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Guide for Setting Up Your Account as a New User
Greetings and welcome to the Proton VPN community! This guide is designed to assist you in downloading and installing the appropriate Proton VPN application for your device. Additionally, it will cover some of the frequently asked questions posed by our new users.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to safeguard and maintain your online activities’ privacy and security. So, let’s begin!
Installation
Android
Most smartphones and tablets that are not produced by Apple use the Android operating system. Therefore, if you own a smartphone that is not an iPhone, it is probably an Android device. On Android, you can download the Proton VPN app for free.
Android TV (currently in beta)
Some TVs come with Android TV built-in, while other devices such as streaming sticks and boxes that can be connected to any TV with an available HDMI port also use Android TV. In case you do not possess an Android TV, this article provides some examples.
iOS
If you own an iPhone or iPad, which are smartphones and tablets made by Apple, your device is powered by iOS. You can readily obtain the Proton VPN application for iOS at no cost.
Windows
It’s probable that your PC, whether a laptop or desktop, operates on Windows. The Proton VPN application is offered at no cost and compatible with Windows.
macOS
If you own an Apple laptop or desktop computer, it is likely running on the macOS operating system. To utilize Proton VPN on your Mac device, you can register for a Free plan that is compatible with macOS.
Linux
There are numerous distributions of the open source operating system, Linux. If you are not familiar with Linux, it is unlikely that you are currently utilizing it. You can obtain Proton VPN at no cost for the Linux distribution of your choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a VPN only protect my browser while using the Internet?
No, a VPN secures your entire Internet connection once you connect to a Proton VPN server. This means that all applications on your device that use the Internet will be routed through the secure VPN tunnel, changing your public IP address and geolocation. As a result, any service you access on the Internet cannot detect your real IP address or location.
Do I need to use a specific browser with Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is compatible with the latest versions of popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Brave, and Google Chrome. However, Internet Explorer is no longer supported due to its outdated status.
How can I improve the speed of my VPN connection?
The speed of your VPN connection depends on the speed of your Internet connection. If your Internet service provider provides slow connectivity, using a VPN will not increase your Internet speed.
However, there are some measures you can take to enhance the speed of your VPN connection. Firstly, you can choose a VPN server that is closer to your physical location. Secondly, you can select a VPN server that is less loaded at the moment. Lastly, you can consider using the UDP transmission protocol instead of TCP to improve your connection speed.
I’m experiencing issues connecting to the internet using Proton VPN. What should I do?
When encountering connection problems, it typically falls under one of the following three situations:
The server you are attempting to connect to is undergoing maintenance. In this case, try connecting to a different server.
Your device’s clock does not match the time on the SSL certificate. In this scenario, reset your device’s clock.
Your network may have limitations or restrictions.
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