How to Turn on Secureline VPN in Windows 10
Recently, I came across a blog post describing a simple way to turn on a secure line VPN in Windows 10 using only the built in Windows 10 apps. The tutorial was short and sweet, and even shorter still, it worked. Unfortunately, it also worked for all the other VPNs I tried, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth after spending a pretty penny on a 3-month subscription to ProtonVPN. After all, as great as the service is, you shouldn’t have to pay that much for it. Hopefully, this short article will help you find the perfect balance between security and usability so you can enjoy your VPN experience without too much frustration.
Basic Networking Knowledge
A VPN is essentially just a series of settings you need to configure on your device in order to connect to a remote VPN server and gain access to the private network it provides. In the case of the Windows 10 apps, this involves entering a VPN server address, a username, a password, and occasionally checking a box to indicate you accept the VPN’s terms of use. Once all these settings have been entered, you can click the Connect button to begin the VPN connection process. If you have followed the Windows 10 setup guide thoroughly and installed the necessary VPN apps, then this process should be very straightforward. However, if you’re new to VPNs or simply wanting to understand what is going on behind the scenes, then read on. You might learn something new.
The Difference Between PPTP, L2TP And IKEv2
VPNs are built on top of a secure and encrypted connection protocol called PPTP (point-to-point tunneling protocol). While it might not sound sophisticated, it is actually quite a secure and popular protocol. This is mainly due to its simplicity and also because it is supported by most VPN services and hardware. You can learn more about PPTP in the OpenVPN documentation. The downsides to PPTP are pretty clear too: it is only capable of handling up to 1500 packets per day. If you’re a heavy network user or use your VPN for work, then you’re going to hit this limit quickly.
An alternative protocol used by many high-quality VPNs is L2TP (Layer two tunneling protocol). This is the successor to PPTP and was designed to overcome some of its shortcomings. It is also capable of handling much more data. However, the downside is that not all VPN services or hardware support it, and some users have reported issues with connecting to some servers. To learn more, read the OpenVPN documentation on L2TP or the ProtonVPN documentation on how to set up a L2TP connection.
Choosing A VPN Service
As a beginner, you might be tempted to simply pick the first VPN service you come across, but this isn’t a good idea. The fact is that not all VPN services are made equal, and you need to do your research before choosing which one to go with. One extremely useful tool for finding the perfect balance between security and usability is the VPN performance test tool. With this tool, you can simulate network activity while connected to different VPN services, ensuring you’re not wasting your time with VPNs that aren’t up to par. The best VPNs for gaming and video chatting don’t cost nearly as much as the ones designed for business use, and vice versa. This tool will help you find the perfect balance between security and usability so you can fully enjoy your VPN connection without worry.
The Most Commonly Used Credentials
If you’re using the Windows 10 apps, then you’ll need to create a username and a password for the Secureline VPN. These credentials will be used to connect to the VPN and gain access to your private network. If you choose this option, then make sure you write them down somewhere safe so you don’t forget them. You can create additional usernames and passwords for other services you use, like Gmail or Hotmail. You can also select which apps have access to your network when you set up the VPN. When you connect to the VPN, the apps that are allowed will be automatically enabled. Disabling apps that you don’t want to use can help keep your network secure and private. It is also a good idea to use a different password for the VPN than you use for your other accounts. This way, if someone hacks one account, they won’t be able to access your other digital assets with the same ease. You might also consider using a VPN that masks your IP address, which makes it more difficult for hackers or intruders to track you down. When selecting a VPN, make sure to look for one that offers military-grade encryption as well as privacy and security encryption protocols (like AES-256).
The Perfect Combination
A handful of VPNs offer an excellent balance between security, speed, and price. They also respect your privacy, ensuring you’re not always broadcasting your network activity. If you’re looking for a VPN that supports Windows 10, then check out this list of the best VPNs available right now. Keep in mind though, that not all of these VPNs are equally easy to use, especially if you’re new to VPNs or simply want to understand what is going on behind the scenes. Some of these VPNs are really, really hard to use, and setting them up can be extremely time-consuming. If you’re looking for an ultra-secure and private connection, then you might want to consider looking into PIA, NordVPN, or ProtonVPN as they are all three extremely easy to use, and offer amazing security and privacy. If, on the other hand, you’d like to use your VPN for gaming or stream video content, then you might want to look into IP Vanish or ExpressVPN, both of which offer fast speeds and excellent customer support. Ultimately, it depends on what you’re using the VPN for. If you’re new to VPNs, then start simple and save the more complex ones for when you’re actually experiencing trouble.