A VPN is a virtual private network that is added to an internet configuration in a home or business to increase privacy and security for Internet users. What a VPN does is it will mask the IP address of the user so that the user can browse privately and securely without having to worry about trackers or being visible on a network. Additionally, a VPN will also encrypt the data that the user is surfing so that this data is not discoverable on the network by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or by other users. With an increase in the remote workforce, the use of VPNs has grown, but they are also used by gamers and average users that just want a more secure browsing experience when they are streaming their favorite movies.
The one caveat to VPNs is that they are known to slow down Internet speed considerably. It is expected that Internet speed could slow down by as much as 20 percent when using a VPN and will slow down by at least 10 percent. As such, technology has evolved in such a way that systems like the Meraki MR44 can help boost Internet performance when using a VPN. If you want the security of a VPN without the added hassle of slower Internet speed, use this guide to learn everything you need to know about the impact of VPNs on Internet speeds and the performance of your devices.
VPNs Will Slow You Down
A VPN will slow down your system regardless of how good the service might be. This service will slow down your Internet and slow down the traffic that you need for your devices to run the way that you want them to. Two reasons for this are latency and ping. Ping refers to the amount of time that it takes for your click or taps on a device to reach your desired location. So when you see the wheel of buffering on any service, this is a latency period that is the time it takes to load a web page or movie.
When the location is far away, say to a server in Africa, you are going to see a longer load time, regardless of whether you are using a VPN. That load time is going to be longer with a VPN because your request has to go from one server to another to reach another server to bring you your web page or service. Here, the ping is the delay time, while latency is the amount of actual time it takes whether there is a delay or not. Obviously, you want an Internet service with low ping and latency periods. There are ways that you can use VPNs without compromising data speeds. In the world of tech, when it comes to Internet speed, it is all about how the device and the ISP is configured.
Protocols Matter With VPNs
The word protocol is a common word in tech, and this refers to the set of rules pertaining to that object or service. A VPN is no different. Protocols matter. Rules in the technology sector simply refer to the set of steps a device or users take in order to create the desired outcome. They are typically established in programming code. So, a web page is going to have a unique protocol for that section of the web page where you have to log in with your credentials. Everything in technology has a protocol.
For VPNs, protocols to improve speed and performance are thought about by innovators frequently. The OpenVPN protocol is the most popular kind of protocol for a VPN, and it offers the most comprehensive stability and security in a VPN than any other kind of protocol. Look for VPNs that offer a wide range of protocols.
You also want to see VPNs that offer split tunneling. Data tunneling refers to the different paths data can take when it is being processed. So you will have different methods of viewing streaming activity or just clicking on a web page. A good VPN will offer split data tunneling so that you can use your VPN for whatever you want while not necessarily using it for everything. Put all of your shopping through one data tunnel while splitting your gaming or streaming from that so that you don’t throttle your own data connection.
Device, Hardware, and Why it Matters With VPNs
Of course, device performance is going to hinge on all of this. At the same time, Internet speed will also hinge on the quality of a device. Even the hardware you use for your Internet connection will make a difference. Using an ethernet cable for your Internet connection over a wireless Wi-Fi network will give you a faster connection, whether you are using a VPN or not.
If you have a device with a good processing speed, that will help to alleviate longer latency and pings with your VPN. A computer that was built 10 years ago, for example, is just going to be naturally slower than an i7 with a processing speed of 2.87 GHz, with or without a VPN.
Research Your VPNs
When you want to bring a VPN into your computer infrastructure, you are going to have to expect some slower connections and slower performances. There are ways around that, though. Improved devices and hardwiring your Internet connection are ways to increase speed while using a VPN. At the same time, adding components to your infrastructure helps. VPNs can give you peace of mind when surfing or using the Internet, and just require a little bit of research before you choose the one that is best for you.
