How To Check If Your VPN Is Working

Are Free VPNs Safe

No. If you want proper protection online, avoid free VPNs. Aside from security concerns, free VPNs can make your internet experience a real drag, with slow speeds, annoying pop-ups and ads, and limited streaming. A free VPN is likely to log all your activities and sell them to third parties for profit. Plus, youll never enjoy encryption like you would with a paid VPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a trusted and affordable premium VPN provider with strong encryption protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. Since we dont keep any logs, no one will ever get their hands on your data. Try CyberGhost VPN risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.

Kristi has been tracking the latest advances in technology and cybersecurity for over a decade. She enjoys digging up the answers to mind-boggling questions, compiling useful tips and life hacks, and writing easy-to-follow technology reviews. In her downtime, she enjoys watching scambaiters destroy scammers on YouTube, meditating with Russel Brand, and listening to ten-hour loops of rain and thunder sounds.

VPN Server Detection: Is It Possible & How To Avoid It

Some websites and services that have geoblocked content dont really like when their users connect via VPNs Netflix being a perfect example. Services like this tend to keep a repository of IP addresses they know come from VPN providers, and if they notice that youre connecting from one of them, they might prevent access.

The solution is to find a VPN provider that changes your public IP address often enough so that it doesnt get listed in one of those repositories.

Of course, VPNs have some rather creative ways of working around this. You could opt for a VPN service like NordVPN that offers you a personal public IP address that nobody else can use. Or, you also have Surfsharks obfuscated servers, which disguise your VPN-protected traffic as regular traffic so that servers cant detect youre using a VPN (read more about the VPN in our Surfshark review.

How To Test For Dns VPN Leaks

Sometimes when you are using a VPN, a DNS leak can occur. This happens when your DNS queries are sent outside of the secure VPN encrypted tunnel and your data is sent through your default DNS servers rather than the secure, anonymous VPN server. Often, a DNS VPN leak is due to improper configuration of your network settings.

Unlike testing for a webRTC leak, the best way to check for a DNS leak is to use a website. There are a number of free websites that you can use to test for a DNS leak, such as DNSleak.com*.

If you find that youre dealing with a DNS leak, there are several fixes you can try. Visit DNSleaktest.com* to find the best solution for your situation.

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Vyprvpn Based In Switzerland No Logs Audited Secure And Reliable

Next up on our list is VyprVPN. This VPN service is based in Switzerland and has passed an independent audit to verify that it is truly a no-logs VPN. Like our other top two recommendations here, VyprVPN fully supports the WireGuard VPN protocol. We were able to hit speeds over 300 Mbps, as you can see in the VyprVPN review.

VyprVPN currently offers 30 simultaneous connections with your subscription. This should allow everyone in your household to be covered under a single subscription. And if you enjoy streaming, VyprVPN also works well for this endeavor. They officially support four Netflix regions, as well as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more.

VyprVPN also tops our list with excellent privacy and security features. All VPN apps include leak protection settings and a malicious sites filter, which will prevent malware sites from loading on your device. They own every server in their network, resulting in a higher level of network security with no third-party rental servers. Finally, VyprVPN also offers an obfuscated VPN protocol called Chameleon. This will allow you to easily get around VPN blocks on work, school, or country-wide networks .

Drawbacks: VyprVPN currently requires a full name for registration . Additionally, they do not support any cryptocurrency payment options.

Check out the VyprVPN review for more details.

How To Test If Your VPN Is Working

Ludovic Rembert

VPNs are useful for many things. Not only are they one of the best cybersecurity tools, but they are also great for accessing international streaming services, booking cheap flight tickets and much more.

Not all VPNs are the same, however. Free VPNs should generally be avoided, for example, as some have been caught selling on their users browsing data in order to make a profit. Even legitimate, paid VPNs can differ greatly when it comes to server choice and connection speeds.

While VPNs are supposed to keep your internet activity private, they can be vulnerable to leaks which can potentially reveal your IP address or allow your internet service provider access to your browsing history. Not ideal if youre using the service in the hope of protecting your privacy online.

Data leaks are also a cause for concern for VPN users who wish to access international online streaming sites. If you find yourself blocked from online streaming even when using your VPN, there is a chance that the streaming service is detecting your real location due to a data leak and is denying you service as a result.

Testing your VPN to see if it is doing its job and protecting your online privacy is fortunately quite easy with the right tools. Heres a look at three common types of data leak from VPNs, and how to check if your VPN is keeping you protected.

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Dns Leaking From The Operating System

As much as people love or hate Microsoft products, the reality is that a majority of people use Windows as their main desktop operating system. However, there are some nuances you need to be aware of when using a VPN on Windows.

DNS resolution is done in a particular hierarchical order on any operating system. The first in order is the HOST file, where you can specify DNS mappings. If these are not available, the operating system will use the network connection configured DNS servers, and if they also fail to resolve the requested URL, the request will then be sent to Netbios. So if the highest priority DNS server is able to resolve the request, Windows does not consult other servers.

In the case of Windows 10, however, requests are sent out to all available network adaptors and whichever DNS server responds first, get to direct your browser to its target web address. What this means is that even if you are connected to a VPN, the DNS resolution requests might still go to your ISPs server leaving you completely vulnerable.

Another thing to consider when using VPN on Windows is the issue with IPv6 addresses, which we discussed above. Windows uses Teredo tunneling in order to support IPv6 addresses for hosts still on the IPv4 network and do not have native IPv6 support. What this means is that you might be leaking your DNS outside of your VPN network. To prevent this type of leak, take the following steps:

VPN Virus & Malware Scan

One really important thing to do before installing any VPN software on your computer or mobile device is a good old virus and malware scan.

For this check, I suggest using an online tool like VirusTotal.

You can simply drag and drop the VPN installation file into scanner, and within seconds, it will show you if any anti-virus engines have picked up on known viruses, malware or trojans.

Above is an example of an earlier scan I did of the NordVPN app for PC.

The scan didnt detect any known risks, which means the software was safe to install.

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What Do Bad Results Look Like

However, not all tests will look this rosy. Generally speaking, IPv4, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks will happen the least. Your author has tested a lot of VPNs and has only come across a few of these. However, DNS leaks are a lot more common, so always be sure to look carefully through the DNS servers to make sure that you dont spy your own IP address among them.

If youre looking for a new VPN, our top pick is ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN offers its own DNS leak test, too.

Why Would My VPN Stop Working

For many reasons like server congestion, bad internet connectivity, country and site-specific blocks, software incompatibility, incorrect login details, unpaid subscriptions, and overprotective firewalls. Check out these common troubleshooting guides.

Here are some quick fixes that may help:

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How To Do A VPN Test For Webrtc Leak

WebRTC is a protocol that lets your web browser control peripherals like a webcam. But cybercriminals can also use it maliciously to trick your browser into exposing your non-VPN IP address. Most reliable providers, such as NordVPN, have no WebRTC leaks at all.

To test your VPN for WebRTC leaks:

Five: Run Speed Tests

Good VPN providers will not slow your internet connection down. A VPN connection can even help with speeds and stability. If youre worried that your VPN might be slow or that you have poor network connectivity, conduct a speed test. Heres how:

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How To Check If VPN Is Working

Posted on by Mel Hawthorne

If youre using a VPN its important to be sure that its actually working and protecting your privacy and security. There are a couple of simple ways to do this. This guide will show you the best way to check if your VPN is enabled and working.

The easiest way, is to check your IP address. Your IP address should change when youre on a VPN compared to before you connected. To compare, search whats my IP in Google, both before and after you connect to your VPN. The IP address should change from your home address, when not connected. To your VPN IP address when connected to the VPN. If the IP address is the same, your requests are not going through your VPN and your real IP address is exposed.

Another check you can perform to ensure your VPN is working correctly is a DNS leak test. Your VPN provider may provide a tool to test this directly, alternatively, you can use this website to run a standard test when connected to your VPN. If the result comes back and reveals the name of your ISP then your DNS requests are being leaked, and your VPN isnt working as it should be.

If you experience either of these issues when testing your VPN is working, you should double-check that your VPN is correctly enabled, and then contact your VPN customer services if the problem persists.

How To Run A VPN Test For Ip Leak

NordVPN is one of the few providers that are leak-free. But if youre using another service and want to know how to check if your VPN is working, do a routine IP address and location test.

The new IP address issued by your Virtual Private Network provider should match with the countrys server you chose in your VPN app.

You can perform this IP test at any given time to see if your regular IP or your VPN IP is active. But are there other ways how to check if my VPN is working? And the answer is: yes, of course.

Doing the extended IP leak VPN test

An extended IP test is a more detailed analysis for a VPN detection leak and the browser. Different websites such as ipleak.net or whoer.net carry out this test. It checks your Flash, Java, and DNS to ensure they are not leaking your IP or DNS.

The extended IP test searches all the sources within your browser and displays the IP detected. This makes certain that no other IP address is detected or only the Virtual Private Network IP address appears. If the VPN IP address doesnt show up, there is a leak, and your VPN is not working.

Theres a way to avoid all the hassle by choosing a leak-free VPN service with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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What Do Ip Addresses Reveal About Users

Thankfully, your IP address doesnt tell anybody who you are. It does, however, reveal which Internet Service Provider your using and can give an approximate location. This approximate location can be very accurate at times, even down to the specific street. This is why its essential that IP addresses dont get into the wrong hands and that youre using a VPN whenever connected to the internet.

VPN Test: How To See If Your VPN Is Working

Once youve picked up the best VPN for your home, its likely you also want to check that its working well for your needs. Its a sensible idea to check whether VPN is working correctly. No one wants to pay for something that theyre not actually using, plus if it turns out its not working, your data and browsing activity isnt as safe as you thought it was. Fortunately, there are a few different ways of doing this. With different methods available, read on while we guide you through how to see if your VPN is working and what to look for. Dont worry its fairly simple stuff once you know how.

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Another one of our top recommendations is Surfshark. It passed all of the VPN tests we put it through while also offering excellent performance. Both Surfshark and NordVPN now support the WireGuard VPN protocol, and can give you speeds up to 400 Mbps and more.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark is also a no-logs VPN service and has also passed a security audit conducted by Cure53. It works well for streaming and torrenting, while also offering user-friendly and reliable applications.

Drawbacks: Surfshark does not currently support WireGuard with Linux, but this is coming later in 2021. Support for VPN routers is also limited.

Check out our Surfshark review for more info.

What To Look For To See If Your VPN Is Working

Generally, the best way to check that your VPN is working properly is to learn how to find your IP address and compare that with the one the VPN is offering you once you connect to a VPN server. If they are different, youre good to go and youre safely protected.

While checking youre protected, its also a smart move to check that your VPN is working in terms of allowing you to connect to the internet. If you cant browse online or your connection is very slow, try switching to a different server on your VPN. You dont have to change the country. Many VPNs offer numerous servers for different countries. Just change to a different area to see if it corrects the problem. If not, keep on trying and switching up servers till you find one that works.

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Protect Your Privacy With Our Trusted VPN

Theres no reason to use a VPN that cant keep your IP address hidden. For true online anonymity whenever you connect, choose a VPN from the cybersecurity experts trusted by over 435 million users worldwide.

Avast SecureLine VPN uses powerful encryption protocols to secure your internet connection against leaks of any kind, protecting you against anyone trying to access your personal data. Experience airtight online privacy today with our 7-day free trial.

What To Do If You Experience Ip Or Dns Leaks

In this case, there are basically two options. You can either disable IPv6 on your device or get another VPN with leak protection.

To disable IPv6 on Windows:

In case you decide to get a better VPN provider, take some time to look at our best VPN services in 2021. All of them have leak protection and more important security and privacy features.

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Is Your VPN Susceptible To Dropped Connections

Image credit: Speedify

Dropped connections are the most common type of data leak, generally affecting VPNs which are not properly configured. A dropped connection happens when the tunnel linking your computer to the VPN server is temporarily disrupted, and your computer connects to whichever site you are on directly. The site will then see your actual IP address, and your privacy is compromised.

Most reliable VPNs offer an option to prevent dropped connections from compromising your security. This option is normally called a kill switch, as it kills your whole connection if the secure VPN tunnel fails. Ensure that the kill switch option is enabled in your VPN client but if you cant locate that feature, look into what your VPN provider is doing to prevent dropped connections and if it is really doing its job.