In this guide, we’ll explore how a VPN for Spectrum can enhance your internet usage.
Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, has gained popularity for its customer-friendly policies, including no contracts, no termination fees, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Offering internet speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to a blazing 1 Gbps, Spectrum also provides options to bundle internet, cable TV, and mobile plans for added convenience. However, even with a reliable ISP like Spectrum, safeguarding your online privacy and security remains crucial.
That’s where a virtual private network (VPN) for Spectrum comes into play. A VPN can enhance your Spectrum experience by providing an extra layer of protection and flexibility.
Additionally, we’ve curated a list of the top five VPNs to pair with your Spectrum connection, ensuring you have the best online experience possible.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is software that encrypts your connection to the Internet. VPNs host hundreds of thousands of servers spread globally.
When you connect to a VPN server, an encrypted tunnel is created for all your data to pass through. This tunnel secures your data and keeps it away from prying eyes, such as your Internet service provider (ISP) and third parties.
A VPN hides your online activity and helps maintain anonymity with features like IP masking, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
Without a VPN, your ISP can collect your data and hand it over to advertisers or government authorities. Cybercriminals could also gain access to your information and misuse it.
VPNs are essential for users who regularly connect to public Wi-Fi, which is far more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Does Spectrum Internet work with a VPN?
You can use a VPN with most ISPs, including Spectrum. While connected to the VPN, the provider can’t log your information.
Some VPN services, like Surfshark and NordVPN, can help improve your connection speed as they prevent bandwidth and speed throttling.
Spectrum even offers its own IP VPN and a managed IP VPN solution that can help users connect securely. However, a proven VPN like ExpressVPN, which guarantees a no-logging policy and top-notch security measures, is still a better option.
Why should you use a VPN with Spectrum?
While Spectrum is considered among the most reliable ISPs in the U.S., a high-level VPN could still benefit you. These advantages include:
Bypass geo-blocking
Websites and streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video enforce geographical restrictions that dictate the content users can access by location.
A VPN can help bypass these restrictions. NordVPN, for example, unlocks multiple Netflix regions and works with most major streaming platforms.
ExpressVPN is a good example of a VPN client that can get through browsing restrictions. It’s among a very small number of VPN providers that work in China and can get past the Great Firewall — an extensive list of online restrictions set in place by the government.
Ensure your privacy
Privacy is one of the primary reasons people use VPNs. Encryption ensures no one can see what you’re doing online.
Some countries allow ISPs to collect user data and sell anonymized versions to third parties for a profit. A VPN service can help prevent this.
You need to choose a VPN with a no-logging policy. That means a service that won’t store any of your data, including browsing history, IP addresses, and personal information.
Private Internet Access and most other VPNs have an automatic kill switch that secures your data at all times. This feature automatically halts your Internet connection when the VPN is disconnected. So, for example, when your computer is restarting after a power outage, your data is not compromised.
Protect your data
Using a VPN ensures a more secure online experience. Ideally, your VPN uses the highest level of encryption, known as AES-256, to protect your data. This encryption protocol is military-grade and unbreakable.
DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, and multi-factor authentication are used to keep your data safe.
Industry leaders like NordVPN and Surfshark also have features that block ads and prevent malware.
Several VPN providers, including CyberGhost, support peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing or torrenting with special P2P-optimized servers.
Stop throttling
Throttling occurs when your ISP regulates your bandwidth to minimize congestion and avoid a server overload. ISPs get to decide whose Internet usage is more important and reduce the connection speeds of some users. For instance, if an ISP sees that you’re using known torrenting sites, it might throttle your speeds in an attempt to stop you from potentially downloading copyrighted content.
A VPN can help you avoid throttling since they have thousands of servers. If a server is slow, you can switch over to another when needed. They also hide the content you’re viewing from your ISP, so it won’t know when to throttle your connection.
5 Best VPNs to use with Spectrum
If you want to improve your experience with Spectrum by using a VPN, these are your best options:
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is an industry leader and among the most popular VPN clients worldwide.
Its main features include:
- Thousands of servers across 94 countries
- AES-256 encryption
- Multiple connection protocols
- Blazing-fast connection speeds
- Access major streaming platforms
- Multi-platform support
- Five simultaneous connections
- TrustedServer technology
- Split tunneling support
- No-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works in China
ExpressVPN is perfect for private browsing, streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The VPN uses its TrustedServer technology to ensure that no user data is written onto a hard drive. In addition:
- All data is wiped on every reboot.
- The software stack is reinstalled on every server at startup.
- ExpressVPN knows what is on every server.
This independently audited technology is proven to maintain privacy.
Moreover, ExpressVPN uses its private DNS on every server to provide fast and safe connections. You can simultaneously connect five devices to one ExpressVPN account and use Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android apps to stay secure on the go.
We’ve explored this VPN service’s features in detail in our ExpressVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark provides premium features at affordable prices.
Its key features are:
- 3,200+ servers in 65 countries
- AES-256 encryption
- No-logs policy
- Unlimited devices
- Unblock geo-restricted content
- Camouflage mode
- Private DNS
- DNS leak protection
- MultiHop
- Works in China
- NoBorders mode
- CleanWeb
Surfshark is among the best VPNs on the market. Apart from all the usual features expected in a VPN of this level, Surfshark offers advanced functionalities like the ability to use its app in restrictive countries using NoBorders mode.
You can also use MultiHop to connect via multiple countries at once, so your online footprint is virtually untraceable. Toggle CleanWeb to block ads and avoid malware.
Camouflage mode is another unique feature. When turned on, even your ISP cannot detect that you’re using a VPN.
You get all these features for prices as low as $2.49 per month (for the 2-year plan), and you can connect unlimited devices. So, one Surfshark subscription can protect your entire household or office.
Surfshark, like ExpressVPN, is one of the few services that work in China.
Read our Surfshark review to find out all the provider’s pros and cons.
3. NordVPN
NordVPN has been a popular choice for users in recent years.
Some of its key offerings are:
- Ultra-fast VPN
- AES-256 encryption
- Unblock streaming content
- CyberSec
- Double VPN
- Obfuscated servers
- Split tunneling support
- Zero-logs policy
- Cryptocurrency payments
- Automatic kill switch
- DNS leak protection
- Onion over VPN
- 24/7 customer support
NordVPN is arguably the fastest VPN today. When connected to the VPN, your download and upload speeds are barely impacted. Some tests even showed that download speeds were higher when using the VPN rather than without.
The VPN client is also excellent for streaming and works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and even BBC iPlayer, which is considered a tough nut to crack.
NordVPN uses obfuscated servers, which hide the fact that you’re using a VPN and also has a Double VPN feature, where you can change your IP address twice for added security.
An automatic kill switch and AES-256 encryption ensure your data is always secure, while CyberSec helps avoid ads and malware-ridden websites.
Read our NordVPN review to find out why this is so popular.
4. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) has been a leader among VPNs for 10+ years.
It boasts top-notch features, including:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- AES-256 encryption
- Strict no-logs policy
- DNS leak protection
- Dedicated IP
- SOCKS5 web proxy
- Kill switch
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Multiple VPN protocols
- Cryptocurrency payments
PIA is a well-known provider that has everything you could ask for from a VPN. Advanced privacy and security features are at your disposal, along with a kill switch, military-grade encryption, and multiple connection protocols, including WireGuard.
To prove how serious they are about privacy, PIA publishes a transparency report every year that shows how many requests for user data they have received from government authorities. But, of course, none of these requests were successful, since no logs were produced or stored.
For added transparency, PIA is also fully open-source.
To further facilitate online anonymity, PIA allows payments via third-party gift cards and various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Our Private Internet Access review explores the service’s features comprehensively.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost might not be as famous as the other VPNs on this list, but it’s still one of the top providers today.
It provides premium features, such as:
- 7,100 VPN servers located in 91 countries
- AES-256 encryption
- Access restricted content
- NoSpy servers
- Streaming-optimized servers
- P2P-optimized servers
- Seven simultaneous connections
- Zero-logs policy
- Kill switch
- DNS leak protection
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost is focused on customer satisfaction and, along with the usual security and privacy measures, users get specially optimized servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
Their P2P-optimized servers, for example, ensure fast download and upload speeds while keeping users anonymous.
CyberGhost hosts ultra-secure NoSpy servers located in Romania (out of the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances). These special servers utilize premium hardware, have a dedicated uplink, and are handled directly by the CyberGhost team.
The provider also publishes a Transparency Report to track legal requests. Since CyberGhost has a no-logs policy, all requests for data are unsuccessful.
To facilitate better streaming, CyberGhost has a list of servers and the services they let you access.
We delved into this provider’s features in our comprehensive CyberGhost review.
How to use a VPN with Spectrum?
You can use a VPN with Spectrum via two different methods — installing the VPN on your device or installing the VPN on your router.
To install a VPN on your computer, mobile, or tablet, download the relevant app on your device and install it. Once it’s set up, you can turn on the VPN with the click of a button and secure your Spectrum connection.
Depending on the VPN you choose, your app’s settings will allow you to toggle multiple features and choose between different servers.
To install the VPN on your router, you need a VPN service that supports router installation. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two providers that can be installed on routers. You’ll also need a compatible Spectrum router.
Installing a VPN on your router is fairly complicated. You should be able to install a VPN on your Spectrum router using the Advanced Settings option in your router’s settings.
Conclusion
A high-level VPN can help you make the most of your Spectrum Internet package. You can stream the content you want without any restrictions or throttling, your connection is always secure, and torrenting is a bonus.
You can learn more about VPNs and how they can help you on our blog and read expert reviews of the top VPNs.
