Android devices. You can use the trial on other devices after signing up. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available.

To know which plan is best for you, here’s a comparison of 2-year NordVPN Threat Protection Pro subscription plans:

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If all you need is NordVPN Threat Protection Pro with a VPN, the Plus plan is what you should opt for. However, the Ultimate plan includes 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, which could be extremely beneficial for securely backing up large volumes of data, sharing sensitive files safely, or ensuring that your important documents are accessible from anywhere. It costs only a few dollars extra, but it could be useful if you end up losing or damaging your device, because you’ll still be able to access your most important files.

You can pay for NordVPN Threat Protection using a credit card, AmazonPay, ACH Transfer, Sofort, prepaid cards, iTunes, Google Pay, and PayPal. For users who value complete anonymity, there’s an option to pay with cryptocurrencies as well.

It’s also worth noting that the longer you subscribe for, the cheaper the monthly prices are. So it’s best to opt for the 2-year NordVPN Threat Protection subscription term, no matter which plan you pick.

NordVPN Threat Protection test results

Together with the Cybernews research team, I evaluated NordVPN Threat Protection Pro on a MacBook Air M2 equipped with 8GB RAM, operating on macOS Sonoma 14.5. The results showcase the efficacy and robust features of the software across various browsers and devices:

Mac desktop performance (Firefox & Chrome):

• Ad Blocking. Threat Protection Pro blocked 80% of ads on both Firefox and Chrome, showing high efficiency in removing unwanted ads.
• Web Tracking Protection. While browsing on Firefox, the software offered partial protection against invisible trackers. Meanwhile, on Chrome, I benefited from strong protection, as Threat Protection Pro showcased its ability to effectively shield against web tracking.

Threat Protection standard version (macOS desktop):

• Firefox & Chrome. The standard version of Threat Protection showed moderate effectiveness, blocking 30% of ads on Firefox and 35% on Chrome. While not as high as the Pro version, it still offers a noticeable reduction in ad clutter.

Android Mobile Performance:

• Ad Blocking and Web Tracking. Performance on Android mirrored the desktop version of the standard Threat Protection, with moderate ad blocking effectiveness. Web tracking protection in Firefox showed some resilience, albeit with gaps, while Chrome lacked protective measures against tracking.

Malicious/Phishing URL Blocking:

• Testing Threat Protection DNS filtering presents an interesting challenge due to its unique operation compared to Threat Protection Pro. Threat Protection focuses on blocking malicious or phishing domains, while Threat Protection Pro extends this protection to harmful URLs as well, which accounts for the different results.
• Another point to note is that Threat Protection usually doesn't display a block page when a domain is blocked, making it less noticeable. In contrast, Threat Protection Pro enhances user awareness by showing a NordVPN block page, warning users about potentially dangerous sites.
• The Pro version demonstrated a strong defensive posture by successfully intercepting and blocking 9 out of 10 active malicious/phishing URLs, underscoring its reliable protective capabilities.

Overall, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro stands out for its superior ad blocking and robust web tracking protection, particularly on Chrome, and its proficient defense against malicious URLs. Although the standard version shows areas for enhancement, especially in ad blocking and web tracking protection on both desktop and mobile, the overall performance of NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is commendable and makes it a highly recommended choice for users seeking comprehensive online security solutions.

Threat Protection Pro AV-Comparatives anti-phishing test

Regarding cybersecurity software, independent tests prove validity. I regularly rely on AV-Comparatives and AV-Test to rank antivirus services alongside our in-house tests. The fact that NordVPN Threat Protection Pro obtained an AV-Comparatives verification badge almost immediately after launch shows their dedication to cybersecurity.

So far, AV-Comparatives have only tested anti-phishing protection. The demands to pass the test successfully are high. AV-Comparatives require at least 85% phishing scam detection accuracy rates and zero false positives. The latter means that NordVPN cannot mistake a safe backlink for a scam. If any criteria are not met, the test fails.

Out of 15 services that applied to AV-Comparatives for the anti-phishing test, only 8 have passed it successfully. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro was one of them, so it's up to a good start.

Phishing is one of the most popular cybercrime methods, and it only gets more sophisticated with AI-generated content, so efficient anti-phishing protection is a valuable addition to the VPN app.

More NordVPN Threat Protection Pro test results

During our tests with macOS, Threat Protection Pro successfully identified over 92% of malware samples and over 85% of phishing samples. Looks like after the Threat Protection Pro upgrade, it outperformed its competitors by a long shot. We investigated around 500 malware samples and nearly just as many phishing URL samples to test 5 popular VPNs, and here are the results.

The upgraded Threat Protection Pro catches almost ten times as many malware threats as most VPNs, with a 92.27% malware detection rate. Therefore, NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro doesn't quite compete with other providers like ExpressVPN and IPVanish, which detected just over 15% of malware.

Things look great regarding phishing scam protection, too.

The anti-phishing test results reveal that Threat Protection Pro is at the top with 85.21% detection rates, with a close second at 77.9% of IPVanish. The Pro version also produced only 1.73% false positives, compared to 14.54% in the ExpressVPN test and 17.11% for IPVanish.

Overall, Threat Protection Pro is a good supplementary tool for antiviruses for all-encompassing malware protection. Its phishing scam detection rates are excellent for safe browsing, adding to existing VPN encryption and privacy-protection capabilities.

NordVPN Threat Protection Lite vs Threat Protection Pro

The standard Threat Protection is a lightweight ad blocking solution that utilizes DNS filtering without real-time file scanning or anti-tracking features. Available with all subscription plans, the Threat Protection feature is accessible on all browser extensions, as well as mobile and desktop apps, providing sufficient protection within limits.

On the other hand, Threat Protection Pro operates more like an antivirus. With capabilities of malware detection, anti-phishing protection, and more elaborate ad tracking, Threat Protection Pro substantially enhances security and takes safety to the next level. However, a significant drawback is that the Pro version is available only with the Ultimate and Plus plans.

Here are the key differences between Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro:

• Connectivity. Threat Protection Pro operates independently of a VPN connection, whereas the basic Threat Protection feature requires you to be connected to a NordVPN server to function.
• Device compatibility. Both features are supported on Windows and macOS devices. However, only the basic Threat Protection is available on Android, iOS, and Linux devices, and browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
• Malware handling. Threat Protection Pro actively deletes any downloaded malware, whereas original Threat Protection does not remove malware.

Here’s a more detailed comparison.

NordVPN Threat Protection safeguards your device from malicious websites and infectious ads using blocklists. Meanwhile, I recommend using its Pro version whenever you connect to unknown networks, like public Wi-Fi, or download files using peer-to-peer traffic.

How NordVPN Threat Protection compares to other ad blockers

NordVPN Threat Protection stands out among VPN services with integrated ad blockers. Many VPNs include ad-blocking features, but NordVPN combines ad blocking with extensive security protections for a well-rounded solution.

Other VPNs like Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer similar features through CleanWeb and Threat Manager, respectively. These tools block ads and protect against malicious content. However, NordVPN's Threat Protection is particularly proactive, stopping ads and trackers before they load, which enhances both privacy and browsing speed.

When comparing costs, NordVPN offers excellent value. While standalone ad blockers might be cheaper or free, they typically lack VPN security features. NordVPN bundles full VPN protection with its ad-blocking technology at a starting price of 3.09/month on multi-year plans, making it a cost-effective, all-in-one security solution.

In terms of performance, NordVPN's ad blocker is highly effective. It removes more ads than most standalone or integrated ad blockers and screens for potential security threats within these ads. This advanced approach ensures superior protection and user experience.

Overall, NordVPN Threat Protection excels in integrating ad blocking with robust security measures. This is a great option for anyone looking for effective ad blocking plus enhanced online security.

How to enable NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature

Enabling NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature depends on whether you’re using a desktop or a mobile device.

Windows and macOS users can follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Launch the NordVPN application. On the left side of the screen, click on the shield icon – that’s the Threat Protection feature
2. For Threat Protection, enable DNS filtering

Threat Protection Pro:

1. Threat Protection Pro can be found in the same section as Threat Protection
2. On Windows, Turn on Web protection, File protection and Vulnerability detection
3. On macOS, enable the Threat Protection Pro feature by clicking the Turn on button
4. On macOS, you’ll be met with an enable extensions setup and full disk access permission messages. While it’s optional, it’s recommended to enable extensions, the deep file scanning option, and give full disk access
5. Turn on Web protection and File Protection

That’s all for desktop users. On mobile devices, the process is just as simple but slightly different.

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Here’s a guide on how to set up Threat Protection on Android and iOS:

1. Open the NordVPN app and tap your account where you’ll find the Settings section
2. Under Tools, enable Threat Protection using the toggle button and choose when it should be enabled

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Why should I use NordVPN's Threat Protection?

When considering online security, NordVPN's Threat Protection offers compelling reasons to enhance your defenses. Here are the main benefits of using this feature:

• Protection from malware. NordVPN's Threat Protection helps secure your devices from malware attacks that can lead to data theft, stolen passwords, and financial loss. By actively scanning and blocking malicious software, it acts as a first line of defense against cyberthreats.
• Enhanced privacy. This feature ensures your browsing privacy by blocking trackers. This prevents third parties from collecting data about your online activities and shields you from intrusive targeted advertising. By keeping your browsing habits private, you maintain control over your personal information.
• Additional security without extra cost. NordVPN's Threat Protection provides an extra layer of security at no additional cost. It integrates seamlessly with your existing NordVPN service, enhancing your internet safety without increasing your budget.

These key advantages make NordVPN's Threat Protection an essential tool for anyone looking to bolster their online security and privacy.

Is NordVPN Threat Protection any good?

Although most devices ensure some level of protection, NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature goes a step further. Not only does it secure your device from malware, it can also ensure protection of your personal data. Compared to other providers like Surfshark and TotalAdBlock, NordVPN’s Threat Protection offers a more comprehensive suite of features, making it a top choice for those seeking enhanced security and privacy online.

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While it’s not the same as an antivirus, it has features similar to it. For instance, it runs deep scans on files that you download in order to prevent malware. Not to mention that it prevents you from accessing malicious websites.

However, it’s worth noting that, unlike an antivirus, it only scans executable files. This means your images, PDFs, and Word documents are not checked during download. Also, NordVPN’s Threat Protection limits files for scanning to 20MB.

That said, it does also block malicious and annoying ads, letting you enjoy a smoother browsing experience. And targeted ads won’t be an issue either, as NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature lets you surf the net without leaving a trace.

Overall, the Threat Protection feature is a solid addition to the VPN package.

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