NordVPN’s native application for Windows is the easiest and fastest way to set up the VPN service on your computer. This tutorial explains how you can download, install and sign in to the application. It describes different methods to choose the best servers for your needs and connect to them. In addition, it explains various settings, such as Kill Switch, Connect on Start and more.
The OpenVPN security protocol is used in the NordVPN application for Windows by default. This flexible protocol supports multiple encryption algorithms and ciphers. We use the strong AES-256-CBC cipher with a 2048-bit DH key to guarantee the protection of your data.
All the required configurations are preset in the NordVPN application, which means you can start using it right after the installation. That said, the application gives plenty of freedom to adapt the settings for your own requirements.
If you like to control the entire VPN setup procedure, you can configure the chosen security protocol manually by following these tutorials. However, some of the supported protocols are not advised for general use, so please keep it in mind when selecting the best configuration.
If you want to configure the OpenVPN protocol manually instead of relying on the NordVPN application, you can use the OpenVPN GUI open-source software. These guidelines will explain how to do it.
The IKEv2/IPsec protocol employs very strong cryptographic algorithms and keys to significantly increase your security and privacy. Therefore, it is highly recommended for those who really care about security. You can set up this protocol on your Windows 8 computer by following the guidelines provided in the IKEv2/IPsec tutorial.