Virtual Private Network (VPN) Setup

Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) provide increased security of your internet traffic by adding an additional layer of encryption between you and websites. In addition to providing enhanced security, they also conceal your physical location and allow you to choose your perceived location, which allows you access to geo-restricted websites and geo-restricted TV streaming services.

A VPN also circumvents throttling which is a method that Internet Service Providers use to control the amount of bandwidth a customer gets during peak usage times. Because streaming media has become so popular, especially in the evenings, your speeds may vary greatly throughout the day. You should check your internet speed by using a free ping service such as http://www.speedtest.net before you consider using a VPN for streaming. A rule of thumb for streaming is that it takes a minimum of 10 Megs per second download speed to stream a 1080p HD program without buffering interruptions. If you are getting less than 10 Megs per second download speed, you may want to consider changing your internet plan with your provider to provide you with faster speeds before getting a VPN.

The average cost of VPN service is $80 USD per year. In addition to the cost of a VPN service, a VPN router is also required, which piggybacks on your existing home router. For more information about VPN services or help setting up a VPN service and/or VPN router, contact us for an appointment.