In a nutshell: NordVPN has launched a new protocol designed to navigate filters on restricted networks. The company claims NordWhisper excels in disguising a user’s connection compared to competing protocols that circumvent VPN restrictions by imitating conventional web traffic, although different types of challenges may eventually arise.
Virtual private networks are a sophisticated network architecture that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. By directing your internet traffic through a private server, a VPN conceals your IP address and encrypts your data to bolster privacy and security.
By combining authentication, encryption, and tunneling, a VPN service can extend a private corporate network to remote locations, simulate access from various countries, and offer a secure way of exchanging files and data. VPNs can be incredibly useful for accessing the web and bypassing internet censorship while also having the potential to mask and encrypt potentially unlawful activities.
The new NordWhisper protocol was crafted to enable NordVPN users to reach remote resources from networks that usually restrict VPN traffic. According to the company, it serves as a solution for “navigating around” network restrictions, employing different technology than traditional VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.
Where traditional VPN protocols can be detected and blocked due to their distinctive traffic signatures and behavior, NordWhisper is designed to resemble ordinary web traffic. A NordWhisper-driven VPN connection should integrate seamlessly with typical internet activity, providing users with a greater likelihood of circumventing filters and state-sponsored censorship.
However, the new protocol has a significant drawback—NordVPN cautions that NordWhisper may result in slower internet speeds than other VPN protocols under certain conditions.
NordVPN indicates that the new protocol is designed for restrictive environments but has not specified particular scenarios in which it would be most advantageous. Nonetheless, it can be deduced that political dissidents, activists, and other individuals in sensitive situations could benefit greatly from the technology. Users attempting to access the open internet from heavily censored regions such as China or Russia may also find NordWhisper especially useful.
NordWhisper is anticipated to become available soon via NordVPN apps. The protocol will gradually roll out to Windows, Android, and Linux users initially, with support for other platforms expected to follow in due course.
