Does Norton VPN uses Amazon as their ISP

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My ISP is Xfinity, My modem is one of their latest Cisco models, with both wireless and ethernet features. Yesterday I ran DNS Leaktest with and without Norton Secure VPN connected.

With VPN, my ISP result is shown as one IP address, one server, ISP = Amazon.com, located in my home metroplex.

Without the VPN, my ISP result is shown as nine IP addresses, five servers, ISP = Cisco Open DNS, located in my home metroplex.

Needless to say, I was not expecting Amazon to be my private ISP  server. Has anyone else seen this Norton  – Amazon connection?  If yes, what combination of antivirus and VPN software do you recommend for a home PC?

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I would expect your router to provide the VPN, not extra software. And I would want 2FA for a VPN, home or business.

Without the VPN software running I would not expect to see any ports at all. Your router should be a completely solid wall to the internet. (Check it on the GRC ShieldsUP! site.) With the VPN up I would expect to see one open port.

With Norton / Amazon it looks like the software opens a port via a Norton server – hosted by Amazon. This makes some sense as the only connection accepted by your machine is from the Norton server, with the server doing all the verification / prevention.

cheers, Paul

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DKThompson

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Hi DKThompson:

See goch’s Feb 2022 Norton 360 Secure VPN – is this connected to the Amazon Cloud? in the Norton Secure VPN for Windows board of the Norton Community.

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DKThompson

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Imacri – thank you for the link. I too had read that post this morning. Someone in that post said “If you are accessing the internet from your home with a properly secured router, a VPN is not really necessary. You need the VPN when accessing a public wifi that may be unsecured.”  My self imposed challenge is how can I better maximize home computer security and minimize ads, deceptive msg & emails, web trackers.

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DKThompson wrote:

My self imposed challenge is how can I better maximize home computer security and minimize ads, deceptive msg & emails, web trackers.

You should carefully consider how a VPN would improve any of those:

Security experts say you no longer need a VPN — here’s why

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Myst

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b. Thank you for the advice” You should carefully consider how a VPN would improve any of those” and the article “Security experts say you no longer need a VPN — here’s why”  Both are very, very helpful.

 

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b

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DKThompson wrote:

My self imposed challenge is how can I better maximize home computer security and minimize ads, deceptive msg & emails, web trackers.

Hi DKThompson:

What is your default browser, and have you added a reputable content blocker like uBlock Origin and/or Malwarebytes Browser Guard?  I have both of those extensions installed in my default Firefox browser (as well as in MS Edge, which I use on occasion) and they work well together.

Unfortunately, those browser extension won’t prevent spam and deceptive emails from landing in your Inbox, but they might prevent you from browsing to a malicious site if you click on a deceptive URL link that tries to open in your browser.

I stopped using Norton products a few years ago, but if you use Norton 360 it likely includes a Norton AntiSpam feature that should supplement the spam filters used by your ISP and/or email provider.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.3930 * Firefox v122.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.23110.3-1.1.23110.2 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.8.311-1.0.2242 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783

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DKThompson

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Imacri, my default browser is Firefox (up to date, Ver 122.0).  I have two extensions: * DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials and * Privacy Badger; Browser Privacy set at Standard; Website Privacy Preferences set to (a) Tell websites not to sell or share my data (b) Send websites a “Do Not Track” request

I was using UBlock Origin but another AskWoody discussion suggested Privacy Badger may be better

I have been happy with Norton antivirus and firewall but a “Norton server – hosted by Amazon” is not what I was expecting

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You are correct “Without the VPN software running I would not expect to see any ports at all. Your router should be a completely solid wall to the internet. (Check it on the GRC ShieldsUP! site.) With the VPN up I would expect to see one open port.” Without VPN – all ports are stealth; with VPN all are stealth except one [http protocol over TLS/SSL”]

It’s the unknown “Norton server – hosted by Amazon” aspect that makes we wonder about my perceived security and reduced number of web trackers. Thank you for your quick reply

 

 

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They probably use AWS to host the VPN servers.

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DKThompson

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thanks to all

 

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