DNS leaks happen when you’re connected to a VPN, and it fails to route your traffic through the VPN network. A VPN with a DNS Leak can wreak havoc on your online security and privacy. To ensure that the VPN you’re using isn’t risking your online safety, you should test your VPN for DNS leaks.
This article informs the readers about how to check a VPN for DNS leaks. So, keep reading.
Authentic DNS Leak Test Tool
To conduct a DNS leak test, you have to use a tool. It would be best if you used a reliable tool to have accurate test results. There are some authentic websites that you can consider using. These includes:
You might end up finding various tools, but their authenticity isn’t guaranteed. So, do use the ones mentioned above and learn if your VPN is being misconfigured or not.
How to Test for DNS Leaks?
To ensure that the VPN you’re using is fulfilling the security requirements, run a DNS leak test in the following manner:
- Step No 1: Turn on your VPN and start performing tasks like streaming or accessing any blocked website.
- Step No 2: Now, use the DNS leak test tool and run a test.
- Step No 3: Analyze the test results.
The test result will tell you an IP address and the owner of the DNS server you’re using. If it’s not the one that a VPN promises, your VPN is leaking the DNS.
Best VPNs With DNS Leak Protection
A reliable VPN provider is the one that comes with built-in DNS leak protection, and several VPNs are not fulfilling this security requirement and risking users’ online security. Fortunately, the VPNs mentioned below do come with this security-enhancing feature. So, let’s get started with them:
1. CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost is a top-ranked VPN that makes no compromise in providing robust online protection to the users’. To further enhance your online security, CyberGhost prevents DNS leaks, and when a test was conducted, no leaks were found. Moreover, it also doesn’t leak IP addresses and WebRTC so, you can use it without any doubt. It also comes with great privacy and security-focused features that ensure a safe and secure browsing experience.
Apart from this, the VPN uses military-grade encryption and security protocols to keep your data traffic out of the reach of the snooping eye. It is also a private VPN provider because it follows a strict no-log policy that strictly prohibits retaining any data logging activity. The VPN provider also belongs to the safe jurisdiction of Romania that falls out of the reach of the global surveillance alliance. The company does respect user privacy, so your data won’t be recorded nor shared with anyone.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is the best VPN that, by keeping your DNS private, makes you utterly private over the web. When you browse the web via NordVPN, your DNS won’t reveal your DNS requests and, in turn, your IP address. This increases your online security. A test was conducted in this regard, and NordVPN successfully passed it as no leaks were found. To further enhance your security levels, the VPN uses AES-256 bit encryption and NordLynx protocol. Besides NordLynx, it also uses OpenVPN that guarantees more enhanced online protection.
The VPN exhibits a strict no-log policy and has twice audited its log policy, proving that it doesn’t store your activity and connection logs. Moreover, it belongs to the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of Panama Island that won’t abide by any strict data retention or anti-privacy laws. It also uses a range of security features that ensure that you enjoy maximum online protection over the web.
3. SurfShark VPN
The next VPN on our list that comes with DNS leak protection is SurfShark VPN. By protecting against DNS leaks, SurfShark VPN ensures that no prying eye can see which websites you want to access. To make this task a bit easier, SurfShark VPN also protects against IP and WebRTC leaks. SurfShark comes with various impressive features, and one such is the private DNS servers. It has its DNS servers and doesn’t have to rely on public servers to route DNS requests.
The VPN provider also uses state-of-the-art AES-256 bit encryption and WireGuard and OpenVPN protocol that safeguards your data from all surveillance agents. It belongs to the safe jurisdiction of the British Virgin Island that values users’ privacy and won’t retain users’ data. Moreover, it also follows a strict no-log policy that prevents logging your IP address and other sensitive data, and to prove this stance, SurfShark VPN has undergone the log audit process.
4. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is yet another VPN that comes with DNS leak protection. A DNS leak test was conducted to check if its claim was valid or not, and it was pretty impressive to see that the VPN wasn’t leaking DNS. The VPN uses class AES-256 bit encryption and a variety of tunneling protocols to transfer your data to and from the device to the website you want to access.
According to its privacy policy, a no-log VPN refrains from collecting your IP address and other data. Moreover, the VPN uses several features that you won’t find in many other VPN providers for maintaining robust online privacy. So, do give ProtonVPN a try.
5. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN claims that a DNS leak test was conducted to protect against DNS leaks and test their claims. The test results show that the VPN fulfills all its claims as it wasn’t leaking the DNS. One reason for this is that it comes with private DNS servers and doesn’t need to use any third-party servers that can risk users’ online security.
Besides this, ExpressVPN comes with a wide range of features that ensure a safe and secure browsing experience. It uses uncrackable AES-256 bit encryption and Lightway protocol that keeps your data communication private. ExpressVPN is a genuinely private VPN provider because it doesn’t collect or share any of your activity or connection logs and has proved this point by a third-party log audit process. Also, it belongs from the British Virgin Island, so; you don’t have to worry about your data being stored or shared with anyone.
6. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is also an excellent VPN when it comes to providing top-notch online security to users. It protects against all kinds of VPN leaks, including DNS leaks, IP leaks, and WebRTC leaks. It also uses AES-256 bit encryption and Chameleon protocol for enhanced security. Besides this, it does offer various protection and privacy-focused features like a kill switch that protects against IP leaks.
The VPN provider is reliable to use because it has its headquarter in Switzerland. Also, it has a verified log audit report that proves that they are collecting users’ metadata by no means.
What Does Possible DNS Leak Mean?
A DNS leak means that anyone monitoring your network, your ISP, or any snooping eye can intercept the communication between your browser and the DNS. The worst aspect of a DNS leak is that it happens even though you’re using a VPN. As a result of a DNS leak, your DNS requests and IP address are exposed and it’s easy for privacy abusers to learn about your online activities.
Final Words
If your VPN is leaking your DNS, it is not suitable for your online security and privacy. To ensure that your VPN provides you with the desired level of security, you should test it for DNS leaks. It’s recommended that you use a VPN that comes with DNS leak protection. The VPNs mentioned above protect against DNS leaks so, if you value your digital security and privacy, then use them.
