Everyone in the country currently needs a VPN to use social apps that haven’t been restored yet since the eve of the general elections on 13th January. However, many people have complained about how slow the internet is with VPN connections. Here is how to improve slow internet speed while using VPN. First, we’ll take a dive into the reasons why using VPN slows down internet connectivity.
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Reasons why using VPN could slow down internet speed.
Distance.
One of the greatest factors that can affect your internet speed is the distance between you and your VPN server. If you choose a distant connection location that is for example a country that is as far from you as possible, your connection will travel much further and the result will be slower download or upload speed. But if you chose a connection location that is closer to you, you’d see how quickly that internet speed increases.
Encryption power.
Remember VPNs are built to give you superior security and privacy. The more the encryption that is the more security the VPN offers, the slower your internet speed will be. In simple terms, the better the VPN, the more it will affect your internet speed making it slower.
Server load
A server is what offers VPN services to users worldwide. VPN servers can be in different countries and this is what determines the user’s connection location. Every server has a limited number of users it can contain. If the number of users is gradually increasing and approaching the limit, it is more likely that the users will experience a slow connection.
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Here are a few tips on how to improve slow internet speed while using VPN.
While using a VPN, it is expected that you’ll experience slow internet speeds which was one of the commonest issues people reported in the first few days after the internet was restored. These tips will help you deal with the slow internet speeds as you use the VPNs.
Change your server location
Remember if you choose a connection/server location that is far from you, this will affect your internet speed. Change location to one that is closer, it could help increase your speed.
Check your internet speed
At times, when your connection is slow, the problem is not always with the VPN. You can check internet speed by switching your data on and off when connected and not connected to VPN to find the exact issue.
Change your protocol settings
Some VPNs come with maximum security and this could affect your internet speed. There is no standard method for changing protocol settings as every VPN has its method. I would recommend doing a simple Google search for how to change these settings depending on the VPN you are using.
Restart your router or modem
If your internet is slower than normal, a simple restart will help. It is also important to check if the router is already connected to a VPN. If it is, then this could be why you’re experiencing slow speeds. Keep the VPN connected to only your device.
Restart your device
Another method on how to resolve that slow internet speed is one of the most common and oldest ways and that is by simply restarting. It might not be your VPN’s fault and could just be that your device needs to refresh. Simply turn the device on and off and you will be sorted.
Switch to a wired connection
Most people use a wireless connection to access their internet but this can cost you speed. In the case of WiFi, if you connect many devices to the same network expect that speed to be slow. The best option would be switching to a wired connection to enjoy faster internet speeds.
Turn off the firewall and other security software
Everyone likes to be sure that they have protection from the threats that linger on the internet. this is why many internet users take extra precaution and install anti-virus software. However, if you are connected to a VPN then this could slow down your internet speed. Firewalls and anti-virus software could slow down your internet speed. You could consider the risk of disabling these tools temporarily to check whether they are the reason why your internet speed is slow. This is quite the risk though and that is why it’s our last recommended solution.
What is a VPN and how does it work?
VPN or Virtual Private Network describes the opportunity to establish a protected network connection when using public networks. VPNs translates your data into another form that protects it. It also disguises your online identity so people cant track your activities online and steal data.
According to kapersky.com, VPN hides your IP address by letting the network redirect it through a remote server run by a VPN host. This simply means that if you surf online with a VPN, the VPN server becomes the source or location of your data. This way, no one can see which websites you visit or what data you send and receive online. A VPN works like a filter that turns all your data into “gibberish”. Even if someone were to get their hands on your data, it would be useless.
To access social media apps now, every Ugandan is relying on VPNs and this is why its important to know how to improve slow internet speed while using VPN(Virtual Private Networks). These networks were first introduced to most Ugandans in 2016 during the general elections when social media was cut off. They resurfaced after the controversial OTT tax was introduced in 2018 as a loop hole for people to dodge the tax they deemed unfair. Now, many people are relying on these VPNs to navigate through the internet as social media platforms are still down and its still unclear when they’ll be fully restored.
Source: nordvpn.com
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