I am constantly on the move and have sensitive data on my laptop. Does Nord VPN protect my complete computer or just my browser? A little more insight would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks!
If you think that VPN will prevent someone hacking your computer then you are wrong. For protecting your computer you should use antivirus, … programs and some common sense, like never open a mail attachment from unknown source, even from known sources you should check them. And so on and on.
if you use their Windows app, it will encrypt and tunnel all internet traffic on your computer. if you use their browser extensions, only traffic going through that particular browser will be protected.
best practice is to let the app auto start with Windows and auto connect itself plus turning on kill switch on any apps require outbound traffic.
it will not protect you from malicious content you click from infected links.
It would redirects all traffic from and to the computer through the VPN when the app is running.
VPNs are great but it sounds like you may need other protection too.
VPNs protect communications between your computer and other computers on the internet—this includes your web browser, email program, and any other applications you use. A VPN will not protect your actual computer, just the messages your computer sends over the internet.
Normally, your ISP or anyone on your local network can watch messages your computer sends and receives. Some of those messages are encrypted already so an eavesdropper can’t read their contents, but they still know where those messages are going. (So if you go to PornHub, the eavesdropper won’t know that videos you watched but they will know you went to PornHub.) Also, there are ways an attacker can trick your computer into sending unencrypted messages which they can then read in full.
A VPN solves this problem. All the eavesdropper can tell is that your computer is using a VPN and who your VPN provider is. They won’t know what web sites you visit or what your other apps are sending over the network.
If you’re on the move then you are probably using public networks regularly in hotels, cafes, client sites, etc. In that case you definitely want to use a VPN to prevent eavesdropping.
In addition to protecting your network traffic, you’ll want to take basic steps to protect the laptop itself. A few basics are:
- Encrypt the disk. (This is very easy on a Mac.)
- Turn on automatic updates for your operating system and every app you can.
- If it’s a Windows system, run antivirus software and keep it up to date.
- Use a strong password
- Lock your computer every time you walk away
- Set your computer to lock automatically after a few minutes in case you forget
- Think twice before leaving your laptop unattended. A conference room in an office might be fine. A cafe in a busy downtown area is probably a bad idea.
- Does all that sensitive data really need to be on your laptop? Could you store some of it elsewhere and only access it when you need it?
Good luck!
I don’t open things etc I would just like to ensure there is protection from from any outside sources. Do you have suggestions on anti virus programmes I run on IOS. Thanks!
According to NordVPN’s tv commercial their VPN protects you from being hacked: NordVPN television commercial
Sorry, but I have never used Apple products, so I wouldn’t know.
don’t run antivirus on mobile phone, although you can try Malwarebytes if available on iOS.