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Warning: These VPN extensions for Chrome leak your DNS
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Recent reports confirmed that manyVPNtools actually leak your IP address to third-party entities. We recently came across a new security report that suggests things are even worse when it comes toChromeVPNextensions.
As a matter of fact, a whopping 70% of all the tested extensions leak yourDNS.
Security researcher John Mason and ethical hacker File Descriptor tested 15VPNservices and found out that 10 of them actually leak your DNS through theirbrowserextensions.
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A VPN that doesn’t leak your IP or DNS
Since you can’t rely on extensions too much, you will either have to remove them or go for a full-fledged VPN service. Whichever you may choose, the VPN recommended below is a go-to solution.
This tool is owned by Kape Technologies, and it is backed up by 35,906 servers in 77 different countries, allowing unparalleled access to all geo-restricted content.
The VPN is extremely easy to use, to the point where it can be considered easier to manage than an actual browser extension.
Your connection will remain secure thanks to the encryption, and you won’t have to worry about common VPN-related issues, such as latency or limited bandwidth.
Private Internet Access
As John Masonexplains,Chromeuses DNS Prefetching to reduce website loading latency by predicting what websites you’re going to visit.
Chromeprovides users with two modes to set up proxy connections after installing aVPNextension: fixed_servers and pac_script.
The majority ofVPNextensions use the PAC-script mode. However, this mode allows dynamic HTTPS/SOCKS proxy server host changes. Up to a certain point, this is a good thing as it optimizes theVPNconnection depending on what websites users choose to visit.
So, if you use your extension to play games, the script will select a proxy server that’s optimized for playing games.
However, this behavior leaves users vulnerable to DNS leaking. The certain webpage might force visitors to leak DNS requests.
In other words, when you type a website address in the address bar, the suggested URL is actually DNS prefetched. This means that ISPs can then collect this information about the websites that you often visit even if you use aVPNextension.
The list ofVPNextensions affected by DNS leaks includes: HolaVPN, TunnelBear, Betternet, IvacyVPN, DotVPN and more.
Private Internet Access is on the list of VPNs that are not leaking your DNS.
You can mitigate this DNS leak problem by disabling the predictive service fromChrome‘s Settings.
DNS leaks may severely affect your onlineprivacyand security. To keep your DNS protected, you can also use DNS Server 1.1.1.1 on your PC, or use a DNS protection tool such as DNS Lock.
More about the topics:Cybersecurity,Google Chrome extensions,privacy
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
