VPN FAQ

A VPN hides a bunch of things from prying eyes, including:

• Your IP address
• Your location
• Your personal data
• Your web browsing
• Your real identity (if you don't give it away)
• Torrenting
• Your smartphone activities

That's why we think everyone needs a VPN these days. read more

In Windows, you can see the small icon of your VPN service provider in the bottom right corner. When you move the mouse over it, you'll see whether you're connected or not. If you're not connected, you can click on the icon and follow the instructions provided on the screen to connect. Alternatively, you can right-click on it and check available options to achieve the same thing.

On smartphones and tablets, the same icon is typically located in the notification area. You'll have to swipe from top to bottom to see what the VPN app has to "say." Again, if you're not connected, tapping on that information will take you to the VPN app, from where you can select the server you want to connect to.

Most VPN apps clearly state when you're connected and when you're not, which is neat. Still, if you're new to VPN apps -- and for some reason, you don't want to have your VPN app running at all times — you will have to check whether the VPN connection is on or off manually. read more

In most places, using a VPN is legal. After all, we're talking about a piece of software that is installed on your own computer, smartphone or tablet. But, the situation gets more complicated in some countries where governments like to control what their constituents are reading, listening and watching — both online and offline.

So there is no straight "yes" or "no" answer for the entire planet. We will, however, try to provide you with some guidelines, like where you can use a VPN without any worries and where you may have to hide it. read more

Generally speaking, there are two ways how a VPN protects you.

First, it protects your privacy, making it harder (if not impossible) for Big Tech companies such as Google and Facebook to track you online.

And second, it protects you while using public Wi-Fi hotspots where a malicious actor could snoop into your web traffic and potentially get ahold of your personal information.

But there is more a VPN has to offer... read more

There are many proxies services out there that will hide your IP address. Also, there is the Tor browser.

The problem is that neither of these can get you consistently fast Internet speeds once you change your IP address. In sharp contrast, professional VPN service providers have invested — and are still investing — millions into their server networks in order to offer a service you can rely on.

And while you may get decent Internet speeds with a free solution one day, it doesn't mean you'll get it the next one. These things cost real money. read more

There are a few different ways to change your IP address. And no, you don't necessarily need a special tool in order to do so. You could:

• Go somewhere else. This is arguably the easiest way to get a new IP address - by signing up to a new network will get you a new IP address.
• Contact your ISP and ask them for a new IP address. Again, this may not solve the problem, but it will definitely get you a new IP address.
• Use a proxy server. Then you'll be browsing the Internet (or accessing other services) from that server's IP address, and as far as the rest of the world knows - that is your real IP address. The problem, however, is that most proxy servers won't encrypt your traffic.
• Use Tor Browser to make all web browsing super-secure, with all the data traveling between multiple computers before reaching to its destination. The one downside of Tor is its speed with so-called Tor nodes being operated by volunteers that may not have the latest hardware nor super-fast connections to deliver download and upload speeds you can rely on.
• Use a VPN. This is the solution we recommend that will let you easily change your IP address while encrypting all the traffic along the way.

Need more information? read more

You can either use a proxy service or a VPN. The former won't work in China as well as in any other location where advanced software is scanning what you're doing online.

The situation is very different if you're using a good VPN; it will hide your web whereabouts, making it impossible for any admin to know "what you did last summer." read more

It's easy - get a rock-solid VPN, connect to a foreign server (say in the U.S. or Europe), and you're good to go. With a VPN, you get access to the whole of the Internet with no limits of any kind. read more

It is rather simple:

• Fire up your VPN app (presuming you have one)
• Select a suitable server and connect to it
• Start your BitTorrent client

And you're good to go.

It is essential to add that some VPNs offer servers dedicated to P2P traffic, so by all means - connect to those servers when you want to use BitTorrent. read more

Although it's not a replacement for antivirus, a VPN will protect your privacy by hiding your web whereabouts from the Big Tech companies such as Google and Facebook, as well as various government agencies. Also, it will encrypt all data coming to and from your devices and the rest of the Internet. And because of that, it will make your connections to public Wi-Fi more secure, preventing hackers from snooping into your traffic to get ahold of your personal information. read more

You can try a few things if your VPN is blocked:

• Change the server
• Change the protocol
• Change the VPN provider

To be on the safe side, we suggest getting a service from our Best of the Best VPNs list. read more

Use WireGuard if you can. If you can't - go for OpenVPN, except if you use Hotspot Shield - then you'll have to go with Catapult Hydra, which is fast but could be easily blocked in countries like China. Need more information about all popular protocols? read more

A VPN routes your traffic through one of its servers and in that process, your Internet may be suffering from a slowdown. Luckily, you could do something about it, such as:

• Select a different VPN server location
• Change protocols
• Try MultiHop (or DoubleVPN)
• Disable some software (which could cause the slowdown)

And if nothing works, try restarting everything - your apps, device, and router. read more

To be anonymous online, you will have to put in some effort. Among the things you should do are:

• Get a VPN
• Use an anonymous web browser
• Don't use Google
• Use an anonymous email service
• Use anonymous file-sharing/storing services

Additionally, you could turn off location tracking on your smartphone, avoid social networks, use crypto to pay for stuff and even install a privacy-focused OS like Tails. read more

If you have an Android TV-based smart TV, you can install a VPN app on it. Alternatively, if that's not the case, you can either:

• Install a VPN on your router
• Share your computer's connection over Wi-Fi

Both solutions work, but we suggest setting up your router to connect to a VPN server and protect all devices in your home. read more

The easiest way to stop bandwidth throttling is to switch boats and sign-up for a different ISP. But yes, we know it's easier said than done as you may be on a contract or you don't have many options in the first place.

So if you're stuck with the existing ISP, you can contact them and explain the problems you're experiencing. They may be able to help you out or, at the very least - suggest that you move to a bigger (and pricier) plan.

You could also use a VPN to not only stop bandwidth throttling but also to keep your Internet whereabouts hidden from your ISP. As far as they know, you are just visiting a single secure location (IP address of a VPN server you're connecting to) and that's it. read more

There are two ways to make this happen - to build it yourself or to use an excellent off-the-shelf solution.

Whereas the first solution requires some technical skills, the latter implies signing up for existing service and setting up your router to connect to a VPN. This is a much easier way of setting up a VPN at your home. read more

First, we want to say that there is no good free VPN, but there is one you can try for free — whereas the majority of VPNs come with a money-back guarantee. That, in case you wonder, we take to be as good as a free trial.

But presuming you don't want to pull out your credit card in order to try out some VPN, you can start with Hotspot Shield's free plan and upgrade if you determine it works for you. read more

The process is super simple. Start your VPN app and let it do its magic in the background.

In most cases, you don't even have to set up a single thing - it will work out of the box. You may, however, want to select a different server if you plan to watch a movie with BitTorrent. Then, you're better off selecting a server with optimized P2P traffic - that's how torrenting works, and this setup will get you a faster experience.

Otherwise — if you're not streaming a movie from a torrent — pretty much any VPN's default setting will get the job done. read more

In a double VPN setup, internet traffic passes through two VPN servers instead of just one. This means that all traffic is encrypted twice, making for an even more secure connection. Then again, even a single VPN could use the unbreakable 256-bit cipher.

Different services have a different name for double VPN, with some calling it double-hop, multi-hop, cascading, nested, or chained VPN. read more

VPN uses special protocols to encrypt all communication between your device(s) and the rest of the world, ensuring that no one can snoop into your data as it passes through the network. Or, to put it differently, a VPN establishes a virtual point-to-point connection using so-called tunneling protocols over existing networks. read more

The easiest way to a good great VPN is to visit our page with Best of the Best VPNs since all services on that list have been field-tested for years, and we can pretty much guarantee they deliver the goods. Also, they have been audited by reputable third parties to get the job done.

Once you sign-up, all you have to do is download the VPN app to your devices (all of them), install them and you're good to go. It's that easy. read more

Netflix's Terms of Service (ToS) says that you may view a movie or TV show through the Netflix service "primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such movie or TV show."

The ToS continues: "The content that may be available to watch will vary by geographic location. Netflix will use technologies to verify your geographic location."

That's all nice, but since most people already PAY for access to content, the lawyers say that using a VPN to watch Netflix is NOT illegal. read more

On a smartphone or tablet, start your VPN app and find a toggle for turning it off. Usually, there is such a button in the app. Or, if a VPN app doesn't have that toggle, find the "disconnect" button and tap it. This way, your VPN connection will be turned off, and you will be able to do what you want without it.

On a computer (at least on Windows), most VPN apps leave a small icon in the bar at the bottom of the screen. Usually, it's in the bottom right corner alongside a few other icons. Right-click on the icon of your VPN app, and select "disconnect," "quit," or "turn off." This will do the trick. Or you can go to the Settings screen and disconnect from there. read more

VPNs are super affordable, yet they deliver tremendous value. At "worst," we're talking about around ten bucks per month, and that's the price you would pay if you DON'T sign-up for a longer-term contract.

In contrast, if you commit to a 2- or 3-year agreement, you'll end up paying just a few dollars per month. That's the deal you should be signing up for. read more

These days, it's a must to use a VPN. Here are some of the reasons:

• A VPN will protect your privacy
• A VPN will let you bypass content restrictions
• A VPN will let you access blocked websites
• A VPN will protect your communication
• A VPN will help you save on airfare

Need more convincing? read more

Yes, you and just about everyone else should use a VPN these days. It's just the world we live in. A VPN running on your device will help you:

• Protect your privacy
• Bypass content restrictions
• Access blocked websites
• Protect your communication
• Save money on airfare

Still not convinced? read more

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device — be it your computer, smartphone, tablet or other connected device -- and a VPN server. From there, the VPN connects the server of a web page or some other service that you are trying to reach and gets you back all the data in an encrypted fashion. So you are never "directly" visiting some website or service, but all the traffic runs through a VPN server — which then sends it back to you.

This way, the software running on a VPN can remove any malware on the page or even ads in some instances. And, if the page you wanted to access is insecure (HTTP instead of HTTPS), a VPN will add its encryption to make for a secure connection. read more

You can't get NordVPN for free, though there is a workaround.

You see, NordVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test out its service for a full month. If you determine that it doesn't work for you, follow their simple procedure and wait for the money to be returned to your account.

You will still have to select and pay for the plan you want and in that sense, we advise you to get the one with the longest commitment as it will get you the best deal. But, if for any reason you want your money back, just contact NordVPN and ask them for it. It's a simple procedure.

So it's not completely free, as you will still have to pay for NordVPN's service, but it could be free for the first 30 days if this (awesome) VPN doesn't end up working for you. read more

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that extends a private network across a public network to enable users to send and receive data across public networks as if their devices were directly connected to the private network. All this happens in the background, with users not even knowing they're connected to a VPN. All they have to do is press the "connect" button after which they're connected to a VPN server.

You can either build your own VPN server or use the one provided by another company. Companies providing this service are called VPN service providers. read more

As the least tech-savvy hacking technique, phishing is also the most popular way to get yourself hacked. It involves someone sending you a fake email or text (or even calling you) only to ask for your credentials (username and password) for your online banking account or something similar.

Once an attacker has duped you and has stolen your information or gained access to your device, they can log in to your accounts, change the password, and potentially access other linked accounts.

Phishing is a real problem, with an Avast survey showing that 61% of Americans are at risk of falling victim to phishing scams. read more

Back in 2018, former Facebook product manager Antonio Garcia Martinez argued in a Wired article that Facebook is not listening to what its users are saying, adding that they don't have to do that in order to know what everyone of us wants.

The social media giant already knows a lot about you (all of us), including where we live, where we go to work and what we do for entertainment. Some of those details users willingly share while some others, Facebook's app can collect in the background.

Moreover, if a website has a Facebook tracker (Facebook Pixel) -- and many websites do have it -- the company can track your movements on there, too.

This information, according to Martinez, is enough for advertisers to market their products and services to you. read more

A static IP address, also known as a dedicated IP address, doesn't change and remains consistent. Most users don't need a static IP address except if they need it for business purposes.

For instance, your company will whitelist a certain number of IP addresses to allow access to the company's servers. If this is the case, you will need a static IP address.

Here, too, a good VPN can help as many of these are offering static IP addresses, which you can then share with your company's admins and ask them to whitelist you for required access to the network's resources. read more

The question of trust isn't simple but some elements should reveal whether the site you're on is worth your time and, ultimately - your money. Some of the things to consider:

• Does the URL starts with "http" or "https"
• Judge the website by its appearance
• Check out the payment options
• Read the privacy policy
• Use Google's website safety checker

And only after getting satisfying answer should you proceed with signing-up... read more

YES - you need an antivirus and this is especially true for Windows PCs. Although it has become much better in recent years, Windows OS — now in version 11 — is still the prime target of virus makers.

The situation is similar with Android devices, which too are often targeted by malware developers. Android's open "nature" lets everyone see its source code, even those who may not want to use this knowledge for good.

That being said, you also need a VPN... read more

Most VPNs don't offer a free trial. Rather, they let you get a full refund during the first 30 (or so) days of usage. There is one exception, though and it's Hotspot Shield, which you can try for free and pay only if you determine that it works for you. read more

Whether someone will be able to track you on the Internet or not is only partly related to the VPN. Sure, a good VPN will help you hide your physical location and then some, but no one will be able to keep you anonymous online if you regularly share what you're doing and where you are on Facebook.

And the same goes if you keep using various Google services — and there are quite a few of them. Sooner or later, the search giant and its fancy (evil?) algorithms will figure it all out and your anonymity will be gone.

So be careful what you're doing online to protect your privacy. If you don't do it, no one will do it for you. read more

Yes, a VPN changes your IP address and the new address you get (as far as the rest of the world is concerned) is the IP address of the VPN server you're connected to. By doing this, a VPN lets you access content that would otherwise be outside of your reach (such as streaming services). Also, because it encrypts all traffic, it keeps your traffic hidden from the prying eyes of Google, Facebook and various government agencies. read more

If your VPN is not connecting, you can check a few things, including:

• Check your internet connection
• Check your login details
• Check your preferred VPN server
• Check your firewall
• Change VPN protocols
• Restart your VPN app
• Update your VPN app
• Restart your device
• Contact customer support

And if nothing works, consider getting a different VPN. read more

The easiest way to find out your new IP address is to ask Google. Simply type "what's my IP" in Google and you'll get the information — and that would be the IP address Google and the rest of the world will see.

In case you wonder, this is how we roll across platforms, as it is easier than any other option. read more

NordVPN is the best VPN. Period. And we're not saying that lightly. It has been in operation for quite a few years, during which it has built one of the most extensive networks of servers around, counting more than 5,000 machines.

NordVPN is very secure, relying on strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this tech "doing its thing" in the background.

Its zero-logs policy is rock-solid and has been audited by a reputable third party. read more

A VPN extends a private network across a public network and as a result, users are able to send and receive data across public networks as if their devices were directly connected to the private network. All this happens in the background, with users not even knowing they're connected to a VPN. In real life, they only click or tap the "connect" button, after which a VPN connection is established.

A VPN was originally invented to allow users to connect to their office network while they're in a different location and then appear like they are connected to a local network. This then allows them to access resources that are otherwise inaccessible to those that are outside of the network. read more

There are a few ways how you can turn off a VPN app on your iPhone. You can either do that through your VPN app (click disconnect and close the app), or you can go through the iOS Settings screen. The moment you start using a VPN, the new VPN section will be added to the Sections app, just below Personal Hotspot. Or you access the same screen from the General section of iOS Settings. read more

In order to change your VPN location, you'll have to go to the server list in your VPN app. It could be under "Servers" or under "Network." In any case, it shouldn't be hard to find.

Once on that list, all you have to do is select a country and perhaps even a city for your new VPN connection. Then, you should click or tap "Connect," and you're good to go.

You may haven't seen it, as many VPNs start by showing you the "Recommended Server," which tends to be in your vicinity. They do this because when you connect to that (nearby) server, you'll get the best possible experience -- which includes blazing-fast download speeds, stability and more. read more

Pretty much all VPNs are secure and definitely all which we review on VPN Reports. A secure VPN provides a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the rest of the Internet and, therefore. It is this encryption that makes your connection, and consequently the whole service, secure. You can find the best secure VPNs from this page - where you will find a list of VPNs that have been in business for years, during which they have proven their worth. read more

We would say that the main purpose of a VPN is to protect your privacy online. But that's not all, as it will also keep you protected when connecting to insecure (public) networks while allowing you to access parts of the Internet that would otherwise be outside of your reach. It will let you access popular streaming services from all around the world, download stuff with BitTorrent without anyone knowing a thing about it, bypass censorship, and more. read more