Master the 5 Best Ways to Use Proton VPN That Will Transform Your Online Privacy in 2025

Table of Contents

TL;DR — What you’ll get

Outcome: Fully configured Proton VPN with optimized security settings, ad-blocking, Secure Core protection, and verified privacy
Time: 15–20 minutes for complete setup
Skill level: Beginner-friendly — no technical expertise required

Who this is for & Why it works

You need online privacy without sacrificing speed or paying premium prices. This guide is for general users seeking verified, step-by-step instructions to maximize Proton VPN’s capabilities in 2025. Based on current security audits and Proton’s 2025 feature updates (Engadget), this approach delivers independently audited no-logs protection, threat blocking, and speeds up to 400% faster with VPN Accelerator (Proton VPN).

Cross-Category Relevance

AI (Practical Uses & Prompting)

Protect AI workflows with privacy-first VPN routing. When using ChatGPT or Claude for sensitive business queries, route traffic through Proton VPN’s Secure Core to prevent IP logging. Prompt example: “You are a privacy consultant. Analyze this data handling workflow and suggest which connections should route through VPN versus local network: [describe your workflow].”

Cybersecurity (Risks & Protections)

Proton VPN operates under Swiss law with no mandatory data retention for VPNs, providing legal protection against surveillance. Two critical security steps:

Enable NetShield Level 2 to block malware, trackers, and ads at the DNS level (Proton VPN NetShield)
Activate Kill Switch in settings → Connection → Advanced → Kill Switch = ON to prevent IP leaks if VPN disconnects

AR/VR (Where Relevant)

Not directly applicable. VR headsets like Meta Quest require stable low-latency connections that VPNs may degrade. However, you can use split tunneling to route VR traffic locally while protecting other devices — useful when using VR in public spaces or hotels.

Software & Hardware (Tools & Specs)

Required:

Operating System: Windows 10+, macOS 11+, Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/Fedora), iOS 14+, Android 8+
RAM: 2GB minimum
Storage: 200MB free space
Network: 5 Mbps minimum (10+ Mbps recommended for streaming)
Supported devices: Up to 10 simultaneous connections on paid plans

Software stack:

Proton VPN app (native for all platforms) — Download here
Optional: Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge

What you need

Proton VPN account (free or paid) — Sign up
Device admin permissions for installation
Active internet connection
15 minutes uninterrupted setup time
Password manager (recommended: Bitwarden or 1Password)
Two-factor authentication app (Authy or Google Authenticator)

5-Step Action Plan: Best Way to Use Proton VPN for Maximum Security

Step 1 — Install and Configure Core Security Settings

Action: Download the official Proton VPN app and enable fundamental protections.

Exact steps:

Visit protonvpn.com → Click “Get Proton VPN”
Create account with strong password (16+ characters)
Download app for your platform
Launch app → Sign in
Navigate to Settings → Security → Enable these:
- Kill Switch: ON (prevents IP leaks)
- IPv6 leak protection: ON
- DNS leak protection: ON
- VPN Accelerator: ON (increases speeds up to 400%)

Why it works: VPN Accelerator uses advanced networking techniques to overcome CPU limitations and can increase connection speeds by up to 400%, while kill switch ensures zero data exposure if connection drops.

Expected outcome: App installed, logged in, core security active. Test at ipleak.net — you should see VPN server IP, not your real IP.

Step 2 — Activate NetShield Ad-Blocker (Paid Plans)

Action: Enable DNS-level ad and malware blocking.

Exact command path:

Windows/Mac: Main screen → Settings → NetShield → Select “Block malware, ads, and trackers” (Level 2)
Mobile: Menu (☰) → Settings → NetShield → Toggle to Level 2
Linux: System tray icon → NetShield → Level 2

Why it works: NetShield prevents your device from loading unnecessary content, reducing data usage and increasing browsing speed while blocking malicious domains at the DNS layer before they reach your device.

Expected outcome: Ads disappear from websites, page load times improve 15–30%, tracker count shows in app dashboard. Visit any ad-heavy site to verify.

Step 3 — Set Up Secure Core for High-Risk Connections

Action: Route traffic through privacy-hardened Swiss servers first.

Exact steps:

Main app screen → Click “Secure Core” toggle (top right, next to country list)
Select country pair: Choose entry server (Iceland, Sweden, or Switzerland) → Exit server (your target country)
Click “Connect to Secure Core”

Command for auto-connect: Settings → Connection → Auto Connect → Enable → Select “Fastest Secure Core server”

Why it works: Secure Core routes traffic through multiple servers to protect against network-based attacks. Even if exit server is compromised, your real IP remains hidden behind the ultra-secure entry node in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.

Expected outcome: Two-hop connection established (check connection panel for “SC →” indicator). Speeds drop 20–40% but security increases exponentially — ideal for sensitive work, journalism, or high-surveillance regions.

Step 4 — Configure Split Tunneling for Optimal Performance

Action: Choose which apps bypass VPN to preserve local network access.

Exact path (varies by OS):

Windows: Settings → Split Tunneling → Toggle ON → Select “Exclude apps/IPs” → Add: Banking apps, local printers, video calls
macOS: (Available summer 2025 per roadmap)
Android: Settings → Split Tunneling → Mode: “Exclude apps” → Select: Banking, local streaming apps
Linux: Terminal: protonvpn-cli split-tunnel --exclude-app firefox

Why it works: Banking sites often block VPN IPs; local devices need direct LAN access. Split tunneling routes only necessary traffic through VPN, preventing blocks while maintaining security for web browsing and downloads.

Expected outcome: Local printer works, online banking loads, but web traffic remains encrypted. Test by printing document (should work) and checking IP at whatismyip.com in browser (should show VPN IP).

Step 5 — Create Custom Profiles for Different Use Cases

Action: Build one-click connection profiles for work, streaming, and high-security scenarios.

Exact setup:

Settings → Profiles → Create Profile
Profile 1 — “Work Secure”:
- Server: Secure Core → Switzerland → Germany
- Features: NetShield Level 2, Kill Switch, Auto-reconnect
- Protocol: WireGuard (fastest)
Profile 2 — “Streaming HD”:
- Server: Country with target content (US for Hulu, UK for BBC)
- Features: NetShield Level 1, VPN Accelerator
- Protocol: WireGuard
Profile 3 — “Public WiFi”:
- Server: Fastest Secure Core
- Features: Kill Switch, IPv6 block, strongest encryption
- Protocol: OpenVPN TCP (most reliable on restricted networks)

Save command: Click “Save Profile” → Name it → Pin to home screen

Why it works: Pre-configured profiles eliminate decision fatigue and ensure correct settings for context. One tap switches your entire security posture.

Expected outcome: Three profile buttons on home screen. Click “Streaming HD” → connects to optimized US server in 3 seconds. Load netflix.com to verify access.

Verification Checklist

Test your configuration to confirm 100% privacy:

DNS leak test: Visit dnsleaktest.com → Run Extended Test → All servers should show Proton VPN, not your ISP
WebRTC leak: Visit browserleaks.com/webrtc → Should show VPN IP only
Kill switch: Disconnect VPN mid-session → Internet should stop completely (reconnect after test)
NetShield active: Visit d3ward.github.io/toolz/adblock.html → Should score 95%+ (blocks malware/trackers)
Speed test: Run speedtest.net → Should retain 70–90% of baseline speed with VPN Accelerator
Connection log: Settings → Account → No connection metadata stored (Proton doesn’t log by policy)

Troubleshooting — Common Issues & Fixes

Q1: VPN connects but websites won’t load
A1: DNS issue. Fix: Settings → Connection → DNS → Select “Custom DNS” → Enter: 10.8.8.8 (Proton’s DNS). Alternative: Disable IPv6 in OS network settings.

Q2: Slow speeds even with VPN Accelerator
A2: Server overload. Fix: Avoid servers with >75% load (shown in app). Switch to nearby country or enable “Fastest server” auto-select. PCWorld notes server load directly impacts speed.

Q3: Can’t access local network printer or NAS
A3: VPN blocking LAN. Fix: Add local IP range to split tunneling exclusions: Settings → Split Tunneling → Add IP range: 192.168.1.0/24 (adjust to your router’s subnet).

Q4: Streaming service detects VPN and blocks content
A4: IP flagged. Fix: Disconnect → Select different server in same country (try “Plus” servers marked with ⚡). Clear browser cache/cookies. If persists, contact Proton support for dedicated streaming IPs.

Q5: App crashes on connection attempt
A5: Corrupted config. Fix: Settings → Help → Clear cache → Reinstall app. On Linux: sudo apt remove protonvpn && sudo apt install protonvpn.

When to seek expert help: If kill switch fails (internet works while showing “disconnected”), DNS leaks persist after fixes, or you need custom OpenVPN configs for China/UAE — contact Proton Support via in-app chat or protonvpn.com/support.

Next Steps & Recommended Tools

Proton Pass (password manager) — Bundle with VPN for $4.99/month on 2-year plan. Autofills credentials over encrypted connection, eliminating password reuse risk. Proton Pass
Proton Mail (encrypted email) — Pair with VPN to protect both connection and content. Free tier includes 1GB storage; paid tier integrates calendar and drive. Proton Mail
Router-level VPN installation — Protect all home devices (IoT, smart TVs) automatically. Requires OpenWRT-compatible router or Proton-compatible firmware. Router setup guide

FAQs

Can I use the free Proton VPN plan effectively?

Proton VPN’s free plan includes unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds without displaying ads, making it genuinely usable for privacy-conscious users. You get access to servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland) with no data caps. However, free users miss Secure Core, NetShield, streaming access, and P2P support. Best for: casual browsing, securing public WiFi, avoiding ISP throttling. Upgrade for: streaming, torrenting, advanced security features.

How does Proton VPN perform compared to ExpressVPN or NordVPN in 2025?

In October 2023, Engadget rated Proton VPN as the “best overall” for streaming, gaming, privacy and security, and this reputation has strengthened through 2025. Recent updates include speed boosts and over 3,000 new servers, bringing the network to 15,000+ servers in 126 countries. Proton differentiates with nonprofit status (no shareholder pressure to monetize data), Swiss legal protection, open-source audited code, and Secure Core architecture — features ExpressVPN/Nord lack. Speed-wise, all three are comparable with modern WireGuard protocol.

Is Proton VPN safe to use in restrictive countries like China or UAE?

Proton VPN works in censorship-heavy regions but requires preparation. The service offers Stealth protocol (obfuscated traffic) to bypass Deep Packet Inspection, and the 2025 app includes “guest mode” for quick connections without account sign-in (Proton blog). Critical steps for China/UAE: (1) Install VPN before traveling — VPN sites are blocked locally, (2) Use Secure Core with Switzerland entry node, (3) Select OpenVPN TCP + Stealth protocol in settings, (4) Have backup (download APK/IPA installer to cloud storage). Success rate is high but not guaranteed — authoritarian regimes actively update blocking techniques. Always have exit plan for communication.

Sources

To read more about Software/Hardware click here

Master the 5 Best Ways to Use Proton VPN That Will Transform Your Online Privacy in 2025

TL;DR — What you’ll get

Who this is for & Why it works