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Why Does my VPN Slow Down my Internet?

Dec 20, 2021

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VPNs are essential cybersecurity tools that are often used when you need to ensure that your devices are kept secure. A VPN can also help you to keep your privacy at a maximum while you’re browsing the internet.

However, some people struggle to use a VPN as it may have an effect on their connection speeds. This can be frustrating for people who are trying to browse the internet or stream videos online.

Free VPNs have speed limits, so you’ll want to avoid these at all costs. However, there are some other factors that can affect the speed of your VPN. We’ll look into those, read on to find out what is causing your VPN to slow down your internet connection.

 

What is a VPN?


A VPN or virtual private network is an essential cybersecurity tool that helps to protect your privacy online and keep your devices secure. Since the global lockdown in 2020 the use of VPNs has skyrocketed around the world. A VPN is able to mask your location and what you do online by allowing you to connect to one of several global servers and encrypting your connection.

Once your VPN is activated, your device will be secure and no one will be able to snoop through your internet traffic and steal your data. A VPN is especially important to use while you’re travelling. While travelling we often have to make use of free public WiFi hotspots, which usually have unsecured networks. These unsecured networks are a hotbed for cybercriminal activity as it allows them to easily infiltrate people’s devices while they’re on the same network. Using a VPN will allow you to encrypt your internet connection, thus, a cybercriminal won’t be able to breach your device. Moreover, search engines can't track you. Ad trackers can't track you and profile you

However, a VPN has even more benefits for those who travel abroad. Oftentimes when we travel to other countries we may experience geographical blocking, also known as geo-blocking. Geo-blocking will prevent you from accessing specific content online. The reasons behind the blocking differ from country to country, however in most cases it has to do with internet censorship within the country you are visiting or licensing restrictions on the website itself. For example, you won’t be able to access Sky Sports UK content online if you’re travelling in South America.

Websites use your IP address to determine your location and block you from accessing the website. An IP address is a unique address that identifies a device on the internet or a local network. The two main functions of an IP address is to identify a device, and to pinpoint its physical location. However, luckily for us, you can use a VPN to change your IP address and bypass geo-blocking.

 

Reasons Why a VPN Might be Slowing Down Your Connection


There are a few different reasons why you may be experiencing slower internet while your VPN is active. Slow internet connections can be extremely frustrating, and it could lead to some people abandoning a VPN altogether, leaving them exposed to cybercriminals.

  • The first reason why your VPN might be slowing down is because you are using a free VPN. Free VPNs don't have quality servers and these servers are often dubious. Also, customer support for a free service cannot be the same as a paid service that has standards and complied with global regulations.

  • Another important factor that influences the speed of your VPN is the amount of users on the server that you have selected. If you choose a popular server such as the United States, it could slow your VPN down if it is overpopulated by users.

  • The most important factor that has an influence on the speed of your VPN is the distance between your device and the VPN server. Choosing a more distant connection location will cause your connection to travel much further to your destination and back, resulting in slower upload and download speeds.


 

If you want the best possible connection speeds from your VPN you should always use a premium VPN as opposed to a free, or lite version. Premium VPNs will give you the best possible service, and they have dedicated support teams that will help you at any time if you struggle with connection speeds.

 

How to Install a Premium VPN


Installing a premium VPN on your  device is incredibly easy. VPNs are readily available on all devices and across all operating systems. You can follow our step-by-step guide below and get your premium VPN installed as quickly as possible.

  1. Find your preferred VPN provider. Each VPN has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, some offer better connection speeds whereas others may offer better encryption and security. Do thorough research on each one to determine which one is best for you.

  2. Install the VPN on your device. Premium VPNs are available on all major app stores which makes them incredibly easy to install. Alternatively, you can also visit the VPN provider’s website to install the VPN directly from them.

  3. Create an account with the VPN provider. This is as simple as following the on-screen instructions when you launch the VPN. You can also create an account on the VPN provider’s website.

  4. Activate your VPN and connect to one of the global servers.Remember the server that you choose will have an impact on the speed of your connection. If you choose a server location that is far away from your physical location your internet speeds will be slower.

  5. Enjoy browsing the internet with a fast, secure and private network!

Tags: English