Best VPNs for Windows 8

The encryption of your data streaming is possible through connecting your device to a remote proxy server. The process can be done either manually or by using the VPN company’s own client that sets up everything for your convenience. Interestingly, not everyone likes the latter. Some people prefer to manage every aspect by themselves, just to make sure the VPN is optimized to fit their needs. Bear in mind that the available protocols come with different benefits.

OpenVPN is mainly associated with desktops, and it allows a much higher level of encryption. PPTP and L2TP operate with a lower level of encoding, but this also means that they don’t decrease your connection speed, thus they’re a much better choice when it comes to streaming movies or using torrent. Naturally, you can still change the options from the client itself, but not every VPN company has one. Plus, learning how to do this yourself could help you better understand the inner working of the VPN itself.

The good thing about setting up your VPN connection is that you cannot do anything harmful in the process. Basically you have two options: you either download an open-source client for OpenVPN or your VPN provider’s own desktop client, or change your network settings in your Windows for PPTP or L2TP protocols. Most VPNs prepared a step-by-step tutorial for these occasions, but we’ll also show you how it’s done.

PPTP and L2TP-IPSec

Both PPTP and L2TP protocols can be easily set up by manually configuring your Windows dialer. The steps are the following:

1. After accessing your account on your VPN provider’s website, visit their setup page where you should find all dialer add-ons.
2. Open the download file. This will lead you to the network configuration panel, where you find all the necessary aspects, like the list of available server locations. Go to the Properties Menu, and then head to the Security section. Be sure to have Microsoft CHAP Version 2 (MS-Chap v2) checked.
3. In case the system asks for an authentication code, enter it. This is most likely included on your account. You can enter it in the Security menu after clicking on Advanced Settings.
4. The setup is finished. You can visit it anytime to switch between servers.
6. Hit Connect to start the session.
7. When you are finished, click Hang Up.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN protocols can be set up via an open-source client that runs by the same name. Luckily, it operates on a very user-friendly level.

1. Just download the client from the website. Some VPNs redirect you there as well. Install the program, and run it.
2. Now visit the VPN website, and if they support manual OpenVPN setup, they provide an archive of server files you can download.
3. Open a file that looks promising, and the free OpenVPN program pops up, and shows the location.
4. Clicking on it will automatically connect you, though some servers ask for a log in.
5. To disconnect, just hit the similarly labeled button.

There are countless VPN offers on the internet, all advertising themselves as the best. But choosing the right one proves to be difficult. We rounded up three suitable VPN providers for Windows 8 users.