Using a VPN for the first time? Do these 5 things

You’ve installed your first VPN. Maybe you want more privacy online, you’re traveling, or you simply don’t like the idea of connecting to airport or coffee-shop Wi-Fi without some extra protection.

Whatever brought you here, downloading a VPN is only the first step. Before you hit Connect and forget about it, spend a few minutes checking these five things.

Key takeaways:

Turn on auto-connect so your VPN can protect you without relying on you to remember it every time.
For everyday browsing, a nearby or automatically recommended VPN server is usually a good place to start.
Enable the kill switch to help prevent your traffic from being exposed if the VPN connection drops.
Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN if you don’t want everything going through it.
Check your connection after setup to make sure your VPN is working and masking your public IP address.

How to Use a VPN for the First Time: 5 Things to Do

Setting up a VPN is easy, but a few simple choices can help you get more from it. Here are five things worth checking before you start using your VPN every day.

1. Turn on auto-connect

A VPN can only protect your internet traffic when it’s connected. Remembering to switch it on every time you join a new network is easier said than done. That’s why one of the first settings worth checking is auto-connect.

Depending on your VPN, you may be able to connect automatically when your device starts, when you join an unsecured Wi-Fi network, or both.

This is particularly useful if you regularly work from coffee shops, airports, hotels or other places where you don’t control the network. Instead of having to remember your VPN every time, it becomes part of how your device connects to the internet.

2. Choose the right VPN server

When you open your VPN, you’ll probably see a long list of countries and servers. You don’t need to spend ten minutes deciding between Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Stockholm every time you go online.

For everyday browsing, a nearby VPN server is usually a good choice. It gives you the privacy benefits of a VPN while generally keeping the impact on connection speed and latency lower.

There are times when you may want to choose a server in a particular country, such as when you're traveling and want to access services from home.

But if you don’t have a reason to choose manually, your VPN’s automatic or recommended server option is usually the simplest place to start.

3. Turn on the kill switch

A VPN kill switch prevents your device from sending internet traffic outside the encrypted VPN connection if that connection unexpectedly drops. Without one, your device may simply switch back to its regular internet connection, potentially exposing your real IP address and traffic without you realizing it.

Turn the kill switch on, and you have an extra safety net for those moments when the VPN connection isn’t as stable as you expected.

4. Check whether all your apps need the VPN

You don’t necessarily have to send everything through your VPN.

Some VPNs offer a feature called split tunneling, which lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection and which connect directly to the internet. For example, you might want your browser or messaging apps to use the VPN while allowing another trusted app to connect normally if it doesn’t work well with a VPN.

If you’re new to VPNs, you don’t need to change this setting immediately. Start by using the VPN normally. If you later find that a particular app or service doesn’t behave as expected, check the split tunneling feature.

5. Make sure your VPN is actually working

Connect to your VPN and look at the app: it should clearly show that you’re connected and usually tell you which server or location you’re using. You can also check your public IP address before and after connecting. When the VPN is active, websites should normally see the IP address of the VPN server rather than the public IP address assigned to your connection.

It’s worth doing this once when you first set up your VPN and again if you ever suspect something isn’t working properly.

What a VPN doesn't protect you from

Your VPN encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN server and masks your IP address from the websites you visit, but it won’t stop you from clicking a phishing link, downloading malware or giving information to a scammer.

Websites may also still recognize you through accounts you’re signed into, cookies, browser fingerprinting and information you choose to share.

Think of your VPN as one layer of your online protection, rather than a cloak that makes you invisible.

Bitdefender Premium VPN gives you these controls in one place, including auto-connect, a kill switch and split tunneling, so you can decide how and when your devices use the VPN.

Once you’ve set it up the way you want, there really shouldn’t be much left to do. Connect, get on with whatever you came online to do, and let the VPN work in the background.

Get Bitdefender Premium VPN and take control of your online privacy.

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FAQs

What should I do when using a VPN for the first time?

After installing your VPN, check settings such as auto-connect and the kill switch, connect to a suitable server, and make sure the VPN is working. You can explore features such as split tunneling later if you need them.

Should I leave my VPN on all the time?

You can leave your VPN on for everyday browsing, particularly if you want consistent privacy protection or regularly connect to public Wi-Fi. If a trusted app or service doesn’t work properly while the VPN is active, you can check whether changing servers or using split tunneling solves the problem.

Which VPN server should I choose?

For everyday use, a nearby server or the server automatically recommended by your VPN is usually a good choice. You may want to select a specific country when you have a particular reason, such as accessing services while traveling.

How do I know if my VPN is working?

Your VPN app should show that you’re connected. You can also check your public IP address before and after connecting. When the VPN is active, websites should normally see the VPN server’s IP address instead of your regular public IP address.

Does a VPN protect everything I do online?

No. A VPN encrypts the connection between your device and the VPN server and masks your IP address, but it doesn’t protect you from every online threat. You can still encounter phishing, scams and malware, and websites may track you through cookies, logged-in accounts and other methods.