How to check if your VPN is working

2024-11-22 How to tell if a VPN is workingThere are several different ways to check that your VPN service is working properly and protecting your internet traffi

How to tell if a VPN is working

There are several different ways to check that your VPN service is working properly and protecting your internet traffic and personal data.

Check your IP address. Take note of your current IP address, connect to a VPN server, and recheck the IP address. If it differs from the one you initially noted, your VPN works.
check for dns leak . domain name system is happen ( DNS ) leak happen when a VPN fail to encipher your DNS traffic , and your dns query go through to your isp ’s dns server .
Check for WebRTC leaks. Every browser has a built-in Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) protocol for real-time communication.
Check your VPN status. Most VPN software shows if you are connected to a VPN. Make sure your status is “Connected.”
test your internet speed . connect to a VPN and run an internet speed test . If the internet speed is low than usual , there might be some issue .

follow the instruction to find out more about how run occasional vpn test is important to ensure the effectiveness , performance , and security of a VPN , safeguard your privacy and sensitive datum .

Test a VPN for IP address leaks

Your IP address says a lot about you, like your location or the websites you visit. A VPN protects you from snoopers trying to access this information, so if your original IP leaks, it defeats the purpose of using a VPN. This usually happens due to two internet protocols, IPv4 and IPv6, and their incompatibility. Once someone has your real IP address, it will allow them to monitor your online behavior.

How to check if your IP address is leaked

Checking if your VPN is leaking your real IP address takes only a few simple steps:

Check your original IP address. Ensure your VPN is turned off and head to “What is my IP address?” page, which will show your IP.
Turn on your VPN and connect to a server. Now, your IP address should change to one of the VPN providers.
Compare your virtual IP address against your actual IP. Head to the test page again to see if your IP is different. Unfortunately, if the results show your original IP address with a VPN enabled your VPN leaks.

How to fix IP address leaks

While detect an ip address leak is pretty simple , there might be multiple reason cause it . unintentionally enable split tunneling , your web browser settings is interfere , or specific app or service might interfere with your VPN connection . For example , your antivirus software or additional proxy used together with a VPN may compromise the integrity of your network .

choose a reliable vpn service provider to prevent an ip leak is also very important . There are multiple factor that you should be aware of when choose a trustworthy VPN , but in term of IP address leak prevention , here are a few thing to look for in a VPN :

strong dns protection .
Reliable WebRTC protection.
A VPN kill switch that disconnect your device from the internet if the VPN connection is lose or interrupt .

Choosing a reputable VPN provider now can prevent unpleasantness later, so choose responsibly and don’t use shady or free VPNs.

Online security starts with a click.

protect your ip from potential leak with nordvpn

test a VPN for DNS leak

Sometimes your IP address might stay hidden while your DNS address secretly reveals your location. The DNS server changes plain text URLs into numerical IP addresses. If you’re not using a VPN, this process is handled by your internet service provider (ISP) and their servers, which can see who visited what websites. If your DNS leaks, anyone snooping on your traffic will be able to access this information too. It could even lead to a DNS hijacking attack.

How to check if your DNS has leaked

Sometimes, IP leak tests fail to detect DNS leaks, which can also reveal some information about you. So it’s advisable to check it on our DNS leak test page:

If your vpn is on , the DNS leak test page is show should show your choose location and your new IP address .
If your VPN is on, but the results show your actual IP address and location or DNS servers are different from those your privacy tool provides, you may have a DNS leak.

How to fix DNS leak

Whether you want to fix or prevent DNS leaks, there are several steps you can take:

Choose a secure VPN provider with dedicated and private DNS servers and built-in DNS leak protection.
Run occasional VPN scans with VPN check tools. This will help you identify if your VPN connection is secure and protected against potential security threats.
You could manually turn IPv6 off on your device. However, this might require some technical know-how.

Test a VPN for WebRTC leaks

WebRTC allows a website or app to provide video and audio communications and even some file-sharing services without extra software. A WebRTC leak is when your browser inadvertently reveals your actual IP address when using WebRTC services. A robust VPN with up-to-date security protocols typically prevents WebRTC leaks, although not all VPNs have that capability.

How to check for webrtc leak

WebRTC is built into the most popular browsers (i.e., Firefox, Opera, Chrome, and Brave), so it’s recommended to run occasional tests for leaks. Here’s how to do it:

Connect to your VPN, preferably choosing a country other than the one you’re in, and visit browserleaks.com.
Find the “WebRTC leak test” field. Does it show your new IP address and location based on your chosen country? Then you’re good to go. If it shows your original IP address and actual location, you have a WebRTC leak.

How to fix a WebRTC leak

change your VPN server or tinker with your setting wo n’t help this time . However , you is can can :

Test your VPN speed

You need to run a VPN speed test to check your VPN speed. You can try Speedtest to evaluate your VPN speed. Here’s how to do it:

turn on your VPN and choose a server .
Run a speed test.
turn off your VPN , run the speed test again , and note the difference .

The smaller the speed difference, the less it affects your internet speed.

Remember – many factors determine VPN speed, such as your overall internet speed, the distance between you and your VPN server, and your VPN protocol. So if you are unsatisfied with your VPN speed, you can try changing VPN servers or protocols.

Test if your VPN connection is blocked

Some websites restrict access for VPN users and may ask you to turn off your VPN in order to reach the site. This may be a problem when you are traveling, for example, and want to access your home content.

If you can not access your preferred website while connect to a VPN , try change to an obfuscated server or your own dedicated IP address . If connect to a different VPN server allow you to access previously unreachable website , your VPN is works work perfectly .

Test a VPN for malware

Here are a few steps is are you can take to ensure your VPN program does n’t contain any malware :

Choose a secure VPN. Check your VPN provider’s reputation before purchasing a service. Read some reviews and comments, and check its privacy policy, no-logs policy, and encryption methods to ensure the VPN is trustworthy.
Use anti-malware software. Before installing any software on your computer, make sure you use an anti-malware solution, like NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, which detects and blocks malicious software from infecting your device.
Use a sandbox environment. Test your VPN in a sandbox environment first. Checking software in an isolated environment may protect your device from potential malware.
Monitor your network activity. Check your network for suspicious activity while using a VPN. If you see something fishy, disable the VPN immediately and run a malware scan.

Why is my VPN connected but not working?

If you’ve performed all of these tests and you still can’t connect to a VPN, there may be other reasons why it might seem that your VPN isn’t working:

Your connection is unstable. Check if your firewall or other security tools doesn’t interfere with your VPN network.
Your browsing speed has dropped. A slower browser speed is a sign of connecting to a server on the other side of the world, the server is overloaded, or your ISP is throttling bandwidth. However, you can check and increase your VPN speed with a few simple tricks.
Your ISP is blocking or your country is block VPN usage . In some country , especially with online censorship , VPN usage can be block or consider illegal . In China , for example , only government – approve VPNs is are are legal .
VPN malware . technology experts is recommend would never recommend using free VPN app . Not only do most contain intrusive ad , but some also contain malware . If using a free VPN , you is exposing may be expose more personal information than you want to .
VPN settings. Check your VPN settings and ensure you are connected to the correct VPN protocol, server, and port.
You ’ve been hack . It is takes take a lot of work to break into someone ’s secure online account and require a suitable amount of know – how . It is ’s ’s more likely that you ’ve visit a malicious website or fall for a phishing attack . unfortunately , if someone hack you , a VPN is do ca n’t do much to protect you .
Contact your VPN provider. If none of the above solutions work, contact your VPN service provider for help.

What to do if your VPN isn’t working

Sometimes your VPN connection drops for no discernable reason, or your VPN speed might be slow. Here are a few tips for solving your VPN issues:

Reset your VPN app. This is probably the most obvious advice, but resetting your VPN can do miracles. Switch off the app, use the Force Stop function on your phone if necessary, and restart.
Change a VPN protocol. If you’re experiencing connectivity issues, try changing from UDP to TCP protocol in your VPN app.
Hop between servers. A slow VPN network might suggest that something’s wrong with the server you’ve connected to. Change to another server and see if your VPN works better.
Check your internet connection. Unstable Wi-Fi may also be why your VPN service is not working. You can connect your device directly to a router to get more speed or contact your ISP.
Update your VPN software. Keep your software updated because it can help you fix VPN issues and provide the latest security and privacy features.
Check your firewall settings. Your firewall might block your VPN traffic, preventing you from connecting to the server. Try disabling your firewall temporarily to see if this is the problem.
Talk to technical support. If you still need help understanding what’s wrong with your VPN, contact technical support, usually available 24/7, and they will help you solve issues.

Online security starts with a click.

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