At a Glance
When a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is working properly, your online activities are hidden from anyone who is attempting to track your activities online. This is because a reliable VPN creates a tunnel of encryption for your internet connection, and just like a highway tunnel, it hides the traffic that is passing through it. In this case, your internet traffic is being hidden, meaning no one can tell which websites you’re visiting, which files you’re sharing, and which games you’re playing.
A reliable VPN service will also hide your IP address while preventing Domain Name System (DNS) leaks and WebRTC leaks. But what happens if your VPN isn’t working properly? How can you be sure that your VPN is indeed working properly? In this article, I’ll tell you how to check your VPN to make sure that it is working properly and is keeping your online activities undercover.
How Can I Test My VPN to Ensure That It’s Working?
There are several ways to test your VPN protection to ensure that it is working properly and providing protection for your online activities.
- Update your VPN app: Quality VPN providers update their apps on a regular basis, the updates fix recently discovered bugs and security flaws, while also offering performance improvements and new features.
- Check your VPN status: Most VPN applications will indicate if you’re connected to one of their servers. Make sure the status is showing as “Connected.”
- Check for IP address leaks: This test makes sure that your connected device’s VPN-assigned IP address is different from the one your ISP usually assigns to the device.
- Check for DNS leaks: If your VPN is leaking Domain Name System (DNS) information, that means your DNS queries are going through your ISP’s DNS servers instead of your VPN’s DNS servers.
- Check for WebRTC leaks: Web browsers have built-in Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) protocol for real-time communication.
- Check to make sure you can bypass censorship: Many of us use a VPN to evade content censorship, such as that imposed by certain countries or by individual streaming services.
- Test your internet connection speed: While connected to a VPN server, go to Speedtest.net or a similar connection speed website and run a connection speed test. If the speed is severely slower than your usual speeds, there could be an issue.
In this section, I’ll walk you through each of the tests above, allowing you to figure out whether or not your VPN is working properly.
Update Your VPN App
One of the most important things you can do to keep your VPN working properly is to keep it updated. Most quality VPN apps will either notify you when an update is available or offer the ability to check for new updates.
I strongly suggest that you update your VPN app whenever there is an update available. Check with your VPN provider to determine whether its app will automatically alert you when there is an update or if you’ll need to check manually.
Updating your VPN app takes only a minute or so to do and pays dividends in ensuring that your VPN will work properly and will be protected against recently discovered threats.
Check Your VPN Status
Once you’ve updated your VPN app, start it up and connect to a VPN server. Once you’re connected, you can check to make sure you are properly connected to the VPN server.
Most quality VPN apps offer an indicator that displays whether you are connected or disconnected from the VPN provider’s servers. Many apps will also display the IP address that the VPN server has temporarily assigned to your connected device, which is the IP address the rest of the internet will see, as opposed to your actual IP address.
Check for IP Address Leaks
Once you’re sure that you have the latest version of your VPN provider’s application installed and that it is connecting properly to the provider’s servers, it’s time to check for IP address leaks.
This test makes sure that your connected device’s VPN-assigned IP address is different from the one your ISP usually assigns to the device.
An IP address works just like your physical home address, in that it identifies you and allows websites, services, and other online users to know where a reply should be sent to any enquiries you or your device make. Unfortunately, since IP addresses are allotted on a country-by-country basis, they can also be used to determine your geographical location.
If a malicious user or website knows your real IP address, they can target you with doxxing or swatting attacks. Or, if a streaming service sees your real IP address, they’ll restrict your access to content, limiting you to viewing only content that is designated for your country.
If your VPN is working properly, the IP address assigned to you by your VPN provider’s server will differ from your real IP address, which is assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If your real IP address is showing to the rest of the internet, your VPN is not working properly.
Here’s how to test for IP address leaks (this can be performed on most desktop and mobile devices):
- Before loading your VPN app and connecting to a server, check your IP address. You can do this by visiting a website like WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, which determines your IP address and your rough geographical location, before reporting it on a webpage, showing your IP address and your location. Take note of the IP address the website reports, as you’ll need it for comparison purposes a bit later.
- Turn on your VPN and connect to any server.
- Check your IP address again by refreshing the webpage (keeping the VPN connection on). Make note of this IP address.
- The two IP addresses should be different, indicating that your real IP address is not being leaked to the internet.
How to Fix an IP Leak
If the above test shows that both IP addresses are identical, your VPN is leaking your real IP address. Try one of the following steps to remedy this:
- Disable IPv6 on your device: Not all VPNs can handle IPv6 yet. Disable IPv6 on your device. Some VPN apps include a setting to fix IPv6 issues. Be sure to check with your VPN provider for more information.
- Enable IPv6 Leak Protection: Some VPN apps (ExpressVPN’s app comes to mind) include an option to enable IPv6 Leak Prevention. If your VPN app includes this option, make sure it is enabled.
- Disable split tunneling: Split tunneling allows some traffic to come and go without VPN protection. You may have allowed your browser to use the internet outside of the protective VPN tunnel. Try disabling split tunneling on your VPN app if it supports that.
- Get another VPN provider: If neither of the previous two steps resolves the issue, look for another VPN provider. I recommend NordVPN or users on a tight budget will appreciate Surfshark. Both providers do not leak your IP address.
Check for DNS Leaks
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a translator that is in charge of converting website requests (like, oh, I don’t know “www.pixelprivacy.com”) into a specific IP address (172.66.40.211). This makes it easier for us humans, as it’s easier to remember “pixelprivacy.com” than it is to remember that you need to enter “172.66.40.211” to visit a website.
If you’re not using a VPN, these DNS requests are handled by your ISP, meaning all of your domain name requests are resolved out in the open, leaking the DNS data and exposing the IP addresses of the websites you visit. You are also vulnerable to DNS redirection attacks, which can take you to a malicious website instead of the one you want to visit.
By using a VPN, your DNS requests are sent via the VPN’s protective tunnel, they are resolved by the VPN provider, keeping your online travels undercover and protecting you against DNS redirection attacks.
Here’s how to check for DNS leaks:
- Make sure you’re not connected to your VPN and perform a DNS leak test, using a website like DNSLeakTest.com. An unprotected DNS request will look like this:
- Turn on the VPN and perform the test again. A protected DNS request will look like this:
- Repeat the test by connecting to different VPN servers. Even if the server you usually use is secure, it’s not guaranteed that the other servers in the network are also safe.
Check for WebRTC Leaks
WebRTC is an open standard that enables video, voice, and data communication between browsers and native clients.
WebRTC decreases the lag for applications when using communication services like Skype to transfer files.
Many browsers have this technology enabled by default, and devices using WebRTC need to see each other’s IP addresses to communicate. Unfortunately, websites can use WebRTC to determine a device’s IP address. If they find your device’s IP address, they can find you!
I recommend not using a VPN provider’s WebRTC test page, as the ones I’ve tried show WebRTC leaks if you’re not using the provider’s VPN app. (Try it with ExpressVPN’s WebRTC test page with a different provider, like Surfshark, you’ll see what I mean.)
Follow these steps to check for WebRTC leaks:
- Disconnect from your VPN.
- Check your IP address. (Visit WhatIsMyIPAddress.com) Take note of the address.
- Exit the browser.
- Launch your VPN app and connect to a VPN server.
- Launch your browser again and visit browserleaks.com.
- Click on “WebRTC Leak Test.”
- Look at the IP address, if the IP address doesn’t match your original IP, the one that you wrote down in step 2, you’re good to go.
Check to Make Sure You Can Bypass Censorship
Many of us use a VPN to evade censorship, be it censorship put in place by a government, school or workplace, or geographic restrictions enforced by streaming services like Netflix and Spotify.
So, connect to a VPN server that is located in the same country as the content you wish to access (for example: connect to a server in the United Kingdom if you want to view Netflix content meant for the UK). Then, go to the Netflix website and try to view a “UK-only” movie or TV show. If you’re able to view the content, the VPN is working properly.
Please note: We strongly advise against using a VPN for any unlawful purposes. Please be sure to follow all applicable laws and regulations.
Test Your Internet Connection Speed
Modern VPN providers should not slow down your internet connection speeds a noticeable amount. If your connection slows to a crawl when you connect to a VPN server, there may be something up with the server. Servers that are overloaded by too many users connecting at once can greatly reduce your connection speeds.
If your favorite VPN server is slowing things down too much, try another VPN server in a different location in the same country. Test your connection speeds while connected to the new VPN server and see if your speeds get back up to their usual numbers.
It’s easy to test your connection speeds. Simply visit Speedtest.net before connecting to a VPN server, and make a note of your unprotected connection speeds. Then, connect to a VPN server and test the speeds again.
Who Offers Reliable VPN Protection?
Best VPN: NordVPN
My top choice for comprehensive VPN protection is NordVPN. The provider has been around for several years and delivers top-notch online security and privacy protection, as well as reliable access to geo-blocked content around the globe.
The provider’s download speeds averaged in at 300 Mbps in my last round of connection speed testing, making it an excellent option for streamers, gamers, and other connection-intensive online activities.
NordVPN’s global server network currently has over 6,300 servers in 110+ countries around the globe. Those servers provide reliable access to most geo-blocked content.
The provider offers app support for all popular device platforms. Native app support includes native apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire device platforms. Browser extensions are available for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox platforms, and the provider offers support for several routers.
NordVPN allows users to connect up to 10 devices to its servers on a single set of login credentials.
The provider protects all of its customers’ internet connections by using military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and protection from IP/DNS leaks. It saves no server logs of any kind, keeping your online activities private. Plus, the provider’s cryptocurrency subscription payment option keeps your payment information incognito.
NordVPN’s owned-and-operated server model means that third-party contractors are kept away from your personal information. All of those servers are run solely from volatile RAM, which means there is no data whatsoever being written to a physical storage device. This means that all data is automatically and securely wiped whenever a NordVPN server is rebooted or powered off.
For more information, read my full NordVPN review.
Best Budget VPN: Surfshark
Surfshark is my VPN pick for users on a tight budget. The provider offers top-notch VPN protection for a bargain basement price.
The provider’s average download speeds are blazingly-fast, coming in at an impressive 594.7 Mbps in my most recent round of download speed tests. Surfshark never ruins a good time with data caps or bandwidth throttling.
Surfshark keeps its customers’ online activities undercover by using banking-grade encryption, kill switch protection, and DNS/IP leak prevention.
The provider saves no user logs on its servers, so there are no records of your online travels to be found. Your payment privacy is also protected, as Surfshark’s accepts cryptocurrency in return for its considerable services.
Just like NordVPN, Surshark runs all of its servers 100% from RAM, writing no data whatsoever to a hard drive or SSD. This guarantees that all data is totally wiped from Surfshark’s servers whenever they are restarted, powered down, or even unplugged from its UPS.
Surfshark’s native app support includes options for the Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions are available and the VPN is also compatible with certain router makes and models.
This provider offers bargain basement pricing on its one or two-year subscription options.
For more information, read my full Surfshark review.
In Closing
Today’s quality VPN providers deliver reliable online privacy and security, as well as access to geo-fenced content around the globe. However, much like anything connected to computers and other devices, what can go wrong will.
That said, you are unlikely to run into any issues using a top-notch VPN provider. But if you do, there are several ways to test your VPN to make sure it is working properly.
VPN FAQs
Does a VPN Hide Your Real IP Address?
TL;DR answer: Yes. A VPN hides your device’s real IP address. When you connect to a VPN server, that server temporarily assigns a fresh IP address to your device. This hides your device’s real IP address, meaning no one can track your online activities back to you.
Why Can’t I Use a Free VPN?
I always strongly recommend against using a free VPN for any reason. First of all, most free VPNs offer only limited native app support, and as far as I’ve seen, they never offer any type of router support.
Free VPNs also like to preserve their bandwidth for paying customers, so most free VPN users are faced with data caps and bandwidth throttling.
Free VPNs also usually only provide basic online security and privacy protections, Plus, they pay the bills by logging their users’ online activities and selling that valuable information to advertisers and anyone else who can pay for it. Free VPNs have also been caught inserting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into your browser sessions.
Are VPNs Legal to Use?
VPNs are perfectly legal to use in the majority of countries around the globe. As long as you’re simply looking to keep your online activities undercover and expand your access to content around the globe, you’re golden. That said, there are a few countries where VPNs are banned or restricted. These countries include China, Iran, Oman, Russia, Turkmenistan, the UAE, Belarus, and a few others.
Keep in mind that if you use a VPN in the commission of an online crime, you may be faced with additional charges.
