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- Consider the effects of latency
- The location of the servers
- The type of encryption used
- VPNs can also improve speeds
- Make your VPN faster
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In a world where remote working is becoming more and more common, companies are prioritizing the practice that everyone in their organization uses secure VPN connections. VPN technology stands for virtual private network, and it resembles a form of internet security service that allows users to establish secure connections as if they were connected to a secure private network. The main principle behind VPNs is that they use sophisticated network encryption. This is a great thing when it comes to security. However, it is important to ask if there are downsides to using VPNs regarding internet speeds. The situation is a little bit more complicated, as there are several ways in which VPN services can impact internet speeds. Here is a closer look at how VPNs affect your internet speed.
Consider the effects of latency
Latency on the internet refers to how fast and responsive internet content is when a user interacts with it. When a user makes a particular action and expects a response, there is usually a very brief moment that takes place before the response is executed. In most cases, these responses are actuated very quickly, however, sometimes, there are noticeable delays. Nothing is more annoying than a link that takes ages to open up an image. There are many causes for increased internet latency. One of the factors certainly stems from the physical location of the server, which is processing the requests.
The further the servers, the longer it will take to process any of the requests. This is because each request must travel through a series of routers within the network, and each of these jumps introduces a bit of latency. This is especially true for mobile users who rely on Wi-Fi connections to make requests. In order to minimize these latency effects, make sure to choose an extremely fast internet 4G connection with speeds up to 250 Mbps. This will allow you to make any request, whether streaming videos, playing online games, or even making video calls, with ultimate ease.
The location of the servers
VPN servers are usually located all over the world so that they can mask your connection better. However, server location is a really important factor. The rule of thumb is that the further the location, the slower your speeds will be. Some VPN services will automatically connect to the closest servers. However, you should never assume that this is the case, but rather check for yourself. You will have an option to choose a server location manually. Ideally, choose a VPN located in another city in your country or perhaps in a neighboring country. If the problem persists, there is something else you should consider. More specifically, you could also rule out the possibility that the server is overloaded. Server load can have a drastic impact on your latency, which is why you need to choose server locations that aren’t as popular.
The type of encryption used
VPNs use advanced encryption protocols to deliver the best security performance, however, the type of security protocols used will determine the amount of delay that you will experience. In fact, the strongest encryption protocol will cause the most delay. There are two major VPN encryption options to consider: IPsec and SSL. The first run on the network layer, while the latter runs on the application. They achieve similar results regarding security; however, IPsec will be slightly faster. Note, however, that SSL VPNs could potentially run faster if there are any firewalls involved. The VPNs traffic will be the same as the standard connection, so there is very little chance that the firewall will limit the speed.
VPNs can also improve speeds
On the other hand, VPNs can also be used in specific scenarios to improve speeds. Some internet providers will purposefully throttle certain streaming services, such as Netflix, which will result in slower speeds. This is done to minimize network congestion by limiting the amount of bandwidth used. You can override this effect by using a reliable VPN service that will hide the web applications you are using, allowing you to enjoy the full streaming speed. In addition, make sure that your router is located in an accessible spot because your ISP or even the VPN service might not be at fault. An outdated router will have limited bandwidth, so requesting a newer model to upgrade your internet plan makes sense.
Make your VPN faster
In order to speed up your overall connection, you should first assess the basics. If you experience a sudden loss of connection, it might not be your VPN, try restarting your modem. In addition, make sure to use a wired connection, as this will help you maintain stability. If these fixes don’t work, you can test out your speed using free online Internet speed tests as you try out different VPN server locations. Lastly, choose a VPN service that prioritizes speed. Some of the latest security protocols, such as WireGuard, are much faster than the traditional OpenVPN. Carefully consider this factor when subscribing to a new VPN service.
VPNs offer never-before-seen security benefits, which is truly important in a world where most companies are run online with thousands of remote online workers. This doesn’t only protect businesses but also online customers. Getting a secure VPN is becoming the norm since cyberattacks are rising.
There are things to consider when getting a VPN service, such as its impact on the overall speed. This new technology is quite nuanced and requires careful consideration before subscribing because you do not want speed and latency issues to make internet browsing unbearable. Some things to consider include the latency caused by using distant connections, the physical location of the VPN servers, the type of encryption used, the ISP speed down throttling, and eliminating any modem-related issues first.
Thank you for reading!