How to Test a VPN for Data Leak?

Using a VPN that leaks your data isn’t any better than not having a VPN at all. The proliferation of VPN providers and awareness among users over the last decade has led to the widespread adoption of substandard VPN apps. There is increased VPN usage globally but not everyone uses a good VPN; many depend on free VPNs that are as good as a placebo. Poor or no encryption and broken VPN infrastructure are some issues affecting such VPNs.

A VPN that leaks your IP address and other information is undesirable. Such data leaks cancel the whole point of installing a VPN. You lose anonymity and become more vulnerable to cybercrimes.

As a user, you should always and periodically test your VPN app to check for data leaks. Most VPNs including tuxlerVPN provide strong IP and DNS leak protection. Though, testing your VPN now and then doesn’t hurt.

Here’s how to test your VPN for data leaks.

Testing a VPN for Data Leaks

The following test will check your VPN for all types of data leaks:

1. Switch on your VPN app.
2. Open a web browser and visit browserleaks.com. 
3. Test IP address leak and WebRTC leak.

In the tests, if the returned IP address is the same as your real IP, you can confirm the VPN is leaking. If you see any arbitrary IP that doesn’t resemble that of your ISP, you can confirm you’re using a strong VPN.

Additional VPN Test

We also recommend doing an additional VPN test to ensure no leaks. Here’s how to do it:

1. Switch on your VPN.
2. Disconnect your internet and wait for a minute.
3. Connect to the internet again.
4. Go to browserleaks.com and test for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

If you still see arbitrary IP information, you can confirm yours is a truly strong VPN. Otherwise, your VPN app is weak and is unable to handle sudden disruptions.

Check out our detailed VPN testing guide for more ways to test your VPN software.

What are VPN Data Leaks and Why are They Dangerous?

VPN data leaks happen when data related to you, your system, or your internet connection slips the protection provided by a VPN. Information such as your IP address, your physical location, and your internet traffic is vulnerable.

VPN leaks happen due to poor encryption or tunneling. If the underlying infrastructure of a VPN provider is not strong enough, you may face disruptions that can eventually lead to data leaks.

Even the most sophisticated VPN infrastructure can cause leaks but the duration of the leaks and what preventive measures are in place matter more. This is why we suggest testing your VPN for data leaks regularly. 

Follow our guide to test your VPN at least once a month to ensure protection. If you notice any disruptions, it’s best to reach out to the provider. Alternatively, you can always switch to a better, stronger VPN provider. 

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