There is too much confusion about protecting our online activities using a VPN. Obviously, using or not a VPN depends on your security consciousness. VPN as a protection service offers higher security and confidentiality level it’s crucial to know if it works the way it’s supposed to when it comes to confidentiality and data security. But, how to test a VPN to benefit most? Try ClearVPN a personalized VPN solution for users who want to stay safe and private while surfing the net with just one tap.
What should I do to see how safe and secure my VPN is?
We use VPN as recognized security and privacy tool for protection purposes from surveillance and against hackers during public Wi-Fi connections. The major problem is the possibility of data leaks out. Knowing and understanding the leaks will help us to prevent those in the future.
Four types of leaks and how to test your VPN security
IP address leaks
1. See if your IP is different
After connecting to the internet, tap to see if your IP address is other than your real one. If the displayed IP doesn’t match your location, the VPN is fine.
2. Filters in the DNS-enquire
Various filter options servers available will be displayed during the VPN test.
3. Get access to geo-restricted/blocked content
Try to enter any restricted site (Netflix, nbcsports.msnbc.com, iheart.com, usanetwork.com, etc.). If you can, your VPN works well.
4. DNS leaks
In case if you use a DNS server to visit various websites, your IP address is filtered. It can be the loss of confidentiality. You must be sure about IP address safety as it’s a big concern. Knowing how to test VPN is helpful for many reasons.
DNS leaks
1. Use a special tool to test your VPN
After connecting your VPN service, access the page dnsleak.com and tap Start. If test results match your VPN info, the service works well. If your real location is displayed, the VPN requests are leaking.
2. Non-encrypted plain-text protocol
Your DNS request is vulnerable because it isn’t encrypted. With a different DNS server, your DNS traffic, as well as the websites visited, are still seen.
3. DNS encryption
A decent VPN like Clear VPN provides a secure connection and ensures encryption to any DNS requests. A free VPN doesn’t do it which results in DNS leaks. Thus, IPS knows exactly the pages you are browsing.
WebRTC Leaks
1. ClearVPN prevents data leaks
This reliable VPN service prevents IP address leaks and blocks WebRTC traffic.
2. Use data exchange to find a possible leak
Connect to the VPN and choose a server. Enter a site to check for WebRTC leaks. Consider the exposed data.
3. Try WebRTC_leak_test
If the test shows any IP address it proves the fact of a leak. To prevent it, use the ad-blocker “uBlock Origin”. Choose the “Prevent WebRTC from leaking local IP addresses” option.
IPv6 Address Leaks
1. Problem of IPv6
A number of VPN providers don’t support IPv6 and thus they block such traffic; others just ignore it. The risk is that IPv6 traffic can reveal the user’s digital identity and online actions.
2. Test the leak
Access the site ipv6leak.com and start the test. Remember to connect your VPN before it. Wait to get a notification “Your IPv6 is not leaking”.
3. Choose the right VPN carefully
Technically some VPNs are created to deal with IPv4 only. They can try to protect your IPv6 but fail. As a result, your real location is exposed and you have an IPv6 leak. Use MacPaw's ClearVPN to get personalized VPN experience with the best security and encryption.
While testing a VPN on the network, it is necessary to test it for DNS and WebTRC leaks. Tap DNSLeakTest.com to test VPN connection from the inside network to see if there is any leaking of your browsing history/IP address.
The test demonstrates that the system meets performance criteria and if any element weakens VPN’s performance:
- Bandwidth capacity
- Server response time
- Performance requirements (components, interface)
- Time requirements to perform actions
- To define normal and peak values based on the number of users who access it simultaneously
- The scenery of how to use each component of the system.
How to test VPN speed?
Speed is a major concern as everyone wants to have a fast connection. You can learn how to test VPN using websites that measure both upload and download speeds. Here are the ways to do it:
- Tap the page of speed test and collect relevant data
Speedtest.net is a widely used tool to know the speed of a user’s connection if a VPN is used and without a VPN service.
- Compare the input and output data you’ve got from a VPN speed test
When you know the average Internet connection speed of your device, you can compare it with the standards of effective VPN. Usually, it varies in different regions.
- Enter the site of streaming content and start watching it
This way you’ll see the actual speed of your ISP very quickly
- Activate your VPN service and refresh the page of video content
After you started watching the streaming video and can see your VPN’s speed.
Keep in mind, that a number of approaches can improve your VPN connection speed significantly because upload/download speeds depend on various factors. When knowing how to test VPN speed, there is a big amount of factors that influence it. Let’s have a deeper look.
Global factors affecting VPN connection speed:
- Normal connection speed that your ISP gives you.
- The geographical location of the VPN server and distance from your ISP and, consequently, from you.
- Power capacity of user’s CPU/RAM.
- Strength of encryption that is used.
- Bandwidth restrictions and server crowding.
- Security protocols.
- Time zones and business hours worldwide.
- Slow VPN hosts and limitations in processing.
- User’s network configuration and firewall settings.
Ways to make it better and faster
- Upgrade your regular ISP internet connection.
- Choose a trustful VPN service.
- A weaker protocol is a good choice if there is no need for the highest security/confidentiality level.
- Make sure the server isn’t overloaded, otherwise find the better option.
- LAN cable is much faster than Wi-Fi.
- Keep your PC and VPN upgraded.
Conclusion
How can you be sure your VPN service is safe and reliable enough? Now when you have VPN test tools, you can test it yourself when you are up to. It is highly recommended to double-check the service connection to make sure your VPN is fine for online safety and security reasons.
Great news! There is no need to be tech-savvy, a tech geek, or a great professional in the area to understand how to test your VPN. Get started with a personalized and user-friendly ClearVPN right now to keep you safe and private. Still hesitant about VPNs, learn some of the VPN myths debunked.
Also, check this cool guide and discover how to speed up a VPN connection and boost your internet speed.
