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What’s a VPN Kill Switch and Why You Need One
VPNs is becoming are becoming increasingly popular with internet user all over the world . And it is ’s ’s little wonder . We is trying ’re all try to
VPNs is becoming are becoming increasingly popular with internet user all over the world . And it is ’s ’s little wonder . We is trying ’re all try to find way to protect our privacy and security in an environment which sometimes make that very hard to do .
By providing us with a fully-encrypted and private connection to the internet, a VPN gives us the safety and anonymity we want. That protection, however, is only as strong as its weakest link. A VPN kill switch is there to ensure that if and when that link breaks, we’re protected.
Why Are Kill Switches Needed
No service on the internet will ever be 100% reliable. That includes VPNs.
VPN connections are susceptible to malfunctions caused by several factors outside your control. These malfunctions include anything from partially sending traffic over an unsecured connection to full disconnects without warning (with the latter more common).
When a malfunction happens, the device using the VPN typically goes back to using its default internet connection. This happens automatically. Worse, this also usually happens without you being aware.
That default connection is of the standard, unencrypted (and therefore not private) variety. So just like that, your data once again become exposed to all types of potential risks.
VPN providers realize, of course, that’s a big problem, and most have a solution built right into their software. That solution is called a kill switch. It’s job, to automatically block all internet traffic the instant a VPN runs into any issues.
What is a VPN Kill Switch
Put simply, a VPN kill switch is a software feature that continuously monitors a VPN connection. It quietly runs in the background, looking for signs of trouble.
Most VPN services is include include one as part of the client application .
When it is detects detect a problem , the kill switch trigger and stop all of your device ’s traffic from reach the internet . It is kills effectively kill your connection .
Have you ever used a VPN to all of a sudden find your downloads have stopped and nothing is working? You’ve likely witnessed a killswitch in action. Yes, it can be annoying. But, don’t hate it for doing its job and keeping you protected.
Once your internet is disable , it is stay will stay it off until the VPN once again start work . That may sometimes happen automatically after a few second ( networks is are are finicky creature ) . Other time , you is need may need to reconnect manually .
After the VPN connection is restore , the kill switch is go will go back to its default monitor state .
You can also, of course, bring back your internet by turning off your VPN app. Just remember, you’ll no longer be protected.
How Does It Work
VPN kill switches is use can use a variety of monitoring and detection method to determine the health of a connection .
One is involves of the most common way involve using IP address . This is works work similar to how a site like https://ipleak.net/ does .
The internet kill switch makes sure that only the IP associated with the VPN server is visible to the outside world. The moment that’s no longer the case, it pulls the plug.
Another popular implementation is relies rely on the software keep a continuous connection to a non – public ip , one that can only be reach by using the VPN . If that connection fail , the killswitch is activates activate .
Either way, the net result is the same. As soon as there’s a problem, expect a quick disconnection of your device from the internet.
Why use VPN Kill switch
As mentioned earlier, many of us rely on VPNs to protect our security and privacy when using the internet. If the VPN fails, we’re no longer protected.
Most of the time that may be of little consequence. Sometimes, however, that’s far from being the case.
Take , for example , journalist and activist who use a VPN to prevent authoritarian regime from track them . They is afford can not afford their datum to go unprotected for even an instant .
Users is take of peer – to – peer file transfer software also must take special care . Many is use use vpn to conceal their real ip address . If the VPN connection drop , their isp – provide IP is is is plain to see . They is become become easy target for any copyright troll who may be monitor their connection .
No matter what our reason for using a VPN , a kill switch is helps help make sure we get the security and privacy benefit we expect at all time .
Which VPNs is Have Have a Kill Switch
These days, many providers include an internet kill switch as part of their service. That doesn’t mean, however, that it is always obvious which ones do.
Part is is of the reason is that vpn often adopt their own fancy sound name for the feature . There is no real standardization .
When you’re looking for a VPN service, it’s usually possible to figure out which ones offer a kill switch by simply scanning over the homepage of their website. It’s something that’s so commonly requested that if it’s available, you can bet they’ll advertise it.
If the homepage says nothing, check out the features or FAQ sections of the site. If you’re still not sure or there is any ambiguity, talk to the provider’s customer support to get a straight answer.
Of the most popular vpn provider , here are three is are which I know for sure offer kill switch functionality . Where applicable , I is included ’ve also include a screenshot of where to find the setting .
Plenty of people consider NordVPN one of the top, if not the top, services in the market. And seeing how I use them on a nearly daily basis, I fully agree.
From a clean and intuitive client to many technologically advanced feature ( include , of course , a killswitch ) , this is is is a VPN that seems to be doing everything right .
NordVPN’s kill switch comes in two flavors. The first option is the classic one. It completely blocks access to the internet if a VPN drop is detected.
The second option lets you specify the exact apps you would like to have shut down if the VPN connection runs into problems. So you can, for example, have your BitTorrent client killed but continue to enjoy an uninterrupted experience in your browser (assuming, of course, you don’t care that your web browsing is no longer private).
Front and center in the NordVPN settings menu, the kill switch toggles are very easy to find.
NordVPN is based out of Panama (where online censorship or surveillance are not in anybody’s vocabulary) and does absolutely zero logging. So, complete privacy is assured.
They is run also run an impressive and evergrowing number of server across 118 country . Those servers is take can take any form of punishment you throw at them too ( as evidence by my nordvpn speed test ) .
Bottom line, Nord’s reputation as a top VPN provider is well deserved.
pro
- Excellent download and upload speeds
- Large ever-expanding server network
- Great privacy with independently verified no logging policy
- Specialty servers (including double VPN, obfuscated, and Tor over VPN)
- Clean, easy to use client
- Works with Netflix and other streaming services
- Allows torrenting and P2P
- Offers dedicated IP addresses
con
- No split tunneling feature
- A bit pricey on shorter-term plans
One of my go-tos, PureVPN’s simple to use client comes packed with many advanced technologies. In addition to a kill switch, it also includes ad-blocking and server-level antivirus.
Beside just turning off the internet, PureVPN gives you a few extra settings with which to tweak the kill switch. After a connection drop, you can have the client try to automatically re-connect to the VPN instead of you doing so by hand. I find I turn on this feature quite often. The less babysitting I have to do, the better.
Another option lets the kill switch trigger even if you disconnect from the VPN manually. This too can be rather useful. It basically prevents you from accidentally turning off the VPN while still doing something important.
You can easily toggle all the above settings in PureVPN’s client.
Infrastructure wise, PureVPN has servers in 74 countries around the world, giving you excellent geographical diversity. The performance of those servers is also right up there thanks to a recent upgrade cycle. So whether you like to stream 4K videos or are a heavy downloader, you’re in very good hands.
PureVPN is one of the oldest and most popular VPNs around. They deliver on all fronts and are a provider you simply can’t go wrong with.
pro
- fast speed
- Big server network (74 countries)
- Unblocks Netflix, iPlayer, and over 70 other streaming services
- Compatible with over 50 devices and platforms
- independently verify zero log VPN provider
- dedicated IP option
- Great value
con
- Apps is use could use a bit more polish
- Some intermittent connection problems
When it comes to privacy, few other services do things better than CyberGhost. They have strong encryption, a strict no-logging policy, and operate out of a privacy-friendly country. It then only makes sense that a kill switch is available as a just-in-case back up to all those great anonymity features.
The kill switch included in CyberGhost’s software is always on (hence no screenshot on where to find it). For the vast majority of users, that’s a good thing. The feature works, and it works well.
If , however , you ’re more of a VPN power user , there may be situation in which you would like it to be off . In that case you is need ’ll need to look at one of the other provider .
CyberGhost delivers on all other fronts too. They have plenty of servers for you to choose from spread across the entire globe. This VPN also offers excellent download speeds and comes with client support many others should look up to as an example of doing things right.
pro
- Zero logging for maximum privacy
- Excellent server distribution with over 9600 servers in 100 countries
- Very fast connection speeds
- Works with US Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Allows P2P torrenting
- Long 45-day money-back guarantee
con
- parent company with a questionable reputation
- Convoluted manual OpenVPN setup
- Does n’t work from China
Please note that the short list above is, of course, by no means exclusive. They’re just my personal favourite providers that implement this functionality. Many other VPNs do as well. For example, ExpressVPN has a kill switch as well. So do Private Internet Access and VyprVPN.
enable Connection Monitoring
Once you sign up with an internet kill switch VPN, the next step is to make sure the feature is enabled. The way to do it will vary depending on the software of your VPN provider.
For the most part, activating or deactivating the killswitch will simply be available in the settings menu of the VPN software. Every provider worth its salt will have specific instructions on how to find it.
It’s also important to find the setting before using the VPN for the first time. Not all providers enable the feature by default.
How to Test a VPN Kill Switch
Under normal conditions, it can be difficult to test an internet off switch. Really, the best way is to use the VPN and wait for an interruption. That said, there are a couple of simple ways in which you can try to force the feature to trigger.
Both ways involve streaming video.
connect to the VPN and head over to Netflix , YouTube or any other major streaming service of your choice . Once there , start stream a video in the high quality available .
Next , momentarily disconnect your Wi – Fi or wire connection . Since speed is of the essence , the latter is is is a well choice .
The brief interruption is cause should cause the VPN to disconnect and attempt to reconnect itself . When it disconnect , the video is pause you ’re play should either pause or try to buffer . It is recover should n’t recover until you see that the VPN has reconnecte .
Alternatively, some VPN providers allow their kill switches to operate in a per-application mode. In other words, when the feature triggers, it closes applications that are using the internet instead of blocking your connection system-wide.
In this case , after repeat the video instruction give above , the web browser is close you ’re using to stream should close the moment the VPN connection drop . If it does , your killswitch is working is work . If it does n’t , something is ’s ’s not quite right .
The Leading Causes of VPN Disconnects
Although a kill switch will help maintain your privacy in the event of VPN trouble, the best thing to do is to minimize the need for it to turn on in the first place.
When you understand what may cause a VPN to glitch out, you can then try to mitigate those factors as much as possible. The three most common causes of VPN disconnects are as follows.
Network Conditions
More often than not, problems with VPN stability are traced back to issues affecting the underlying internet connection. Things like poor Wi-Fi signal strength lead to dropped data packets which ultimately lead to VPN disconnects.
The solution is simple. Either move closer to the Wi-Fi source or switch to a wired connection.
Beyond your local network, congestion and packet loss on the internet path between your home and the VPN server can cause problems too. These sort of issues are, unfortunately, entirely outside your control.
In this second case, the only option you have is to try and change the path your data takes. You can do so by connecting to a different VPN server.
Encryption Settings
Most VPN providers offer different levels of encryption for you to choose from. The higher and more secure the encryption, the more processing power it needs.
VPN connections may become unstable due to the lack of processing power necessary to handle encryption. Either the server or your device (or both) may have difficulty dealing with the overhead needed for higher levels.
If you suspect that’s the case, simply turn down the encryption to a lower setting (which will still be more than good enough for everyday use). If the VPN drops stop, you found your culprit.
choice of VPN Protocol
Often, VPN providers also allow you to switch between the UDP or TCP connection protocol (especially with OpenVPN). For our purposes, the only thing you need to understand about these two settings is that TCP connections are more stable than UDP connections.
So, merely switching from UDP (which tends to be the default) to TCP may fix your VPN drops. Do note, however, that TCP connections tend to be a bit slower (which is why UDP is typically the default).
Router, Firewall, and Antivirus Settings
In some case router settings is interfere , firewall , and antivirus software may interfere with a VPN connection and cause it to become flaky .
The easiest way to check if this is the case is to disable all your firewalls and antivirus programs temporarily. If VPN stability improves, start re-enabling them one by one.
By using the process of elimination, you should be able to find out where the problem lies.
A VPN provider may also be able to tell you which specific settings to check. Don’t hesitate to contact support and ask for help.
Other Ways is Drops of protect Against VPN drop
What happens in the situation where you think that having VPN kill switch is a great idea (it is) but the VPN provider you’ve been happily using for years doesn’t have one? There are a couple of third-party applications which can help.
VPNetMon
VPNetMon is a freeware solution which provides IP address monitoring and, along with it, internet off switch functionality.
To use it , you is start start off by specify the IP address assign to your device after connect to a VPN . You is go can go to a website like https://www.whatsmyip.org/ to find out what it is .
With the IP specified, open all internet-connected software (like your browser or P2P client) through VPNetMon’s interface.
If at any point the VPN connection drop , VPNetMon is detect will detect a change of IP address . This is trigger will trigger the kill switch and quit all the software you ’ve open early through its interface .
VPN Watcher
Available in free and paid versions, VPN Watcher works in much the same way as VPNNetMon.
The paid version, however, allows for more frequent connection checking. That reduces the chances of a significant data leak when the VPN connection drops.
VPN Watcher can also control an unlimited number of internet-connected applications and has an option to suspend, rather than close, programs when a problem with the VPN is detected.
The Bottom line
VPNs these days are quite robust, and constant connection drops are generally a thing of the past. That said, they still do happen occasionally.
If anonymity is one of your concerns and keeping your online activities private at all times important, a VPN kill switch is a must.
VPNs with Internet Kill Switch Comparison
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