NordVPN has just announced a new protocol called NordWhisper, designed to get past filters on restricted networks. According to the company, NordWhisper can hide a user's connection far better than other VPN protocols. Instead of relying on the familiar methods for bypassing VPN restrictions, the protocol mimics ordinary web traffic, which makes it harder to detect. Like any other technology, though, NordWhisper will likely face challenges of its own down the road.
NordWhisper: How VPNs Work and What Makes This One Different
A virtual private network (VPN) is a smart network security tool that creates an encrypted connection between a user's device and the internet. It works by routing internet traffic through a private server, which hides the IP address and encrypts data to improve privacy and security.
A VPN combines authentication, encryption and network tunneling to extend access to remote resources, simulate connections from different countries, and provide a safe way to share data. That makes VPNs a useful tool for getting around internet censorship. They can also be abused to conceal illegal activity.
The NordWhisper protocol was developed to help NordVPN customers connect to remote resources on networks that typically block VPN traffic. Unlike traditional VPN protocols such as OpenVPN or WireGuard, NordWhisper works in a different way, which lets it slip past censorship systems more effectively.
Benefits and Limitations of the New NordWhisper Protocol
Existing VPN protocols are often detected and blocked because they leave distinctive signatures in network traffic. NordWhisper, by contrast, is designed to imitate regular internet traffic, so it is harder to recognize. As a result, users can more easily get past strict censorship filters, especially in countries with aggressive internet censorship policies.
That said, NordVPN also warns that under certain conditions the new protocol may result in slower internet speeds than other VPN protocols. That could be a drawback for anyone who needs a fast connection for activities like streaming or online gaming.
The company has not given details about the specific situations where NordWhisper will perform best, but it is reasonable to expect it to be especially useful for political activists, journalists, or people living in regions with strict censorship policies, such as China or Russia.
NordVPN expects to roll out NordWhisper in its apps soon. At first, the protocol will be available to Windows, Android and Linux users, before expanding to other platforms in the future.
