Simplifying Traffic Routing in NordVPN’s Meshnet for Increased Security

Most people use a VPN to stay private, but few realize how much control they’re giving up in the process. That tradeoff between convenience and true ownership has defined the VPN landscape for years. We often hear from privacy-focused users: “I want complete control over my traffic, but I don’t want to spend hours fiddling with complex tools.”

NordVPN’s Meshnet is beginning to shift that balance. With its traffic routing feature, Meshnet offers a private, peer-to-peer way to encrypt and route your internet traffic. But what makes it really interesting is how easy it is to use, without giving up the security you expect.

In this article, I’ll walk through what traffic routing in Meshnet is, why it matters, and how it’s helping users take back control of their network securely and easily.

Why traditional VPNs don’t go far enough

Most of us typically associate VPNs with connecting us to a server located across the globe. You tap a button, and suddenly your traffic is encrypted and bouncing off a server in Germany, Singapore, or wherever you choose. That setup works, but it also relies on shared infrastructure and third-party trust.

NordVPN’s Meshnet is beginning to shift that balance. Unlike traditional VPNs that route your traffic through shared external servers, Meshnet introduces a more private approach: direct, encrypted connections between your own devices. Whether it’s your home laptop, office desktop, or any trusted device you’ve linked, Meshnet lets you route internet traffic securely without relying on third-party infrastructure.

What is traffic routing in Meshnet?

Meshnet already lets you create a secure network of your own devices, whether they’re in the same room or on opposite sides of the world. With the traffic routing update, NordVPN made it possible for you to route all internet activity from one device through another device in your Meshnet.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

If your phone is in a coffee shop, you can route its traffic through your home PC, using your home IP address and connection. The connection is fully encrypted and private. The immediate peace of mind is evident.

How does Meshnet routing work?

When you turn on traffic routing via Meshnet, you’re essentially turning one of your devices into a private gateway. Instead of sending traffic out through whatever local internet your device is connected to, the data is encrypted and sent over a tunnel, secured using NordLynx, NordVPN’s custom implementation of WireGuard, to another device that does the actual internet-facing work.

The routed device then accesses the web on your behalf. It’s a full replacement for traditional VPN server infrastructure, but completely under your control. What makes this appealing is the no-fuss setup. We’ve seen setups that used to require static IPs, port forwarding, or custom SSH tunnels. Meshnet eliminates all that complexity. You don’t need a CS degree to make it work, just a NordVPN account and the app installed on both devices.

Key benefits of traffic routing in Meshnet

There are many reasons we’ve seen users adopt Meshnet traffic routing. Here are the most common privacy improvements we hear about:

• Improved privacy

When you route traffic through your device, no third-party VPN servers are involved. That means your data path is limited to just your devices and the encrypted tunnel between them. It’s a major win for privacy-conscious users.

• Secure remote access

Need to access a private internal tool or development environment at home or in the office? With traffic routing, your remote device can behave as if it’s on the same network, even if it’s not.

• IP-based access without workarounds

Some services restrict access based on IP. If your office firewall only allows certain IP addresses, or if you want to stream content that is only available at home, Meshnet lets you route traffic through that location easily.

• Public Wi-Fi Protection

We’ve all been there, trying to work from a café or airport and wondering if the network is safe. By routing traffic through a known, secure device, you can bypass the risks of public networks altogether.

Source: Freepik

Who benefits most from Meshnet’s traffic routing?

While Meshnet routing may seem tailor-made for developers and tech enthusiasts, its benefits extend far beyond that group. A wide range of users are already putting it to practical use:

• Remote workers accessing office systems or internal dashboards securely
• Digital nomads maintaining the privacy and reliability of their home IP address
• Gamers hosting or joining private game servers with consistent IPs
• Families managing and protecting devices across multiple locations
  

No advanced technical knowledge is required. Setup takes just a few clicks, and once enabled, Meshnet runs quietly in the background, keeping traffic secure and under your control.

How to set up Meshnet traffic routing

Many people assume this kind of functionality would require advanced networking knowledge. But Meshnet keeps things surprisingly simple. Here’s what it looks like to get started:

To enable traffic routing:

1. Open the NordVPN app on your device.
2. Go to the Meshnet tab.
3. Select a device from your network.
4. Choose “Route traffic through this device.”
5. Done, now your traffic is encrypted and routed securely.

To add more devices:

1. Log in with the same NordVPN account (or invite others).
2. Link the new device to your Meshnet.
3. Start routing or connecting directly between devices.

You don't require manual IP input or complex firewall rules; simply point and click.

Meshnet makes security personal and practical

There’s no shortage of VPN solutions on the market today, but most follow the same basic playbook: encrypt traffic and send it through a shared server. NordVPN’s Meshnet changes that by putting the power and trust back into your own hands.

We’ve seen how this setup can make remote work safer, protect devices on the go, and streamline complex networking needs. And the best part? It’s built into a product you may already use, with no extra fees or third-party tools required.

If you’re someone who values security and control but doesn’t want to build an entire networking stack from scratch, Meshnet traffic routing is worth trying. It’s one of those rare features that feels both powerful and human, designed with real-world use in mind.

Ready to route on your terms? Meshnet might just be the simplest, most secure way to do it.