A message displayed on the NordVPN website Wednesday directed users to disable the service or configure “split tunneling” after the site experienced issues with bot detection. The message, appearing in multiple languages including English, Dutch, and French, offered support for further assistance.
The disruption comes as virtual private networks (VPNs) are increasingly scrutinized for their impact on online services. While VPNs enhance privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses, they can also interfere with security measures employed by websites and applications. Split tunneling, a feature offered by many VPN providers, allows users to route specific applications or websites outside the encrypted VPN tunnel, while directing other traffic through it.
According to PCMag, split tunneling addresses compatibility issues that can arise when using a VPN. Some platforms, such as banking services and streaming platforms, may not function correctly with the encryption a VPN provides. By selectively bypassing the VPN for these services, users can maintain access while still benefiting from the VPN’s security features for other applications.
The feature works by allowing users to choose which programs connect directly to the internet, foregoing encryption. This can be particularly useful for latency-sensitive applications like online gaming, where even slight delays can impact performance. As noted by CNET, split tunneling essentially enables the simultaneous employ of two network connections: one secured by a VPN and one that is not.
NordVPN offers three types of split tunneling: inverse split, app-based split, and URL-based split. Inverse split tunneling is considered the most secure, allowing only trusted programs to connect directly to the internet. App-based split tunneling filters traffic from selected applications through the VPN, while URL-based split tunneling allows users to exclude specific web addresses from VPN protection.
However, the effectiveness of split tunneling has been questioned. A recent post on Reddit detailed user experiences with NordVPN’s split tunneling feature, reporting consistent failures. While the cause of these failures remains unclear, it highlights potential reliability issues with the technology.
VPN Analysis reported that configuring a VPN to route only game traffic through it, while allowing other apps to use a regular connection, can reduce strain on the VPN and potentially resolve issues with bot detection. This suggests a possible connection between the NordVPN disruption and the load on its servers.
Norton VPN currently offers split tunneling as a feature, allowing users to access content and maintain privacy. Surfshark refers to its split tunneling feature as “Bypasser.” Not all VPNs offer split tunneling, and availability can vary across platforms, with limited support on macOS and iOS.
