VPN test : 3 Simple Ways to Test Your Security Now

You did the research, you chose a VPN, and you clicked "Connect." A small icon on your screen tells you that you are now "protected." But how can you be sure? Is your digital life truly private, or are you just sending your data through a leaky tunnel?

For most people, a VPN is a black box. You trust that it's doing its job, but you have no real way of knowing. The good news is, you don't need to be a cybersecurity expert to check if your VPN is working correctly.

Here are three simple, non-technical tests you can perform in the next 60 seconds to verify your VPN is actually protecting you.

Test 1: The Basic IP Address Leak Test

What it checks: This is the most fundamental test. It confirms if the VPN is successfully hiding your true IP address, which is your unique identifier on the internet.

How to do it:

1. Turn your VPN off.
2. Open your web browser and go to a site like whatismyip.com. You will see your real IP address and location, provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Note it down.
3. Now, turn your VPN on and connect to a server in another city or country.
4. Go back to the same website and refresh the page.

What to look for: If the test is successful, the website should now show a completely different IP address and location—the one corresponding to the VPN server you selected. If you still see your real IP address, you have an IP leak, and your VPN is not working correctly.

Test 2: The DNS Leak Test

What it checks: This is a more advanced test that many people forget. DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet's phonebook. When you type "google.com," a DNS server translates that into an IP address. By default, you use your ISP's DNS servers. A VPN should route these requests through its own anonymous servers.

How to do it:

1. Make sure your VPN is turned on.
2. Go to a website like dnsleaktest.com.
3. Click the "Standard Test" or "Extended Test" button.

What to look for: The results will show you the IP addresses and owners of the DNS servers you are using. If you see the name of your own Internet Service Provider (e.g., Comcast, Verizon, BT), you have a DNS leak. This means your ISP can still see which websites you are visiting. A secure VPN will only show servers belonging to your VPN provider.

Test 3: The WebRTC Leak Test

What it checks: WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a technology built into most modern browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge) that allows for direct voice and video calls. However, a flaw in WebRTC can broadcast your real IP address even when a VPN is active.

How to do it:

1. Make sure your VPN is turned on.
2. Visit a testing page like BrowserLeaks' WebRTC test.
3. The test runs automatically. Look at the "Public IP Address" section.

What to look for: If you see your true public IP address listed anywhere on the page, you have a WebRTC leak. A good VPN with a browser extension or built-in leak protection will ensure that only the VPN's IP address is visible here.

Conclusion: Trust, But Verify

A reliable VPN is an essential tool for online privacy, but it's only effective if it's working correctly. Running these three simple tests takes less than a minute and gives you instant peace of mind that your connection is secure.

If your current VPN fails any of these tests, dive into its settings to enable leak protection or, better yet, consider switching to a more reputable provider that takes your privacy seriously.