How to Detect If Your VPN Is Leaking Data and How to Fix It
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are essential tools that you use to maintain your privacy when browsing the Internet. They work by encrypting data, which makes it difficult for ISPs, hackers, and anyone else to track your activities online.
However, a VPN may leak your data and address, which may compromise your security. It may also expose your true IP address, sensitive information, and DNS queries. These factors determine your privacy and should be hidden at all times. This guide provides information on how to detect VPN data leaks, common types of leaks, and how to fix each of them so that you maintain anonymity.
Types of VPN Leaks and Fixes
There are different types of VPN leaks; each may leak specific information that may compromise your security. Let’s explore some of the common ones.
IP Address Leaks
This is the most common kind of VPN leak online. An IP address is an identifier that shows the approximate location of your device and can be traced back to the ISP. When Your IP address is leaked, the websites you visit can tell your true identity and location. This is a problem when visiting geo-fenced websites, especially casinos and e-commerce sites, as you will not be allowed to sign up.
Note that not all websites allow for the use of VPNs to access their sites, and this could be the reason why you cannot sign in. If you are into gaming, you can check the best VPN online casinos list from Casino.Guide and pick one that you can use anonymously.
To prevent such leaks, always check that the VPN is working before browsing online. You can also check with an IP looker before you use the internet.
DNS Leaks
A DNS leak happens when your VPN fails to route requests from DNS through the encrypted tunnel. This causes such requests to be handled by your ISP. Unfortunately, this causes the ISP to see your browsing history and other requests and can track the websites that you visit.
You can prevent a DNS leak by manually setting your DNS servers to secure options like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4). You can set these settings on the VPN if it allows for custom DNS settings. Otherwise, you set them on your device.
WebRTC Leaks
WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a feature found in browsers that allows for peer-to-peer connections, often during live streaming and playing online videos. The feature can reveal your connection’s address, even when using your VPN, and expose your identity.
You prevent WebRTC leaks by disabling the feature on your browser. The process may vary depending on the browser you are using. You can use an extension like WebRTC Leak Prevent on Chrome Webs Store to do the job. Otherwise, the feature is usually called media peer connection in most devices.
Ipv6 Leaks
Most of the VPNs handle IPV4 traffic but do not check on IPV6. Therefore, if the ISP is supporting IPV6 traffic but your VPN does not support it, your information may be leaking outside the VPN-encrypted tunnel.
If your VPN is leaking IPV6 data, you can disable IPV6 on your device under change adapter options in the network and internet settings. On MacOS, the option is available under System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP. Then, configure IPv6 to ‘Link-local only’. However, the best solution is to choose a VPN that offers IPV6 support.
Connection Drops Leaking Traffic
Your VPN connection may drop, even for a few seconds and the internet connection reverts to the default network. In such an instance, you may expose your traffic and IP address.
To solve the issue, you should enable the VPN’s kill switch. The switch shuts the internet connection if the connection through the VPN drops. This way, no data is sent outside the encrypted channel. The feature is usually available in the settings section.
How Do You Know Your VPN is Leaking Traffic?
The process for checking for VPN leaks varies depending on the type of leak you are looking at. We have explained each of the leaks whose detections we shall explain here in the section above.
To check your IP address leak, start by visiting an IP lookup website and see if it shows your true location and not that offered by the VPN. On the other hand, if you wish to check the DNS leak, use a DNS Leak Test online tool and see if it reveals DNS servers from your region or the ISP. It should show your VPN’s DNS servers or those of the location you are connected to by the VPN.
Finally, you should check a WebRTC leak test on one of the websites with a tool like Whoer. If the test shows your real location or ISP, then it is leaking the information. It should show the IP assigned by the VPN. For the IPV6 leak test, visit a test website before running the test to know your IPV6 address. Then, connect with the VPN and run the test. If you still get the same address, the IPV6 is leaking data.
It is important to ensure that you are protected by your VPN. Otherwise, you are likely to be thrown out of geo-fenced sites or unknowingly share your private information. Use the tips above to detect and fix VPN data leaks.
