Free vpn server configuration

Once you're logged in, your VPN app usually connects to the VPN server closest to your current location. That's done to provide , as latency and speed reductions increase the farther the VPN server is from your actual location. That's it: Your information is now being securely tunneled to the VPN server.

Chromecast and AirPlay let you share music and video from your computer or mobile device to speakers, TVs, and streaming boxes. But all of them require Wi-Fi, which can be a problem when you're using a VPN.

Other services like NordVPN and ProtonVPN have enhanced security options, such as access to Tor or multihop VPNs. Tor, as mentioned above, is a way to better protect your privacy, and lets you access hidden websites on the so-called . Multihop VPN is similar: Instead of just routing your traffic through a single VPN server, a multihop connection tunnels you to one server and then another. Both of these offerings trade speed for enhanced privacy.

The most important thing about a VPN is trust. If the location, pricing, or terms of service don't fill you with confidence, try another service. In all our VPN reviews, we make sure to report on all of these issues and highlight anything we think is confusing or problematic.

Many VPN companies include an interactive map as part of their app. NordVPN, for example, lets you click on countries to connect to those servers. It's a useful way to understand where your information is going, but there's probably a list of servers you can select from.

Choosing a server depends entirely on what you want to accomplish. For better speeds, you should choose a nearby server. To bypass government censorship, choose a server in a country different from your own. Some VPNs include options to automate this process. To access region-locked content, you'll want a server that's local to content you want to watch. If you're trying to watch the BBC, you'll want to tunnel to the UK.

It's also useful to know where a VPN company is based. Keep in mind that this isn't always the physical location of the business, but a legal distinction that outlines what jurisdiction the company operates under. NordVPN, for example, is in Panama, while ProtonVPN is in Switzerland. That means that these companies are not beholden to data retention laws, which would require them to hold on to certain information that could be obtained by law enforcement. Hide My Ass VPN, on the other hand, is based in the UK, which has more intrusive laws.

When you switch on a VPN, your traffic is routed through an encrypted tunnel to a server operated by the VPN company. That means that your ISP and anything (or anyone) connected to your router won't be able to see your web traffic. From the VPN server, your traffic exits onto the public internet. Unless you're headed to a site that uses HTTPS, your traffic is no longer encrypted.

When we review VPNs, there are a few key metrics we look for. One is that the VPN service should allow you to connect at least five devices at a time. Another is whether or not the VPN service allows BitTorrent traffic on their servers. Nearly all do, but you don't want to run afoul of the company to which you're paying a monthly fee.

Once you've installed the apps, you're prompted to enter your login information. In most cases, this is the username and password you created when you signed up for the service. Some companies, such as assign you a username that's different from your billing credentials, in order to provide customers with more privacy.

If you're concerned about VPNs slowing your connections or blocking important traffic, you should take a look at split tunneling options. Again, different companies give this feature different names, but the gist is that you can decide which apps will use the VPN for their traffic and which apps can transmit without the VPN. TunnelBear, for example, includes an option to not tunnel any Apple apps to ensure they function properly on a Mac. Frequent video streamers and may want to look into this as an option.