- NordVPN added adult site blocking to its Threat Protection suite
- DNS filtering blocks domains before uploading them to your device
- Blocking adult sites now available only on NordVPN apps for Android and iOS
NordVPN just took another step towards comprehensive security by adding an adult site blocker to its toolset.
The blocker arrives as part of NordVPN’s Threat Protection suite, which already blocks a lot of harmful content. Now you can filter thousands of domains for adults.
The new adult site blocking feature uses DNS-based filtering to make this possible, even blocking websites from loading in the first place.
We already ranked NordVPN as the best VPN service available, and today’s changes should make family browsing easier.
At the time of writing, NordVPN’s new adult site blocking tool is available only on the iOS and Android VPN apps, at no additional cost.
An adult site blocker at the DNS level
NordVPN’s Threat Protection suite already defends you from all types of threats. Blocks malicious websites, annoying ads, and various trackers from reaching your device.
Now, the toolset has been expanded to include DNS-based filtering for adult websites.
DNS-based filtering is a security technique that blocks unwanted websites before they even load.
The way it works is that when you type a web address, your device asks a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate that address into a numerical IP address. With DNS filtering, NordVPN servers compare the domain to a predefined list of flagged or restricted sites. If it appears in that list, the DNS request is immediately rejected, so the page never loads.
This approach protects users at the network level, meaning harmful content is automatically blocked. In the case of NordVPN, adult site blocking will be available for Android and iOS users.
NordVPN will use DNS filtering to completely prevent access to thousands of adult domains. You can activate it in the NordVPN mobile app.
Domininkas Virbickas, chief product officer at NordVPN, said: “Our new feature allows users to take control of their browsing experience, whether they are protecting children on shared devices or simply want to prevent accidental access to inappropriate content.”
NordVPN has had a busy few months
Today’s announcement marks just one more security update for NordVPN in recent months.
In addition to blocking adult sites, the company revealed that it is launching a new NordVPN app for the latest version of Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. These devices run the Linux-based Vega operating system, so they need a new native VPN app, and NordVPN is among the first VPN providers to have one listed.
NordVPN has also been expanding its Threat Protection Pro suite lately. This is an advanced feature that the company launched in October 2024 to evolve the DNS filtering aspect of Threat Protection.
Threat Protection Pro, a feature exclusive to NordVPN’s desktop apps and top-tier plans, works at the URL and JavaScript levels to prevent tracking, scams, and malware.
Over the summer, NordVPN introduced spam call protection for US-based Android users. The feature alerts you to unwanted incoming calls before you answer them, adding an extra layer of protection.
More recently, Threat Protection Pro was also expanded with a new hijacked session alert feature, which prevents hackers from stealing your credentials, and a crypto wallet verification tool.
All of these changes in the span of a few months are impressive and a good move by NordVPN. Unfortunately, new cybersecurity threats continue to appear every day, so the more defenses we have, the better the chances of staying safe online.
