"NordVPN Unveils NordWhisper: A Stealthy VPN Protocol to Evade Advanced Blocks"
1min read NordVPN has introduced a new protocol, NordWhisper, designed to help users bypass increasingly sophisticated VPN blocks by making their encrypted connections appear like ordinary web traffic. This comes as VPN providers face mounting pressure from governments and network administrators trying to restrict access to outside information. NordWhisper uses web tunnel technology to blend in with regular internet activity, making it harder for advanced filtering systems to detect and block VPN usage.
Human rights organizations have been documenting rising VPN restrictions in multiple countries for years. For instance, Russia was reported to be testing a system capable of cutting off access to the global internet, aiming to beat even the most important VPN protocols and obfuscation techniques. In Brazil, the government imposed a ban on a social media platform after the company refused to comply with local regulations, ordering fines for those who access the platform, even through VPNs.
NordWhisper is designed specifically to allow users to connect to VPN servers from networks that usually limit traditional VPN traffic. NordVPN developed the protocol after seeing users struggle with disrupted connections and limited access to essential services in restricted environments. The new tool targets specific scenarios where traditional VPN protocols fail, such as public WiFi hotspots with security filters at airports, cafes, and conferences, as well as other locations with managed internet access where VPN traffic faces sophisticated blocking attempts.
Some of the most-adopted VPN protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard have distinct traffic signatures that network filters can identify. NordWhisper takes a different approach, camouflaging itself as regular browsing data. This stealth comes with tradeoffs, as NordWhisper runs slower than traditional protocols due to its traffic masking techniques. NordVPN recommends users stick to standard protocols on unrestricted networks where speed matters more than avoiding detection.
Compared to other circumvention tools, NordWhisper strikes a balance between usability and privacy. While the Tor network provides better anonymity by routing traffic through multiple servers, it is too slow for streaming or real-time applications. Shadowsocks, another lightweight obfuscation alternative, requires extra configuration for proper encryption. NordWhisper maintains strong encryption by default while focusing on accessibility, being overall less secure than Tor but a lot more efficient and probably just as effective for a normal user.
NordVPN began rolling out NordWhisper first on Windows, Android, and Linux platforms. Users can find the new protocol as a selection option within their VPN connection settings. Support for additional platforms is 
