VPNBeginner FAQs: Answers to 10 Common Questions

VPN beginners often need help with more than finding the connect button—they need to know what to check once connected. Keep in mind that device limits, plan data, client settings, and website restrictions are separate issues. The answers below follow common usage scenarios. GHZVPN-specific policies are noted separately; general technical guidance does not define what this service supports.

Can I use a VPN on multiple devices at once?

Check how a service handles device limits, simultaneous connections, and account sharing. GHZVPN has no device limit, so you can configure it on your own devices. But that does not mean each device gets a separate data allowance, or that they won't share your local network bandwidth.

Traffic across devices on the same account counts toward the account's total usage. A computer downloading files and a tablet streaming video will use account data even while another device is only browsing. Install a compatible client on each device, and don't post subscription links in public groups or shared documents: anyone with a link may be able to access its connection details.

How is data usage calculated, and when does a monthly plan reset?

First, distinguish local network usage from service-billed data. Only connections routed through the proxy use the corresponding service data; direct connections generally don't count toward service usage, but still use your local network. Check your plan details and dashboard to see whether uploads and downloads both count and whether routes have different usage multipliers. File sizes shown in your browser aren't enough to calculate your bill.

GHZVPN monthly plan data resets each month on the date you activated the plan, not at the start of the calendar month. Data packages with no expiration suit people whose usage varies. The table below lists plan allowances only; it doesn't convert data into a fixed number of hours of streaming, since quality, encoding, and playback settings all affect usage.

Start by checking your usage history. Compare monthly plans if you use the service often; consider a data package if you only occasionally access international websites. If you upgrade a monthly plan mid-cycle, the price difference is prorated by the remaining days. Check the amount shown in your dashboard before proceeding.

Will speeds be limited? Why is my connection slower?

A slow connection doesn't necessarily mean your plan is speed-limited. Congestion on your home network, weak Wi-Fi, your ISP's routing, node load, and the destination site's bandwidth can all be bottlenecks. Latency in the client mainly measures response time; it isn't the same as download throughput. A route with low latency may still perform poorly during sustained transfers.

Compare direct and proxied connections on the same network and to the same destination, then try another route. Pause large downloads on other devices while testing. Don't change the node, protocol, and routing mode all at once, or it will be hard to identify the cause. Check the current plan details for any stated speed limits; data allowances don't imply a bandwidth guarantee.

Do I need to stay connected? How do split tunneling and global mode work?

You don't need to stay connected just to maintain a connection. Using the service only when needed can make it easier to track where your traffic goes. If you need a continuous connection for work, verify the rules before leaving it on. A running client doesn't mean every app is routed through the proxy; the path also depends on system proxy settings, virtual network adapter mode, and app settings.

Rule-based routing uses criteria such as domains and IP addresses to choose between direct and proxied connections. Global mode usually sends all connections handled by the client through the selected exit. It doesn't automatically take over the entire device. For everyday use, start with well-maintained rules. If something isn't working, temporarily compare with global mode, then restore your original settings.

How do VPN clients differ across platforms?

Network routing works differently across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Desktop clients may offer both system proxy and virtual network adapter modes. Mobile clients often route traffic through the system VPN interface, but seeing a VPN indicator doesn't mean a particular transport protocol is in use.

Choose a client based on your operating system version and architecture, then check which protocols and subscription formats it supports. On Linux, distinguish command-line cores from graphical clients. Download installers from the service dashboard or the developer's official source, and review permissions before granting access. GHZVPN users can check the client download page for details; don't assume buttons are in the same place across platforms.

How do I import a subscription link, and will updates overwrite my settings?

A subscription link fetches connection settings; it's not a regular webpage bookmark. Copy it, choose the option to import from a link in a compatible client, verify the source, then update and enable the configuration. A link opening in a browser doesn't guarantee the client can parse it. Import failures can also result from an incompatible format, not just an invalid link.

1. Sign in to the service dashboard and copy the subscription link for your current client. Make sure you don't omit parameters or include extra spaces.
2. In the client, add a subscription or remote configuration, paste the link, and update it. Check whether routes appear and whether any errors are shown.
3. Enable the configuration, choose a route, and turn on the relevant traffic routing feature as described in the guide. Then test it by visiting your destination website.
4. Back up your settings before changing rules. Updating a remote configuration may overwrite direct edits; use the client's override or merge feature for custom rules.

Treat your link like a password. If you've shared it publicly, check whether the dashboard lets you reset it, or contact support. Hide links, tokens, and account details in screenshots sent to support. Don't share a full configuration as an ordinary attachment.

There are so many protocol names. What do they mean?

Shadowsocks, VMess, Trojan, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC are different proxy protocols or solutions, not speed tiers. Whether one works depends on compatibility between the server, client core, and specific settings. Installing a particular client doesn't mean it supports all of these protocols.

Trojan typically uses TLS for transport. VLESS doesn't provide complete transport encryption on its own and needs an appropriate secure transport configuration. Hysteria2 and TUIC are based on QUIC and rely on UDP, so network restrictions on UDP may affect connectivity. Don't change protocol names or disable certificate verification. Beginners should use configurations provided in the dashboard and explicitly supported by their client rather than chasing newer-sounding names.

What is the difference between IEPL, relay, and direct routes?

These terms mainly describe network paths, not client protocols. A direct route generally connects the client straight to a server outside mainland China. A relay adds a forwarding point along the path. IEPL generally refers to international Ethernet private line resources provided by carriers. Industry labels may vary; check the specific details to understand the actual access segment and exit.

A private-line label doesn't mean every link between your device and the destination website is dedicated, nor does it guarantee higher speeds at all times. Consider your local network, destination region, and target app when choosing a route. Check the route list for route types, then compare options against your own use case. Don't judge streaming region or access performance by the label alone.

How can I check for DNS leaks, and does a VPN make me anonymous?

DNS translates domain names into IP addresses. If queries for domains expected to use the proxy still go to an unexpected resolver, query information may be exposed or routing may be affected. First check the client's DNS routing settings, then see whether your browser's secure DNS setting conflicts with them. A local resolver appearing in a test isn't automatically a leak: domains allowed to connect directly may be resolved locally by design.

Compare your exit IP information before and after connecting, and use a trusted DNS test tool alongside client logs. A changed IP only shows that the tested request used a different exit; it doesn't prove that every app is routed through the proxy. Browser sign-ins, cookies, and account activity can still be linked to your identity. GHZVPN's no-logs statement describes its privacy policy; it shouldn't be taken to mean users can't be identified at every point.

Connected, but websites won't load. What should I check first?

“Connected” may only mean the local core is running or the system has established a routing interface. It doesn't guarantee that the remote route or destination website is working. First determine whether all websites fail, just one website fails, or only one app fails, then troubleshoot based on the scope.

• ✅ Pause the proxy and check that your local network can access websites that normally work. Rule out a lost connection or incomplete network sign-in.
• ✅ Check your plan status, remaining data, and subscription update results. Make sure the current configuration is enabled.
• ✅ Try the same destination using a different route. If only one app is affected, check whether it follows the system proxy.
• ✅ Temporarily switch routing modes for comparison. Check DNS, system time, and certificate errors, then restore any required rules after testing.
• ✅ If the issue persists, note your operating system, client version, route name, when it occurred, and sanitized logs before contacting support.

If other websites work and only the target platform denies access, the issue may involve your account region, exit IP detection, or the platform's own policies. Reinstalling the client repeatedly is unlikely to help. For connection setup, see the guides. To check whether a route suits your use case, see how to choose a route.