"Protecting users is more important than ever" – NordVPN's new content filter is a real alternative to age verification

NordVPN, the best VPN on the market, is expanding its security suite with a new adult-site blocking feature built into its Threat Protection Pro tool for Android and iOS.

The update lets users automatically block access to thousands of adult domains before they load, adding a family-friendly layer of protection that works across mobile browsers and apps.

The new control introduces DNS-based filtering inside NordVPN's mobile apps. Once switched on, it prevents access to websites flagged as adult content at the network level, meaning those pages never have a chance to open.

NordVPN says the goal of the content filter is to help users take control of their browsing environment, especially when sharing devices with children or simply avoiding explicit material online.

"Mobile devices are central to our daily lives and protecting users from unwanted content is more important than ever," said Domininkas Virbickas, product director at NordVPN.

"Our new feature empowers users to take control of their browsing experience, whether they're protecting children on shared devices or want to avoid accidentally accessing inappropriate content themselves."

Content blocking vs age verification

The introduction of content filtering by NordVPN is especially timely considering the rise in age verification laws requiring sites that host adult content to introduce age checks. The justification of these laws is that these age checks will prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content.

However, some people have questioned the data safety of age verification, leading to a rise in the use of VPNs to circumvent these age checks. However, for those who have concerns about data safety as well as the potential harm that accessing adult content poses to minors, content blocking is an ideal solution.

By filtering adult sites at a DNS level, users can ensure that access to adult sites will be prevented before the page can even load, preventing access without having to input any personal information into an age checker.

How does NordVPN's new content blocker work?

The adult-site blocker uses DNS filtering, a technique that stops flagged domains before they can be accessed. When a user attempts to visit a known adult site, the DNS request is intercepted, and the page never loads. Because it operates at the DNS level, the protection applies across browsers and most internet-enabled apps rather than relying on per-browser settings or extensions.

Activating the feature is as simple as toggling on Adult site blocking in the Threat Protection Pro settings of the NordVPN app. From then on, the filter automatically screens web traffic for explicit domains while maintaining the privacy and encryption benefits of the VPN connection.

By adding DNS-based filtering directly into its mobile VPN apps, NordVPN aims to offer a more comprehensive, privacy-friendly option that works across different platforms without any extra installation process.