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VPN speed how to test and improve your online performance Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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VPN speed how to test and improve your online performance Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Here's why you can trust us. <h1>VPN speed how to test and improve your online performance</h1> By Chiara Castro published 7 October 2022 Don't be put off by slow connection speeds ever again (Image credit: Shutterstock) Every time you turn on your VPN, all of your traffic and data is encrypted, and then being decrypted after reaching its final destination.&nbsp; Even though it is unlikely to see a huge difference if you are using the best VPN services, the encryption process inevitably slows down your internet connection.&nbsp; Below, we'll explain the factors affecting your VPN speed and how to test out your service.
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Here's why you can trust us.

VPN speed how to test and improve your online performance

By Chiara Castro published 7 October 2022 Don't be put off by slow connection speeds ever again (Image credit: Shutterstock) Every time you turn on your VPN, all of your traffic and data is encrypted, and then being decrypted after reaching its final destination.  Even though it is unlikely to see a huge difference if you are using the best VPN services, the encryption process inevitably slows down your internet connection.  Below, we'll explain the factors affecting your VPN speed and how to test out your service.
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Dylan Patel 6 minutes ago
We'll also share some tips to pump up your online performance in no time, together with more details...
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We'll also share some tips to pump up your online performance in no time, together with more details about the best fast VPN right now according to our latest testing.&nbsp; <h2>How does a VPN affect internet speeds &nbsp </h2> We already mentioned that VPN encryption will always impact your connection speed - even if just a couple of Mbps.&nbsp; However, there are other factors that might make this decrease in performance a real issue. These include:&nbsp;VPN server location.
Joseph Kim Member
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We'll also share some tips to pump up your online performance in no time, together with more details about the best fast VPN right now according to our latest testing. 

How does a VPN affect internet speeds  

We already mentioned that VPN encryption will always impact your connection speed - even if just a couple of Mbps.  However, there are other factors that might make this decrease in performance a real issue. These include: VPN server location.
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The biggest reason for your connection slowing down is the distance between you and your chosen server. As all of your traffic has to pass via this server, your connection will inevitably be faster when you connect to one close to your physical location.VPN server load. Many users are likely to be connected to your chosen network at the same time as you are.
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The biggest reason for your connection slowing down is the distance between you and your chosen server. As all of your traffic has to pass via this server, your connection will inevitably be faster when you connect to one close to your physical location.VPN server load. Many users are likely to be connected to your chosen network at the same time as you are.
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Ryan Garcia 2 minutes ago
A drop in connection speed might occur if the server gets overloaded. This is more likely to happen ...
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Joseph Kim 1 minutes ago
Premium services generally provide some details about this point.   Protocol....
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A drop in connection speed might occur if the server gets overloaded. This is more likely to happen when the VPN infrastructure is obsolete or inadequate.
Sophia Chen Member
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A drop in connection speed might occur if the server gets overloaded. This is more likely to happen when the VPN infrastructure is obsolete or inadequate.
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Premium services generally provide some details about this point.   Protocol....
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As encryption is a major cause for a VPN to slow down your overall internet speed, the security prot...
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Premium services generally provide some details about this point. &nbsp;&nbsp;Protocol.
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Premium services generally provide some details about this point.   Protocol.
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As encryption is a major cause for a VPN to slow down your overall internet speed, the security protocol defining the type of encryption employed is a huge defining factor here. Among all the ones available, WireGuard is the fastest option you can opt for right now.&nbsp; <h2>How to test your VPN speed</h2> This might sound a bit complicated but the good news is that there are many free services available online for testing your internet connection performance. Speedtest (opens in new tab) is one of the best speed test apps around, and it's one of the services we use when reviewing VPNs.
Ava White Moderator
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As encryption is a major cause for a VPN to slow down your overall internet speed, the security protocol defining the type of encryption employed is a huge defining factor here. Among all the ones available, WireGuard is the fastest option you can opt for right now. 

How to test your VPN speed

This might sound a bit complicated but the good news is that there are many free services available online for testing your internet connection performance. Speedtest (opens in new tab) is one of the best speed test apps around, and it's one of the services we use when reviewing VPNs.
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Brandon Kumar 16 minutes ago
Before checking how fast your connection is when safely browsing the net with your VPN on, you need ...
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    Ping rate. This represents the lag between taking an action - for example, c...
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Before checking how fast your connection is when safely browsing the net with your VPN on, you need to have an idea of your baseline internet performance. For this, we recommend running two different tests to compare the results. &nbsp; After the speed test is complete, you will be presented with a set of results and factors to consider according to your needs.
David Cohen Member
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Before checking how fast your connection is when safely browsing the net with your VPN on, you need to have an idea of your baseline internet performance. For this, we recommend running two different tests to compare the results.   After the speed test is complete, you will be presented with a set of results and factors to consider according to your needs.
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Andrew Wilson 12 minutes ago
    Ping rate. This represents the lag between taking an action - for example, c...
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ping rate. This represents the lag between taking an action - for example, clicking on a link - and that action being registered by the website or app.
Sophia Chen Member
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    Ping rate. This represents the lag between taking an action - for example, clicking on a link - and that action being registered by the website or app.
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The lower your ping is, the quicker this will be. A low ping rate is vital for those using a gaming ...
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The lower your ping is, the quicker this will be. A low ping rate is vital for those using a gaming VPN to play online.&nbsp;Download speeds.
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The lower your ping is, the quicker this will be. A low ping rate is vital for those using a gaming VPN to play online. Download speeds.
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William Brown 8 minutes ago
This perhaps the most important result for anyone one surfing the web as it represents how fast data...
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High upload speeds are particularly important if you're often on calls and video meetings, or gaming...
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This perhaps the most important result for anyone one surfing the web as it represents how fast data can be downloaded - for instance, how long a page takes to load fully. Higher is the better here - with the advent of fibre optic broadband, speeds of over 100Mbps are common, but anything above 20Mbps will suffice for streaming and browsing.Upload speeds. This defines the rate you send online data.
Madison Singh Member
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This perhaps the most important result for anyone one surfing the web as it represents how fast data can be downloaded - for instance, how long a page takes to load fully. Higher is the better here - with the advent of fibre optic broadband, speeds of over 100Mbps are common, but anything above 20Mbps will suffice for streaming and browsing.Upload speeds. This defines the rate you send online data.
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Victoria Lopez 54 minutes ago
High upload speeds are particularly important if you're often on calls and video meetings, or gaming...
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(Image credit: NordVPN)

How to improve your VPN performance

Here are some tips to boost yo...
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High upload speeds are particularly important if you're often on calls and video meetings, or gaming. You should aim for at least 3 Mbps for everyday use and around 10 Mbps for maximum performance.
Lucas Martinez Moderator
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High upload speeds are particularly important if you're often on calls and video meetings, or gaming. You should aim for at least 3 Mbps for everyday use and around 10 Mbps for maximum performance.
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Thomas Anderson 10 minutes ago
(Image credit: NordVPN)

How to improve your VPN performance

Here are some tips to boost yo...
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This is why trying out different networks might help you get a faster connection. All the top provid...
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(Image credit: NordVPN) <h2>How to improve your VPN performance</h2> Here are some tips to boost your online performance and enjoy the best VPN speeds possible.&nbsp; 1. Switch VPN server We talked before about how VPN servers can affect the performance of your security software.
Joseph Kim Member
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(Image credit: NordVPN)

How to improve your VPN performance

Here are some tips to boost your online performance and enjoy the best VPN speeds possible.  1. Switch VPN server We talked before about how VPN servers can affect the performance of your security software.
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Hannah Kim 10 minutes ago
This is why trying out different networks might help you get a faster connection. All the top provid...
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This is why trying out different networks might help you get a faster connection. All the top providers offer a huge array of international servers - our overall favorite ExpressVPN boasts over 3,000 across 94 countries.
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This is why trying out different networks might help you get a faster connection. All the top providers offer a huge array of international servers - our overall favorite ExpressVPN boasts over 3,000 across 94 countries.
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Beside opting for one closest to your geographical location, premium VPN providers often have several different servers in the same country too. 2. Change encryption protocols&nbsp; Again, being that the type of security protocol can affect your overall VPN speed, switching to a different one may allow you to enjoy better performance.
Scarlett Brown Member
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Beside opting for one closest to your geographical location, premium VPN providers often have several different servers in the same country too. 2. Change encryption protocols  Again, being that the type of security protocol can affect your overall VPN speed, switching to a different one may allow you to enjoy better performance.
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Natalie Lopez 49 minutes ago
For doing so, you just need to head to the settings of your VPN app and customize your choice. The n...
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For doing so, you just need to head to the settings of your VPN app and customize your choice. The new industry standard of security and speed is WireGuard.
Ethan Thomas Member
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For doing so, you just need to head to the settings of your VPN app and customize your choice. The new industry standard of security and speed is WireGuard.
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Amelia Singh 29 minutes ago
However, ExpressVPN has developed its own Lightway protocol which rivals WireGuard closely. 3....
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However, ExpressVPN has developed its own Lightway protocol which rivals WireGuard closely. 3.
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However, ExpressVPN has developed its own Lightway protocol which rivals WireGuard closely. 3.
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Joseph Kim 60 minutes ago
 Enable Split Tunneling  Many VPN services offer a feature called split tunneling that can...
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Reducing VPN traffic is beneficial for your speed, especially if your internet connection is limited...
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&nbsp;Enable Split Tunneling&nbsp; Many VPN services offer a feature called split tunneling that can come handy when it comes to pumping up internet speeds. This is because by activating this option, you can decide which traffic to encrypt inside the VPN tunnel and which one to opt out.
Lucas Martinez Moderator
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 Enable Split Tunneling  Many VPN services offer a feature called split tunneling that can come handy when it comes to pumping up internet speeds. This is because by activating this option, you can decide which traffic to encrypt inside the VPN tunnel and which one to opt out.
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Reducing VPN traffic is beneficial for your speed, especially if your internet connection is limited...
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Reducing VPN traffic is beneficial for your speed, especially if your internet connection is limited and/or unstable. &nbsp; (Image credit: ExpressVPN) 4. Reboot your device&nbsp; As with every piece of technology, restarting your device or home router may help.
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Reducing VPN traffic is beneficial for your speed, especially if your internet connection is limited and/or unstable.   (Image credit: ExpressVPN) 4. Reboot your device  As with every piece of technology, restarting your device or home router may help.
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It might be that some heavy programs are running in the background impacting your bandwidth, or your...
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It might be that some heavy programs are running in the background impacting your bandwidth, or your hardware's memory buffer needs to be cleared out. For similar reasons, disconnecting and connecting again your VPN app could benefit its performance rate.
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It might be that some heavy programs are running in the background impacting your bandwidth, or your hardware's memory buffer needs to be cleared out. For similar reasons, disconnecting and connecting again your VPN app could benefit its performance rate.
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Sophie Martin 15 minutes ago
   5. Upgrade your operating system  It can even be that the cause for your internet ...
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&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. Upgrade your operating system&nbsp; It can even be that the cause for your internet connection being sluggish lies in your device itself. We recommend checking if you are running the latest version of the operating system available and upgrade accordingly.
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   5. Upgrade your operating system  It can even be that the cause for your internet connection being sluggish lies in your device itself. We recommend checking if you are running the latest version of the operating system available and upgrade accordingly.
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  6. Use a wired connection Last but not least, switching to a wired connection can allow you t...
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&nbsp; 6. Use a wired connection Last but not least, switching to a wired connection can allow you to get more stable internet levels.
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  6. Use a wired connection Last but not least, switching to a wired connection can allow you to get more stable internet levels.
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Wi-Fi is way more convenient, but it can be unpredictable at times. No matter if you're using a VPN ...
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Hide.me – Incredibly fast in every situation (opens in new tab)
With blazing fast connecti...
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Wi-Fi is way more convenient, but it can be unpredictable at times. No matter if you're using a VPN or not, a wired connection will deliver higher speeds and more consistent results at all times.&nbsp; <h2>This is the fastest VPN right now &nbsp </h2> (opens in new tab)1.
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Wi-Fi is way more convenient, but it can be unpredictable at times. No matter if you're using a VPN or not, a wired connection will deliver higher speeds and more consistent results at all times. 

This is the fastest VPN right now  

(opens in new tab)1.
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Hide.me – Incredibly fast in every situation (opens in new tab)
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Chiara CastroStaff WriterChiara is a multimedia journalist, with a special eye for latest trends and...
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Hide.me &ndash; Incredibly fast in every situation (opens in new tab)<br> With blazing fast connections when using both WireGuard and OpenVPN, Hide.me is a speed freak's dream. Its super-configurable apps are very powerful, and if you can get past Hide.me's complexity, it's and excellent choice.View Deal (opens in new tab)Compare the best overall VPN services by price:+3 MONTHS FREE (opens in new tab)ExpressVPN 12 month (opens in new tab)$6.67/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+3 months free (opens in new tab)NordVPN 2 Year (opens in new tab)$3.09/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+2 months free (opens in new tab)Surfshark 24 Months (opens in new tab)$2.30/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Proton VPN 2 year (opens in new tab)$4.99/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+2 MONTHS FREE (opens in new tab)Private Internet Access 2 Years (opens in new tab)$2.19/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices <h2>Be In the Know</h2> Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
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Hide.me – Incredibly fast in every situation (opens in new tab)
With blazing fast connections when using both WireGuard and OpenVPN, Hide.me is a speed freak's dream. Its super-configurable apps are very powerful, and if you can get past Hide.me's complexity, it's and excellent choice.View Deal (opens in new tab)Compare the best overall VPN services by price:+3 MONTHS FREE (opens in new tab)ExpressVPN 12 month (opens in new tab)$6.67/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+3 months free (opens in new tab)NordVPN 2 Year (opens in new tab)$3.09/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+2 months free (opens in new tab)Surfshark 24 Months (opens in new tab)$2.30/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Proton VPN 2 year (opens in new tab)$4.99/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)+2 MONTHS FREE (opens in new tab)Private Internet Access 2 Years (opens in new tab)$2.19/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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Chiara CastroStaff WriterChiara is a multimedia journalist, with a special eye for latest trends and...
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Chiara CastroStaff WriterChiara is a multimedia journalist, with a special eye for latest trends and issues in cybersecurity. She is a Staff Writer at Future with a focus on VPNs. She mainly writes news and features about data privacy, online censorship and digital rights for TechRadar, Tom's Guide and T3.
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Chiara CastroStaff WriterChiara is a multimedia journalist, with a special eye for latest trends and issues in cybersecurity. She is a Staff Writer at Future with a focus on VPNs. She mainly writes news and features about data privacy, online censorship and digital rights for TechRadar, Tom's Guide and T3.
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With a passion for digital storytelling in all its forms, she also loves photography, video making and podcasting. Originally from Milan in Italy, she is now based in Bristol, UK, since 2018.
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With a passion for digital storytelling in all its forms, she also loves photography, video making and podcasting. Originally from Milan in Italy, she is now based in Bristol, UK, since 2018.
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More about security These 16 malicious Android apps have over 20 million downloads - delete them now...
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More about security These 16 malicious Android apps have over 20 million downloads - delete them now Proton VPN Stealth protocol: what is it and why should you use it?Latest Tottenham vs Newcastle live stream and how to watch Premier League game online, lineupsSee more latest&nbsp;&#9658; Topics Privacy Security Software See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Daily Quordle #272 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 232SleepOvation mattress review (2022)3iPad Air 4 crashes to $469 before Black Friday - and it's better than the new iPad4House of the Dragon finale release date and time - how to watch online tonight5How to watch Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor online and on BBC iPlayer today1Daily Quordle #272 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 232SleepOvation mattress review (2022)3iPad Air 4 crashes to $469 before Black Friday - and it's better than the new iPad4House of the Dragon finale release date and time - how to watch online tonight5How to watch Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor online and on BBC iPlayer today
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More about security These 16 malicious Android apps have over 20 million downloads - delete them now Proton VPN Stealth protocol: what is it and why should you use it?Latest Tottenham vs Newcastle live stream and how to watch Premier League game online, lineupsSee more latest ► Topics Privacy Security Software See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Daily Quordle #272 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 232SleepOvation mattress review (2022)3iPad Air 4 crashes to $469 before Black Friday - and it's better than the new iPad4House of the Dragon finale release date and time - how to watch online tonight5How to watch Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor online and on BBC iPlayer today1Daily Quordle #272 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 232SleepOvation mattress review (2022)3iPad Air 4 crashes to $469 before Black Friday - and it's better than the new iPad4House of the Dragon finale release date and time - how to watch online tonight5How to watch Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor online and on BBC iPlayer today
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