How to test if your VPN is working [Speed & Leak Check]

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

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How to check if your VPN is working?

Check if you’re connected

This step might sound silly, but sometimes yourVPNconnection might suddenly drop. If you’re unfortunate enough to use aVPNwithout a killswitch, your Windows PC will almost immediately default to your previous, insecure connection.

As a result, you won’t be connected to theVPNserver of your choice (even though you thought you were), and your connection won’t be secured and anonymized.

Perform a data leak test

Just to make sure, you can run the leak tests on all of the servers we’ve mentioned above. If none of these tests pick any sensitive data from yourVPNconnection, then yourVPNis leak-proof.

However, note that some VPNs might leak data from some of their servers, while others are kept airtight. We’re not telling you to run leak tests every time you connect to aVPNserver but is that such a crazy idea? Better safe than sorry, after all.

Bonus:Note that ipleak also has a torrent address detection feature. You add a magnet link to your torrent client of choice and wait for the results. If you see your real IP address in the torrent address testing area, yourVPNis not secure.

Run a speed test

Naturally,speedis an important part of yourVPN. Having asecure, butslowVPNcan turn simple, mundane activities, such as checking your email into sessions of endlessly waiting for the page to load.

We recommend sticking to only onespeedtest tool, and switching only if it doesn’t seem to work with yourVPN(it’s not unheard of). On the other hand, running tests on multiple servers can help you understand if and how location affectsspeed.

It’s worth mentioning that certainVPNsenforcespeed/bandwidth limits only on some of their servers/locations.

Final thoughts on testing yourVPN

All things considered, it’s of utmost importance to understand how yourVPNworks and test it for leaks at least every once in a while.

Remember, even if yourVPNsuccessfully masks your IP, that doesn’t mean it also shields other sensitive data from prying eyes.

Last, but not least, runningspeedtests on yourVPNcan help you learn if theVPNlimits bandwidth/speed, and also how location can affect yourVPNconnectionspeed.

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How to test if your VPN is working [Speed & Leak Check]#

How to check if your VPN is working?#

Check if you’re connected#

Perform a data leak test#

Run a speed test#

Final thoughts on testing yourVPN#