What Are VPN Leaks and How to Fix Them

If you rely on a VPN to protect your privacy, you might assume your information is completely secure. But VPN leaks can quietly expose your real IP, location, or even browsing habits without you realizing it. These leaks are more common than you think, especially with certain free or poorly configured VPNs.

So how do you know if you’re actually safe—and what can you do if you’re not? Let’s uncover what you need to watch out for.

Why Trust Us?

Our guidance on VPN leaks is grounded in thorough research and analysis conducted by VPN Love experts. For instance, 57% of free Android VPNs have been found to use public DNS servers, which poses significant security risks. To help users evaluate their VPN’s security, we recommend practical tools such as dnsleaktest.com for testing potential leaks.

We also cover various leak types, noting that 15% of free Android VPNs experience IPv6 leaks. Recommended solutions, such as disabling IPv6 or addressing WebRTC leaks, are based on well-documented, cross-platform issues. Our goal is to provide verified, precise, and actionable information so users can maintain robust online privacy.

What Are VPN Leaks?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) leaks occur when a VPN fails to adequately protect a user's privacy by allowing real IP addresses, DNS requests, or other identifying information to bypass the encrypted tunnel that's intended to maintain anonymity online.

Such leaks are often associated with low-quality VPN services or incorrect configurations, which can lead to real data being exposed due to issues such as misrouted traffic or software conflicts.

Common types of VPN leaks include DNS leaks, which reveal information about web queries, and WebRTC leaks, which may allow browsers to disclose a user's identity.

Users can identify these leaks by conducting online IP leak tests to ensure that their VPN is effectively safeguarding their private information.

IP Address Leaks

Among the critical concerns with VPN usage, IP address leaks are particularly significant as they can reveal your actual public IP address and, consequently, your device's location, even when utilizing a VPN.

This occurs when traffic isn't entirely routed through the encrypted tunnel, allowing websites and online services to detect your public IPv4 or IPv6 address. As a result, they can potentially track your activities and possibly identify you. This problem is notably prevalent with certain free VPNs, especially on Android platforms.

While disabling IPv6 traffic may mitigate this issue, many mobile devices don't offer this option. Some VPNs implement kill switches as a safeguard; however, these features can occasionally malfunction, particularly on macOS systems.

DNS Leaks

DNS leaks are a security concern that can undermine the privacy provided by a VPN. These leaks occur when DNS queries bypass the VPN's encrypted tunnel, allowing an internet service provider (ISP) or public DNS providers, such as Google, to track the websites a user visits.

This exposure can result from several factors, including VPN misconfiguration, incorrect device settings, conflicts with third-party software, ISP interference, or malware. Particularly vulnerable are free Android VPNs, with 57% defaulting to public DNS, thus increasing the risk of DNS leaks.

To mitigate this risk, it's recommended to regularly test for DNS leaks using tools like dnsleaktest.com.

Additionally, users should configure their devices to use the VPN's DNS servers instead of relying on their ISP or public DNS alternatives.

This approach helps ensure that DNS queries remain within the secure environment provided by the VPN, thereby maintaining the intended level of privacy.

WebRTC Leaks

While DNS leaks pose a threat to your browsing privacy, another concern arises within your web browser known as WebRTC leaks.

WebRTC is a technology that facilitates real-time communication, such as video calls and peer-to-peer file sharing, directly in browsers.

However, despite its usefulness, WebRTC can inadvertently disclose your actual IP address, even when connected to a VPN.

This occurs because WebRTC might transmit data outside the encrypted tunnel provided by the VPN, potentially revealing your location.

To determine if your browser is susceptible to WebRTC leaks, you can utilize testing platforms like browserleaks.com.

To mitigate these leaks, consider disabling WebRTC in your browser settings or opting for a VPN that offers built-in WebRTC leak protection, thereby maintaining the confidentiality of your IP address.

Which VPN Services Leak Data?

It's important to be aware that not all VPN services effectively protect user privacy.

Studies indicate that approximately 15% of free Android VPNs may leak users' real IPv6 addresses, which compromises privacy similar to IPv4 leaks.

Additionally, over 50% of these services reportedly direct DNS queries to public servers, such as those operated by Google or Cloudflare, which could pose privacy concerns.

On Apple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, and VisionOS, VPN apps have been found to be susceptible to packet leaks due to inherent limitations in Apple's code.

Even some premium VPN services on macOS have been observed to allow IP leaks during server transitions, despite the presence of kill switches intended to prevent such leaks.

Generally, free or lower-quality VPNs are more prone to these issues, highlighting the importance of selecting a reliable provider.

How to Fix IP Address Leaks

To address IP address leaks effectively, it's important to first identify the source of the problem and implement targeted solutions to maintain online privacy.

One approach is to disable IPv6 traffic on your device, as some VPNs, particularly free Android versions, are prone to leaks through IPv6 exposure.

Additionally, enabling the kill switch feature in your VPN application is recommended to prevent accidental leaks.

However, it should be noted that this feature may not always function perfectly on macOS.

For platforms such as iOS and Android, where disabling IPv6 isn't straightforward, selecting a VPN that offers specific protection against IPv6 leaks is advisable.

Regular testing of your configuration using reliable IP leak test tools is essential to ensure the effectiveness of your privacy measures.

How to Fix DNS Leaks

If your online activity remains visible despite using a VPN, you may be experiencing a DNS leak.

To address this issue, begin by disabling Secure DNS in your browser settings to ensure that DNS queries are routed through your VPN.

After establishing a connection, utilize a tool such as dnsleaktest.com to verify that only your VPN provider's DNS servers are being used.

It's advisable to manually configure your device to utilize your VPN’s DNS servers instead of those provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), as this can help prevent third-party queries.

Opting for a VPN service with its own DNS infrastructure can further enhance privacy.

Additionally, activating any DNS leak protection features available within the VPN application can contribute to maintaining stronger privacy measures.

How to Fix WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC, a browser-based technology designed for real-time communication, can inadvertently reveal your real IP address even when using a VPN.

To address this issue, navigate to your browser’s privacy or advanced settings and disable WebRTC to prevent potential leaks.

Additionally, installing browser extensions such as uBlock Origin can automatically block WebRTC leaks, enhancing your privacy.

It's also advisable to select a VPN that includes built-in WebRTC leak protection to ensure comprehensive coverage.

After implementing these changes, verify their effectiveness by using online tools like browserleaks.com and ipleak.net.

These platforms can help confirm that your real IP address remains concealed during browser-based activities.

Conclusion

VPN leaks can seriously undermine your online privacy, but you don’t have to leave yourself exposed. By checking for leaks regularly, tweaking your device and browser settings, and using a reliable VPN with a strong kill switch, you’ll keep your data much safer. Remember, free VPNs are more prone to leaks, so always choose your service carefully. Take these steps, and you’ll enjoy the privacy and protection you expect every time you go online.