Admin users can't connect to internet

So, I deleted NordVPN that was installed by the standard user, rebooted and it's all fine.

I've now installed NordVPN from an admin account and everything is good.

Weird, but I'm happy it's resolved.

VPN:

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a private connection over the Internet from a device to a specific network.  VPN technology is widely used in corporate environments. If you need to be "present" on an institutional network, a VPN is a great tool for accomplishing this. It is generally issued and controlled by the institution.

Almost all other uses are a SCAM. There is generally no need for you to have a private (and almost always MUCH slower) connection to a VPN vendor's Network, except to make it easier for them to harvest your data to sell. If you are behind a Router you control or Trust, there is NO security advantage whatsoever in using a VPN. Your connections are already encrypted in most cases.

If VPN vendors just stopped there, it would be bad. But many of these packages also insist on scanning all your files, non-stop, -- nominally looking for viruses, but who knows for sure what data they are harvesting. Their non-stop file reading punishes your computer's performance in the process.

Some also break into your other secure connections so they can be FIRST to examine your data, often leaving your Mac MORE vulnerable to attack.

What VPN service to use?

DON'T use VPN services

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

Uninstall NordVPN.

Third party VPNs offer no protection and in fact may reduce your security. And, as you've discovered they may cause problems.

See this user tip: VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

BabyDinosaur wrote:

I came on here to ask for support, not to harvest odd and extreme opinions. But you do you.

Removing the add-on “pinky promise” VPNs is providing support, and is far from an extreme or unusual opinion, particularly given the existing end-to-end encrypted connections particularly with private relay enabled for privacy.

The “pinky promise” VPNs badly solve a problem that hasn’t existed for a decade or so, but badly solve it in a way perfect for personally-identified data and metadata collection.

VPNs are too often a routing and performance mess too, adding a second partial tunnel around an existing end-to-end tunnel.

Some supporting info:

• https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29#dont-use-vpn-services
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1opKW6X88og

Outside of geo-shifting for website or CDN testing or other such uses, I’d tend to avoid VPNs. If you need a truly private doubled connection, look at using Algo on your own host, or using a travel router via your own ISP and network gear, depending on the details.

BabyDinosaur wrote:

So, I deleted NordVPN that was installed by the standard user, rebooted and it's all fine.

I've now installed NordVPN from an admin account and everything is good.

Weird, but I'm happy it's resolved.

That software sounds badly messed up. Installations from a standard (non-admin) account should not disable basic operations in an admin account! That sounds like not only a security risk but also a technical risk to the computer. You may need full admin functionality to properly manage the computer and perform updates. Yes, it APPEARS that "it's resolved" but the same bugs or flaws that allowed this to happen are still there, lurking in your Mac, as long as NordVPN. It speaks to the poor quality product that NordVPN actually is. If you need to add security to your connection, look instead into the use of Apple's Private Relay.

I suspect that many commercial VPN users think VPNs can hide their location in order to stream or watch movies or sports that are restricted geographically. That's dishonest, but also many providers can now sense this and they block it anyway. If the VPN is being used for security reasons, that's a bit delusional because the VPN provider gets all kinds of access to what should be your private data. There have been numerous lawsuits stemming from VPN providers misusing their customers' private data. And NordVPN is facing multiple lawsuits now over its deceptive advertising and renewal practices. It does not sound like a company with high integrity to me, certainly not one I would trust my private data to.

BabyDinosaur wrote:

I came on here to ask for support, not to harvest odd and extreme opinions. But you do you.

And you were offered support. None of the responses I've seen so far are "odd or extreme". VPNs have a valid use to create a secure point to point tunnel between networks. Third party public VPNs do not provide a secure point to point tunnel and they may cause problems as you experienced, and they may harvest and sell your data.

BabyDinosaur wrote:

Admin users on my MacBook Pro M5 can connect to my WiFi, but they have no Internet connection. No apps incl Safari and App Store will connect.

All standard users CAN connect to WiFi and do have Internet access.

I created a new standard user and it had Internet access. I changed it to an admin user and it could connect to WiFi but has no Internet access now!

My main standard user has NordVPN installed but turned off and is set to not auto connect.

Any thoughts?

Interesting.

I have never installed a VPN, and have never had your issue—coincidence...(?)

BabyDinosaur wrote:

I came on here to ask for support, not to harvest odd and extreme opinions. But you do you.

To each there own, but did you even read the articles linked by @Grant and @BobTheFisherman to get more specific details than provided in their replies? Even if you don't agree, I highly recommend you read them both. Better to make an informed decision by knowing the details of why multiple high level & very respected forum contributors have made such claims.

Those VPN vendors have great marketing to get your money as well as invading your privacy. It is important to keep in mind that for many businesses these days....the user is the real secret/hidden product, not the software or services they are overtly selling.

Of course it is your system, so do as you please with it.

I came on here to ask for support, not to harvest odd and extreme opinions. But you do you.