It’s one thing finding and getting your hands on a VPN, but using it confidently and effectively is critical. Like any tool, the best Virtual Private Networks have to be implemented correctly to be effective. You need to know what your VPN is capable of, and what you can do to make it achieve its full potential.
The VPN might be the key to online protection, but you’re the one holding it. Understand your Virtual Private Network and the part you play in making it work. It’s not always as simple as opening your desktop and voila, VPN reporting for duty.
Here’s how to use a VPN for the best experience of online privacy.
Activation
Let’s set the scene. You’ve sorted out getting a VPN and you’ve just logged in or completed the sign-up process.
Now it’s time to get to the good bit.
Open your VPN app if it’s not automatically been opened. You should be greeted by your VPN’s home screen - this interface is the control centre of your Virtual Private Network. At this point, there should be glaring button that either says “activate” or “turn on”, this will establish your device’s connection to the Virtual Private Network.
Configure your settings
Before this though, we’d recommend configuring your VPN settings, so they’re suited to your preferences. The extent of the VPN’s customisation will vary from provider to provider, but there’s plenty of features and benefits that will be universal.
Selecting an IP location is a given, especially if you've opted for one of the best streaming VPNs and want to access region specific content. In terms of privacy, the best VPNs will give you the option of a constantly changing IP address for that added anonymity. Providers that support split tunnelling will enable you the choice of which traffic you’d like protected.
Picking the right settings is crucial, it can make or break a VPN experience. The more customisable the VPN, the better response there seems to be from users.
Deactivation
Once you’ve gotten the hang of your VPN’s settings and what it can do for you, you’re pretty much set. Switching off the Virtual Private Network and reverting back to ordinary internet traffic is as easy as activating it, just click that button you did at the very beginning again. Full circle.
Using a VPN is like riding a bike, once you know, you know. Safeguarding your online privacy has never been easier, and it's never too late to start.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.