Download a VPN: Why You Need It and How to Do It
If you care about your online privacy and security, or if you want to access content that is blocked or limited in your region, you need a VPN. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a tool that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server before you connect to a website or another online service. This helps disguise your identity and activity on the internet, as well as bypass geographic restrictions.
download a vpn
In this article, we will explain what a VPN is and how it works, why you need one, how to choose the best one for your needs, how to download and install one on Windows 10, and how to use it effectively. By the end of this article, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of using a VPN on your PC.
What Is a VPN and How Does It Work?
A VPN is an application that creates a secure connection (sometimes called a "tunnel") between your device and a remote server operated by the VPN service. All your internet traffic is routed through this tunnel to the server, which then sends the traffic off to the public internet as usual. Data coming back to your device makes the same trip: from the internet, to the VPN server, through the encrypted connection, and back to your machine.
By encrypting your traffic and routing it through a VPN server, it is harder but not impossible for observers to identify you and track your movements online. For example, your internet service provider (ISP) is probably the single entity with the most insight into what you do online[^1]. The FTC issued a report in 2021 outlining exactly how much your ISP knows about what you do online[^2], and it's a lot. Worse, thanks to Congress[^3], your ISP can sell anonymized data about its customers. If you don't like that a company you're already paying is profiting from your data or if you have concerns about ISPs hoarding detailed information about your activities, a VPN will help.
Because your traffic appears to come from the VPN's server, your real IP address is effectively hidden. This makes it harder to track you as you move across the web and, because IP addresses are distributed geographically[^4], hides your true location. This can come in handy if you want to spoof your location. By connecting to a VPN server in London, you can make it appear as if you were accessing the internet from the UK.
What a What a VPN can do is to protect you against mass data collection and the casual criminal vacuuming up user data for later use. It can also protect your privacy by making it harder for advertisers to figure out who and where you are. That's why VPNs are important, even when you're browsing from the comfort and (relative) safety of your home.
Another reason to use a VPN is to access content that is not available in your region. For example, if you want to watch Netflix shows that are only available in the US, you can connect to a VPN server in the US and enjoy them. Similarly, if you want to access websites that are blocked or censored by your government, such as social media, news, or gaming sites, you can use a VPN to bypass the restrictions and access them freely.
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A VPN can also help you torrent safely and anonymously. Torrenting is a popular way of sharing files online, but it can expose you to legal and security risks. Some ISPs may throttle or block torrent traffic, some copyright holders may monitor and sue torrent users, and some hackers may exploit torrent Speed: A good VPN should offer fast and consistent performance, without compromising your security or privacy. It should have a large network of servers around the world, which can help you avoid congestion and latency issues. It should also support multiple devices and platforms, so you can use it on your PC, smartphone, tablet, router, smart TV, etc.
Features: A good VPN should have features that enhance your online experience, such as split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps or websites to route through the VPN and which ones to use your regular connection; obfuscation, which disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic to bypass VPN blocks; and streaming and torrenting support, which lets you access and download content from various sources without restrictions.
Server locations: A good VPN should have servers in many countries and regions, especially those that you want to connect to or access content from. This can help you overcome geo-blocking and censorship, as well as improve your speed and reliability.
Price: A good VPN should offer a reasonable price for its service, without compromising on quality or value. It should also have a transparent and fair billing policy, a free trial or money-back guarantee, and various payment options, including anonymous ones like cryptocurrency.
The Best VPN Services in 2023
Based on our research and testing, here are some of the best VPN services that you can download and use in 2023:
Name
Security
Privacy
Speed
Features
Server locations
Price
AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec protocols, kill switch, DNS leak protection
No-logs policy, based in British Virgin Islands (outside 14 Eyes alliance), independent audit
Fast and consistent performance across all servers and platforms
Split tunneling, obfuscation, streaming and torrenting support, MediaStreamer (Smart DNS)
160 locations in 94 countries
$12.95/month or $99.95/year (plus 3 months free)
AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec protocols, kill switch, DNS leak protection, CyberSec (malware and ad blocker)
No-logs policy, based in Panama (outside 14 Eyes alliance), independent audit
Fast and reliable performance across most servers and platforms
Split tunneling, obfuscation, streaming and torrenting support, Double VPN (multi-hop), Onion over VPN (Tor integration)
5200+ servers in 60 countries
$11.95/month or $89/year (plus 3 months free)
AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN, IKEv2 protocols, kill switch, DNS leak protection, CleanWeb (malware and ad blocker)
No-logs policy Yes, you can use a VPN on other devices besides Windows 10, such as smartphones, tablets, routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc. Most VPN services offer apps or software for multiple platforms and devices, and allow you to connect several devices simultaneously with one account. For example, ExpressVPN supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, routers, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and more. You can also use their MediaStreamer feature to stream content on devices that do not support VPNs.
How can I test if my VPN is working on Windows 10?
There are several ways to test if your VPN is working on Windows 10. One of the easiest ways is to check your IP address and location before and after connecting to a VPN server. You can use websites like to see your IP address and location. If they change after connecting to a VPN server, it means your VPN is working. You can also use these websites to check for DNS leaks, which can expose your real IP address and location. If you see any DNS servers that belong to your ISP or country, it means your VPN is leaking. You should enable DNS leak protection in your VPN settings or contact your VPN provider for assistance.
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