5 VPN features you need to start using today

Nowadays, VPNs come with all sorts of features, some actually helping you, while others are just there to populate a company’s catalog of offers. With all these fancy and exotic features, it’s easy to get confused about what’s really important.

I’m here to cover all the top VPN features and why you should start using them today. Whether you use a best VPN, a free VPN, or any service in between, do yourself a favor and start using these handy features right away.

Emergency switch

Sam Singleton

A VPN kill switch is the last line of defense that protects your real IP address and identity from being exposed. In case your VPN disconnects for any unexpected reason, the kill switch will immediately activate and block your internet access, thus preventing your personal data from being accidentally exposed.

Think of a dead man turning into your favorite bad guy from a ’90s action movie, except instead of a bomb going off, the connection is severed – less dramatic, I know, but a lot more useful.

Most often, the kill switch feature can be found in the VPN settings. Just make sure it’s turned on and you should be good to go. Services like NordVPN also offer an app-based kill switch option, which, instead of blocking your connection to the entire internet, only blocks specific apps you designate when your VPN disconnects.

Almost every VPN comes with a kill switch, and if you notice yours doesn’t have one, it’s probably best to ditch the app immediately. A kill switch is one of the most important security features a VPN can have.

Split tunneling

Sam Singleton

If you are a VPN user, you have probably encountered a situation where you need the added security of a VPN to browse the Internet, but are frustrated by the slower speeds it causes in other applications. This is where the split tunneling feature can come in handy.

Split tunneling is a clever feature that lets you control which data you encrypt and send over the VPN, and which remains on your uninterrupted home internet. This is extremely useful in situations where you want your browser to run over a private, secure VPN connection, but you don’t want to experience speed bottlenecks when playing games, so you need to keep connected to a faster home internet connection.

There are two main versions of split tunneling used by VPNs: application-based and URL-based. Application-based split tunneling is the most common and allows you to choose which applications to run over the VPN and which to skip. URL-based split tunneling allows you to select which sites or URLs you want to visit without a VPN connection – all others will run through the VPN instead. This is most commonly used in browser-based VPNs, but application services such as Private Internet Access also offer it.

WireGuard protocol

Sam Singleton

VPNs usually offer multiple protocol options. OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, PPTP and others are available. And to the average user, these protocols probably mean nothing. This is unfortunate, however, because VPN protocols can have a significant impact on the overall VPN experience.

A VPN protocol is a set of rules that regulates the flow of online traffic from your device, through the VPN server, and to the Internet. Think of it as both a road map and a traffic law that provides tips and guidelines for speed and security through a VPN tunnel.

Although most protocols have their advantages and disadvantages, overall the best choice for most people is WireGuard. This relatively new protocol option currently provides the best combination of speed and security. It is also open source, which means it is constantly improved and checked for security weaknesses. Additionally, it uses cutting-edge cryptography that outshines other current protocol options.

Do yourself a favor and find your VPN protocol options in the settings menu, switch them to WireGuard and enjoy your new, fast and secure connection.

Multi-hop

Surfshark

Connection redirection through one VPN server: good. Rerouting your connection through two or more VPN servers: even better. This is the idea behind a multi-hop connection, making it much more difficult for anyone to monitor your VPN activity.

A regular single-hop VPN connection routes your traffic through an encrypted VPN server. A multi-hop connection complements a single-hop connection by re-encrypting your data and re-routing it through another separate VPN server. This further obfuscates your true location and hides your activity behind two servers, essentially doubling the security of your data.

Personally, I use multi-hop whenever I’m connected to public Wi-Fi, such as at a coffee shop, airport, or hotel, and I advise everyone to do the same. Most VPNs have predetermined multi-hop routes you can choose from, but some, like Surfshark, even let you create and customize your own routes from any of its servers.

Ad and tracker blockers

Sam Singleton

Most VPNs come with some version of ad blocking and trackers. I admit that VPNs’ ad blocking claims are often exaggerated and are usually just glorified DNS website filters. So why do I recommend them as a key feature? Because they are included in your plan and it won’t hurt to turn them on. They provide an additional layer of protection that has no drawbacks.

A VPN can encrypt your data and hide your real IP address, but on its own it can’t prevent websites or apps from collecting your personal information or tracking your online activity. These are usually advertisements that help collect information about you. So, by using VPN ad blockers and trackers, you can protect your personal data from third-party access.

Blocking ads and VPN trackers isn’t always perfect, however. I recommend everyone use solid ad blocking software in conjunction with VPN ad blockers and trackers to ensure that your data truly remains yours.