ProtonVPN Split Tunneling: A Comprehensive Guide to Configuring Bypass Rules

What is ProtonVPN Split Tunneling?

ProtonVPN's Split Tunneling feature allows users to selectively route specific traffic through the VPN tunnel while excluding other traffic. This enables selective online privacy and security enhancements without impacting local network performance for non-sensitive applications.

Benefits of Using ProtonVPN Split Tunneling

• Enhanced privacy and security: By selectively routing sensitive traffic through the VPN tunnel, users can protect their online activities from potential eavesdropping and malicious actors.

• Improved performance: By excluding non-sensitive traffic from the VPN tunnel, users can minimize latency and improve overall network performance for local applications and services.

• Customizable control: ProtonVPN's Split Tunneling feature provides users with granular control over which traffic is routed through the VPN and which is not.

How to Set Up ProtonVPN Split Tunneling

Configuring Split Tunneling on Windows

1. Open the ProtonVPN client.
2. Click on the Settings icon in the top right corner.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. Under Split Tunneling, click on the Enable checkbox.
5. Select the desired Rule Type (Bypass VPN for specific apps or Route specific apps through VPN).
6. Click on the Add button and specify the applications or IP addresses you want to bypass or route through the VPN.
7. Click on Save to apply the changes.

Configuring Split Tunneling on macOS

1. Open the ProtonVPN client.
2. Click on the Settings icon in the menu bar.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. Under Split Tunneling, click on the Enable checkbox.
5. Select the desired Rule Type (Bypass VPN for specific apps or Route specific apps through VPN).
6. Click on the Add button and specify the applications or IP addresses you want to bypass or route through the VPN.
7. Click on Save to apply the changes.

Configuring Split Tunneling on Android

1. Open the ProtonVPN app.
2. Tap on the Settings icon in the top right corner.
3. Scroll down and tap on Split Tunneling.
4. Turn on the Enable Split Tunneling toggle.
5. Select the desired Rule Type (Bypass VPN for specific apps or Route specific apps through VPN).
6. Tap on the Add button and specify the applications or IP addresses you want to bypass or route through the VPN.
7. Tap on Save to apply the changes.

Configuring Split Tunneling on iOS

1. Open the ProtonVPN app.
2. Tap on the Settings icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Scroll down and tap on Split Tunneling.
4. Turn on the Enable Split Tunneling toggle.
5. Select the desired Rule Type (Bypass VPN for specific apps or Route specific apps through VPN).
6. Tap on the Add button and specify the applications or IP addresses you want to bypass or route through the VPN.
7. Tap on Save to apply the changes.

Effective Strategies for Using ProtonVPN Split Tunneling

• Identify sensitive applications: Determine which applications require enhanced privacy and security and should be routed through the VPN.
• Exclude non-sensitive applications: Identify applications that do not need VPN protection and can be excluded from the VPN tunnel to improve performance.
• Consider network bandwidth: If you have limited bandwidth, consider excluding large file downloads or streaming services from the VPN tunnel to prevent bandwidth hogging.
• Monitor traffic usage: Regularly review your VPN traffic logs to ensure that only intended traffic is being routed through the VPN and that non-sensitive traffic is being excluded.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-inclusion: Avoid including too many applications in the VPN bypass list, as this can compromise privacy and security.
• Insufficient exclusion: Excluding too few applications from the VPN bypass list can slow down network performance and hinder usability.
• Misconfiguration: Ensure that you create and manage Split Tunneling rules correctly to avoid unintended traffic routing.
• Neglecting traffic monitoring: Regularly monitoring VPN traffic usage is important to verify the effectiveness of your Split Tunneling configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use Split Tunneling on all devices?

Yes, ProtonVPN Split Tunneling is available on all devices where the ProtonVPN client is supported (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux).

2. What protocols does ProtonVPN Split Tunneling support?

ProtonVPN Split Tunneling supports the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.

3. Is there a performance impact when using Split Tunneling?

Excluding non-sensitive traffic from the VPN tunnel can improve overall network performance for local applications and services.

4. Can I use Split Tunneling to access geo-blocked content?

Yes, Split Tunneling allows you to route specific traffic through the VPN tunnel to access geo-blocked content while excluding other traffic for improved performance.

5. Is Split Tunneling secure?

Yes, Split Tunneling is secure when configured and managed correctly. Ensure that you create and manage Split Tunneling rules carefully to avoid unintended traffic routing.

6. How does Split Tunneling affect my IP address?

For traffic routed through the VPN tunnel, your IP address will be associated with the VPN server's location. For excluded traffic, your real IP address will be visible.