How To Use A VPN | VPN Tutorial 2022

A virtual private network (VPN) service hides your device’s IP address and encrypts and transmits your data through a secure VPN tunnel to a VPN server, concealing you and your data as it travels between your device and your destination . Whether you’re checking your email from a different country than your own, streaming content from around the world, or protecting your online activity from prying eyes while using public Wi-Fi, there are plenty of VPN uses. In this guide, we explain how to use a VPN. Elsewhere we explain in more detail what a VPN is, how a VPN works, how to get a VPN, and how to set up a VPN.

To use a virtual private network, follow these basic steps:

Social media channels can be a prime hunting ground for identity thieves, and some countries block access to social sites. In fact, over the past year, interest in VPN services has increased several times in response to government threats to ban TikTok in the US, including a 34% increase in inquiries about which would have been the first day of the ban, according to CNBC’s interview with NordVPN’s Daniel Markuson.

Not all VPN services are compatible with all social media platforms. The table below shows which VPNs in our ranking of the best VPNs of 2022 work with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

With so many streaming services to offer, more and more people are subscribing to Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and others. A VPN service often allows you to access geo-restricted material. “Not only does a VPN encrypt your IP address and help protect your personal information from potential cyber threats, it also allows you to customize your device’s location settings,” according to Cyber ​​Florida, a cybersecurity center hosted by the University of South Florida. This gives you the option to use streaming services “that are not available in some countries due to licensing or legal issues”.

For example, if you are visiting the UK and want to connect to Amazon Prime, you can use a US-based VPN server to see what you want. Or if you’re in a country that completely blocks the streaming service, your VPN service obscures your IP address so you can still access it. Note that you still need a subscription to the streaming service to watch shows and movies from this source.

Having trouble accessing your streaming service on your computer? Try that:

Torrenting is like turning a big file into a puzzle by breaking it down into pieces. The data is separated into smaller packets and then shared over a torrent network using software called a torrent client that users can retrieve later. The “seeder” is the party that hosts the original file, and the “leechers” (or peers) are those who own different parts of that file. Sharing a large file between users, also known as peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing, is faster than downloading data from a single source.

The process of torrenting with a torrent client is not illegal per se. Large educational or legal files and updates for certain gaming software are examples of legal torrents. However, P2P applications or torrent clients are sometimes used to download copyrighted, pirated and even less tasty content. Some internet service providers have watchdogs on their pipes to detect torrents and they throw a block to prevent you from accessing torrent files.

ISPs often monitor the use of BitTorrent, which is a communication protocol for P2P file sharing with uTorrent, and block the site. Your ISP can also slow down your internet speed (known as throttling) if it thinks you are torrenting, as the process often uses a lot of data. You can enable a VPN before you start torrenting to download legitimate files privately and without ISP limitation.

Follow these troubleshooting tips to resolve many common issues with a VPN service:

Still looking for more information on VPNs or trying to find the best VPN for you? Explore the directory below to learn more about these services.

At US News & World Report, we rank the best hospitals, the best colleges, and the best cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team uses this same unbiased approach to evaluate the products you use every day. To compile our ranking of the best VPNs of 2022, we researched over 26 VPNs and analyzed 23 reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, giveaways, or loans of products or services we review. All product samples provided for review are given after review. Additionally, we maintain a separate sales team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations. See more details on our 360 Methodology for VPN Evaluation.