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To get the most out of your virtual private network (VPN), you need to know how to use it and customize the settings to fit your needs. A VPN is a powerful tool for keeping you secure online, and it can also offer fun extras, such as the ability to access geo-restricted content like streaming libraries from various countries.
Various settings can be tweaked and configured to give you the fastest speeds, stringent security settings, or an optimized streaming experience.
Depending on how you intend to use your VPN, there are multiple ways to make it more effective. Learn the differences between popular VPNs, what settings you should configure, and what it all means so you can use your VPN to its full potential.
What are you looking to get from your VPN? Some users are just focused on privacy while others want to be able to stream, game, or torrent with blazing fast speeds. Others may need multiple forms of security to protect their identity at all costs.
A VPN can help you thwart some of your internet service provider’s (ISP) unsavory practices. ISPs often throttle users’ internet during high-traffic times or after they hit an invisible data limit (even if your plan claims there are no data limits). If you suspect you’re being throttled, you may want a VPN to help clean up your connection.
If your goal is to have utmost privacy, a VPN that accepts payment in crypto and offers Onion over VPN or multi-hop (double VPN) features are must haves. Streamers, gamers, and anyone wanting to torrent will need various protocols so they are always utilizing a VPN’s best speeds while also staying secure. Some users may want a VPN that does everything.
Here are some potential features you can customize on your VPN to get the most out of it.
If you’re concerned about protection from hackers, there are several VPN features that you need to consider. A lot of these features, like the kill switch, are available in most VPNs. For other, more specialized features, such as bundled antivirus protection, you need to consider specific VPNs like these best VPNs with antivirus protection.
Suggested privacy actions include:
While every VPN promises security (.not all deliver), not every VPN is good for streaming. There are several key features you should consider if streaming is your goal.
Suggested actions for streaming:
Gamers have unique security needs. Not only are some LAN servers open to potential hacking, but certain games are only available in specific regions. Changing the VPN server location can also help gamers benefit from lower prices in different regions.
Suggested actions for gaming:
Torrenting (downloading and uploading files through the BitTorrent network) itself is not illegal, but there can be legal repercussions if you’re torrenting copyrighted or restricted material. Not all VPNs allow for torrenting, so be sure to choose one that gives you what you need.
Suggested torrenting actions:
Not all VPNs are equal, and the type you choose affects how you use it. The most common VPNs are apps for your mobile device or computer that encrypt all your online activity. These include NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and more.
Since VPN apps cover the entire device, it’s easy for you to customize them to what you want. These are the VPNs that novices or beginners should use since they can stay secure with the default settings.
However, there are alternatives to VPN apps available. Here’s how each one compares to a VPN app.
VPNs and proxies both offer users privacy, but they do it differently. A proxy is more like a firewall or a web filter that hides your device identity, while a VPN encrypts all of your traffic and hides your identity.
Proxies are good if you’re more concerned about people seeing your personal information and less concerned about anyone viewing your activity. Proxies provide more speed than a VPN since they don’t encrypt your traffic.
| Proxy | VPN | |
| Hides device identity | ||
| Has its own IP address | ||
| Can access geo-restricted content | ||
| Hides your online activity |
You may have heard free VPNs are just as good as paid VPNs, but that’s almost always wrong. There are a few exceptions, and the best free VPNs will offer you some security and functionality. But for the most part, you’ll get way more from a premium VPN service.
Free VPNs offer fewer configuration options, so they’re harder to customize. If you want security, speed, streaming access, and more, you’ll need a premium VPN service.
Still, reputable service providers like Privado can be downloaded quickly and provide you with the security you need in a pinch. These work for a short-term solution and for users who don’t need a lot of options.
| Free | Premium | |
| Unlimited data | Almost never | |
| Multiple simultaneous devices | Almost never | |
| Unblocks streaming | Almost never | |
| No logs, doesn’t leak, doesn’t sell your data | Almost never |
Browser extensions protect only your internet browser’s data. You can install one on Chrome while using something like Edge or Safari to browse without a VPN connection simultaneously. If you need to split tunnel, but don’t want to configure a VPN app to handle this, a browser-based service is a good choice.
| Apps | Browser Extensions | |
| Protects entire device | ||
| Dashboard control | ||
| Encrypts browser traffic | ||
| Easy to use |
Manually configured VPNs are a less expensive way to encrypt your traffic but require a lot of technical knowledge. You can’t use them seamlessly across your devices, and you won’t have the server options or essential features like a kill switch.
Considering how easy it is to purchase and use a VPN app, plus all the robust features like optimized servers, we definitely recommend VPN apps over manual VPN configurations.
| Manual VPNs | VPN apps | |
| Setup wizard | ||
| Requires advanced knowledge | ||
| Multiple VPN servers | ||
| Encrypts traffic | ||
| Additional features |
Using a VPN may be confusing, and, at times, you’ll wonder if your VPN is working at all. Setting up a VPN using the installer for your operating system is the easiest method using the following steps.
It might be worth your time to configure a VPN manually so you’re getting the best use from it. If you learn how to use your VPN on your device properly, then you’ll know what to do if a feature isn’t doing what you want it to do.
It’s worth noting that in most cases, if you use the installation wizard and the recommended settings included with the app’s setup, you’ll install it correctly. If you still want to know how to set up the app manually, look for your operating system below.
If you want to be able to do more than turn your VPN on and off or change the server location, you can configure the settings to work optimally for your needs.
With VPN protocols, you can balance security and speed. Some VPNs let you switch between 128-bit or 256-bit encryption strengths. You also have the ability to set how and when your VPN is active, along with security tools like split tunneling and multi-hop.
It’s important you understand each of these settings before changing them. When in doubt, reach out to tech support. Quality VPNs usually have some form of 24/7 support, either by phone or chat.
VPN protocols are basically the rules that dictate how your VPN transports and encrypts traffic. Some prioritize security and heavily encrypt your data, while others prioritize speed and lighten up on the encryption to deliver quick results.
Which protocol you use depends on what security products you’re already using, what your priorities are when it comes to VPN use, and the level of security you need.
| Features | |
| OpenVPN UDP | Prioritizes speed, but it’s as reliable as TCP |
| OpenVPN TCP | Not as fast as UDP, but highly reliable |
| IKEv2 | Newer, faster, and better for mobile |
| L2TP/IPsec | A great combo of two protocols that prioritizes security |
| WireGuard | Newer and balances speed and security well |
Encryption strength determines how long and how much effort it would take a hacker to get into your system. There are two main forms of encryption used by VPN apps.
| Features | |
| 256-bit AES |
|
| 128-bit AES |
|
There are a number of reasons why a VPN connection could drop, but a kill switch is your fail-safe if it does. The kill switch will sever the internet connection so that no one can get a glimpse at your personally identifiable information. This feature keeps you safe from hackers, spying governments, and nosey ISPs.
It’s best to turn this on whenever your VPN is active, regardless of what you’re using the VPN for.
The auto-connect feature that comes with some VPNs allows you to set and forget your protection. When it's enabled, your VPN will automatically turn on if the right parameters are met. Some of the more popular auto-connect settings include:
VPN split tunneling allows you to route some of your internet traffic through one channel and the rest through another. Some people choose to use this to route traffic through two different VPN servers, while others choose to route some traffic through a server and some through the regular internet.
This is useful if you have problems with some financial websites, like mobile banking, which don’t usually respond well to a VPN. It’s also good if you want to encrypt your traffic but your VPN doesn’t unblock your streaming service. It’s useful, too, if you’re torrenting but don’t want the rest of your traffic encrypted in the same tunnel as the torrent.
A multi-hop is a double VPN. This means you’ll route your traffic through two different VPN servers before connecting to the regular internet. This is especially important if you’re transferring classified or sensitive data, need extreme privacy, or are in a location where accessing the internet via VPN is dangerous or against the law.
If you’re new to using a VPN, you should choose one that offers many features but presents them in an easy-to-understand way. We’ve given you a few of the best VPNs below. They’ll keep you secure, allow you to access geo-restricted content, and offer great speeds.
Get NordVPN | Read NordVPN Review
Get Surfshark | Read Surfshark Review
Now that we’ve discussed all the ways you can use your VPN to its full potential, you may be wondering what to do if it stops working as you intended it to. Sometimes, configuring settings, especially if you aren’t confident in your abilities, can affect the processes.
You can troubleshoot your VPN on your own. If all else fails, a good VPN provider should have 24/7 support available to help if you’ve really got yourself into a pickle.
There’s no one way to use a VPN properly. A gamer will have different needs than someone in a restricted-access remote work situation. Using your VPN properly depends on what settings you require.
People who love to travel will need stronger security since they’ll likely use shared Wi-Fi. Dedicated streamers might want to prioritize speed and server locations to get the most from their streaming services.
You can use a free VPN, but it might not be the best idea. Free VPNs have a tendency to leak or sell your data. Even the trustworthy ones have downsides, like a data or server cap, limited servers, or device restrictions. It’s always better to go with a premium VPN service.
NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost are the most beginner-friendly VPNs available. Each has an easy-to-use interface, aesthetically pleasing controls, and plain language so you know what you’re doing.
These VPNs are easy to install, and you can usually have them downloaded and working in less than five minutes.
There are a few downsides to using a VPN. Because your traffic is passing through an encrypted tunnel, you may experience reduced speeds. Sometimes, a VPN can block a webpage (this is usually a good thing) or cause your device to glitch.
There are certain websites, like online banking sites, that don’t like VPN connections.
There are many extra features to consider getting with your VPN. We love added security like antivirus and ad blockers for a robust security stack. Still, there are also VPN-specific extra features like a double VPN or torrenting support.
The exact features you need to look for will depend on your needs, so consider all the ways you want to use your VPN.
If you want to get more out of your VPN, it’s best to figure out your security goals and then learn about the features that help you meet those goals. Even if all you’re doing online is looking at TikTok cooking videos or sharing cat memes, your privacy matters and is worth protecting.
Premium VPN services allow even the most novice users to connect and stay secure, which is why we recommend them over manual or free options. A premium VPN not only provides security and features but also helps you avoid malware, phishing attempts, and even identity theft.
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
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