Technology is always improving. As technology advances, cyberattacks will increase. People are losing their privacy due to a lack of control. For this reason, individuals use a variety of strategies to safeguard their data. One of these ways is the use of a virtual private network (VPN). Regarding VPNs, security is their primary concern. Despite employing a VPN, data leakage is still possible. Due to certain technological vulnerabilities, its security is also susceptible to penetration. It is possible that their IP address or private information may have been disclosed. It is crucial that they use a VPN that is 100 percent secure, since a VPN that leaks data is an open invitation to hostile attackers, government agencies, target advertising, and your ISP. Numerous tests exist to evaluate VPN quality, including those mentioned below:
1. VPN Encryption Test
Some so-called VPNs promise to offer high-quality data encryption before sending it to another destination, but they really do not encrypt your data. Recently, research indicates that roughly 18 percent of VPNs do not encrypt data. This information has made individuals very wary. It is thus recommended to test your VPN encryption. A VPN encryption test was conducted using two distinct approaches.
GlassWire
GlassWire is a free network inspection and security application that reveals the sort of data traffic being sent. This approach is a simple way to verify the encryption of your data transmission, but it is not 100 percent genuine. If your VPN is delivering HTTPS/SSL traffic, it means that your data is secured from end to end. Yet, if our data traffic is being sent using standard HTTP, this implies that it is not encrypted.
WireShark
The free VPN inspection tool provided by Wireshark. It provides a reliable method for verifying the encryption of your data transmission. This is a somewhat more difficult procedure, yet WireShark’s authentication of VPN data encryption is 100 percent accurate. WireShark can examine the original incoming and outgoing data packets. You can simply determine if your data is in plaintext or cIPhertext. Thus, you may get public proof of your data.
2. VPN Speed Test
Numerous individuals throughout the globe are affected by the issue of internet speed. They use several approaches to find answers. A VPN is one of these techniques for accelerating the Internet. It is true that one of the primary uses of a VPN is to boost the speed of an Internet connection. However, some inexpensive VPN services may not deliver internet speeds as advertised. Keep in mind that the VPN connection speed is dependent on the physical distance between you and the VPN server, the encryption level, and the server load. The “VPN speed test” is the only method for determining the VPN service’s speed. There are several internet tools for determining the real speed. The process is straightforward:
- Perform a speed test with and without a VPN.
- Take the exam two to three times.
- Now compare the speed test results with and without a VPN and calculate the average difference.
- If the test with VPN yields a significant advantage over the exam without VPN, then VPN is accomplishing its job; otherwise, VPN is ineffective.
Note that a high-quality VPN can only reliably handle 50 to 100 Mbps. Don’t be surprised if your speed test tool indicates a drop in speed.
3. IP Leakage Test
IP addresses are the most private aspect of any piece of equipment. The primary advantage of a VPN is that it conceals your true IP address and encrypts data going from your device. The VPN server will offer you a virtual IP address after concealing your actual IP address. This virtual IP address functions as a secure tunnel over which your data is sent to the VPN provider’s servers. Using these servers, your data is redirected to the unblocked website you are attempting to access, and you remain anonymous. Aside from that, there are VPN privacy breaches that might expose your true IP address. In addition to revealing your IP address, they will also publish your browsing history, which might be exploited for unlawful purposes. The following are:
- IP address Leaks
- WebRTC/STUN leaks
- DNS Leaks
IP Address Leaks (IPv6)
Our gadgets carry both regular IPv4 addresses and newer IPv6 ones. Certain VPNs only protect IPv4 addresses, not IPv6. In this instance, IPv6 address leaks are possible with inexpensive VPNs. Without our awareness, our genuine identity or location might be revealed.
Solution:
- There are VPNs that do not leak IPv6 addresses.
- Your router’s IPv6 traffic may be disabled.
WebRTC/STUN
WebRTC, which stands for Web Real-Time Communication, may disclose your real IP address through STUN queries in Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, even if you are using a VPN. WebRTC supports STUN server requests. STUN servers deliver the user’s local and public IP addresses. This request’s outcomes are accessible in javascrIPt. In javascrIPt, hackers can now obtain the local and public IP addresses of users. After obtaining this information, an attacker may simply follow every page you visit to retrieve your actual IP address using WebRTC STUN requests.
Solution:
- You should only use browsers with WebRTC deactivated.
- You must use a VPN that prevents WebRTC leakage.
DNS Leaks
The DNS is the domain name system. In the Domain Name System (DNS), domain names such as www.photopea.com are converted into lengthy IP addresses (numerical IP addresses) that uniquely identify a website. In fact, DNS functions like a phonebook for the internet.
Without a VPN, our Internet service provider controls this translation process (Internet service provider). Internet service providers are able to block DNS queries and forward them to their own DNS servers. DNS requests are the definitive record of each website you visit. After obtaining these records, ISPs are able to snoop on your surfing history and sell your data to other parties.
Solution:
- To prevent data leaks, you must use a VPN that has DNS leak prevention.
- On your router, you must use your own custom DNS servers.
Alternate test for IP leaks
- You may check for IP address leaking using the internet application “Find My IP Address.”
- Checking your IP address is possible with or without a VPN connection.
- Repeat this procedure many times. You may see that your actual and virtual IP addresses differ.
- IP address leaking occurs if your actual IP address matches your virtual IP address in any effort.
Solution:
- Be careful while picking a VPN.
- Avoid this sort of inexpensive VPN service with technical issues.
Conclusion
Remember to use these VPN checks since you must ensure that your VPN is 100 percent safe. Additionally, ensure that you are using the best VPN, such as NordVPN. Regarding security, you may depend on it without reservation. It may offer an additional layer of protection and provide the greatest outcomes.