If you’re familiar with VPNs, you’re likely acquainted with the concept of VPN protocols and are curious about NordLynx.
To put it simply, NordLynx is a new VPN protocol developed by NordVPN that offers improved security and speed. Built on the existing WireGuard protocol, NordLynx represents a significant step forward when it comes to VPN technology.
Here’s a guide to the NordLynx protocol, how it works, and how it can benefit you if you use VPNs.
What is a VPN Protocol?
Before getting into the details of NordLynx and how it functions, we’ll describe how VPN protocols themselves work.
A VPN protocol is a set of functions and rules that govern the relationship between a VPN client and its connecting server. In short, the protocol instructs how a VPN client connects to a server with regards to security and other aspects.
There are many different types of protocols, each of which are designed for different purposes. These protocols include OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and WireGuard. OpenVPN, one of the most common protocols, was designed for extremely secure connections, making it ideal for those for whom privacy is the number one concern.
Another popular protocol is WireGuard. WireGuard is often used by VPN users engaged in high-bandwidth activities, as it offers fast download and upload speeds.
Each of these different protocols have various pros and cons. NordLynx was designed to address the most common flaws in WireGuard by using NordVPN’s security technology, marrying it with WireGuard’s existing efficiency to create one of the best VPN protocols available.
How Does NordLynx Protocol Work?
NordLynx was primarily designed to address longstanding security flaws in WireGuard. To understand NordLynx better, it’s important to know how WireGuard works.
WireGuard’s fast performance comes from the fact that it is far more lightweight and efficient than other VPN protocols. WireGuard has only 4,000 lines of code, which is contrasted with other protocols which can have tens of thousands of lines of code. Because WireGuard has less code, it runs faster, has quicker connection times, and consumes less battery life.
However, WireGuard boosts connection speeds in part by using static IP addresses, giving users the same IP address each time they connect to the VPN. As part of this, it stores the user’s real IP address on the connecting VPN server.
Because WireGuard stores users’ real IP addresses on VPN servers, this represents a security vulnerability. Should someone compromise the VPN server, they could gain access to the IP addresses of users who are connecting via WireGuard.
NordLynx addresses this issue by using a double NAT (Network Address Translation) system. Instead of transmitting users’ IP addresses to the VPN server, NordLynx authenticates VPN users through an external database that is secured against prying eyes.
In addition to this added layer of security, NordLynx randomizes users’ IP addresses each time they connect, in addition to using static IP addresses. This is another feature that makes NordLynx more secure than older VPN protocols.
The use of a double NAT verification system and randomized IP addresses gives NordLynx stronger security than WireGuard while preserving the fast performance that WireGuard is known for. Its external database and NordVPN’s no-logs policy have also been confirmed by independent auditors.
Pros and Cons of Using NordLynx Protocol
NordLynx offers a number of advantages and disadvantages compared to other VPN protocols. It’s most notable advantage is speed; it offers faster download and upload speeds compared to even WireGuard, as well as quick server connection speeds.
As mentioned above, NordLynx’s security protocols represent a significant improvement over WireGuard. If you need a protocol that is capable of both fast performance and tight security, NordLynx is a great choice.
Because NordLynx was built on WireGuard, it’s just as lightweight. This means that it’s a good option for those who are running slower systems or using VPNs on their mobile devices, since it consumes relatively few resources and doesn’t hog battery power.
The biggest and most obvious downside of NordLynx is that it’s only available for NordVPN. If you aren’t a NordVPN customer, you won’t be able to take advantage of it.
Additionally, NordLynx is still a relatively new protocol, meaning it could have bugs or security vulnerabilities that haven’t been noticed yet. While no major issues have been reported since NordLynx’s launch, this is something you should take into consideration.
The NordLynx Protocol: The Bottom Line
The NordLynx protocol is a powerful new tool for those who want to stay secure online without sacrificing connection speed. By combining WireGuard’s existing technology with NordVPN’s advances in security, NordLynx offers a reliable, safe, and efficient VPN experience.
However, is NordLynx worth using if you aren’t already a NordVPN customer?
If you are already using NordVPN, you can switch to NordLynx easily by choosing it as your protocol in your NordVPN client. There’s no additional cost to do so and you’ll be able to take advantage of NordLynx’s features immediately.
However, because NordLynx is only available to NordVPN users, it may not be worth switching to NordVPN if you are already a customer of another VPN service, unless you are interested in other features that NordVPN offers.
NordLynx is generally intended for those who need a combination of fast connection speeds and security. If you use your VPN for high-bandwidth activities and are concerned about security, NordLynx is a good protocol to use as it will allow you to surf the Internet at high speeds while remaining safe.
Hopefully, this guide will show you the benefits and disadvantages of NordLynx. NordLynx is an important innovation in the field of VPN technology, and it can be a powerful advantage for those who seek to remain anonymous and protected when they surf the Web.
