NordVPN is a secure VPN provider based in Panama. It offers strong encryption, a VPN Kill Switch and commits to its strict no-logging policy. But does it allow torrenting/P2P? And is it safe to engage in P2P file sharing on NordVPN’s network? We answer these questions below.

We can answer the main question in this article right off the bat. Does NordVPN allow torrenting/P2P? Yes, it does. I've even tested it for you with a Bittorrent client, just to be sure. 

Many VPN providers support P2P. But let’s see if NordVPN supports P2P file sharing in a thoughtful way that protects its users.

The Big 3 of P2P

P2P file-sharers would typically want three things from a VPN provider:

• Security (encryption)
• Privacy (no-logging / VPN kill switch)
• Unlimited bandwidth (no throttling/blocking)

NordVPN ticks all these boxes.

Strong Encryption​

NordVPN uses the industry-standard AES256 encryption scheme. AES256 encryption is used by many intelligence agencies around the world. There are no known vulnerabilities or backdoors in AES256.

Privacy​

NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy. And their technical infrastructure is designed for no-logging. This means no traffic logs, no connection IP logs, no timestamp logs, and no bandwidth consumption logs.

The NordVPN native apps also include a VPN Kill Switch. The kill switch blocks all traffic on your system, in the event that the VPN disconnects. This protects against data leaks, even when the connection is unattended.

Bandwidth​

All NordVPN users benefit from unlimited bandwidth on all of NordVPN’s servers. Nothing is throttled. There is a small caveat for P2P file sharing. It is more of a feature than a bug. And we’ll discuss it a bit further down.

P2P & ISPs​

It is always recommended to use a VPN when engaging in P2P file sharing. And not just because of copyright laws. It is because your ISP can detect P2P file sharing on its network. And it could block your traffic or throttle your connection. 

Connection throttling is a practice that artificially slows down your Internet connection, based on the type of traffic that is transiting through the network. P2P and file streaming traffic are the usual suspects when it comes to connection throttling. 

Using NordVPN when torrenting will protect you against connection throttling. Once connected to a server, your ISP can no longer see what you are doing and cannot meddle with (throttle or block) your connection, based on your activities.

P2P and Location​

Some locations are risker than others, relative to P2P file sharing. Authoritarian regimes should be avoided. As well as other jurisdictions that are more susceptible to copyright notices. 

As such, NordVPN does not allow file sharing on all of its servers. 

Again, this is more a feature than a bug. This gives you an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. NordVPN has essentially curated the safest servers for P2P file sharing for you. You can easily find a NordVPN server that allows P2P traffic on their website.

Verdict​

We already answered the question at the start of the article. But the main takeaway is that NordVPN allows P2P traffic on its network in a thoughtful way. Their dedicated P2P servers are configured in a way that protects the security and privacy of its users, with unlimited bandwidth.

For more information on the security practices of NordVPN, have a look at our Is NordVPN Safe? article.

And if you're looking for a VPN for streaming media over an Amazon Fire Stick, check out our Does NordVPN work on an Amazon Fire Stick? article.

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