Whether you’re looking to improve your privacy or access content that’s restricted in your location, VPNs are an increasingly popular way to enhance online security. But if your VPN connection isn’t working properly, it can leave you exposed to malware and other cyber threats. This article explores several ways to check your VPN online and determine if it’s protecting you correctly.

The most basic test is to verify your original IP address: if your VPN is working, the original address will change when you connect to a server, masking your identity and location. You can do this with a simple internet search for “What is my IP?” or by visiting a public DNS leak testing tool. The results should show your original IP address followed by the IP addresses of various servers. If the IP addresses do not match, your VPN is leaking information about your online activity.

Verifying VPN Connections: Check VPN Online

DNS leaks occur when your check VPN online fails to encrypt all of your DNS requests, sending them directly to your ISP’s DNS servers. A good VPN will prevent this by directing your requests through its own network. If you discover a leak, try connecting to different server locations offered by your provider and recheck the results.

Some websites, particularly those related to gambling and sports betting, actively block VPN users in compliance with their country’s laws. But even if a site doesn’t explicitly block VPNs, they can tell when you’re using one: HTTPS traffic is encrypted, but websites can still see how much data is being transferred and what types of sites are visited.