Do you think that connecting to the network VPN Can it keep your privacy at all times? Well, that depends on whether the service provider VPN Your can protect your queries. DNS Your device's privacy is completely private. This means it should be able to hide everything inside the VPN tunnel. If it isn't, your information will be shared via a DNS leak.
But why should this happen when the goal of having a VPN is to provide you with end-to-end encryption capabilities to ensure that no one can decrypt your sensitive data at rest or in transit except the intended recipient?
In this article, we'll discuss DNS leaks and what you can do to detect and prevent them.
What is DNS?
DNS, or Domain Name System, is an Internet protocol that translates human-readable domain names (such as www.google.com) into machine-readable code, or an IP address (such as 191.3.4.56), so computers can identify the site they're looking for. An IP address is necessary for computers to communicate with each other. So, if you want to go to Google's website, you don't have to type a string of numbers (or an IP address), but simply use the domain name and still get to Google.
The DNS system is likened to a phone book that maps names and numbers. DNS servers translate user requests, or name lookups, into IP addresses so that access to websites is managed efficiently.
What is a DNS leak?
Every time you access a web page, you type the website's address into the address bar of your web browser. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) receives this as a DNS query to its server and sends the necessary directions—even if you're connected via a VPN. Remember that all ISPs maintain a database of DNS names along with their IP addresses.
A VPN leak occurs when your device sends your DNS traffic outside the VPN tunnel. This means that the information in your browsing activity is not encrypted. It's like not using a VPN at all.
Another example is when your device sends traffic to a third-party DNS server, making it easier for other parties to eavesdrop on your activities.
What causes DNS leaks?
There are many reasons why a DNS leak can occur. For example, your VPN may be improperly configured so that all traffic is routed to your ISP's DNS server before you log in to the VPN.
Some VPN services (especially free VPNs) don't have their own DNS servers, which leads to constant DNS leaks, or they don't have Internet Protocol version 6 or IPv6 support, which will likely send your DNS requests outside the VPN tunnel.
What's worse is when your device is hacked and your DNS traffic is redirected outside your VPN tunnel.
So a good rule of thumb is to avoid using your ISP's default DNS server by using a reliable VPN and refraining from accessing suspicious websites that can trick you into hacker schemes.
How can I check if I have a DNS leak?
You can always run a DNS leak test using online tools like ExpressVPN's Leak Test.
When you visit the link, it will automatically detect whether your ISP can track your browsing activity, every app you use, and other information you send over the internet. Additionally, it will identify who operates your DNS servers on every website you access.
When you connect to ExpressVPN, the page will confirm that there is no DNS leak.
What can I do to prevent DNS leaks?
There are several ways to prevent DNS leaks.
1. Use a reliable VPN service with DNS leak prevention.
Not all VPN services are created equal. For example, ExpressVPN guarantees that all traffic between your device and DNS servers is encrypted. Every time you access a website, ExpressVPN ensures that no data traffic leaves the secure tunnel when any web page is returned to you.
And if you still discover a DNS leak (although this is rare), ExpressVPN's customer support team is ready to help you resolve the issue 24/7.
2. Use an anonymous web browser.
You can use Tor, Epic, or SRWare Iron, which rely on an anonymous computer network to connect to the internet. This means you can hide your web activities and prevent third-party surveillance.
Remember that setting your browser to incognito mode will not prevent your ISP from tracking your activity. It will only hide your browsing history from other users on your device. Therefore, it's still
3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi.
When you're in a hotel or at an airport, free Wi-Fi can be a great way to surf the internet during your stay. However, most public Wi-Fi connections are encrypted, and malicious hackers can take advantage of this to access all your data traffic.
If you can't avoid using public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to ensure all your activities are hidden and you remain anonymous.
4. Enable firewall.
By disabling DNS, your firewall can prevent your information from leaving your device. If you want to limit your VPN coverage to specific locations, make sure to block non-VPN traffic using your firewall as well.
5. Set your VPN to use only your VPN provider's DNS servers.
Sometimes, your ISP may force your data traffic to be redirected to their servers without notifying you. This means you're forced to use your ISP's server and start experiencing a DNS leak.
The best solution is to check your VPN settings and enable the option to force use of your VPN provider's DNS servers. This will prevent your ISP from intercepting your web traffic and rerouting it using a transparent proxy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: How can I tell if there is a DNS leak on my connection?
The answer: Use a DNS leak test tool like ExpressVPN's free service. This will help you determine if there are any privacy issues.
Q2: How often should I run a DNS leak test?
The answer: You should do this regularly just like you check for viruses and device errors.
Q3: What should I do if a DNS leak occurs?
The answer: If you subscribe to a VPN service, contact customer support immediately before continuing to access websites.
Q4: Can a VPN guarantee complete protection against DNS leaks?
The answer: Yes, but only if you use a reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN. Not all VPN services offer DNS leak protection, so you'll need to check this feature first before subscribing.
Q5: Which VPN can prevent DNS leaks?
The answer: ExpressVPN It is a consistent leader when it comes to security compared to other VPNs. It is based in the British Virgin Islands, where any form of data retention is illegal. Therefore, ExpressVPN assures its customers that the company does not keep logs of user activity or connection logs of any kind. Many analysts and product reviewers also agree that ExpressVPN is unmatched when it comes to its strong privacy and security measures, global server presence, and excellent split tunneling capabilities.
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