Update: Norton Secure VPN replaced this product.

By now, you hopefully know that it's vital to use a virtual private network (VPN) when you're online. They keep your transactions secure and help you enjoy online privacy!

Free VPNs may not cut it. If you're looking for a solid solution, check out Norton WiFi Privacy.

What Is Norton WiFi Privacy?

Norton WiFi Privacy is a paid VPN service that helps keep you secure online. Without it, many entities could track your browsing and analyze your habits. Public Wi-Fi networks, like those in coffee shops, could leave you vulnerable without a VPN. Norton WiFi Privacy can keep your browsing safe when using public Wi-Fi in those locations, just like when you're using a secured network at home.

One of the most important features of a VPN is a no-log policy, and you'll be happy to know that Norton WiFi Privacy does not keep logs of your browsing.

Get Started With Norton WiFi Privacy

Head to the Norton WiFi Privacy homepage to get started. Before you subscribe, you'll have to decide how many devices you want to use the service on, and whether you want to pay monthly or yearly.

Subscribe to Norton WiFi Privacy

The default plan lets you use the service on up to five devices, but you can also select a plan for one or ten devices. It's a good idea to get the five device plan, as you can protect both your desktop and smartphone with it. You'll save money if you prepay for a year instead of paying month-to-month.

Choose your plan, then click Subscribe Now. You'll need to sign into a Norton account or create one if you're new to Norton's services. Once you pay, you'll see the Download page where you can grab the app for your device.

Install Norton WiFi Privacy

If you want to get the app on another device later, just visit your Norton subscriptions page and select Download to get access again.

Norton WiFi Privacy Availability

You can use the app on the following platforms:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8/8.1
  • Windows 7 with Service Pack 1
  • Windows Vista with Service Pack 1 or later
  • Current and two previous versions of macOS
  • Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and newer
  • iPhone and iPad running the current and two previous versions of iOS

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Desktop

We'll cover the Windows version of WiFi Privacy for this overview, but the Mac version is similar.

Once you install the app, it will open a small window in the bottom-right corner of your screen. If you can't find it, search for WiFi Privacy in the Start Menu and launch the software again. Enter your Norton account credentials to activate the service.

After you sign in, the app will automatically enable its VPN on the WiFi Privacy tab. This scrambles your connection and makes it appear as if you're browsing from another location. The result is that your ISP can't tell what you're doing.

You can disable the VPN at the bottom of this tab, but you shouldn't do so unless a website won't load. Otherwise, you're defeating the point of using a VPN.

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Desktop - secured connection

On the Virtual Location tab, you can select another country. WiFi Privacy will automatically set this, usually based on your actual country, but you can change it. The service offers several options, such as Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and Spain.

You can use these locations to further hide your browsing. If you change your location to the UK, for example, visiting Google or Amazon will automatically redirect you to the UK versions of those sites.

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Desktop - virtual location

Ad Tracking and Settings

The last tab of the WiFi Privacy window controls the Ad Tracking functionality of WiFi Privacy. This feature isn't an ad-blocker, but rather it will "intercept cookies and remove your identifying information," Norton explains. Thus, you'll still see ads, but Norton prevents websites from tracking your browsing to serve you personalized advertisements.

Over time, this tab will show how effective this has been. You can disable it if it causes issues with a website.

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Desktop - ad tracker blocking

The only other options on the desktop app are Settings and the Account. In the Settings menu you can make sure the app is set to run at startup and automatically connect (which is convenient and a good idea). You can also check for updates and view help if needed.

Use the Account button to view your Norton account details or sign out of the app.

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Desktop - account details

Using Norton WiFi Privacy on Mobile

Helping protect your desktop or laptop browsing is important, but don't forget about your smartphone! We'll show the Android app for this example, but the iOS version is similar.

Grab the Norton WiFi Privacy app for Android or iOS, then open it. Agree to the Terms of Service, then tap the I already paid for WiFi Privacy link when prompted to start a trial. Enter your Norton account details to sign in.

Norton WiFi Privacy on mobile - setup

You'll then see a prompt that the app wants to open a VPN connection. Allow this, and it will automatically connect you to a VPN. From there, it is quite similar to the desktop version. Four tabs along the top let you change the app's behavior.

The main tab lets you view your connection status and turn off the VPN if needed. Use the Network Protection tab to automatically enable the VPN when you connect to an unsecure network. You can also enable warnings when connecting to an unsecure Wi-Fi connection.

Norton WiFi Privacy on mobile - secured connection and protection

The Select Region tab is for choosing another country. This is set to your current nation by default, but you can change it if you wish. Finally, visit the Ad Tracker Blocking tab to enable or disable that functionality.

Norton WiFi Privacy on mobile - ad tracker blocking

That's all you need to know to use WiFi Privacy on mobile. You can check if you're connected at a glance: on Android, you'll see a key icon in the status bar. On iOS, a VPN icon appears on the top-left of your screen.

Norton WiFi Privacy Keeps Your Browsing Secure

We've covered everything you should know about Norton WiFi Privacy. It's a straightforward VPN app that doesn't bog you down with all sorts of customizations and options. Thus, users who are concerned with safety on public Wi-Fi networks and keeping their browsing data private but don't want to fiddle with all kinds of options will appreciate it.

For one price, you can protect up to five of your devices no matter where you browse. Norton WiFi Privacy is a great way to keep prying eyes out of your data, and it's easy to use even for novices.

And if you need help, your subscription includes free support from the Norton team. Install it on every device you own and you'll enjoy peace of mind.