Norton VPN Test 2024
AV-TEST carried out a comprehensive independent evaluation of Norton VPN Ultimate, version 24.11.9615 for Windows and version 4.5.0.241121145 for Android, in November 2024. The purpose of this assessment was to examine the effectiveness of Norton VPN Ultimate in delivering secure and reliable internet connectivity.
The evaluation was conducted against the backdrop of growing cyber privacy threats and a heightened need tor dependable online protection. A series of tests measured various aspects of performance, including connection stability, speed, and encryption strength, as well as the VPN's ability to protect user anonymity during typical real-world usage scenarios. The findings indicate that Norton VPN Ultimate offers a balanced combination of security, privacy features, and sufficient speed for day-to-day online activities such as streaming, torrenting, and general web browsing.
The tests confirmed that Norton VPN Ultimate maintains connection stability with minimal interruptions across Asia, Europe, and the United States. Despite the natural decrease in speed that is typical when routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel, the VPN still managed to deliver download and upload rates suitable for most users, particularly in local connections. Latency increased during overseas connections, yet the effect real-time applications was within acceptable bounds. The use of robust encryption methods in protocols like WireGuard and long-time established protocols like OpenVPN, combined with an additional proprietary protocol referred to as Mimic, ensures that user data remains protected. Norton VPN Ultimate's statement on no-log policy further strengthens its commitment to privacy, and internal tests showed no DNS or IP address leaks.
The service offers essential usability features, including automatic reconnection, support for up to ten devices, and flexible payment methods. A 30-day trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee allow new users to explore the service risk-free. Additionally, the presence of a kill switch function on both Windows and Android ensures that user data is not inadvertently exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Although the number of server locations (29 countries) is relatively modest, it still covers several major regions, and testing confirmed that Norton VPN Ultimate could access certain streaming services in the US, albeit with limited support for Netflix in non-US regions.