Q: 🎮 Will a VPN slow down my gaming?

It depends — the best VPNs can actually improve your ping . That's because connecting through a VPN gives your traffic a more direct route to the server. This minimizes packet (information) loss as compared to when you connect through your ISP. By improving your ping time, you’ll experience less lag and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. However, poor quality VPNs can seriously slow down your gaming . Server crowding and poor technology may slow down your ping and cause lag. If you find that connecting to a VPN server slows your gaming speed, there are a few things you can try to improve your speed . For example, you can try changing to a different server, restarting your router or computer (depending on where your VPN is active), or restarting your console.

Q: 💰 Can I watch English Premier League matches for free?

You can watch the EPL match for free , but I only recommend using licensed broadcasters. While it may be tempting to find an unlicensed stream to watch the match, the quality is likely to be poor and you’ll experience buffering and lag. Unlicensed streams can be taken down at any time, so you could end up missing the game when you can’t access it anymore. To watch the match without the risk, you should use a streaming service that offers a free trial when you sign up for a new plan. fuboTV and Hulu+Live TV both have a 7-day free trial — and Amazon Prime is broadcasting 4 games for free (and you don’t have to be a Prime member to watch)! To cover the cost of the VPN, you can . This way, you can live-stream the match in HD-quality on a secure connection for free for a week!

Q: ❓ What should I do if the proxy server stops responding?

If the web proxy you’re using stops responding or freezes, you can refresh your browser page or close it . Then, open a new tab and head back to the proxy site. This usually fixes the issue and you can resume your anonymous browsing. For a proxy browser extension, you have a few more options to try: Restart your device and make sure you’re connected to the internet before turning on the extension. Make sure your firewall isn’t preventing the server connection — if you can, pause your firewall while you try to connect . Remove and re-add the extension to your browser. Unfortunately, most free proxy servers don’t have a support site or live chat to help resolve any problems you may encounter. If you use a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN, you’ll have access to troubleshooting guides, a comprehensive support site, and 24/7 live chat available if you experience any issues.

Question 1

⚠️ Can I use a free VPN to unblock video games?

Accepted Answer

There are some decent free VPNs available — but I recommend against using them for downloading region-locked games. Free VPNs limit your data usage. If you want to download a larger game, you may not be able to if it exceeds the data allowance. Free services also offer fewer server locations. This means you may have difficulty finding the right server to bypass geoblocks. Plus, server crowding may cause slow speeds. Aside from poor performance, free VPNs compromise your safety. Many gamers simply want to download a particular game a few months early — but using a free service to do so could come at a serious price. Free VPNs may install malware on your device, sell your private data, or even expose you to cybercrimes like fraud. To me, saving a few dollars with a free service isn’t worth it because of these security risks. If you want a free way to download a certain game, I recommend you . This refund policy gives you more than enough time to shop around for the cheapest price, download, and play the game you want. When I tested this guarantee, NordVPN returned my money in less than a week!

Question 2

⛔️ Will my console or account be blocked if I use a VPN?

Accepted Answer

Most platforms won’t block your console or account — but Steam bans users if they discover you’re using a VPN. Steam has a notoriously strict VPN policy included in the Subscriber Agreement. They warn:

“You agree that you will not use IP proxying or other methods to disguise the place of your residence, whether to circumvent geographical restrictions on game content, to purchase at pricing not applicable to your geography, or for any other purpose. If you do this, Valve may terminate your access to your Account.”

This is why you shouldn’t take any chances with a free or low-quality VPN. Only the best services like NordVPN have the advanced technology necessary to prevent your VPN use from being detected. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo all allow users to access global game stores and change their console region. Your accounts or consoles won’t be blocked for using a VPN.

Question 3

🎮 Will a VPN slow down my gaming?

Accepted Answer

It depends — the best VPNs can actually improve your ping. That's because connecting through a VPN gives your traffic a more direct route to the server. This minimizes packet (information) loss as compared to when you connect through your ISP. By improving your ping time, you’ll experience less lag and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. However, poor quality VPNs can seriously slow down your gaming. Server crowding and poor technology may slow down your ping and cause lag. If you find that connecting to a VPN server slows your gaming speed, there are a few things you can try to improve your speed. For example, you can try changing to a different server, restarting your router or computer (depending on where your VPN is active), or restarting your console.

Question 4

💡 Can I get region-locked games for free?

Accepted Answer

No, not 100% free — but I have a trick to help you save money when you use a VPN to purchase region-locked games. For region-locked or censored games that require an internet connection for live play, this trick won’t work (like online Nintendo Switch games in China). But since most games don’t restrict play based on your IP address, you can use NordVPN’s money-back guarantee to purchase the content you want. Afterwards, simply cancel your subscription and get your money back in a few days. The only reason I would recommend against this method is if you plan to play a game that requires an internet connection in a censorship-heavy country. That’s because internet surveillance in countries (like India) has led to gamers being jailed. In those cases, I recommend you always use a VPN to prevent prying eyes from spying on your gaming and online activity.

Question 5

💪 What else can a VPN do for gamers?

Accepted Answer

VPNs can also secure your gaming by protecting you from DDoS attacks and surveillance. In DDOS attacks, hackers find your IP address, overload your server, and shut it down so that they can beat you in online gaming. This is increasingly common in P2P gaming. A VPN protects you from DDoS attacks by masking your IP address through encryption — if hackers can’t find your server, they can’t execute the attack. I recommend you . In some censorship-heavy countries, gamers have limited access to content and may be punished for playing banned games. The good news is you can use a VPN to stay hidden from government surveillance.

Question 6

💰 Can I watch English Premier League matches for free?

Accepted Answer

You can watch the EPL match for free, but I only recommend using licensed broadcasters. While it may be tempting to find an unlicensed stream to watch the match, the quality is likely to be poor and you’ll experience buffering and lag. Unlicensed streams can be taken down at any time, so you could end up missing the game when you can’t access it anymore. To watch the match without the risk, you should use a streaming service that offers a free trial when you sign up for a new plan. fuboTV and Hulu+Live TV both have a 7-day free trial — and Amazon Prime is broadcasting 4 games for free (and you don’t have to be a Prime member to watch)! To cover the cost of the VPN, you can . This way, you can live-stream the match in HD-quality on a secure connection for free for a week!

Question 7

💻 Which streaming services can I use to watch the English Premier League Match?

Accepted Answer

You can watch the match on one of the following streaming services:

Sky Sports — UK server — You can purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass if you just want to watch one match or subscribe monthly to see all 64 EPL games. You’ll need a Sky TV or Now TV subscription to purchase the pass.
BT Sport — UK server — Showing 20 EPL games exclusively but you can watch every match using the service if you’re subscribed to Now TV, Amazon Prime, or have a BBC iPlayer account.
fuboTV — US server — Sign up for a fubo TV account with a VPN to stream the match. fuboTV offers new subscribers a 7-day free trial!
DAZN — US, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Brazil, and Japan servers — you can use your VPN to sign up for a 1-month DAZN subscription ($19.99) and stream all available EPL games.
NBC Sports and Telemundo — US server — To watch NBC Sports from outside the US, you’ll need a subscription to a streaming service like Sling TV or Hulu Live or have a US cable TV subscription.
Hulu+Live TV — US server — You need a subscription to watch EPL games on this streaming service, so make sure you sign up for Hulu+Live TV with your VPN first.
Hotstar VIP — India server — All EPL games are available on this service — just sign up for the Disney+ Hotstar VIP bundle using a VPN server in India.
BBC Sport — UK server — Not showing every game (only 4 in total) but free to watch if you sign up for a BBC iPlayer account with a VPN.
Amazon Prime Video — UK server — Fans will be able to enjoy 4 games totally free (no need for an Amazon Prime subscription).

It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN has servers available in all of these locations, so you can unblock every streaming service showing English Premier League games. You can and easily get around the annoying blocks.

Question 8

🔎 Will a proxy server protect my data?

Accepted Answer

A proxy server offers you a basic level of security by masking your IP address, but it won’t encrypt your data. However, it will let you access blocked content (like streaming services and news sites) from anywhere in the world. When I used Hidester to connect to Netflix Canada and stream its content, my connection traveled from my device and through the proxy server to the website. This meant Netflix saw my connection as coming from inside Canada, so I could stream without restriction.

Question 9

📲 Can I use a free proxy server on all my devices?

Accepted Answer

If your device has a browser you can access, you can use a free web proxy server on it. Just enter the web address in your browser and you can start surfing right away. Some proxy servers (like Hotspot Shield) can be downloaded to different devices through an app. These app services are a good choice for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Windows and macOS computers, and are usually compatible with different browsers as an extension.

Question 10

💡 What are the different types of proxy servers?

Accepted Answer

There are several different kinds of proxy servers and they can operate using different protocols. Proxy server protocols consist of:

HTTP — This proxy uses a remote server to “grab” a webpage when you make a request and send it to you through an unencrypted connection. It’s almost like interacting directly with the webpage, but the owner of the server can change the data you receive. They could add pop-up ads or even malware to the data.
HTTPS/SSL — This proxy is a secure extension of the HTTP proxy. It works in the same way, only it’s encrypted with TLS encryption. Your ISP or anyone else looking at your activity can see the domains you access but not specific URLs.
SOCKS/SOCKS5 — These proxies are considerably more flexible and secure, able to send and receive data through different sources. They’re often used for torrenting and can be set up to need username and password authentication.
Transparent — These proxies tell the website you’re visiting that it is a proxy server and it will forward your true IP address to the site. Transparent proxies are mostly used to filter content from networks (like in schools or government buildings) and monitor activity.

Different proxy configurations include:

Private proxy — This kind of proxy can be used by only one person at a time and is designed to hide your personal IP address. A dedicated private proxy has a static IP address (it doesn’t change) and are usually paid services.
Shared/public proxy — Shared proxies consist of multiple IP addresses that can be used by a group of paying members. Public proxies are free to use for anyone who accesses them. These are the riskiest options as you don’t know what other users are doing (like downloading illegal material) and the proxy owner could potentially mishandle your data.
Web proxy — This is a proxy like Hidester, which is great for getting around a content block through a web page or browser extension.
Residential/data center proxy — A residential proxy is one that is supplied by your ISP and behaves just like a regular IP address. Websites won’t know you’re using a proxy. Data center proxies come from a third-party supplier and are easier to get. Many of the IP addresses are very similar so they’re prone to being blocked by sites and services as it can be obvious that they are proxy connections.

Question 11

❓ What should I do if the proxy server stops responding?

Accepted Answer

If the web proxy you’re using stops responding or freezes, you can refresh your browser page or close it. Then, open a new tab and head back to the proxy site. This usually fixes the issue and you can resume your anonymous browsing. For a proxy browser extension, you have a few more options to try:

Restart your device and make sure you’re connected to the internet before turning on the extension.
Make sure your firewall isn’t preventing the server connection — if you can, pause your firewall while you try to connect.
Remove and re-add the extension to your browser.

Unfortunately, most free proxy servers don’t have a support site or live chat to help resolve any problems you may encounter. If you use a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN, you’ll have access to troubleshooting guides, a comprehensive support site, and 24/7 live chat available if you experience any issues.

Question 12

❓ Why is it important to use a VPN with all of my devices?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to set up a VPN connection for every device because we all have more than one device we regularly use. It makes sense to protect your main device with, like a computer with sensitive work or school information, with a VPN. But you probably check emails on your phone, bank online with your tablet, and even make purchases using your game consoles. Performing these actions without the protection of a VPN leaves your data exposed. Buying VPN plans for each device is costly — purchasing a subscription to a quality VPN that offers multiple connections is much better value. By using a single VPN with multiple device connections, you can get full protection for your home or small business with minimal fuss. Just download the VPN app on every device and you’re able to stream, browse, and download while keeping your online activity completely anonymous.

Question 13

💡 Can a router help me get more device connections with my VPN?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can! If you have a lot of devices to cover, like in an office setting, you can set up a VPN connection on your router. By encrypting your router connection, every device that connects to the router is protected. You don’t have to set up a VPN on individual devices, which is especially useful if you have a device that isn’t supported by a VPN. As a bonus, it only counts as 1 device connection when you connect your VPN to your router. This means you can still use every other VPN connection on individual devices.

Question 14

💻 How do I set up a VPN on my router?

Accepted Answer

Setting up a VPN on your router is easier than it sounds. Most VPNs will have exhaustive instructions on their websites about how to do so. The process will depend on both the VPN and your router model. You’ll need to check whether your router supports VPN services, as some standard and low-cost ones do not. If it does, you may need to download and install firmware or configure the router’s settings to allow VPN functionality.

Question 15

⚠️ Are there any disadvantages to installing a VPN on my router?

Accepted Answer

A minor con of using a VPN on your router is that all the devices which use that WiFi connection will be required to use the same VPN server location, instead of each device being able to choose an individual server. So if one person wants to access local content but another wants to watch a geo-restricted show, that could be a problem. The traffic between your devices and router also won’t be secure, since the encrypting of your connection will occur at the router. But this would only be a serious issue if random strangers are capable of connecting to your WiFi network — if you have a secure home WiFi setup you shouldn’t have any issues.

Question 16

💰 Can I use a free VPN to get multiple device connections?

Accepted Answer

You can, but most free VPNs don’t offer multiple device support on one account. There are a few notable exceptions, like Windscribe and TunnelBear, which are two of the best free VPNs available. These free VPNs let you add more devices but still limit your server connections, data allowance, and download speeds. Any buffering, lag, or slow speeds you experience with one connection will increase with every extra device you add. Some unreliable free VPNs have been known to log user data and sell it to third parties and advertisers to make money. Using a free VPN without a trustworthy privacy policy compromises your data security. Rather than putting your information at risk, you can try a premium VPN for free by using its money-back guarantee. This way, you can try the service at no risk and get a full refund if you change your mind about a subscription.

Question 17

🔍 Is Google Chrome’s incognito mode really anonymous?

Accepted Answer

No, incognito mode won’t encrypt your online activity or make you anonymous. When you go incognito, Chrome clearly states that your activity can still be seen by websites you visit, your ISP, and the network administrators (like your school or employer).

Incognito mode won’t hide your internet activity

Incognito mode is useful if you don’t want your browsing history or log in details saved. If other people use Chrome on your device, they won’t be able to see which sites you’ve visited or log in to accounts you accessed while using incognito mode.

Question 18

💰 Which free VPNs for Chrome should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

With so many free VPNs available to download, it’s important to make sure you only use a VPN you can trust. Here are a couple of free VPNs you should never use with Chrome:

Hola VPN

While this service downloads and installs to your Chrome browser effortlessly, it should be avoided at all costs. , so any information sent or received from sites is easily read and identified. It also logs a huge amount of your information during use, including the websites you visit and your personal identifying data. To make money, this service then shares your information with unknown third-parties.

Cross VPN

Cross VPN was flagged for containing potential trojan viruses by VirusTotal, a site that analyzes files and URLs to detect malware. Cross VPN has an AV-rank of 11, meaning it tested positive for malware on 11 different antivirus programs. Downloading this free VPN to use with Chrome puts your device at risk of being infected with malicious software.

Question 19

❓Will a VPN slow down my browsing speed?

Accepted Answer

Whether you’re using a free VPN or a premium VPN, you are likely to experience at least a small drop in speed. This is because your traffic goes through the encryption process before connecting to the internet, which impacts your speed. If you use a free VPN with server and bandwidth limitations, you’re likely to experience a more noticeable drop, particularly if you connect at high-traffic times. In the UK, that’s typically between 7pm and 11pm GMT. I ran a speed test for every free VPN on my list during peak connection times in the UK. I connected to the fastest available server for each VPN and compared it to my regular ISP speed. Here are the results:

VPN Name and Server Location	Standard ISP Speed (Mbps)	Fastest Server at Peak Connection Time (Mbps)	Speed Drop in Mbps
NordVPN - UK	52.15	45.49	-6.66
ProtonVPN - France	52.15	43.48	-8.67
Windscribe - UK	52.15	43.45	-8.7
Hide.me - Netherlands	52.15	29.84	-22.13
Hotspot Shield - USA	52.15	30.35	-21.8
TunnelBear - UK	52.15	41.64	-10.51

As expected, the VPNs with servers furthest away from me had the biggest drop in speed. However, every server had speeds fast enough to stream in UltraHD or 4K quality, even at the busiest connection times.

Question 20

⚙️ How does P2P file sharing work?

Accepted Answer

P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing works by using a network of linked computers to store, upload, and download files. Rather than relying on a single server to store and distribute information, like a website, P2P stores files on every computer in the network. This creates a peer-to-peer computing network, as each computer becomes a server as well as a client. When you want to torrent a file, all the network computers work together to upload the data to you. As you download the information, it’s being uploaded at the same time (by you and other users in the network) for others to share. This makes torrenting a fast way to share files as the workload is distributed between all of the computers in the network. P2P file sharing can be risky if you can’t verify the torrent site as being reputable and safe. Some sites have torrents infected with malware that can compromise your data security. Make sure you only use trusted torrent software, reliable torrenting sites, and a quality VPN to safely share files with other users on the network.

Question 21

🔍 What’s the difference between BitTorrent and uTorrent?

Accepted Answer

BitTorrent and uTorrent are both torrent clients you can use to P2P file share. They’re both owned by BitTorrent Incorporated and are considered “sibling products.” With almost identical interfaces, you may think they’re basically the same, but there are a few differences you should know about before you choose which one to use.

uTorrent is the smaller of the 2 clients, taking up less than 1MB of space on your device. BitTorrent is considerably bigger, at almost 3MB.
uTorrent is compatible with more operating systems — Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. BitTorrent has no Linux compatibility.
uTorrent is updated more frequently and is in a constant state of development. BitTorrent only releases stable updates, making it more reliable.

Question 22

💰 Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?

Accepted Answer

Using a free VPN is not the best option for torrenting. There are some reliable free VPNs available but they are limited when it comes to P2P file sharing. Reputable free VPNs have to make revenue. They do this by limiting your data allowance, download speeds, and server options to prioritize the service for paying users. Some free VPNs have strong encryption and security features, but restrict your data to 500MB or less per month. If you regularly engage in torrenting, you know that this small data allowance won’t allow you to download much. Not all free VPNs are so strict when it comes to security. To make money, free VPNs have been known to log and sell your data to third parties and advertisers. This compromises your data security and puts you at risk of being targeted by hackers and spies. Not sure if you want to subscribe to a VPN for torrenting? Use ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee to try its service free for 30 days! You can torrent as much as you want for a whole month and still get a refund. I found getting my money back was easy. I contacted customer support through the 24/7 live chat and had my refund in less than 3 business days.

ExpressVPN processed my refund request quickly and easily

Question 23

❓ Why Am I Seeing the “Our European Visitors Are Important to Us” Error Message?

Accepted Answer

Websites outside the EEA don’t have to conform to the same GDPR laws as websites within the EEA. The laws developed by the GDPR are designed to safeguard your personal data — preventing companies from misusing any information stored or collected from website visitors. If a website outside the EEA doesn’t conform to data protection principles, you will see the error message. This is because GDPR laws prevent access to any non-EEA website that doesn’t comply with its regulations. While it’s an annoying error message to encounter, these laws are there to protect you.

Question 24

🔍 Why do I need a VPN to bypass GDPR content blocks?

Accepted Answer

Sites that are blocked by GDPR use your device’s location information (your IP address) to stop you from accessing them. A VPN routes your connection through a server in a different location outside of the EEA, masking your true IP address and replacing it with a local one. When you visit a website with GDPR restrictions, it sees your device as being in a different location outside the EEA. The site then lifts the content blocks and you avoid the “European Visitors” error message.

Question 25

💰 Can I use a free VPN to avoid the error message?

Accepted Answer

You can — Hotspot Shield is one of several free VPNs available on the market that unblocks GDPR content. But not all free VPNs have the resources or security features to keep your data safe. In fact, many are incredibly limited in terms of data allowances, server connections, and data protection. If you’re able to connect to a server, you’ll likely experience slow streaming and loading speeds, hitting the data cap quickly. Your connection could be unreliable, which also puts your data security at risk if the connection drops, leaving you unprotected. As privacy is important to you, you should know that some free VPNs generate revenue by tracking your activity and selling the data to third parties, like advertisers. This compromises your personal information, including your location data. The only way to reliably connect to servers with strong security is by using a quality VPN, like . If you want to try a VPN for free before subscribing, you can use its money-back guarantee. I found getting my money back with ExpressVPN was easy — I had my refund within 3 business days.

ExpressVPN’s helpful customer service agent arranged my refund promptly

Question 26

🔍 What else can you watch on Disney Plus?

Accepted Answer

You can watch more Marvel movies on Disney+, including Iron Man 1, 2, and 3, plus Avengers: Endgame, Captain America, Thor, and Doctor Strange!

Disney+ has a huge variety of Marvel movies to enjoy

Want even more? Disney+ has a huge library of new and classic titles, including:

Star Wars movies and the spin-off series The Mandalorian
The new live-action Aladdin and The Lion King movies
New favorites like Moana, Tangled, and Inside Out
Classic animated films such as The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and The Jungle Book
Every episode of The Simpsons
Documentaries like The World According to Jeff Goldblum and Dog Whisperer

Question 27

💰 Can I use a free VPN with Disney Plus?

Accepted Answer

I know a free VPN is tempting but I strongly advise against it when streaming Disney+. Even the best free VPNs have bandwidth restrictions and limited servers, which means you’ll struggle to watch Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United due to all the buffering — if you can even connect to a working server at all. However, my biggest concern is the risk to your online privacy, especially if you've got kids watching Disney+. Free VPNs often track and sell user information to make money. You could be exposing yourself and children to ads filled with malware and other inappropriate or dangerous material. Personally, my free hack is to download a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee, such as . It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can watch Disney+ for free for a month. This ensures that you can stream Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United at the highest quality and keep your internet connection secure, at no cost to you.

Question 28

❓ What else can I do with a VPN?

Accepted Answer

With a VPN, you can access location-restricted content from any country worldwide. You'll get to stream Disney+, as well as other TV shows and movies on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more. A VPN will also protect your online data and privacy from third-party surveillance, including governments, hackers, and advertisers. This is important if you frequently bank or shop online, or if you conduct internet research on sensitive topics. A VPN will secure your internet connection on your home network or public WiFi.

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