Proton VPN represents a modern approach to virtual private network technology designed by the team of scientists who created Proton Mail and founded the Proton ecosystem to prioritize individual privacy and security online. This comprehensive guide explores the complete landscape of how to effectively use Proton VPN, covering everything from initial installation to advanced security features, making it accessible for both casual internet users and those with more sophisticated privacy requirements. The service distinguishes itself through its commitment to transparency, open-source code, strict no-logs policies verified by independent third-party audits, and its base of operations in Switzerland, a country with some of the world’s strongest data privacy laws and no membership in mass surveillance alliances. Understanding how to use Proton VPN effectively requires comprehension of both its fundamental principles and its specialized features that set it apart from conventional VPN services available in today’s crowded marketplace.
Understanding Proton VPN and Its Core Technology
What is a Virtual Private Network and How Proton VPN Functions
A virtual private network fundamentally operates by creating an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a VPN server located elsewhere in the world. When you use a VPN app on your device, it establishes an encrypted connection to a VPN server in one of Proton VPN’s locations across 120 countries, creating what security professionals refer to as a “VPN tunnel”. This connection is made over your existing internet connection, meaning you still require your Internet Service Provider’s infrastructure, but all the data traveling through the VPN tunnel is encrypted and routed through Proton’s servers rather than directly to destination websites. The VPN server handles all DNS queries and acts as an intermediary that sits between your device and the wider internet, routing your data to the correct destinations while maintaining the encryption that protects your information from prying eyes.
The architectural advantage of this approach becomes apparent when examining what different parties can observe about your internet activity. Your Internet Service Provider can see that you are connected to an IP address belonging to a VPN server, though it cannot automatically determine that the connection is encrypted or to where your actual traffic is destined. Your ISP cannot see which websites you visit or the contents of your data, including IP destination data and DNS lookup requests, because all data traveling between your device and the VPN server remains encrypted. This encryption applies regardless of whether websites you visit use HTTPS or not, providing comprehensive protection from network-level eavesdropping that would otherwise be possible on public WiFi networks or through sophisticated interception at the ISP level.
Websites you visit through Proton VPN see only the IP address of the VPN server, not your actual IP address, which shields your real identity from the websites themselves. Additionally, this feature enables you to spoof your geographic location, appearing to access the internet from wherever the VPN server is located, a capability useful for accessing regionally restricted content or understanding how websites appear from different parts of the world. In contrast, Proton VPN’s servers function somewhat like an ISP in that they handle DNS queries and can theoretically monitor IP addresses you visit. However, the connection between the VPN server and websites you visit is not encrypted, meaning the VPN provider can view content of traffic not protected by HTTPS unless the user implements additional security measures or uses only HTTPS websites.
Proton’s Commitment to Privacy and Transparency
Proton VPN distinguishes itself through foundational commitments that exceed industry standards for privacy protection and accountability. The service maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning Proton keeps no logs that can compromise user privacy. While a timestamp is kept of users’ last successful login attempt, this timestamp is not connected to the IP address from which they connect or any activity while using the service. This policy is not merely a marketing claim but has been verified through multiple independent third-party audits, with the most recent 2025 audit by Securitum confirming that Proton VPN fully complies with its no-logs commitments. The audit process examines not just the application code but also the server-side infrastructure to ensure that no user activity logging, connection metadata storage, or network traffic inspection contradicts the stated no-logs policy.
Proton’s governance structure and operational transparency provide additional reassurance beyond standard privacy policies. The company is based in Switzerland, a jurisdiction with exceptionally strong data privacy laws and one that maintains no ties to the USA-led Five Eyes mass surveillance alliance. All Proton VPN applications are fully audited and open source, allowing anyone with technical knowledge to examine the code to verify that the company’s security and privacy claims are genuine. This commitment to open-source development represents a pioneering approach in the VPN industry, as Proton was the first VPN provider to make applications open source on all platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The company regularly commissions independent security audits from professional security researchers and publicly publishes the complete results, inviting community participation through bug bounty programs that reward security researchers for identifying vulnerabilities.
Getting Started: Installation and Basic Setup Across Platforms
Windows Installation and Initial Configuration
For users with personal computers running Microsoft Windows, obtaining and installing Proton VPN requires attention to system settings before installation can proceed. By default, Windows 10 and 11 only allow installation of apps from the Microsoft Store, so users must first navigate to Windows Settings, select Apps & features, choose “Choose where to get apps,” and select “Anywhere” from the dropdown menu to permit installation from external sources. Following this system configuration, users visit the official Proton VPN for Windows page and click the Download Proton VPN button to obtain the installer file. For users running 32-bit versions of Windows or ARM devices, clicking the version selector dropdown allows choosing the correct version before downloading.
Once the EXE file has been downloaded, double-clicking it opens the installation process, and when prompted, users select “Yes” to allow the app to make changes to their device. The Proton VPN installation wizard then opens, presenting an option to choose the preferred language from a dropdown menu before clicking OK. Users can then proceed through the wizard by clicking “Next” to accept the default Windows Start menu folder location or click “Browse” to specify a different folder location if desired. The installer allows users to optionally choose to automatically install other Proton apps included in their subscription plan, with checkboxes allowing deselection of unwanted applications. After reviewing choices, clicking “Install” continues the process, after which the system will wait for the app to install onto the system before the setup wizard closes and the Proton VPN app automatically starts. Users can then sign in to their Proton Account to begin using the service.
Installation on macOS, iOS, and Android
For users of Apple devices and Android smartphones, the installation process is significantly simplified compared to Windows. For macOS users, visiting the designated Proton VPN for macOS page provides options to download the correct distribution for their specific device. Once downloaded, users double-click the DMG file and drag the Proton VPN app into the Applications folder to complete installation. iOS and iPadOS users can download Proton VPN directly from the Apple App Store by searching for “Proton VPN” or clicking the provided link. For Android users, the process is similarly straightforward, with installation available through the Google Play Store by searching for Proton VPN or clicking the provided direct link. This cross-platform consistency allows users to transition seamlessly between devices knowing they will encounter nearly identical user interfaces and feature sets.
Browser Extension Setup for Firefox and Chrome
For users who prefer a lighter-weight solution that protects only browser traffic rather than all device traffic, Proton VPN offers stand-alone browser extensions for both Firefox and Chrome that provide quick and convenient privacy protection while browsing. The Firefox extension also works with Firefox-based browsers such as LibreWolf and Waterfox, and can be installed by opening any Firefox-based browser and clicking the provided link to the Firefox Add-ons page or searching for “Proton VPN” directly. After clicking “Add to Firefox” and following prompts, the extension begins working immediately. For enhanced privacy with Firefox, an optional additional configuration step addresses DNS leaks by entering “about:config” into the URL bar, accepting the risk warning, searching for “network.trr.mode,” editing that value to “3,” and saving. By default, Firefox does not allow the extension to work in Private Browsing mode, but users can enable this functionality by going to the Add-ons and themes menu, selecting Extensions, finding Proton VPN, going to the Details tab, and enabling “Run in Private Windows”.
The Chrome browser extension works on all Chromium-based browsers including Edge, Brave, Chromium, Opera, and Vivaldi. Installation involves opening any Chromium-based browser, clicking the provided link or searching “Proton VPN” on the Chrome Web Store, and clicking “Add to Chrome” before following prompts. For Edge users, an initial step of clicking “Allow extensions from other stores” must be completed when first visiting the Chrome Web Store. Browser extensions work in Incognito mode by default on Chrome, but users can enhance accessibility by clicking the Extensions icon in the browser toolbar and clicking the Pin icon next to Proton VPN to add it directly to the browser’s toolbar.
Core Security Features and Their Implementation
Kill Switch Protection Against Data Leaks
The kill switch feature represents one of the most critical security mechanisms in Proton VPN’s architecture, providing protection against accidental IP address and data exposure in the event of unexpected VPN disconnection. When enabled, the kill switch automatically blocks all external network traffic to and from a user’s device until the VPN connection is automatically re-established to the same VPN server. This functionality proves invaluable because even brief moments of unprotected internet connection can result in IP address exposure, compromised DNS queries, or leakage of sensitive data to monitoring parties. A standard kill switch feature protects users from accidental VPN disconnections while switching servers, but it cannot protect users who intentionally disconnect from a VPN server. Advanced kill switch, available on Windows and Linux, provides more comprehensive protection by preventing users from accidentally accessing the internet without the VPN turned on, and this protection persists even when users shut down and restart their devices.
Enabling the kill switch differs across operating systems but follows consistent logical patterns within each platform’s user interface. On Windows, users select the kill switch shortcut on the Home screen or access it via the Settings menu, then toggle the kill switch button on and choose between Standard or Advanced kill switch before clicking Apply. On macOS, users open the Proton VPN app, navigate to the Countries tab, locate the Kill Switch icon, and toggle Kill Switch On. Linux users access the feature through the Menu, then Settings, Features, and toggle the kill switch button on. For Android 8.0 and later, users go to Settings, Features, Kill Switch, tap the Settings button, tap the gear icon next to Proton VPN, enable Always-on VPN, and then enable Block connections without VPN. iOS and iPadOS users access Settings, Security Options, and Kill Switch to toggle the feature on or off.
Advanced kill switch on Windows and Linux requires particular attention due to its persistent nature and implications for system access. When advanced kill switch is enabled, all internet connections into and out of the device will be blocked unless an active VPN connection to a Proton VPN server is maintained, meaning users must either maintain an active VPN connection or disable advanced kill switch to access the internet without the VPN. Under certain conditions such as after changing passwords, major Windows updates, hardware changes, or BIOS updates, users may need to sign back into Windows, which presents a potential problem since advanced kill switch will block the internet connection needed for signing in with a Microsoft account. To address this issue, Proton strongly recommends creating a backup local offline Windows account that can be used to sign in without an internet connection.
DNS and IPv6 Leak Protection
DNS leak protection ensures that all DNS requests are handled exclusively through the VPN connection rather than being leaked to an internet service provider or third-party data collection services. DNS lookups occur whenever a user requests a website by name rather than by IP address, and without protection, these lookups can reveal browsing activity to ISPs or other network monitors. Proton VPN solves this problem by using firewall rules to ensure no traffic can leave a device outside the VPN tunnel, with DNS leak protection enabled by default on all Proton VPN platforms. IPv6 leak protection operates similarly, ensuring that no data is routed outside the VPN tunnel via IPv6 protocols, a concern because many devices now support both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols and an improperly configured VPN might allow IPv6 traffic to bypass the encrypted tunnel.
Encryption Standards and Forward Secrecy
Proton VPN implements encryption standards representing the forefront of modern cryptographic practice, using AES-256 encryption to establish secure tunnels between users’ devices and VPN servers. AES-256 encryption with proper implementation will successfully prevent adversaries who have control over the internet connection from snooping on traffic, making it safe to browse even on public internet networks where WiFi security cannot be guaranteed. The service uses only the most secure VPN protocols available, including proven open source encryption standards such as AES-256 and ChaCha20 at their strongest settings. Forward secrecy functionality generates a new encryption key for each session, keeping users’ browsing history secure even if an encryption key is compromised in the future.
VPN Protocol Selection and Performance Optimization
Understanding WireGuard vs. OpenVPN
Proton VPN now uses WireGuard as its default VPN protocol because it is secure while also being faster and more efficient than OpenVPN. WireGuard represents cutting-edge VPN technology that is cryptographically secure, highly efficient, and fast, with work on the protocol beginning in 2016 and stable version 1.0.0 released in March 2020. WireGuard has now become a stable release on all major platforms including Windows, macOS, BSD, iOS, and Android. However, OpenVPN remains widely regarded as the most secure and battle-tested VPN protocol available, as its extensive field history provides confidence in its security properties despite showing its age in terms of speed and performance. The ability to run OpenVPN in TCP mode gives it greater built-in anti-censorship capabilities than WireGuard, since WireGuard officially only supports UDP, which is more easily detectable and blockable by sophisticated censorship infrastructure.
The theoretical security of WireGuard is considered excellent by cryptographic standards, but the protocol has not proven itself in the field in the same way that OpenVPN’s decades of security research have done. WireGuard’s fundamental architectural design creates challenges for privacy at scale, as it was designed to create one-to-one static VPN connections between client and server. Proton VPN addresses this privacy concern through technical innovations, hardcoding all Proton VPN apps to begin every WireGuard VPN connection with the same internal IP address of 10.2.0.2, and using double network address translation to dynamically provision sessions. When users connect via WireGuard, the first network address translation rewrites the 10.2.0.2 IP address to a random but unique internal IP address assigned to that user’s session, and the second NAT rewrites that session IP address to the VPN server’s public IP address before connecting to the desired website. This means users’ devices and the VPN server can only see the IP address 10.2.0.2, while websites see only the public IP address of the VPN server, preserving privacy as effectively as OpenVPN.
Smart Protocol and Protocol Switching
Proton VPN applications on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS support Smart Protocol, a feature that intelligently probes networks to discover the best VPN protocol configuration required for optimal performance or to bypass censorship. Smart Protocol can automatically switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN, or between OpenVPN UDP and OpenVPN TCP, using different ports as required to maintain a connection in the face of network restrictions. This anti-censorship feature is enabled by default in all apps that support it, though users can disable it to manually select VPN protocols. Changing VPN protocols requires disabling Smart Protocol first. On Windows, users go to Settings, Connection, Protocol and select their preferred protocol. macOS users need to install a network extension to use WireGuard or Smart Protocol, after which they can open the app menu bar, select ProtonVPN, Preferences, Connection tab, Protocol, and select from Smart, WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2, or Stealth. Android users go to Settings, Connection, Protocol and select from the list. iOS and iPadOS users go to Settings, Security Options, tap the current Protocol, and select from Smart Protocol or other available options.
VPN Accelerator for Speed Optimization
VPN Accelerator represents Proton’s proprietary technology designed to improve connection stability and increase connection speed by up to 400% in certain situations when connecting to VPN servers over long distances. This technology is enabled by default for all users in Proton VPN’s Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps and can be enabled or disabled in each app’s Settings or Preferences menu. The improvement in speed performance proves particularly noticeable when connecting to servers geographically distant from the user’s actual location, as VPN Accelerator uses a combination of advanced VPN technologies to overcome the latency and bandwidth limitations typical of long-distance connections. On Windows, VPN Accelerator is found in Settings, Connections, VPN Accelerator and can be toggled on or off. macOS users access it through the menu bar, ProtonVPN, Preferences, Connection tab, VPN Accelerator. Android users go to Settings, Connection, VPN Accelerator, and iOS and iPadOS users access it through Settings, Connection, VPN Accelerator.
Advanced Features for Enhanced Security and Functionality
Secure Core: Double-VPN Architecture for Maximum Privacy
Secure Core represents Proton VPN’s unique architectural innovation that routes user traffic through multiple servers located in privacy-friendly countries to protect users’ identity even when exiting through servers in high-surveillance jurisdictions. The fundamental vulnerability that Secure Core addresses involves compromised VPN servers or network monitoring of VPN servers, particularly those in jurisdictions with extensive surveillance infrastructure like the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. If an attacker gains control of a VPN server or monitors the network where it operates, they can perform timing and correlation attacks that match VPN clients with their traffic, nullifying the privacy benefits of the VPN. State surveillance agencies in restrictive countries typically have legal ability to coerce VPN providers or their network providers to assist with monitoring, and this threat persists even for providers based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
Secure Core functions by passing user traffic through multiple servers before reaching the final exit server, so when users connect to a server in high-risk jurisdictions, their traffic first goes through Proton’s Secure Core servers. Even if attackers monitor exit servers in high-surveillance countries, they can only follow traffic back to the edge of the Secure Core network, making it far more difficult to discover the true IP addresses and locations of Proton VPN users. Proton has taken extraordinary measures to defend Secure Core servers by locating them in countries selected specifically for strong privacy laws including Iceland, Switzerland, and Sweden. These Secure Core servers are housed in high-security data centers with strong physical security, with infrastructure in Sweden located in an underground data center and Iceland servers positioned on a former military base. Most importantly, Secure Core servers are wholly owned and provisioned by Proton, shipped directly from company offices, and connected to the internet using Proton’s own dedicated network with IP addresses owned and operated by Proton’s own Local Internet Registry.
Activating Secure Core follows consistent patterns across platforms. On Windows, users open the Proton VPN app to the Home screen, select Countries, then the Secure Core filter tab to see countries supporting Secure Core. After selecting a Secure Core country representing the location from which users wish to appear to access the internet, the connection automatically routes via the best Secure Core server location, though users can click the dropdown next to countries to select specific Secure Core server locations. On macOS, users open the Proton VPN app, click the Secure Core button, and select Secure Core On, then select a country and click to connect, or click the dropdown next to a country to choose a specific Secure Core server.
Tor Over VPN for Maximum Anonymity
Proton VPN provides convenient access to the Tor anonymity network through its Tor over VPN feature, allowing users to connect to the Tor network and access onion sites with a single click from any Proton VPN app rather than requiring the Tor browser. Tor stands for The Onion Router and derives its name from the multiple layers of privacy it affords through encrypting user traffic and routing it across different Tor servers operated by volunteers worldwide. Using Tor over a VPN provides several advantages over using Tor alone, including preventing Tor entry nodes from seeing users’ real IP addresses, providing protection against compromised Tor entry nodes that represent a common attack vector, and encrypting internet traffic that Tor does not natively support such as ICMP traffic. Additionally, using Tor over VPN prevents ISPs from knowing that users are connecting to Tor, which can be important in jurisdictions where Tor usage is monitored or restricted.
However, there are also disadvantages to using Tor over VPN that users should understand. While Proton VPN supports both TCP and UDP traffic, Tor officially only supports TCP, so users must ensure their VPN configuration uses TCP mode. Users must also trust their VPN service completely because the VPN server will be able to see their true IP address, making it critical to use a reputable VPN service with strong privacy practices and no activity logging. To use Tor over VPN with Proton, users with Plus or Visionary plans first download and install Proton VPN for their device and log in with their Proton account. Finding a server with “TOR” in its name, such as US-CO#21-TOR or HK#5-TOR marked with an onion symbol, and clicking on the server immediately connects users through the Tor network. Once connected to a Tor server, all internet traffic is automatically routed through the Tor network, though accessing hidden services may require additional browser configuration.
Split Tunneling for Selective VPN Protection
Split tunneling represents an advanced feature available on Windows, Linux, and Android that allows users to route some connections through the VPN tunnel while excluding others, providing granular control over which applications or destinations receive VPN protection. This capability proves useful in situations where users need VPN protection for sensitive applications while allowing others to connect normally, such as preventing bandwidth-intensive applications from slowing down the entire VPN connection or accessing local network resources that conflict with VPN encryption. On Windows, users open the app and select the Split tunneling shortcut on the Home screen or access it via Settings menu, then toggle the split tunneling switch on. Users can select Standard mode to exclude specific apps and IP addresses from the VPN tunnel, or Inverse mode to only include specific apps inside the tunnel. After selecting apps from the list provided or clicking Add App to add custom applications by locating their EXE files in File Explorer, users can add IPv4 addresses to exclude or include by going to Selected IP addresses, Add IP, and entering the address.
On Linux, split tunneling is available exclusively for the official Proton VPN Ubuntu app and may not work on other distributions including Fedora due to Linux kernel 6.16 incompatibility that Proton is still working to resolve. Users open the app and disconnect the VPN, then go to Settings, Features, Split tunneling, toggle the switch on, and select either Exclude mode to exclude specific apps from the VPN tunnel or Include mode to only include specific apps inside the tunnel. After selecting apps and clicking Done, users return to the home screen and reconnect to the VPN, then restart each excluded or included app to ensure correct routing. Android users follow a similar process through the Settings tab, Features, Split tunneling, selecting the apps to exclude or include in the VPN tunnel.
Port Forwarding for Peer-to-Peer Applications
Port forwarding functionality on Proton VPN’s paid plans improves peer-to-peer application performance and allows users to access local resources through their VPN connection. This feature proves particularly valuable for users engaged in secure file sharing or BitTorrent activities, as many ISPs deliberately block P2P protocols, making port forwarding through a VPN necessary for these activities to function properly. Proton VPN automatically forwards a port on users’ behalf when connected to Plus servers that support P2P, identifiable by a double-arrow icon in the app user interface. Users can verify which port has been assigned by checking the Proton VPN client where the port address appears near the torrenting icon, and this assigned port must then be manually configured in their torrent client to enable port forwarding functionality.
NetShield Ad-blocker for Ad and Malware Protection
NetShield Ad-blocker represents a DNS filtering feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious scripts, providing multi-level protection that safeguards devices while simultaneously speeding up browsing by preventing unnecessary content from loading. When enabled, NetShield offers three protection levels: Block malware only prevents browsers from loading resources from domains hosting malware, spyware, or other malicious software; Block malware, ads, and trackers provides the advanced level of protection enabled by default when users first enable NetShield, blocking ads and online trackers used by adtech companies to target users, in addition to blocking malware. Proton VPN maintains dedicated DNS servers active on each Proton VPN server that check domain requests against databases of known malware, ad, and tracker domains, automatically blocking matching resources from loading.
NetShield is available to everyone on a paid Proton VPN plan and can be enabled on any device. On Windows, users navigate to the NetShield shortcut on the Home screen or access settings via the Settings menu and select their preferred protection level before clicking Apply. macOS users control NetShield through the NetShield tab marked with a shield icon. Android users can enable or disable NetShield from the home screen by tapping the NetShield Privacy Panel and toggling the NetShield switch on or off, or going to Settings, Features, NetShield. NetShield also displays a Privacy Panel showing statistics about ad and tracker blocking when enabled, displaying the number of ads blocked, trackers blocked, and total data saved during the current session.
Pricing, Plans, and Accessing Proton VPN
Free vs. Paid Plan Comparison
Proton VPN offers a genuinely free tier supported by paid plans that provides unlimited data, no ads, no artificial speed restrictions, and maintains the same strict no-logs policy as paid tiers. The Free plan includes no data limits, no logs, and no ads, distinguishing it from most other free VPN services that impose severe restrictions or contain malware. Free users can access all free services in the Proton ecosystem including Proton Mail, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, Proton Wallet, and Proton Calendar with a free Proton account. The free plan‘s limitations primarily involve server access, with users restricted to servers in just three countries (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, Singapore, Norway, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States depending on recent availability) and without support for streaming or P2P activities.
Free plan users do have access to some advanced features including Smart Protocol for intelligent protocol selection, Alternative Routing for defeating censorship, and Stealth protocol for bypassing advanced censorship. However, to access Proton’s full network of over 12,000 servers in 115 or more countries, securely stream content from popular services, torrent privately, or access advanced features such as Secure Core double-VPN, NetShield Ad-blocker, or split tunneling, users require a paid Proton VPN account. Paid plans allow users to connect on up to ten devices simultaneously and access high-speed servers capable of up to 10 Gbps connectivity.
VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited Plan Details
Proton VPN Plus plans start at $4.49 per month when choosing the two-year plan option, representing monthly costs of $4.99 for annual plans and $9.99 for month-to-month subscriptions. This VPN-only tier includes all core VPN features plus advanced options like streaming, P2P support with port forwarding, browser extensions, Secure Core VPN, Tor over VPN, Split tunneling on Windows and Android, NetShield Ad-blocker, VPN Accelerator, and support from customer support staff. Proton Unlimited plans bundle Proton VPN Plus with additional Proton services including Proton Mail encrypted email, Proton Drive cloud storage, Proton Pass password manager, and Proton Calendar, starting at $7.99 per month on the two-year plan, $9.99 monthly for annual plans, and $12.99 for month-to-month subscriptions.
Proton frequently runs promotional and seasonal deals providing substantial discounts, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday typically offering the best savings. The company also offers student discounts providing the one-year VPN Plus plan for only $2.49 per month, representing an approximately 50 percent discount from the normal rate. All Proton VPN paid plans include a 30-day prorated money-back guarantee, allowing users to receive a full refund within 30 days of purchase. However, past the 30-day period, services are generally considered non-refundable, though Proton may issue credits instead of monetary refunds at company discretion. Refunds can only be requested once per user and are issued using the original currency and payment method.
Platform-Specific Usage and Configuration
Windows Application Interface and Settings
The Proton VPN Windows application provides intuitive access to comprehensive features through a well-organized interface. The Home screen displays quick access shortcuts to popular features including Kill switch, NetShield Ad-blocker, Split tunneling, and VPN Accelerator. A dedicated Countries tab allows users to view all available server locations and select specific servers or use Quick Connect to automatically connect to the fastest server available. Users can access comprehensive Settings through the gear icon, where they can manage their Proton VPN account, adjust Connection settings including Protocol, NetShield, Kill switch, Port forwarding, Split tunneling, and VPN Accelerator. Advanced Connection settings allow users to configure Custom DNS servers, adjust NAT type, select OpenVPN network driver modes, and disable IPv6 traffic.
General settings in the Windows app control Auto startup functionality to determine whether the app automatically connects when Windows starts, Default connection behavior when the Connect button is clicked, Notification preferences, Language selection, Theme options, and Automatic updates. A Support section provides access to the Support center within the browser, options to Report an Issue, access Debug logs for troubleshooting, view app version information, and access Developer tools.
macOS-Specific Features and Considerations
The macOS application requires network extensions to be installed to use WireGuard or Smart Protocol features, which differs from Windows and Linux where these protocols work natively. Once network extensions are installed, macOS users can access the full range of Proton VPN features through the macOS menu bar interface. On macOS, clicking the Proton VPN icon in the menu bar provides access to app preferences where users can configure Connection settings including Protocol selection with options for Smart, WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2, or Stealth. One important consideration for macOS users involves Apple’s operating system design, where certain DNS queries from Apple services are not closed even with the kill switch enabled, meaning the kill switch on macOS will block all non-Apple connections. Proton is aware of this issue and actively working toward a possible fix.
Android and iOS Mobile Applications
Mobile implementations of Proton VPN on Android and iOS provide smartphone-optimized interfaces while maintaining access to advanced features available on desktop platforms. Android users can sign in to their Proton account or use Guest mode to access all free features. After signing in, users can connect to the fastest country allowed by their plan, change servers if on a Free plan limited to specific locations, connect to specific locations, access recent and pinned countries/cities/servers/profiles, and enable Always-on VPN for automatic protection. The Android app requires Android 8.0 or later and provides access to Settings where users can configure Connection options including Protocol and VPN Accelerator, General settings for Notifications and App icon disguise, Support options, Advanced settings for Alternative routing, LAN connections, NAT type, Custom DNS, and IPv6 support.
iOS and iPadOS applications offer comparable functionality within Apple’s operating system constraints. Like Android, users can sign in with their Proton account or use Guest mode to access free features. The iOS implementation provides Settings access where users can manage Security Options including Kill switch functionality and Protocol selection between Smart Protocol and other available protocols. One limitation specific to iOS involves the kill switch feature, as iOS does not allow access to devices on local networks when the kill switch is enabled, a restriction imposed by Apple’s operating system design.
Linux Command-Line and GUI Clients
Proton VPN on Linux officially supports Ubuntu GNOME and Debian GNOME, with potential support for other distributions though limited support availability. Linux users can download the app from the Proton VPN website and follow installation instructions specific to their distribution. The Linux app provides access to Features including Split tunneling with Exclude mode to exclude specific apps from the VPN tunnel or Include mode to only include specific apps within the tunnel. Split tunneling on Linux currently has important limitations including availability only for the official Ubuntu app and incompatibility with Linux kernel 6.16 as of the time these materials were created. When using split tunneling, users must restart each excluded or included app after connecting to the VPN to ensure correct routing.
Streaming, Torrenting, and Specialized Use Cases
Using Proton VPN for Secure Streaming
Proton VPN supports streaming on numerous popular services when users connect to dedicated Plus servers in specific countries. By default, most users connecting through Proton VPN access the United States Netflix catalog, but users connecting to Plus servers in supported countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States access local versions of Netflix in those countries. For European users connecting to servers in Germany, France, Italy, or Switzerland, due to European data portability laws, access continues to show their home country’s catalog, though Netflix will change this to the country’s catalog after several weeks of continued access. Proton VPN enables Netflix access on plus servers by checking the Netflix service supports feature when confirming server locations.
To watch Netflix with Proton VPN, users sign up for or upgrade to a paid plan, download and log into the Proton VPN app, connect to a Plus server in any supported country, and then log into their Netflix account to begin streaming. Proton VPN’s high-speed Plus servers with up to 10 Gbps connectivity, unlimited bandwidth, and unique VPN Accelerator technology provide speeds sufficient for 4K Netflix streaming without slowdowns or interruptions. The service supports other popular streaming services including Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+, and additional platforms when users maintain valid subscriptions. If users experience proxy errors or connection issues when using Proton VPN with Netflix, troubleshooting steps include restarting the Proton VPN application and VPN connection, connecting to a different server in their desired location, clearing browser cache, using a different browser, restarting their device, and clearing DNS cache.
Safe Torrenting and P2P File Sharing
Proton VPN enables safe file sharing and BitTorrent activities by routing P2P traffic through servers in countries with friendly legal frameworks regarding file sharing. Many ISPs deliberately block BitTorrent and other file-sharing protocols, and in some countries, file sharing conducted in breach of copyright law can result in severe penalties and fines. Proton VPN’s Plus servers support P2P activities and are identifiable in the app by a double-arrow icon, and users can verify P2P support when reviewing server locations. Port forwarding on P2P servers enhances torrent speeds by allowing torrent clients to accept incoming connections, with Proton automatically assigning users a port when connected to supporting servers.
Implementing port forwarding requires downloading the appropriate OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files from one’s Proton VPN account, selecting a P2P server with the double-arrow icon, and verifying the NAT-PMP toggle is enabled. Users then connect to the VPN and identify the port assigned by Proton VPN displayed in the app near the torrenting icon. This port number must be manually entered into the torrent client’s settings, after disabling any Universal Plug and Play feature in the torrent client and entering the Proton-assigned port in the listening port field. Once configured, users can download their torrent file or magnet link into their torrent client and proceed with downloading while maintaining full VPN protection.
Troubleshooting, Best Practices, and Advanced Considerations
Common Connection Issues and Solutions
Users experiencing difficulty connecting to Proton VPN servers should consider multiple potential causes and solutions. If connection is blocked by ISP or government censorship, users can try the Alternative Routing feature that routes connections through third-party networks not subject to blocking, or change VPN protocols using OpenVPN or WireGuard in TCP mode, though these methods will not defeat advanced deep packet inspection techniques as effectively as the Stealth protocol. Smart Protocol will automatically cycle through available VPN protocols to establish connection when censorship attempts occur. WiFi connection problems can sometimes be resolved by getting closer to the router, resetting the router by turning it off for at least ten seconds and turning it back on, or restarting the PC.
ISP-related connection problems might be caused by maintenance in the user’s area, poor reception on mobile connections, technical problems, or account issues, and users can identify whether their ISP is the cause by attempting to connect using a different network such as a mobile hotspot. Antivirus software occasionally misinterprets VPN connections as suspicious, and temporarily disabling or removing virus software can help identify whether this is the problem, though if the connection works only after removing antivirus software, users should adjust antivirus settings or create exclusions for Proton VPN. System-wide proxy settings can interfere with VPN connections and can be disabled in Windows by going to Start, Settings, Network & Internet, Proxy, Manual proxy setup, and toggling the Use a proxy switch Off. Firefox users specifically may have proxy settings within the browser that should be checked and set to No proxy or Use system proxy settings.
DNS Leak Detection and Prevention
To verify that DNS leaks are not exposing browsing history, users should first connect to Proton VPN, then visit Proton’s free IP leak test or a similar third-party tool in their browser, note their displayed IP address, and reload the page. If the displayed IP address does not change, no IP leak is occurring. DNS leak protection in Proton VPN operates by default and ensures that all DNS requests are handled exclusively through the VPN connection by using firewall rules that prevent traffic from leaving the device outside the VPN tunnel. Users should note that Netflix and similar companies specifically work hard to detect and block VPN traffic through sophisticated tracking methods that sometimes result in proxy errors even when users maintain legitimate accounts.
Account Security and Two-Factor Authentication
Proton recommends enabling two-factor authentication to add an additional security layer requiring a second verification round during login. Users must have a device with an authenticator app installed to use two-factor authentication, which creates one-time six-digit codes for use as verification codes. Proton recommends using Proton Authenticator, a free open-source app from Proton that allows users to access 2FA codes on mobile and desktop apps even offline, sync 2FA codes to all devices with end-to-end encryption, enable automatic backups, easily import from other 2FA apps, and protect accounts with biometrics or PIN codes. Setting up two-factor authentication requires signing in to one’s Proton VPN account at account.protonvpn.com, going to Account, Two-factor authentication, toggling the Authenticator app switch on, and scanning a QR code with an authenticator app. After successfully adding the Proton VPN account to an authenticator app, users enter the generated six-digit code and save provided recovery codes in a secure location for account recovery if the authenticator device is lost.
Putting Proton VPN To Use
Proton VPN represents a comprehensive solution for users seeking to reclaim their online privacy and security through transparent, audited, and user-centric design principles that prioritize protecting individual freedoms over corporate surveillance interests. Whether users are accessing the internet on public WiFi networks, encrypting sensitive communications from ISP surveillance, bypassing government censorship, engaging in secure file sharing, or simply maintaining baseline privacy standards in their daily browsing, Proton VPN provides reliable protection with user interfaces accessible to both technical and non-technical users across virtually every computing platform. The service’s foundational commitments to no-logs policies verified through independent audits, open-source code available for community review, operation from privacy-protecting jurisdictions, and continuous innovation in security features like Secure Core and Stealth protocol collectively establish Proton VPN as a trustworthy choice for users worldwide.
Effective use of Proton VPN begins with selecting the appropriate subscription tier based on individual needs, whether the free plan for basic privacy protection or paid plans for advanced features including streaming support, P2P torrenting, and high-speed connections. Installation across the user’s devices follows straightforward processes, and the consistent user interface across platforms facilitates transition between devices. Activation of security features such as kill switch, DNS leak protection, and potentially advanced technologies like Secure Core should become habitual components of users’ protection practices rather than afterthoughts. Understanding the specific threat models that Proton VPN protects against versus threats that require additional safeguards such as clearing cookies or using privacy-protective browsers enables users to make informed decisions about their overall privacy architecture.
The future of internet privacy requires individual users to take active roles in protecting their own data and maintaining their rights to private communication and unrestricted information access. Proton VPN provides the tools and infrastructure necessary to accomplish these goals, and users who invest time in understanding the service’s features and implementing them thoughtfully position themselves to enjoy meaningful privacy protection in an increasingly surveilled digital landscape. By combining Proton VPN with complementary privacy practices including strong passwords, two-factor authentication, privacy-protective browsers, and careful consideration of the data shared with various online services, users can construct comprehensive privacy strategies that protect their fundamental rights to freedom and dignity in their digital lives.
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