Have you seen the “IP and DNS leak protection” feature while buying a VPN? It’s there for a reason, and not present with free VPN services. As the name of today’s topic suggests, it has to do with checking a VPN. Long story short, even when hiding your IP address with a VPN, your real IP address might leak and uncover your real identity and location. Even if your real IP address stays hidden, websites and services might be able to see your real DNS server and bust you. That’s one of the reasons you should hide a VPN. But despite having all the bases covered, it’s a good idea to use the best VPN test sites to check your VPN from time to time.
1. IPLeak.net
IPLeak.net is perhaps the most widely used website for checking a VPN. It shows up in demonstration screenshots often and is also recommended by many VPN providers. This online tool for checking VPNs is simple yet comprehensive, and the fields fill up automatically. Besides showing your IP address and scanning for IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leaks, it also shows you a map with latitude and longitude. While scary, seeing system information such as browser, language, and your monitor resolution shows how much personal information is shown to websites and services. This time, it helps you compare it, and rest assured you’ve tricked them.
2. IPLeak.org
Another tool that requires absolutely no effort except opening the page is IPLeak.org. Created by VPNArea, one of the better-known VPN providers in the industry, this tool shows IPv4, IPv6, ISP name, hostname, and DNS that were detected. We also like how they include a map with your location pinned. Another thing many forget and IPLeak.org doesn’t is showing the local time detected on your device. That’s a simple fact that could prevent you from bypassing a VPN block. Clever websites and services started matching your time zone with your IP location to catch you using a VPN red-handed.
3. ExpressVPN DNS Leak
Who better to help you secure your privacy online than ExpressVPN, considered to be the best VPN provider by many? We’re in the same boat, as is evident from our ExpressVPN review since they offer in-app IP/DNS leak tests on Windows and Mac. But that’s just an extension of the website we’re talking about. As you can see, unlike IPLeak.com/.org, they’ve split their tests into 3 separate security tools named IP Address Checker, DNS Leak Test, and WebRTC Leak Test. When combined, these 3 tools ensure that your real IP address, identity, and real-world location never become known to others.
4. DNSLeakTest
Finally, we have a test site for VPN checking that needs some effort. Don’t worry, we’re only referring to clicking on buttons to run a Standard test or an Extended test. The IP address and location will be visible from the get-go, while the former test quickly runs 6 IP/DNS queries. The latter test runs 6 rounds of 6 DNS/IP queries, takes about 10 to 30 seconds more, but exhausts any possibility of IP or DNS leaks. So, you should run the first test if you’re in a hurry and want to make sure your VPN is working. Use the second when you want to be 100% sure your activities and identity can’t be discovered, tracked, or logged.
5. IPX.ac
IPX.ac service is an extension of VPN.ac, a well-known Romanian VPN provider that’s been around since 2009. Most of the tool requires no work since the detected information is sorted into an easy-to-read table. By selecting an additional option, Test for leaks & footprints, you can further verify your VPN is working as intended. Those tests include IPv6 geolocation, WebRTC and Flash leaks, battery percentage, operating system, browser, screen resolution, JavaScript, CPU information, time zone, and strength of TLS (Transport Layer Security) between you and the website.
6. Test-IPv6.com
Test-IPv6.com runs a series of 15 tests as soon as you open the page. It shows detailed information about your IPv4 and IPv6 address and shows the name of your ISP if detected. We also like how they provide an IPv6 readiness score and warn you that a transition is imminent. While it doesn’t specify that a DNS was leaked, words (possibly run by your ISP) will be present if IP and DNS are in-tune, which isn’t the case if the DNS was leaking and IP wasn’t. Also, if you’re usually using IPv4, and use, for example, OpenVPN with IPv6 capabilities and pass the test, that’s a good sign.
7. Tenta Browser Privacy Test
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Tenta is a free Android browser with a built-in VPN and ad and tracker blocker. Even better, the browser doesn’t support advertising and Tenta has a strict no-log policy. With that said, the Tenta Browser Privacy Test is another security weapon in their arsenal. Not only is it thorough when it comes to scouring for information about your machine and Internet connection, but also the most beautiful VPN test site we’ve seen. And all that without a compromise in functionality or displaying ads to compensate for their hard work.
8. Perfect Privacy Check IP
Perfect Privacy Check IP is a free online VPN checking website offered by an eponymous VPN provider. Similar to ExpressVPN, they’ve separated the tool into 3 tests: IP Leak, DNS Leak, and WebRTC Leak. When we used WebRTC leak, the tool also offered the 4th option. That was checking leaks within Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge and exploits in an IPsec security protocol used by VPNs on Windows. We gladly accepted and sighed in relief when our privacy wasn’t in danger. It’s something we recommend to anyone using browsers on Windows. Do it regularly, if possible.
9. AstrillVPN Leak Test
It surprises no one that another reputable VPN provider, AstrillVPN, also offers a leak test on their website. After all, it’s a great proof of concept of their product, and it serves as free marketing. It’s very similar to DNSLeakTest in that it has two options, a quick, Standard Test, and a slower, yet all-inclusive, Full Test. You can see IPv4, IPv6, DNS, and ISP information. It will also check for Java, Flash, and WebRTC leaks. Running the full test lasted just under 2 minutes, but it showed no additional options. It only ran a few extra rounds of searching for IP and DNS leaks.
10. DNSLeak
Calling something idiot-proof shouldn’t be taken as an insult. We’re saying this because DNSLeak is dedicated to the people who aren’t tech-savvy. It works by showing an IP address that was detected right away. After selecting a tool – IPv6 Leak Test or DNS Leak Test, you get a simple message: Your IPv6/DNS is not leaking. That’s all there is no it – no-frills or the possibility of getting confused. If you’re worried about your privacy while sending e-mails, DNSLeak also offers an Email Leak Test. They’ll generate a temporary e-mail address for you, and tell you yes or no through the same message.
