- 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 most of this year playing catch-up, and its final 2025 update is a clear statement of intent. The provider, long known for its antivirus software, has implemented a number of significant improvements to its VPN service, aiming to give users a faster, more flexible and even more secure experience.
As part of its final launch, Norton VPN has upgraded its servers to 25Gbps in several key international locations, including New York, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. For users involved 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 Norton’s broader push to be considered among the best VPN services available. Throughout 2025, the Norton VPN team has been steadily adding features and improving performance, indicating 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 rapidly closing the gap on its more established rivals.
More control, more speed
Perhaps the most important 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 who prioritize speed for activities such as streaming, gaming or VoIP calls, UDP is the ideal choice as it does not sacrifice speed for seamless data transmission.
This follows the introduction of OpenVPN DCO support on Windows in September, a feature that very few VPN services currently offer and which promises to increase speeds and reduce latency. In fact, for activities where data integrity is paramount, such as browsing, sending email, or transferring files, TCP remains the most reliable option.
This level of customization, however, is a welcome addition, giving users more granular control over their connection to meet their specific needs. It’s a feature that directly addresses one of the few remaining criticisms of the service: its previously mediocre OpenVPN speeds.
Future-ready security
On the security front, Norton has doubled down on its commitment to user privacy throughout the year and reinforced this point in its latest release as well with the first-ever third-party audit of its proprietary Mimic protocol.
The assessment, conducted by 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 good hands.
What’s more, the latest version of Mimic now supports quantum-resistant cipher suites. This forward-thinking security approach ensures Norton VPN is prepared for the next generation of cyber threats, positioning it ahead of many competitors in the race to protect user data against the powerful computers of the future. The protocol also includes stealth enhancements designed to make VPN detection by websites and services less likely.
This latest batch of updates for 2025 cements 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 a ways to go to topple the industry giants, Norton VPN is undoubtedly a dark horse in the race.
