Broadband and VPNs

[Padd4]

My BB speeds are lousy. I have found that if I stop using a vpn on each device (phone iPad mac) then the speed to each increases to around where it should be. This phenomenon shows whether I am using the Speedtest App or Fast.com. 
So, there appears to be a choice: vpn off and get good speeds and compromised security or VON on and get lousy speed, and I mean lousy speeds down in hundreds of kb/s, and higher security.

How do others handle this?

[daveNOS]

@Padd4 What VPN service are you using? I use ProtonVPN and get close to the same speeds as when not using it, thats even when using their "secure core" servers which uses multiple servers instead of just one.

[Chrisee]

@Padd4 a lot depends on the VPN and the end point you select as any speed test reports the slowest part of the transfer. Choose a free VPN who are using say an end point in Japan and speeds can be poor. However a hugh quality VPN with nodes in the UK should be faster but msy well cost more.

By the way there is no reason why using Sky's network is any less secure than a VPN true Sky dont know which sites you use but the VPN supplier does. My view is I would rather trust a large UK company who are heavily regulated over a VPN company based who knows where but you may disagree. VPNs have their uses I use them myself when away from home and using public networks and need enhanced security beyond HTTPs:or where I want to access resources geofenced from the UK.

[Padd4]

I use Norton. Even when I choose the "fastest server" I see no difference. Thanks for the Proton suggestion; I think I'll sign up to that. Many thanks.

[Padd4]

Many thanks for your thought-provoking answer. I use Norton, but you're right, do I need to worry about VPN security when working from home.?

[Chrisee]

@Padd4 Norton does not have the best reputation for speed as it is somewhat of a resource hog.

Regarding security nothing is risk free but assuming you are either using secure apps for banking etc or https: the traffic is encrypted. On your home system I presume you know and trust the users on the network which you cannot if using public WiFi on say a train or in a hotel so extra precautiinsxare prudent. Sky like all large UK companies are heavily regulated and in my experience have been pretty good at maintaining security of their network and their equipment. 

If working from home many companies require their employees to use a dedicated private VPN system which should be sufficent. 

[Padd4]

Many thanks, Chrissee. I think Proton might be the answer - I'll ask mates who use it before buying in.

[Me134]

---

@Padd4 wrote:

I use Norton. Even when I choose the "fastest server" I see no difference. Thanks for the Proton suggestion; I think I'll sign up to that. Many thanks.

---

I use Surfshark just when needed and tried both Fast & Speedtest. Speedtest worked fine (pretty much full non-vpn speeds with a bit of expected extra latency thrown in) using either Manchester (fastest connection) or Belgium.

Oddly, Fast (which has always been very reliable & predictable) struggled badly with Manchester but gave full speed with Belgium.

Maybe try a different server, whether in the same country or abroad (Ireland etc).

[daveNOS]

@Padd4 Proton have a completely free version you can try, that way you can see what its like before deciding to go for the paid version, obvioulsy the free version is limited in the amount of servers they offer, I've been a customer of theirs for around 7 years and never encountered any speed issues at all.

[Padd4]

Me134, many thanks for your good advice. I'm trying to sift through different servers on Norton VPN but they don't seem to vary much. I'll have a look at Surfshark.

It's quite surprising that PC Mag or ComputerActive or some similar body doesn't appear to have produced a comprehensive article on VPNs - comparing the pros and cons of different brands. 

I only narrowed my trouble (excessively slow speed (100s of kilobits/sec for what should have been a 500MB/s service) down to the VPN, after quite a bit of trialling. 

Kind Regards

[Padd4]

Thanks, DaveNOS.

[Padd4]

Many, many thanks to those who have responded to me - daveNOS, chrissee and ME134. I think ME134 hit the button - only use VPN when you need it - particularly communicating about financial business.

Youve all caused me to think.

Padd4

[Me134]

---

@Padd4 wrote:

Many, many thanks to those who have responded to me - daveNOS, chrissee and ME134. I think ME134 hit the button - only use VPN when you need it - particularly communicating about financial business.

Youve all caused me to think.

Padd4

---

Just to add, I'm fairly sure that I've tried Fast via the Manchester server previously with no issues, so perhaps it's a temporary blip. Don't know if you're aware but Fast is what Netflix uses when you do a speed check from Netflix itself, it's usually faultless.