Why It’s Important To Check Your VPN For IP Leaks

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If you’re accessing the Internet from any connected device like your desktop computer, smartphone, or tablet, then you’re identifiable by your IP address. Your IP address is, for all intents and purposes, the online identity your Internet service provider (ISP) assigns you when you’re connected to the internet.

As soon as your ISP assigns you an IP address, your activities online are at the mercy of being tracked. That is unless you’re using a virtual private network (VPN) that encrypts your communications to protect them from prying eyes.

How can you say for sure, though, whether your VPN is working correctly or if it’s leaking out your personal data? VPN providers take strong measures to protect the IP addresses of their users, but there’s always a chance that your IP address is discoverable even when you’re using a VPN. Let’s dive into ways users can ensure their VPN is working and why it’s so important to check that your VPN isn’t leaking.

Why Use A VPN?

Before we investigate the importance of checking whether a VPN is leaking your IP address, it’s a good idea to quickly go over why using a VPN is so important. Despite the possibility of leaking, VPNs nevertheless offer the best way to protect your IP address from prying eyes while you’re online. 

A VPN creates a secure, shielded connection for users. This is particularly important when using a public WiFi network or working from home. VPNs are also useful for online businesses that prioritize the data security of their users. Although, in light of the potential for VPNs to leak an IP address of a user, online retailers should consider supplemental courses of action to maintain data integrity: building security protocols into their websites. 

The average freelance developer will charge at least $50 an hour to design a site, and you should look for professionals with privacy and security experience. Making sure data is only accessible to specific people with permission should be a priority for online retailers even if they’ve recommended reliable VPN providers to their users.

Although VPNs can mask the original IP address of a user to avoid unwanted spying and speed throttling, they still aren’t perfect. Even the best VPN providers are subject to potential hackers and cyber-attacks who can take advantage of security flaws that inadvertently reveal IP addresses.

What Are IP Leaks?

IP leaks can occur when an Internet Service Provider (ISP) fails to properly secure the user’s connection allowing others to see the user IP address and other personal data during internet traffic. This undermines anonymity as well as exposing users to potential hacking or blackmail.

Thankfully this problem is avoidable through the use of a VPN or proxy server both of which reroute traffic through a secure protocol. Several years ago a major flaw was found to be granting remote websites the ability to take advantage of Web Real-Time Communication a feature that most internet browsers support.

Additionally regularly scanning for known IP leaks can help protect against malicious attacks and accidental errors that lead to data being exposed. By understanding what IP leaks are and how they can be prevented users can safeguard their activity on the web and remain safe while surfing.

How To Protect Yourself From An IP Leak

It should be reiterated that while VPN providers aren’t foolproof, VPNs are still very much a necessity for secure Internet browsing. According to Ludovic Rembert from Privacy Canada, VPNs are now an important privacy tool for everyday people because now everyone is a potential target.  

“Aren’t VPNs obscure tools used by corporations, conspiracy theorists, criminals, and tech-savvy hackers? Not anymore,” says Rembert. “With privacy scandals, data leaks, geo-restrictions, and censoring making headlines and impacting lives every day, VPNs have risen to prominence as must-have services. Every piece of information you send over the Internet, from pictures of your cat to your tax return, can potentially be intercepted.”

Other than being careful of the VPN host you choose, the easiest method to prevent IP leaks is to disable WebRTC on your preferred internet browser. Rather than wait for your VPN provider to address the issue of IP leaks on their part, download an extension to disable WebRTC if you’re using the Chrome, Opera, or Firefox internet browsers.

Wrapping Up

Every individual on the Internet is identified by his or her IP address, and if someone were to track the IP address of a user, the privacy of that user’s personal data and online activities becomes compromised. Previous instances of IP leaks should encourage VPN providers, VPN users, and even online businesses that host their own sites to take measures to decrease the likelihood of an IP leak from occurring.