- Norton VPN has expanded its network with new locations and P2P servers
- The provider has also introduced new OpenVPN options for better speeds.
- It also launched the first third-party testing of its proprietary Mimic protocol.
Norton VPN has been playing catch-up for much of the year, and the latest update for 2025 is a clear statement of intent. The provider, long known for its antivirus software, has made some major improvements to its VPN service to give users a faster, more flexible and even more secure experience.
As part of the final launch, Norton VPN has upgraded its servers to 25 Gbps in several key international locations, including New York, Chicago, London and Tokyo. For peer-to-peer file sharing users, five new P2P-optimized cities are available, ensuring faster speeds and more stable connections for torrenting. The network expansion also includes a new virtual headquarters in India and a new server in Berlin.
These network improvements are part of Norton’s wider commitment to being among the best VPN services available. Throughout 2025, the Norton VPN team continued to add features and improve performance, showing a serious commitment to compete with industry heavyweights. The company’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recent surveys show that service has improved significantly, rapidly closing the gap with more established competitors.
More control, more speed
Perhaps the most important part of this update for regular 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 value speed in activities such as streaming, gaming or VoIP calls, UDP is the ideal option, as it does not sacrifice speed for perfect data transfer.
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 speed and reduce latency. For activities where data integrity is paramount, such as browsing, e-mail or file transfer, TCP remains the most reliable option.
However, this level of customization is a welcome addition, giving users more granular control over their connection so they can tailor it to their specific needs. This is a feature that directly addresses one of the few remaining criticisms of the service: the previously mediocre OpenVPN speeds.
Future-proof security
On the security front, Norton has doubled down on its commitment to user privacy throughout the year, and reiterates that point in its latest release with the first-ever third-party review of its proprietary Mimic protocol.
The evaluation, conducted by cybersecurity firm VerSprite, found the protocol to be “nothing” in terms of technical risks and privacy implications. This is a strong endorsement of Norton’s internal technology and should give users peace of mind that their data is in good hands.
Additionally, the latest version of Mimic now supports quantum-resistant cipher suites. This forward-thinking security strategy ensures that Norton VPN is prepared for the next generation of cyber threats and gives it an edge over 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 websites and services less likely to detect the VPN.
These latest updates for 2025 strengthen Norton VPN’s position as a strong contender in the crowded VPN market. The company has clearly shown a willingness to address current shortcomings and is innovating at a rapid pace. Although it still has a long way to go to topple the industry giants, Norton VPN is certainly a shadow horse in the race.