How to use a VPN, day to day
Once a VPN is installed, using it is mostly a matter of good habits: connect when it helps, pick the right server, and know when to switch it off. Here's how to get real value from a VPN without fighting it.
To use a VPN, open its app, choose a server location, and press Connect — then browse as normal. That is the whole daily routine. The rest of using one well is knowing when to connect, which server to pick, and when turning it off is the right call. If you have not installed one yet, start with how to set up a VPN and come back here.
When you should connect
Connect any time you are on a network you don't control. Public and shared Wi-Fi — cafés, airports, hotels, offices you're visiting — is the clearest case, because a VPN encrypts your traffic so others on that network can't read it. It is also worth connecting when you want to keep your IP address and rough location out of the hands of the sites and apps you use.
The easiest way to get this right is to not decide each time: turn on auto-connect for untrusted networks during setup, and the app handles it. On phones, the operating system's Always-on VPN does the same job device-wide.
How to choose a server
For speed, pick the server closest to you — shorter distance usually means lower latency and faster throughput. For everything else, choose the location that matches your goal: a server in your home country while travelling, or a specific country when a service is only available there. The app's 'fastest' or 'recommended' option is a fine default when you have no particular reason to choose.
Changing servers is instant — you don't need to disconnect first. If a connection feels slow or a site misbehaves, switching to another server in the same city often fixes it. We cover the mechanics in how to change your VPN server.
When to turn it off
There are legitimate times to disconnect. Some banking apps and streaming services block VPN traffic, so if one won't load, turning the VPN off briefly is a reasonable step. Local network tasks — printing, casting to a TV, or reaching a device on your home network — can also need the VPN off or a split-tunnelling rule. Turn it back on afterwards; the kill switch will not save you if the app is closed.
If you find yourself flipping the VPN on and off for one or two apps, set up split tunnelling instead, so those apps bypass the VPN while everything else stays protected.
Habits that keep it working
Keep the app updated — most connection failures trace back to an old version. Leave the kill switch on so a dropped tunnel never exposes your real IP. And once a month, re-run the quick check from the setup guide: confirm your IP changes when you connect. These three habits cover almost everything.
One expectation to keep realistic: a VPN adds a little overhead, so a small speed cost is normal, especially on distant servers. If the drop is large, switch servers or protocol before assuming something is broken. And remember what using a VPN is for — it protects traffic in transit and hides your IP; it does not log you out of your accounts or hide you from services you're signed into.