Virtual private networks or VPNs for short have the ability to improve online security and privacy. But a little known fact is that you can use VPNs to improve internet speed too. If you’re wondering how can a VPN speed up Internet then you’ve come to the right place.
However, before we get into how can a VPN speed up Internet let’s note that some VPNs can also compromise your Internet speed. This makes sense considering that you’re adding more encryption and a proxy server to your existing Internet connection. So, it will buckle under the pressure and become slow.
But, there’s also evidence to suggest that using a VPN can increase your browsing speed. This isn’t the most common narrative. But it’s worth exploring considering that VPNs are becoming a common aspect of an online user’s life.
Bandwidth Throttling and VPNs
It’s no secret that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been practicing bandwidth shaping and throttling years before the dismantling of net neutrality. ISPs throttle data by limiting or slowing down certain kinds of online traffic. They do this is in order to ensure fair use and an even user experience. The problem is that ISPs got greedy and started instituting fast lanes.
Back to shaping and throttling. This practice involves examining each user’s traffic history and effectively slowing it down. This curbs excessive large file downloads and uploads, streaming, and peer-to-peer file sharing.
The great thing about using a VPN like IPVanish is that it completely hides your traffic. This way your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re doing. It makes it practically impossible for your ISP to throttle or shape your traffic because they have no grounds or evidence to base this action on. That’s why using a VPN is often associated with faster Internet speeds.
Once net neutrality is repealed, users can expect to experience even more ISP throttling. Unless you use an effective and reliable VPN like IPVanish.
Bad ISP Routing
ISPs don’t always look for the most efficient routes through which to transmit traffic. This can be caused by a number of reasons, and it can lead to slower browsing speeds.
On the other hand, some VPNs don’t always offer efficient connections either. That’s why it’s good to have a VPN like IPVanish which is known for its ability to completely hide your traffic activity.
That’s how this VPN speed up Internet while keeping your online activity a secret at the same time.
Can My VPN Slow Down My Internet Connection?
Unless you’re using a powerful VPN that speeds up your connection, then you shouldn’t be surprised if you notice slower internet processing. If you do experience slower speeds after using a VPN, then you have the following things that you can do:
Check the Country That You Are Connected To
Part of what we don’t see when browsing the Internet is that there’s an intricate web of activity that happens. This includes the physical transmission of information from your device to its intended location and this can take time.
For instance, let’s say you’re browsing the net from Los Angeles, US and decide to use a server in Australia through IPVanish. This means your Internet connection has to travel from the US to Australia and back for the data to reach its intended destination.
This is one of only a few scenarios where your VPN may “contribute” to slower Internet speeds. But, it’s in your power to change it because you can always opt for a server that’s close by so your VPN speed up Internet.
Are There Any Security Features Enabled?
IPVanish offers a wide range of security features that improve online safety and privacy. This includes effectively hiding your connection and location, giving you double the encryption protection you’d get from your ISP, in order to completely obfuscate your online activity.
Of course, these features come at a price. You have to trade in extra processing power or bandwidth, leading to slower Internet speeds.
Is Your VPN a Free One?
First of all, we don’t recommend the use of free VPNs. In fact, we discourage it. Not only are free VPNs generally unsafe, but they can significantly slow down your connection.
That’s because free VPNs don’t have money to spend on necessary infrastructure or resources needed to offer optimal software.
Plus, thousands of other users use their services, and this demand causes even slower speeds than you had before.
Did you find this article on how VPN speed up Internet helpful? Let us know in the comments below! We look forward to hearing from you!
