I use it on my Linux laptop, there’s no port forwarding, dowloading works fine though, sometimes connects to peers to upload. I have dual boot so I have seen the Windows version, it’s much more sophisticated. I’ve checked for DNS leaks using one of the sites listed in another comment, no leaks.
None. Cancelled cable over 10 years ago, download what I want. I haven’t seen an ad in ages. I use uBlock and a VPN if I want to watch youtube, haven’t had any ads. The only ads I get are on the radio, but it’s free, that’s the way radio has always worked.
I get that too, it can be difficult to get help. I try to ignore it and have been using Linux for about 15 years as an OS. I use Kubuntu on my laptop, but I’ve used Mint also. I’m thinking of changing back but it’s so much work, and there are a lot of other options I’d like to try.
I’ve had my network locked out as well, the first iteration of ProtonVPN I used would lock it out if you didn’t close the app before shutting down. I contacted Proton and they sent me the commands to unlock it, so I have them handy in a file. That problem was fixed, afaik, because I can shut down without exiting the app now. I haven’t had my comp suspend, Linux used to have a problem with suspend so I’ve stayed away from it. I haven’t had any problems with Proton otherwise, I used it on my Android as well, I have a paid plan.