How can you tell if your VPN is functioning properly? Because, although it may appear to be working, others can view your data and whereabouts. Use these suggestions to check that your VPN is indeed protecting you because leak channels might be challenging to find.
The most typical VPN flaws
A VPN service may not completely safeguard your personal information for a variety of reasons. The following are the most frequent causes of data loss using a VPN: VPN program.
IP address not concealed
Numerous details about you, like your location and the websites you frequent, might be revealed by your IP address. You are protected by a VPN from spies seeking to obtain this data.
Thus, employing a VPN is rendered useless if others can see your true IP address. Unhidden IP addresses are typically caused by the incompatibility of the two Internet protocols IPv4 and IPv6, which are two.
Unhampered DNS
Sometimes your DNS can betray your location covertly while keeping your IP address disguised. Plain text URLs are converted to numeric IP addresses by a DNS server. When utilizing the ordinary Internet, Internet service providers and their servers handle this procedure and are able to track which websites users have visited. This information can be obtained through your traffic if your DNS is not concealed. Even a DNS hijacking assault could result from it.
Manipulating WebRTC
Most widely used browsers come with the WebRTC Internet Protocol (Real Time Communication) built in (such as Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Brave). Although it offers real-time phone and video communication, it also exposes VPN users to yet another vulnerability.
Some websites have the ability to insert a few lines of code into WebRTC in order to get around VPN security and find your true IP address. Websites that give or restrict material based on your location utilize this tactic. You can avoid this interference, but you first need to determine if it affects you. You need to run a quick test to find the VPN’s weak points.
IP and DNS visibility testing for VPN
To test your VPN, just take these 3 easy steps:
- Verify your true IP address. To accomplish this, disable the VPN and visit the “Find your IP address” tab, where your true IP address will be shown.
- To connect to the server, enable VPN. You should now have the VPN provider’s IP address instead.
- Comparing your real IP address to your virtual one will help. Visit the test page once more to check if your IP address has changed. If the results reveal that you have a valid IP address when using a VPN, your VPN program is sadly not offering enough security.
However, sometimes IP address testing misses a hidden DNS issue that can potentially be used to track the user. As a result, DNSLeakTest should be used to check DNS.
DNSLeakTest ought to display your chosen location and new IP address if your VPN is enabled.
You’re secure if the outcomes now reflect your updated IP address and the nation you choose. Your VPN is operating as intended. Otherwise, your VPN isn’t working.
How to use a VPN to obfuscate DNS
The simplest method is to switch your VPN provider to one that supports DNS masking or dedicated DNS servers. You can also manually turn off IPv6 on your device. But for this, you might need some technological know-how.
Why does my VPN connection still not function
If you’ve performed all the aforementioned VPN tests and the issue still exists, take into account the following possibilities:
- Your browsing has been slower. There are various possible causes for this. For instance, the server you selected is on another continent, it is overloaded, or your ISP has bandwidth restrictions.
- VPN use is prohibited by your ISP or your country. VPN use may be prohibited or illegal in some nations, particularly those that impose online censorship. For instance, only VPNs recognized by the government are permitted in China.
- The VPN connection you were using has been broken. A kill switch that automatically disconnects you from the Internet if the VPN connection is lost is a feature that the majority of VPN providers offer (app-level emergency switches will only kill individual programs). In the event of a disconnect, a kill switch ensures that you stay inside the secure VPN tunnel and prevents the exposure of your personal data.
- Harmful VPN software. Using a free VPN is not advised by IT experts. The majority of them include malware in addition to intrusive adverts. You might already be disclosing more personal information than you’d like if you’re utilizing a free VPN.
- You’ve jailbroken your device. Because the app has been compromised, the VPN may seem to be offline. Actually, accomplishing this is rather challenging. It is more likely that someone took control of your device when you visited a malicious website or fell victim to a phishing scam. Unfortunately, a VPN won’t do much to protect you if your device has been jailbroken.
Fixing your VPN connection
The VPN connection may occasionally be lost for no obvious reason, or the VPN Internet speed may be inadequate. These advices will help you fix your VPN:
- Reset the VPN app’s configurations. This is the easiest advice, but it works the best. Restart the VPN after closing the app, if necessary, using the force-shutdown feature on your phone.
- Altering the VPN protocol If you’re having connection issues, consider switching your VPN application’s UDP to TCP settings.
- Attempt various servers. Server problems may be the cause of slow VPN internet. Change servers, then check the VPN speed there.
- Look into your internet connection. The VPN service can also be hampered by unstable Wi-Fi. To enhance speed, try connecting your device directly to your network or get in touch with your ISP.
- Upgrade your VPN program. It can not only resolve your VPN issues, but also give you access to the newest privacy and security capabilities. If feasible, we advise you to upgrade your VPN software frequently.
- Verify the firewall’s settings. You might not be able to connect to the server because your firewall is obstructing VPN communication. Check to determine whether the issue is with your firewall by temporarily disabling it.