Most of us have felt frustrated by a slow internet connection before. Perhaps when your video keeps getting stuck buffering or when a website is taking too long to load.
It can slow you down or totally stop you in your tracks. This can be even more noticeable if you're using a virtual private network that will improve privacy by encrypting your data but also hurt your internet speeds.
Indeed, VPNs affect both internet speed (the rate at which data is uploaded and downloaded) and latency (the time it takes for a signal to travel from your device to a server and back).
Locating local internet providers
If you want to see how much your VPN is slowing down your internet, I'll show you how to find out.
Key takeaways:
Testing the speed of your VPN is a simple and easy way to make sure you're getting the best possible experience online.
Speed tests like SpeedTest.net, Cloudfare, M-Lab or SpeedSmart all allow you to get readings of your speed and ping. Once you have results, you can see how much your VPN is slowing you down.
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Locating local internet providers
... continue reading