NymVPN is a privacy tool, not an antivirus. It protects your IP address, location, and network metadata, but it does not scan for or block malware, viruses, or malicious websites.
What NymVPN does protect
In Fast mode, NymVPN hides your IP address and location using a decentralized 2-hop WireGuard connection. In Anonymous mode, it also protects your network metadata by routing traffic through the 5-hop Nym mixnet.
Built-in security features include:
- Leak prevention for DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC
- Firewall rules to block traffic outside the VPN tunnel
- A kill switch that cuts internet access if the VPN connection drops
These features protect your identity and prevent data leaks, but they do not inspect your traffic for malware or block malicious content.
What NymVPN does not protect against
NymVPN does not block malware, viruses, phishing attempts, or malicious websites. It does not inspect or filter the content of your internet traffic.
To stay protected, use NymVPN alongside:
- Your operating system's built-in security features (Windows Defender, macOS XProtect)
- A trusted antivirus or anti-malware application
- Browser-based protections like uBlock Origin or built-in safe browsing
For practical steps to protect your devices, see our guide on how to stop malware before it reaches your system.
Why a VPN cannot replace antivirus software
A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your identity from websites and network observers. Antivirus software scans files and web content for known threats. These are two different layers of security that serve different purposes.
NymVPN operates at the network level, protecting how your traffic travels across the internet. Malware operates at the application level, infecting files and software on your device. Using both together gives you the strongest protection.
Threats like ransomware target your files and operating system directly. A VPN cannot detect or block these attacks because they operate inside your device, not on the network.
Recommended security setup with NymVPN
For the strongest protection, combine NymVPN with:
1. Antivirus software for malware and virus scanning
2. A browser with built-in tracking protection or an ad blocker for phishing and malicious ad filtering
3. Operating system updates to patch known security vulnerabilities
This layered approach covers both network-level threats and device-level threats.