The best VPNs are so seamless that they're easy to set and forget. For most users, letting your VPN run quietly in the background is enough to keep your connection secure—even if you’re serious about privacy. But if you haven't checked your VPN's dashboard lately, you could be missing out on features that improve performance, add flexibility, and give you more control. If you already know the basics, these advanced tricks will help you get more out of your VPN.

This article was made possible in part by Proton VPN. It was written and edited independently without partner oversight.

Before You Dive In: The Hidden Risks of Advanced VPN Settings

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the most advanced VPN settings. These trade-offs are why most of the options on this list require some know-how to configure. Make sure you fully understand how a feature works before altering its configuration.

You also don’t need to go beyond the basics if your main goal is to protect your connection from third parties, such as your ISP. The settings in this guide are tailored toward niche use cases and can open up possibilities for users who know the basics already.

1. How to Use Port Forwarding Without Exposing Yourself

Port forwarding allows you to open a direct line of communication with other users, which is necessary for tasks like seeding a torrent or allowing access to a server you’re running. However, opening a port can directly compromise your device, your identity, and your connection. A VPN acts as a shield, encrypting your data and hiding your real identity from outside entities. Opening a port is like leaving a small but accessible hole in that protection, allowing outside users or programs to access it. 

One use case for port forwarding is to access a local server. Take a Plex server, for example. Plex requires an open, encrypted connection with your visible IP address to enable remote access. Configuring an open port and assigning your Plex traffic to it allows you to maintain access to your Plex server without compromising the rest of your outgoing traffic. Split tunneling can work as well if you set all your Plex media server traffic to bypass the VPN. 

Whether it is split tunneling or port forwarding, double-check all of your settings and various configurations. The risk of a small error resulting in a completely compromised connection goes up significantly when you begin allowing apps to bypass your VPN’s protection.

2. Take Control of Your Connection With Custom DNS

Changing your DNS server can give you greater control over your connection, but it comes with some big caveats. I recommend checking out our guide on DNS servers if you’re not familiar with how they work to get the full picture. Switching from the baked-in DNS server your VPN uses adds a layer of complexity to your connection, leaving more room for leaks and user error. You also have to verify the privacy policy and practices of a third-party DNS provider, and it can be easier to fingerprint your traffic since all of your requests will come through a single DNS address. 

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With those drawbacks in mind, a custom DNS server does open up customization options for the right kind of user: 

• Bypass blocks: With the right configuration, a custom DNS setup can bypass content blocks and DNS-level geographical restrictions. 
• Complete ad, tracker, and website blocking control: Most VPNs come with a rigid blocklist that can’t be changed, but a custom DNS server allows you to take full control of which sites and types of ads are blocked by default. 
• Better performance: Custom DNS providers such as Google and Cloudflare often offer slightly faster loading times than a base VPN or ISP connection. The difference is slight, but it can be a worthwhile trade-off if you’re engaging in tasks that require many DNS requests, such as automated web scraping. 

Overall, a custom DNS server running in combination with a VPN can be a useful option for some users with a specific goal in mind, but just be sure to understand the various privacy risks before you configure one. 

3. Secure Your Entire Network With a Router VPN

Setting up a VPN on a router takes some know-how and the right equipment. The benefits can be worthwhile if you have a whole house of devices or a small office you want to secure without managing individual devices. If you set it up correctly, then you can configure your VPN of choice to automatically protect any device that connects to your network.

Overall, a custom DNS server running in tandem with a VPN can be a useful option for some users with a specific goal in mind; just be sure to understand the various privacy risks before you configure one. 

4. Hidden Upgrades: Features Your VPN May Already Have

It’s easy to lose track of updates and new features if you’ve been using the same VPN provider for years, especially if you have it set up to start up with your PC and run in the background. It’s worth popping into the dashboard every now and then to make sure you’re using the latest and greatest options. The list below covers some of the newest features that have come out over the last few years:

• Post-quantum encryption (PQE): PQE is a new encryption method designed to prevent future attacks from quantum computers that could, in theory, break current encryption standards in a matter of minutes. It’s not something that needs to be enabled, but it could be worth investing in a VPN that uses quantum-resistant encryption if you’re concerned about a future of quantum hacks. 
• Advanced obfuscation: The exact name of this feature will vary by company (Stealth, GhostBear, NoSpy, to name a few), but some of the best VPNs now allow you to switch on an additional layer of obfuscation that makes your VPN activity look more like regular HTTPS traffic. It’ll make your connection much slower, but it can be useful for bypassing VPN blocks and censorship. 
• Multi-hop servers: Also called double VPN, multi-hop servers route your connection through a second VPN server to further anonymize your traffic. Much like advanced obfuscation protocols, this technology strengthens your anonymity at the cost of performance. 
• Advanced kill switch: Kill switches have gotten more advanced in recent years. If your VPN still just has a manual switch without configuration options, then it is a bit behind the curve. Advanced kill switches can engage automatically at startup and can be toggled at either the application or system level. Make sure yours is still set up correctly for your use case. 
• Inverse split tunneling: Split tunneling on its own isn’t a new feature, but a growing number of VPNs now have inverse split tunneling options that allow you to route just a single app through a VPN tunnel while the rest remains unencrypted.

5. Want Total Control? Build Your Own VPN

A personal VPN tunnel isn’t going to be a one-to-one substitute for a top VPN, but it can be a fun and useful tool to configure if you’re an enthusiast who has already explored everything that the commercial options have to offer.

I have a guide that details how to set one up using a Raspberry Pi 5, but you can follow a similar process on an old PC or laptop you already own. You just need to set up a system that’s always running, so something lower-end is ideal for the task. A personal VPN tunnel isn’t as secure as your standard premium VPN, but it can be an excellent tool for remoting into your systems while you travel or for accessing your home region’s content while you’re away.