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How Can These 4 Simple Proton VPN Tweaks Transform Online Privacy Game?

Which 4 Proton VPN Settings Can Instantly Improve Your Online Security Experience?

Setting up Proton VPN properly makes a huge difference in how well it protects you and how fast it runs. Many people just install it and start using it without checking the important settings first. This means they miss out on better security and faster speeds.

Here are the four settings you need to change right away to get the most from Proton VPN:

Turn On NetShield to Block Ads and Dangerous Websites

NetShield is Proton VPN’s built-in ad blocker that also stops harmful websites from loading. This feature does more than just block annoying ads – it protects your computer from dangerous software and stops companies from tracking what you do online.

How to turn it on:

  1. Open the Proton VPN app dashboard
  2. Click on NetShield
  3. Choose “Block ads, malware, and trackers

NetShield works by checking every website before it loads on your computer. If it finds something dangerous or unwanted, it blocks it automatically. This makes your internet faster because your computer doesn’t have to load all those ads and tracking scripts.

Important note: NetShield only works with paid Proton VPN plans, not the free version.

Enable the Kill Switch to Keep Your Information Safe

The kill switch is one of the most important safety features in any VPN. It stops all internet traffic if your VPN connection suddenly drops. Without this, your real location and what you’re doing online could be exposed when the VPN disconnects.

Proton VPN offers two types:

  • Standard kill switch: Temporarily blocks internet until the VPN reconnects
  • Advanced kill switch: Blocks all internet unless you’re connected to a VPN server

How to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings in the dashboard
  2. Find Kill Switch options
  3. Choose either Standard or Advanced based on your needs

The advanced version gives maximum protection but requires you to stay connected to the VPN to use the internet at all. Most people should start with the standard version.

Choose WireGuard Protocol for Better Speed and Security

The protocol controls how your internet traffic moves through the VPN tunnel. WireGuard is usually the best choice because it’s fast, secure, and works well in most situations.

Proton VPN gives you two WireGuard options:

  • WireGuard UDP: Best for gaming and streaming videos
  • WireGuard TCP: Better for downloading files and when you need a reliable connection

How to change it:

  1. Open Settings in the app
  2. Go to Connection settings
  3. Select Protocol
  4. Choose WireGuard UDP or TCP
  5. Click the reconnect button to apply the changes

WireGuard is newer technology that performs better than older protocols while keeping your data just as safe.

Turn On VPN Accelerator for Faster Internet Speeds

VPN Accelerator is Proton’s special technology that makes your internet connection faster when using the VPN. The company says it can improve speeds by up to 400%, especially when connecting to servers far away from your location.

This feature works particularly well when you connect to servers in other countries. For example, if you’re in the United States and connect to a server in the United Kingdom, VPN Accelerator helps maintain good speeds over that long distance.

How to enable it:

  1. Open the dashboard
  2. Find VPN Accelerator in settings
  3. Toggle the switch to turn it on

VPN Accelerator should be turned on automatically, but it’s smart to double-check this setting.

Why These Settings Matter for Your Safety

Using a VPN without proper settings is like wearing a seatbelt that’s not buckled correctly – it might help, but it won’t give you full protection. Each of these four settings addresses a specific security or performance issue:

  • NetShield protects against malicious websites and improves browsing speed
  • Kill switch prevents data leaks when connections drop
  • WireGuard protocol gives you the best balance of speed and security
  • VPN Accelerator ensures you get good performance even with strong protection

Taking a few minutes to configure these settings properly will give you a much better and safer experience with Proton VPN. Your internet will be faster, more secure, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your privacy is well protected.