- Norton VPN boosted its network, with new locations and P2P servers
- The provider also introduced new OpenVPN options for better speeds
- It also published the first third-party audit of its proprietary Mimic protocol
Norton VPN has spent the better part of this year playing catch-up, and its final update of 2025 is a clear statement of intent. The provider, long known for its antivirus software, has rolled out a series of significant enhancements to its VPN service, aiming to give users a faster, more flexible, and even more secure experience.
As part of its final release, Norton VPN has upgraded its servers to 25 Gbps in several key international locations, including New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. For users who engage in peer-to-peer file sharing, there are five new P2P-optimized cities to choose from, ensuring better speeds and more stable connections for torrenting. The network expansion also includes a new virtual location in India and a new server in Berlin.
These network improvements are part of a broader push by Norton to be considered among the best VPN services available. Throughout 2025, the Norton VPN team has been steadily adding features and improving performance, signaling a serious effort to compete with the industry’s heavyweights. The company’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with recent reviews highlighting a vastly improved service that is quickly closing the gap on its more established rivals.
More control, more speed
Perhaps the most significant part of this update for everyday users is the introduction of more OpenVPN protocol options. Users can now choose between OpenVPN UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). For those prioritizing speed for activities like streaming, gaming, or VoIP calls, UDP is the ideal choice as it doesn’t sacrifice speed for perfect data transmission.
This follows the introduction of OpenVPN DCO support on Windows in September, a feature that still very few VPN services currently offer and promise to boost speeds while lowering latency. For activities where data integrity is paramount, such as browsing, emailing, or file transfers, in fact, TCP remains the more reliable option.
This level of customization, however, is a welcome addition, giving users more granular control over their connection to suit their specific needs. It’s a feature that directly addresses one of the few remaining criticisms of the service: its previously lackluster OpenVPN speeds.
Security that’s ready for the future
On the security front, Norton has been doubling down on its commitment to user privacy throughout the year, and reinforced this point also in its last release with the first third-party audit of its proprietary Mimic protocol.
The assessment, conducted by the cybersecurity firm VerSprite, found that the protocol had “none” when it came to technical risk and privacy impact. This is a strong endorsement of Norton’s in-house technology and should give users peace of mind that their data is in safe hands.
What’s more, the latest version of Mimic now supports quantum-resistant ciphersuites. This forward-thinking approach to security ensures that Norton VPN is prepared for the next generation of cyber threats, positioning it ahead of many competitors in the race to secure user data against the powerful computers of the future. The protocol also includes stealth improvements designed to make VPN detection by websites and services less likely.
This final batch of updates for 2025 solidifies Norton VPN’s position as a serious contender in the crowded VPN market. The company has demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing its previous shortcomings and is innovating at a rapid pace. While it still has some way to go to topple the industry giants, Norton VPN is undoubtedly a dark horse in the race.
