How to set up and use a VPN

A virtual privacy network (VPN) protects your online privacy by creating a secure, digital link between your device and a remote server. A VPN masks your IP address and makes it appear like you are in a different location to ensure your online data remains private and protected. 

You can use a VPN to enhance your online security and privacy. People mainly use a VPN for privacy to hide their IP address and encrypt their internet connection to prevent service providers and advertisers from tracking what they are doing online. VPNs are often used alongside ??antivirus software to further protect devices from malware and viruses when browsing the web.  

It is also helpful when wanting to access restricted content in your location. Whether this is streaming services with different content in other countries or websites that your school or workplace has blocked, a VPN allows you to bypass these restrictions by connecting you to a server in another location. If you regularly travel, using a VPN can protect you when on a non-secure network, or if you want to access services in your home country.  

For ??gamers, a VPN can prevent bandwidth throttling. Bandwidth throttling happens when your internet provider slows down your internet speed based on your activity. Using a VPN will stop the provider from seeing what you are doing, so they are less likely to limit your speed based on use. A VPN can also help access region-locked games. 

A VPN provider is the company you sign up with when subscribing to a VPN service and manages the servers, software and infrastructure. The providers also handle the VPN platform and customer support if you have any issues. There are numerous providers to choose from, which we look at in this article to help you determine the best provider for your needs. 

A VPN server is what you connect to when using the VPN. Many VPN providers will recommend a server to use, but you can change this depending on what location, speeds or regional content you want to access. The server is a physical or virtual machine within the VPN provider's network and is in regions all around the world. These servers handle your internet usage by encrypting and masking your IP address and location. 

With so many VPN providers out there these days, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. There are several factors to consider when deciding which VPN provider to use:  

• Price and subscription plans: VPN providers offer differing pricing plans, with some offering a monthly subscription while others require a minimum annual subscription. It is important to know what you are getting for the price you are paying. For example, check if a provider offers more server locations or 24-hour customer support. 
• Speed: The number of locations a server offers is important for speed and access to a range of content. Having a fast connection speed is especially important for gamers and streamers. 
• Security & Privacy: Choosing a VPN with strong encryption standards and a no-logs policy is important. A no-logs policy means they will not store any information about your online activity and protect your privacy, browsing history and data usage. 
• User-friendly interface: It is important that the VPN tool is easy to use, connect and configure. 
• Device compatibility: Ensure the VPN is compatible with all your devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs and gaming consoles, or you might end up paying for more than one service to cover all your devices. 
• Customer support: Having good customer support is essential in case you run into issues. Having email support, live chat options, guides and FAQs is helpful in fixing any problems you experience.  

One of the top-rated VPN providers is NordVPN, who have some of the fastest servers, are extremely secure and offer specials and discounts with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the service. Another highly rated VPN provider is Surfshark, with worldwide servers in 100 countries, fast speeds and low prices. Other notable providers include Private Internet Access, Norton and ExpressVPN. 

There are many VPN providers to choose from, so if you aren’t confident with one provider, try another and see what they offer before committing. 

Your chosen VPN provider will often recommend a server to connect to. VPNs typically choose a server closest to your location for the fastest speeds, although you may want to consider choosing a different server depending on the location you want to appear in. Many VPN providers will have an interactive map within their app to clearly see what locations available servers are in and allow you to select a specific city to connect to. 

If privacy and security are important to you, make sure to connect to a country with strong data protection laws to enhance your privacy. If you are looking to bypass geo-restricted content on streaming services, for example, connect to a server in the country where the content is available. Gamers should look for a low-latency server to minimize lag. By choosing the right server based on your needs, you can maximize the VPN’s effectiveness and enjoy a more secure online experience. 

Setting up a VPN is typically a quick and easy process. Most VPN services offer user-friendly apps to make the installation process straightforward, but you can also manually configure a VPN if you prefer. Our guide below walks you through how to set up a VPN on a range of devices.  

Before you begin, you will need to ensure you have enough ??storage space on your smartphone or device to download the app and use it across multiple devices. 

Once you have chosen your VPN provider, the first step is to create an account, purchase a plan and then install the VPN app onto your chosen device. Once you are in the app, you will need to select a VPN server and click Connect. Most VPN apps will recommend a server for you based on your location, or you can choose a server manually. Your IP address will automatically be masked and your online data will be private once you connect to a server. 

It is important to note that VPN applications use a small amount of computer storage to store files, and some temporarily use additional storage for encrypted files while connected to a VPN server. It’s important to make sure you have enough storage space on your computer to accommodate this. Alternatively, you can ??increase the amount of storage space through ??upgrading the SSD within your computer to ensure you have enough space for any additional applications and files you may want to store on your PC. 

You may choose to manually set up your VPN without using an app if you want to customize your settings or if your device isn’t compatible with the VPN provider's app software. To set up a VPN on Windows, you first need to go to Settings and select Network and Internet. Here, you should see an option for VPN which will allow you to add, connect and manage your VPN server. 

Once you click on VPN, there should be an Add VPN button. Click on this and fill out the fields with your chosen provider’s details. You may also be asked to log in with your username and password.  

You then need to go back to Settings > Network and Internet, click on VPN, select your VPN name and finally click Connect. Enter your password to connect your VPN to Windows. 

Setting up a VPN on macOS is simple and straightforward. First, go to System Settings and select VPN in the left sidebar. From here, click Add VPN Configuration and choose the type of VPN connection you want to set up. Fill out the fields with your VPN information. If you do not want a custom configuration, you can select default configuration. Once you have filled everything out, click Create to connect to the VPN. 

Set up a VPN on your Android device by going to Settings > Network & Internet or searching your settings for VPN. At the bottom of the page, select VPN. Then click on the three vertical dots or the + sign in the upper right corner. Fill out the fields with your VPN details and click Save. Once you have created a VPN profile, fill in the Account and Password fields and then click on Connect to connect to the VPN. 

To set up a VPN on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > VPN and Device Management. From here, click VPN > Add VPN Configuration. Select the type of VPN and fill out the fields with your information. Once all applicable fields are filled out, click Done.  

Configuring the right settings can help to enhance security and performance once you have installed a VPN. While most VPNs will work well with the default settings, you can adjust certain settings to fit your specific needs. 

VPN protocols determine how your data is encrypted and transmitted. Some protocols offer better security while others prioritize speed. Common VPN protocols include: 

• OpenVPN – The most widely recommended VPN protocol offering a balance of strong security and good speed. 
• WireGuard – A newer, lightweight protocol known for fast performance and strong encryption.
• IKEv2/IPSec – Offers fast and stable connections, especially for mobile devices. However, it may not be available on all operating systems and platforms. 
• L2TP/IPSec & PPTP – Older VPN protocols that are generally less secure and are not typically recommended unless necessary.  

Kill switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents any accidental data leaks and ensures your online activity remains private in the event the VPN connection drops.

Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN, and which connect directly to your local internet. You may want to use split tunneling if you are streaming local content while also using a VPN for secure browsing. You could also use it if you need full speed for certain websites and apps that do not require a private connection, while securing others that do with the VPN.

DNS leaks can expose your browsing history even if you are using a VPN. Many VPNs offer a DNS leak protection feature, which should always be enabled to prevent this from happening.?

Some VPNs have an auto-connect option, which means it automatically connects to the VPN server when you turn on your device or connect to the internet. This is especially useful for those who may forget to turn the VPN on or for those who often use public Wi-Fi networks.

The more complex protocols, setups and features you use (such as split tunneling) then the more device memory is needed. For these advanced options, it is recommended to have a minimum of ??8GB of RAM. ??Check how much RAM your computer has, or follow our step-by-step guides to ??upgrade your computer RAM or ??laptop RAM to help ensure you have sufficient memory to effectively use a VPN.

Following the best practices means you will get the most out of your VPN with maximum security and performance. We recommend keeping your VPN on whenever you are online to protect your data, especially when using public Wi-Fi. It is important to remember that your online activity won’t be private if you turn off the VPN. 

It is also important to choose the right server location based on your requirements. Local servers will offer faster speeds, while servers in different countries will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions. 

If you are using a VPN app, make sure it is regularly updated to ensure you have the latest security features. Use a strong, unique password to protect your account and enable the kill switch feature, which prevents data leaks if the VPN connection suddenly drops. 

Most VPN providers will allow you to use one account on multiple devices. Before choosing a VPN, check how many simultaneous connections are allowed. Many providers will support between five to ten devices, while some offer unlimited connections. This allows for seamless transitions between devices and provides reassurance that your online data is protected across all of your devices. 

Using a VPN is an effective way to enhance your online privacy and security. Whether you’re looking to protect sensitive data, access geo-restricted content or prevent your internet provider from tracking your online activity, a VPN provides a secure and encrypted connection to keep your information safe. And setting up a VPN is a simple process! 

You can now confidently set up and use a VPN service to enjoy a safer and more unrestricted internet browsing experience.