How to Know If Your VPN Is Really Protecting You

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a great way to enhance your online privacy, encrypt your internet traffic, and hide your IP address. However, just because you're using a VPN doesn’t mean you’re completely safe. Some VPNs may leak your data, fail to encrypt your connection properly, or even log your activity. So, how can you tell if your VPN is actually doing its job? Here are some simple steps to check whether your VPN is truly protecting you or just giving you a false sense of security.

1. Check Your IP Address

Before you connect to your VPN, visit a site like WhatIsMyIP.com or IPLeak.net and note your real IP address. Then, connect to your VPN and check again. If the IP address changes and shows the location of your VPN server instead of your actual location, your VPN is working properly.

2. Test for DNS Leaks

Even if your VPN is hiding your IP, your DNS queries might still be exposed, allowing your ISP to see what websites you're visiting. To check for DNS leaks, go to DNSLeakTest.com while connected to your VPN. Run the extended test. If the results show DNS servers associated with your VPN provider instead of your ISP, you're in the clear. If not, you may need to tweak your VPN settings or switch to a more secure service.

3. Check for WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC is a browser feature that can reveal your real IP address even when using a VPN. To see if your VPN is leaking your IP through WebRTC, visit BrowserLeaks.com with your VPN turned on. If your actual IP shows up, your VPN has a WebRTC leak. You can fix this by disabling WebRTC in your browser settings or using an extension like "WebRTC Leak Prevent."

4. Test for IPv6 Leaks

Some VPNs don’t support IPv6, meaning your real IPv6 address could be exposed. To check, go to IPv6 Leak Test while connected to your VPN. If your real IPv6 address appears, your VPN isn't handling IPv6 properly. The easiest fix is to disable IPv6 on your device or use a VPN that fully supports it.

5. Check If Your Connection Is Actually Encrypted

A secure VPN should use strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPSec. If your VPN uses weak encryption, your data could still be at risk. You can use a tool like Wireshark to inspect your traffic and see if it’s properly encrypted. If any of your data appears in plaintext, your VPN’s encryption isn't strong enough.

6. Test Your VPN’s Kill Switch

A good VPN should have a "kill switch" that automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN drops, preventing any accidental data leaks. To test it, disconnect your VPN while browsing and see if your internet connection stops. If you’re still connected, your kill switch isn’t working properly, and you might need to enable it in the VPN settings.

Final Thoughts

Your VPN should be doing more than just changing your IP—it should be fully protecting your online activity. Regularly checking for IP leaks, DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks, and encryption strength can help ensure your privacy stays intact. If your VPN fails any of these tests, consider tweaking its settings or switching to a more secure provider. Staying proactive with your online security is always a smart move! See you in the next blog post :-)