How To Boost Your VPN Download Speed For Fast Torrenting?

Often, when searching for a fast torrenting VPN, people tend to look at the product rather than their own infrastructure. Yes, some VPN providers and servers are more powerful than others, but there are internal factors that can limit even the fastest VPN connections.

When torrenting, speed matters. Here are a few tips to increase your VPN download speed.

Why Torrenting Requires A Fast Connection?

It’s not uncommon to be in a place with a slow Internet connection, but that doesn’t mean it’s convenient, especially if you’re trying to maintain a torrent download. Loading a video or webpage is one thing — you might have to contend with buffering or longer loading times, but when you’re downloading an entire file, a speedy connection is non-negotiable.

If your VPN download speeds are slow, there are a few things you should try first, but keep in mind: it may not be just one thing that’s causing it.

Look For A Less Congested Server

Many VPNs allow you to see the status of their servers in different countries, which can be a major boost when searching for a fast torrenting VPN. When a server is being used heavily, speeds will drop. Finding a VPN that lets you see the status of all available servers in different geographic areas increases your chance of finding one that provides the speed you need.

With this in mind, the distance between you and the server to which you’re connecting can also make a big difference in your download speeds.

Check Your Encryption Protocol

Premium VPNs come with different security protocols (TCP, UDP, etc.) and allow you to switch between them as you choose. Generally, TCP connections are more secure, which means the data you’re transmitting to and from the server is heavily encrypted. One of the main reasons why you’d use a VPN is to ensure that your data is secure, but this additional layer of security means the slower upload and download speeds.

Test Your Internet & VPN Download Speed

Many people use VPNs to hide their online behavior from their Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This might cause you to think the ISP doesn’t play a role in the exchange of communication between your device and the VPN server, but this isn’t the case. In fact, if your Internet is slow, your VPN download speed and connection will generally be even slower. In order to get the full value from a fast torrenting VPN, you may need to upgrade your Internet plan.

You may also want to consider investing in a better router/modem. Your Internet package includes a certain download speed, but outdated hardware can prevent your connection from maximizing that VPN download speed. Generally, six to ten megabits per second (Mbps) download speed is reliable enough to stream video content and download torrented files. Let’s say you’re paying for eight Mbps, but you’re using an older router, so what you’re actually getting might be closer to five or six. Connecting to a VPN may shave a few more off of that, and you’re left with three or four Mbps, which is an insufficient speed to torrent reliably.

Check with your ISP to make sure you know the speed of your Internet package. If your connection is slow, there may be something they can do to help. You can check your upload and VPN download speeds accurately by running a free speed test.

Turn Off Local Security Software

Connecting to a VPN slows your download speeds because it’s sending your encrypted data to another server, obscuring your IP address. Most people using a VPN download speed for their online security understand this, but they may not realize that security software and built-in firewalls may also contribute to limited speeds.

Firewalls screen packets of information that come into a system, either by packet filtering, a proxy service, stateful inspection, or a combination of more than one of these methods. They’re effective in preventing harmful data from reaching a user’s system, but they add another step that data takes between point A and point B. This means that ultimately, a local firewall prevents the full benefits of a fast torrenting VPN. You can turn local security software off, as long as you’re willing to accept the associated risks.

Conclusion

No matter what’s contributing to your download speeds (or lack thereof), different VPNs are set up to be advantageous for different uses. That’s where we come in. VPN.com can help you find an optimal VPN download speed, giving you the best chance for fast torrenting.