DNS Leak Test
How to Use Our DNS Leak Test Tool?
To check if your DNS is leaking, follow given steps:
Step 1: Disconnect your VPN. Now note your ISP and location.
Step 2: Go to “DNS leak test” tool and click on “Quick Test”
Step 3: Now connect your VPN and run the test again
Step 4: Analyze the results now.
It is important that you note down your ISP and approximate location earlier. After turning on your VPN and running the test. Note down the results again. This will help you to compare the results.
How to Analyze the Results of DNS Leak Check?
Our DNS Leak Test tool will give you DNS names and IP addresses. You need to compare the results. If you see your VPN’s DNS server or any secure DNS service name and IP then there is no DNS leak.
However, if you see your ISP DNS server or any other providers while your VPN is active. There is a high probability that DNS is leaked.
What is a DNS Leak?
A DNS leak is the exposure of your DNS queries to a third party who wasn’t supposed to see them. In simple words, you are using a private and secure network but the list of domain names leaks out. Here your passwords and the content of the site remain hidden. However, your DNS queries are disclosed to your internet service provider or a third party.
For instance, you visit https://example.com/login. DNS leak means only the URL example.com is exposed, while /login, username, password and the page content remain hidden.
When you use a VPN, you want your activities and username and passwords to remain hidden. Means your DNS lookups should pass through a VPN’s secure and private connection. So, your activities remain anonymous.
In a DNS leak, despite using a VPN, your DNS requests are disclosed. Your DNS requests suddenly go through normal ISPs’ DNS servers. They bypass the VPN security, which the VPN was supposed to provide.
How Does this DNS Leak Test Tool Work?
An IP leak test tool can’t see your DNS traffic on its own. It has no access to your network or device. It sets up a situation. In this, the tool makes up a website name. This name has never been known before. Now your DNS server has no choice but to ask the DNS leak test tool to find it out.
First of all the tool generates a unique subdomain like x9g3g2.example.com. Your browser triggers DNS lookups. Then the website’s JavaScript signals the browser to resolve this unique subdomain.
Your device sends DNS queries to the DNS resolver. The authoritative server logs the source. As the subdomain is newly generated, the query goes through our DNS leak test tool’s own authoritative DNS servers.
Afterwards, you get a list of DNS services, DNS server IP, location and status. If you get the VPN’s DNS servers, then there is no leak. If you get ISP’s DNS servers, then there’s definitely a leak.
What Does This IP Leak Test Check?
A dns test leak tool checks if your internet traffic securely went through a VPN tunnel. It checks for data leaks and verifies if the server is resolving your domain name requests. Meanwhile it actively tests for data leaks.
After the test, it shows the exact names and locations of servers. These are those servers that are handling your DNS requests. By checking through this DNS leak test tool, you can check if your IP addresses are secure.
Why do DNS Leaks Occur?
DNS leaks occur because operating systems or networks fail to handle DNS traffic appropriately. Usually, DNS requests don’t go through the VPN tunnel as the rest of the traffic does. The main causes are given below:
DNS Forgets to Redirect DNS Queries
Sometimes, when you use a VPN, it only routes your regular traffic through the encrypted tunnel. But somehow it forgets to redirect DNS queries. In this case, the device keeps on sending DNS requests to your ISP DNS server rather than the VPN.
Operating System Quirks
In Windows, there’s a feature named “Smart Multi Home Name Resolution”. Suppose your computer has different network connections. Windows will send DNS queries to various connections to get the fastest answer. Means even if VPN is on, your ISP can still receive some DNS queries.
IPv6 Leaks
VPNs are built to handle IPv4 traffic. Means it can’t block or tunnel IPv6 traffic properly. Suppose your ISP supports IPv6 and your device has enabled it. DNS queries go through IPv6 instead of VPN’s IPv4. As it goes through IPv6, VPN doesn’t even see that traffic.
DNS Settings Manual Configuration
Sometimes we manually set a custom DNS server on our device. We set it for more speed and reliability reasons. This can override or persist even after connecting to VPN. This results in your DNS queries going to the custom server and not to the VPN’s.
ISPs Transparent DNS Proxies
Some network providers or ISPs redirect outgoing DNS traffic on port 53. Means it doesn’t matter what DNS server your device is configured to use. Even if a custom DNS server is set. ISP’s router or hardware can redirect these queries to their own servers.
Router Level Settings
If your home router is set up with particular DNS servers and VPN is running only on your device. However, it is not configured to go over the router’s settings. Then, some traffic (from other devices on the same network) can leak through the router’s default DNS.
Why is it Important to Check DNS Leaks?
It is very important to check DNS leaks using our DNS leak test. DNS leaks may result in various security or privacy risks. These are as follows:
Exposure of Browsing Habits
Your DNS queries expose your access to a certain website or services. Third parties, ISPs or network providers can easily track and log your browsing patterns.
Govt. Surveillance
Authoritarian regimes exist in some countries. Users there have to remain anonymous or else it will be a matter of life and death. DNS leak checker lets you know DNS leaks so you can protect yourself from govt. Watchdogs.
No Data Privacy
Due to DNS leaks, your interests, activities and online behavior are collected. Third party advertisers or data brokers sell this data.
DNS Spoofing
Hackers can manipulate or redirect a leaked DNS request. It directs you to spammy or fraudulent websites. Meanwhile you will have no information about it.
By checking through an IP leak test, you will save yourself from the above hazards. Hence, it is important to check DNS leaks timely.
How to Protect Your Device from DNS Leaks?
To protect the device from DNS leaks, you need to connect to a secure VPN. It will build a private tunnel for your internet traffic. Along with that, it will not reveal your IP address. Some other ways to prevent DNS leaks are:
Disable IPv6
Most VPNs only secure IPv4. So you need to close the IPv6 pathway completely. For that, you can disable IPv6 by going into your network or Wi Fi settings.
Use VPN’s DNS Server
Don’t try to set a DNS server on your own for your device. VPN will handle it automatically. In this way, everything stays inside the tunnel and you remain anonymous.
Use Encrypted DNS
Encrypt your DNS queries by using DoH or DoT. By doing this, it will become very difficult for ISPs or network providers to redirect or track your DNS requests.
Regular DNS Leak Testing
You need to check DNS leaks regularly. Check it especially when you are updating your VPN app, operating system or switching networks.
Check Router Settings
Check your router settings. Make sure you manually configure your router settings to trusted DNS servers. It should not rely on ISP provided DNS. If it is, then your DNS queries will redirect to ISPs.
FAQs
What is a DNS leak and why should I care?
A DNS leak is a security and privacy breach. In DNS leak, your online activity and behavior are revealed to your ISP or any third party while you are using a VPN. DNS leak occurs when a computer bypasses the VPN’s secure tunnel for a domain name request. Instead it uses the default network servers.
You should care about it as you will not remain anonymous even if you use a VPN. Observers can see any website you visit and your actual location as well.
How do you fix a DNS leak?
To fix a DNS leak, enable your VPN’s “DNS leak protection” feature. Also enable “Kill Switch” in the settings. If DNS leak persists, you need to set your device DNS servers manually. Your VPN will provide these servers; you just need to set them. For that, disable IPv6. Also turn off “Smart Multi Home Name Resolution”.
Is it safe to do a DNS Leak test through the fastest DNS test?
Yes, running a DNS leak test is 100% safe. The DNS leak check tool is absolutely harmless to your browser. Moreover, it doesn’t even require you to download anything. So there’s no need to worry about safety. When you run a DNS leaks test, it just asks your browser to resolve a query. After it gets the answer, it gives you the proper results.
Can a DNS leak expose my exact location?
Yes, DNS leak can expose your location and IP address. Besides this, it also exposes your interests and online activity while you have no knowledge about it. It takes place when you are using a VPN.
How do I configure my router to prevent DNS leaks?
To configure your router to prevent DNS leaks, you need to set reliable DNS servers on your router. Go to your router’s admin panel and log in. Search for internet, DHCP, or WAN settings. Replace the DNS server of your ISP with trusted alternatives.
If your router supports “force clients to use router’s DNS”, enable it. It will redirect all DNS requests to configured DNS servers. Now disable IPv6 or configure it if your VPN supports it. After making changes, restart the router. Reconnect it with your devices. Run a dns leak test from multiple devices. Verify that your expected DNS servers are appearing.
Can a VPN cause DNS leak issues?
Yes, VPN can cause DNS leak issues. VPN helps to prevent DNS leaks but it can also cause DNS leaks. It happens when it is misconfigured, has software bugs or doesn't direct DNS traffic.