Public WiFi is one of the best and worst things about travelling. I’m logging into my accounts from cafes, hostels and airport lounges most days, on networks I really can’t trust.
A VPN keeps that connection private, which is why I never travel without one. But a VPN won’t stop me downloading a dodgy file or clicking a link on a random tour guide website that turns out to be a scam. That’s a different job, and it’s what an antivirus is for.
The antivirus I actually use is the one built into NordVPN, the VPN I already use day to day. Here’s how it actually works for me whilst I’m travelling (and at home, of course), and whether it’s worth paying for.
Do you actually need antivirus when you travel?
I’d say that it could be even more important to use an antivirus whilst travelling, than whilst at home.
When I travel I am always downloading stuff. Boarding passes, booking confirmations, PDFs from tour companies, the odd film for a long bus journey. You’re also clicking links from unfamiliar places, like a QR code menu, or a link to a review site.
That’s exactly where you can come into issues with malware and phishing. Whilst at home, you might spot a dodgy link a mile off. Jet-lagged, on hostel WiFi, half-reading an email, visiting unfamiliar websites, you’re a far easier target.
NordVPN
Next-gen antivirus, a fast VPN and a password manager, all bundled in the Complete plan.
Why I use NordVPN’s built-in antivirus
I already pay for NordVPN to keep my connection private on public WiFi, and its antivirus is bundled in to the package. So my protection lives under one app, which streamlines my life nicely.
NordVPN calls it a “next-gen antivirus”. Basically, what this means is that it isn’t like a traditional antivirus which goes through scanning files on your laptop or desktop.
Instead, it works in real time as you browse and download, checking files as they land and blocking dangerous sites before they load. For travel, I’d say it’s the more useful approach.
It’s not just marketing either. It holds anti-phishing and anti-malware certifications from AV-Comparatives, AV-Test and West Coast Labs, and scored well in fake-shop detection testing, which counts for a lot when you’re booking things abroad.
Pros
- Bundled with my favourite VPN
- It scans files as they download
- It blocks phishing links & scam pages in real time
- It strips out ads & trackers
- On a laptop it runs even with the VPN switched off
Cons
- The full antivirus is desktop only
- Can’t get it on the basic plan
What it protects you from
On a laptop or desktop, NordVPN’s antivirus does most of the leg work. It scans your links and downloads, and removes infected files before they can do anything.
It blocks sites known for malware or phishing, warns you off known scams and fake shops, checks the links in your emails, and even nudges you when your software is out of date.
On your phone you get DNS-level protection, which blocks dangerous websites, but only whilst you’re connected to the VPN. Unfortunately, it won’t scan files the way the desktop app does. But I see the phone app feature as an added bonus!
So whilst I am travelling, I do most of my admin and work on my laptop, and on my phone I keep the VPN on, especially on public WiFi, for the privacy protection and the site blocking feature.
More than an antivirus
The key reason I choose NordVPN over a standalone antivirus, is that on the Complete plan you get so many useful features rolled into one affordable subscription.
The VPN is my favourite part and the thing I use most, for keeping my data private on public WiFi and watching my usual shows from wherever I am.
Complete also includes NordPass, the password manager I use. Having my VPN, my antivirus and my logins in one subscription is really handy. And saves me from unnecessary admin headaches.
On top of that there’s a data breach scanner, dark web monitoring and 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, which is a tidy place to back up passport scans and travel documents.
How much does it cost?
NordVPN comes in three plans, and the antivirus starts on the midrange plan – Complete.
| Plan | What you get | From (2-year) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | The VPN, scam and phishing protection, cover for 10 devices | $3.49/mo |
| Complete | Everything in Basic, plus the next-gen antivirus, ad and tracker blocker, NordPass, a data breach scanner and 1TB storage | $4.49/mo |
| Prime | Everything in Complete, plus identity theft protection and insurance | $7.49/mo |
Prices from nordvpn.com on a two-year plan, checked in August 2026.
For antivirus, Complete is the one to get, and at well under a fiver a month on the two-year plan, it’s hard to argue with.
If you want to trim the price, I keep my NordVPN discount tips here. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’d rather try it first.
Who is it for?
This suits you if you travel on public WiFi a lot, download bits and bobs as you go, and would rather not juggle separate security apps. It’s also good value for families, since one account covers up to 10 devices.
If you specifically want a traditional antivirus running deep scans of files on an offline machine, this isn’t quite that, and that’s fine. It’s a different tool for a different concern!
Getting set up
It’s quick and easy to get started with NordVPN and their Nextgen Antivirus:
- Choose NordVPN’s Complete plan or higher and set up your account
- Download the app on your laptop and your phone
- Switch on “Scam, phishing, and malware protection” in the app
- Keep the VPN on when you’re using public WiFi
NordVPN
Next-gen antivirus, a fast VPN and a password manager, all bundled in the Complete plan.
My verdict
For the way I live, work and travel, NordVPN’s antivirus is the sensible pick. Not because it’s the flashiest, but because it’s bundled with the VPN I already rely on and it gets on with the job in the background.
It catches the dodgy downloads and scam sites that are far likelier to catch me out when travelling, and browsing unfamiliar sites.
But remember, it is a next-gen antivirus that’s at its best on desktop, paired with a genuinely brilliant VPN, rather than a traditional file scanner. On that basis, it does exactly what I need it to.
Antivirus FAQs
Does NordVPN have antivirus?+
Yes. NordVPN includes a next-gen antivirus, the feature I first knew as Threat Protection. It scans your downloads for malware and blocks scam and phishing sites in real time. You will find it on the Complete plan and above, listed in the app as “Scam, phishing, and malware protection”.
Is NordVPN’s antivirus a real antivirus?+
It is a next-gen antivirus, which works a little differently to the traditional kind. Rather than deep-scanning every file already on your device, it checks files as you download them and blocks dangerous sites before they load. It is independently certified for anti-malware and anti-phishing, but if you specifically need old-school full-system scans, it is worth knowing the difference.
Do I need antivirus if I already use a VPN?+
They do two different jobs, so yes. A VPN encrypts your connection and hides your IP, which is what keeps you private on public WiFi. It will not stop you downloading a virus or clicking a phishing link, and that is what the antivirus is for. NordVPN’s Complete plan bundles both together.
Does NordVPN’s antivirus work on my phone?+
Partly. The full antivirus, including download scanning, is desktop only. On mobile you get DNS-level protection that blocks dangerous websites, but only while you are connected to the VPN. On the road I keep the VPN on for that reason, and let my laptop do the proper scanning.
Which NordVPN plan includes antivirus?+
The antivirus comes on the Complete plan and Prime, not the cheapest Basic plan. Basic still gives you the VPN and scam and phishing protection, but for the full next-gen antivirus, ad blocker and NordPass password manager, you will want Complete.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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