NordVPN announced the results of a fourth audit carried out by Deloitte, one of the Big Four. The company said it opened its doors from November 30 to December 7, 2023 for auditors to snoop, interview employees and generally verify that VPN servers are not recording any sensitive data about how subscribers use the service.
And the good news is that they didn’t find anything untoward, which means you can use NordVPN safely.
Most people don’t like that when they use a VPN service, that company can – if they want – see what websites you visit, what videos you watch, and what files you download.
This is because you are sending all this data through a VPN server. Although VPNs encrypt data sent over your Internet connection, this only lasts until it reaches the VPN server where it is decrypted.
At this point, all data that has not yet been encrypted is clearly visible, and it should be that way, otherwise you will not be able to browse websites and use web services. The internet just wouldn’t work properly.
That’s why it’s crucial to only use a VPN service you trust, meaning one that doesn’t record any information – called logging – about what you do while connected to the service. .
Many VPNs claim to have a no-logging policy, but that’s just words on their websites. What’s important is that each company proves its claims by hiring an independent firm, such as Deloitte, to review server logs, infrastructure and other aspects to verify that it is sticking to its claims. assertions and does not record any user identifiable data.
Not everyone needs ultimate privacy from a VPN, but if you’re considering subscribing to one, it’s definitely a good idea to choose one with a verified privacy policy.
This is the fourth time that NordVPN has appealed to listeners, exactly one year after the previous one. It’s great to see these regular audits because they’re just a snapshot in time. Other VPNs may have been audited in the past, like Hide.me in 2015, but who’s to say if things haven’t changed in the meantime?
The latest report is available online for anyone to read, whether they are an existing NordVPN user or not.
“While we work hard to create and develop industry-leading cybersecurity solutions to protect our customers, we also take privacy seriously and are fully committed to our promise not to monitor or record our customers’ online traffic. users. We firmly believe that a no-logging policy should be an industry standard and that an independent assurance commitment from a trusted Big Four company reassures customers of our commitment to a safer Internet and radically better,” said Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.
If you’re already a NordVPN subscriber, the news should just reassure you that you’ve chosen wisely. If not, you might like to read our review: the service is still at the top of our list of best VPN services.