This guide helps you tune your VPN for the best combination of speed, security and reliability. We’ll cover protocols, encryption, DNS, split tunneling, kill switch, and app tweaks for streaming and gaming.

Quick answer

Use WireGuard/NordLynx for top speed, enable kill switch, leave encryption default (AES-256/ChaCha20), and set secure DNS. For streaming, connect to a nearby specialized server (e.g., streaming VPN) and clear app caches.

Choose the right protocol

WireGuard is the fastest modern protocol with strong cryptography and low overhead. IKEv2 is great for mobile because it quickly re-establishes a connection when networks switch. OpenVPN (UDP) remains a solid default for compatibility and stability.

Encryption settings

AES-256-GCM is the standard for OpenVPN; ChaCha20-Poly1305 is efficient on mobile/ARM. Avoid lowering cipher strength or disabling authentication — the speed gain is minimal and the risk is high.

Kill switch & leak protection

Always enable a kill switch. It prevents real IP exposure if the VPN drops. Combine it with DNS leak protection and IPv6 blocking to avoid metadata leaks.

Split tunneling

Route only selected apps through the VPN using split tunneling. This can improve performance for services that don’t need the tunnel (cloud backups, local streaming) while securing browsers and sensitive tools.

Server selection

Pick a nearby server with low load for the best speed. For streaming, use provider-recommended locations; for P2P, choose servers that explicitly allow torrents and have strong privacy policies.

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DNS: performance & privacy

Use the VPN app’s encrypted DNS to prevent DNS leaks. If your provider allows custom DNS, prefer well-known resolvers with DoH/DoT support.

App tweaks for streaming

• Clear streaming app cache after switching regions.
• Reconnect to a fresh server if you see proxy/VPN errors.
• Disable GPS/location permissions for the app if it mismatches IP geolocation.