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Kudos0

WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 21-Aug-2021 | 2:54PM · Edited: 21-Aug-2021 | 2:57PM · 11 Replies ·

On August 7, 2021, I informed Norton technical support that the kill switch for Norton Secure VPN for windows is not engaging when you turn off the VPN. The kill switch is supposed to stop all system-wide internet traffic from connecting to your device when, 1.) The VPN is off AND 2.) The kill switch is engaged. This dynamic places thousands to millions of Norton Secure VPN customers at risk of IP leaks who depend on their VPN to protect their sensitive data. I have called Norton several times concerning this issue since August 7, 2021, informing them they need to implement a patch to fix this problem. However, not only has the level 2 staff not contacted me concerning the issue, they have not fixed this problem, or warned Norton users about this issue!

Replies

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 21-Aug-2021 | 4:41PM · Permalink

My understanding is that the kill switch will disconnect your internet network if the VPN drops for any reason other than you turning off the VPN manually.

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 21-Aug-2021 | 8:45PM · Edited: 21-Aug-2021 | 8:47PM · Permalink

@xjoex Your presumption that the kill switch is ONLY supposed to disconnect the internet connection when the internet signal is dropped is INCORRECT my friend. I used the VPN for PIA www.privateinternetaccess.com for multiple years as well as the VPN with Proton VPN. The kill switch across the board is supposed to prevent internet access until EITHER the VPN is turned on OR the kill switch is turned OFF. Moreover, Norton Secure VPN was working correctly at one point. However, for some reason it begin not working correctly. I do not know if it is due to bugs with the VPN or if it is updates with the versions of Windows 10. Regardless, customers are PAYING Norton to have these kinds of issues solved.

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 21-Aug-2021 | 8:49PM · Permalink

@xjoex Your presumption that the kill switch is ONLY supposed to disconnect the internet connection when the internet signal is dropped is INCORRECT my friend. I used the VPN for PIA www.privateinternetaccess.com(link is external) for multiple years as well as the VPN with Proton VPN. The kill switch across the board is supposed to prevent internet access until EITHER the VPN is turned on OR the kill switch is turned OFF. Moreover, Norton Secure VPN was working correctly at one point. However, for some reason it begin not working correctly. I do not know if it is due to bugs with the VPN or if it is updates with the versions of Windows 10. Regardless, customers are PAYING Norton to have these kinds of issues solved.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 22-Aug-2021 | 5:28AM · Permalink

Thanks for the info about the other VPNs you have used.

It appears that the Norton design is different than the other VPNs you mentioned . If you hover your mouse over the kill switch "?"  it says "Ensure your data stays private by blocking your internet connection if the VPN  unexpectedly disconnects."

I myself would not want the internet connection to drop if I manually closed the VPN. It would require an extra step to reconnect the internet. If I manually disconnect the VPN I am doing so because I no longer need the data protection it might provide.

You may have other needs that would require the disconnect but it appears to me that Norton has designed it that way and I do prefer it that way.

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 23-Aug-2021 | 5:03PM · Edited: 23-Aug-2021 | 5:04PM · Permalink

@xjoex After further research, I would encourage you to not only research how kill switches are supposed to work, but also to try out some other kill switches to enlighten yourself. I mean no offense with the following statement, but "ignorance is bliss." If your experiences with VPNs are limited to simply Norton then they are the best that you know because you have not experienced anything different. When a system-wide kill switch is ON, it does not matter if the VPN is connected or not. NO INTERNET CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE! I would encourage you to try some of the top tier products like Nord VPN's kill switch. MORE IMPORTANTLY, as I mentioned in the initial post this is a NEW development with Norton Secure VPN for Windows. The Norton Secure VPN for Android is working the way it is supposed to work.

Kudos1 Stats

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 24-Aug-2021 | 12:26PM · Edited: 24-Aug-2021 | 12:53PM · Permalink


A VPN Kill Switch Is a Special Feature that Protects Your Privacy
https://whatismyipaddress.com/vpn-kill-switch

1. System level VPN kill switch

A system-level VPN kill switch notes when you’re disconnected from the VPN service. It then sends that information to your device to prevent it from connecting to the internet via your wifi or mobile data.

When it’s enabled, a system level VPN kill switch completely blocks your internet connection to your computer until the VPN connection is restored or by resetting the network adapter. This makes it very effective at avoiding IP leaks.

https://cybernews.com/what-is-vpn/vpn-kill-switch/ 

Norton Secure VPN
Secure private information like your passwords, bank details and credit card numbers when using public Wi-Fi on your PC, Mac or mobile device.

New! Kill Switch
Automatically disconnect from the Internet if the VPN connection is lost in order to ensure your privacy. Windows and Android only.

https://us.norton.com/products/norton-secure-vpn 

https://us.norton.com/feature/vpn

VPN kill switch: What is it and how does it work? - June 16, 2021
https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-vpn-kill-switch-what-is-it-how-does-it-work.html

Norton 360 Secure VPN

Ensure your data stays private by blocking your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects.  

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 24-Aug-2021 | 3:16PM · Permalink

@bjm_ I would like to alleviate any equivocation encompassing the dynamics of this issue. Anyone who is familiar with some of the basic concepts of computer programming and coding are familiar with the concepts encompassing boolean and conditional statements. I provided 3 illustrations to depict the dynamics of how kill switches, which includes Norton Secure VPN  for Windows, are supposed to function. Illustrations 1, 2, and 3 are direct depiction of Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29. In the screenshot labeled "Kill Switch Dynamics-Illustration 1," under Kill switch, it explicitly states "Turn you internet BACK ON BY 1.) Reconnecting your VPN, OR 2.) Turning OFF Kill switch." The implications of this statement unequivocally indicate that in order to establish an internet connection 1 of 2 conditions MUST BE MET. The screenshot labeled "Kill Switch Dynamics-Illustration 2" depicts that Conditions 1 AND 2 ARE MET, therefore an internet connection IS POSSIBLE AND secured by the VPN. The screenshot labeled "Kill Switch Dynamics-Illustration 3" depicts that ONLY CONDITION 2 IS MET, therefore, an internet connection is NOT SUPPOSED TO BE POSSIBLE. Conversely, Norton Secure VPN version 5.0.0.29 is allowing for internet connections despite CONDITION 2 BEING MET. My question is did I articulate the issue that is impairing the functioning of Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 Clearly?

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 24-Aug-2021 | 3:27PM · Edited: 24-Aug-2021 | 3:29PM · Permalink

Thanks.  I've not seen stand-alone Norton Secure VPN.
Maybe, open a Support Ticket.

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 24-Aug-2021 | 3:40PM · Permalink

bjm_ You're welcome. I opened up a ticket with technical support back on August 7, 2021. They were supposed to have level 2 technical support to contact me. However, as of today, August 24, 2021, I have not heard a single word from level 2 technical support. Now, how is that for customer service and quality assurance?

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 24-Aug-2021 | 3:43PM · Permalink

bjm_ You're welcome. I opened up a ticket with technical support back on August 7, 2021. They were supposed to have level 2 technical support to contact me. However, as of today, August 24, 2021, I have not heard a single word from level 2 technical support.

We'll try to call attention.   

Kudos0

Re: WARNING! The Kill Switch for Norton Secure VPN 5.0.0.29 is NOT working Properly

Posted: 25-Aug-2021 | 3:35PM · Edited: 25-Aug-2021 | 3:38PM · Permalink

@bjm_ Thank you. I would greatly appreciate you bringing attention to customer service and technical support concerning this issue. I wanted to display an example of what SHOULD BE HAPPENING with a kill switch. In the illustration below labeled "CONITION STATEMENTS TRANSLATED TO NORTON 360 VPN DYNAMICS," displays how a functioning VPN should be working.  There are 3 conditions in the illustration, which are Conditions 1, 2, and 3. Condition 1 demonstrates that the VPN is currently disconnect/turned OFF, which results in the message "Your information is UNPROTECTED." HOWEVER,  Condition 2 demonstrates that the Kill switch is turned ON. Consequently, since ONLY Condition 2 is MET the end result is Condition 3, which is a system-wide block of internet connections. When a system-wide internet block is in place by Norton 360's VPN, the message displays "Kill Switch is ENABLED and is blocking your internet connection. To unblock it, simply reconnect your VPN OR turn OFF Kill Switch."

 

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