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Blocking VPN Leaks: Preventing WebRTC/DNS IP Leaks in Your Browser

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Blocking VPN Leaks: Preventing WebRTC/DNS IP Leaks in Your Browser

Using a VPN should hide your real IP address and encrypt your online activity. But in practice, many users face VPN leaks—hidden flaws that can reveal your identity even when a VPN is active. Two of the most common culprits are WebRTC leaks and DNS leaks. If left unchecked, these can expose your real IP address to websites, advertisers, or even hackers.

This article explains what these leaks are, why they happen, how to test for them, and most importantly—how to fix them to keep your VPN truly private.

What Are VPN Leaks?

A VPN leak happens when some part of your internet traffic bypasses the encrypted tunnel of your VPN and travels directly to the internet. When this occurs, your real IP address or browsing data can be exposed.

Types of VPN Leaks

  • WebRTC leaks – caused by browser features that allow peer-to-peer communication.

  • DNS leaks – caused when DNS queries (the requests that translate domain names into IP addresses) are sent outside the VPN.

  • IPv6 leaks – when IPv6 traffic bypasses the VPN because the provider only supports IPv4.

Why VPN Leaks Are Dangerous

VPN leaks undermine the entire purpose of using a VPN. They can:

  • Reveal your geographic location.

  • Expose your ISP and browsing history.

  • Compromise anonymity, making it possible to track your online activities.

WebRTC Leaks Explained

Risks of WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a browser technology that allows audio, video, and file sharing directly between users. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and most modern browsers support it.

The problem: WebRTC can expose your real IP address, even when you are connected to a VPN. This happens because WebRTC queries your system for local and public IPs to establish direct connections. Websites can use JavaScript to capture this information and bypass the VPN’s protection.

How to Disable WebRTC in Popular Browsers

  • Firefox: Go to about:config, search for media.peerconnection.enabled, and set it to false.

  • Chrome/Edge/Brave: Install browser extensions such as WebRTC Leak Prevent or uBlock Origin with WebRTC blocking enabled.

  • Safari: WebRTC is less common, but check under settings for advanced WebRTC controls.

Risks of WebRTC Leaks

  • Exposing your public IP despite VPN use.

  • Revealing your local IP address within a private network.

  • Enabling tracking by advertisers or malicious websites.

DNS Leaks Explained

DNS Leaks Explained

DNS Leaks Explained

Domain Name System (DNS) is like the phone book of the internet. It translates human-friendly addresses (like example.com) into numerical IP addresses.

Normally, a VPN should route DNS requests through its own secure servers. But in some cases, your computer might still use your ISP’s DNS servers. This is called a DNS leak, and it reveals:

  • The websites you visit.

  • Your browsing habits.

  • Potentially your geographic location.

Causes of DNS Leaks

  • VPN misconfiguration.

  • Operating system defaults.

  • Use of Smart DNS or IPv6.

How to Prevent DNS Leaks

  • Enable DNS leak protection in your VPN app (many providers include this option).

  • Force custom DNS servers such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8).

  • Disable IPv6 if your VPN doesn’t support it.

Use encrypted DNS protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT).

Testing DNS and WebRTC Leaks with vpntest.pro/test

One of the easiest ways to confirm whether your VPN is protecting your identity is by using a dedicated leak testing tool. The vpntest.pro/test tool allows you to quickly check if your VPN connection is leaking either DNS requests or your real IP address through WebRTC.

How to Use vpntest.pro/test

  1. Turn off your VPN and visit vpntest.pro/test to record your real IP address and DNS servers.

  2. Turn on your VPN and refresh the page. The test will run automatically.

  3. Check your results:

    • If you still see your original IP address, your VPN may have a WebRTC leak.

    • If you see your ISP’s DNS servers instead of your VPN’s, you are experiencing a DNS leak.

    • A fully protected connection will only display your VPN server’s IP and DNS servers.

Why Use vpntest.pro/test?

  • It combines both DNS and WebRTC checks in one place.

  • It gives clear results without technical jargon.

  • It’s a fast and private tool designed specifically for VPN users.

By running this test regularly, you can ensure your VPN is functioning correctly and preventing hidden leaks that could compromise your anonymity.

Best Practices for Leak-Free Browsing

  • Always test your VPN connection after installing or updating.

  • Use browsers that support privacy extensions (Firefox and Brave are strong options).

  • Keep your VPN software updated to the latest version.

  • Disable IPv6 if unsupported by your VPN.

  • Regularly check VPN settings for DNS and WebRTC protections.

  • Combine VPN usage with HTTPS-only browsing for stronger encryption.

FAQs

1. What is a WebRTC leak?
A WebRTC leak occurs when your browser’s real-time communication feature reveals your real IP address, bypassing your VPN.

2. How do I know if my VPN is leaking?
Run an IP/DNS/WebRTC leak test while connected to your VPN. If your real IP or ISP’s DNS appears, your VPN is leaking.

3. Which browsers are most prone to WebRTC leaks?
Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox all support WebRTC. Without configuration, any can leak.

4. Can disabling WebRTC break websites?
Yes, some video chat or file-sharing features may stop working. But for most browsing, disabling WebRTC has little effect.

5. What causes DNS leaks?
They occur when your operating system or apps bypass your VPN’s DNS servers and send queries to your ISP.

6. How do I stop DNS leaks permanently?
Enable DNS leak protection in your VPN app, use custom DNS servers, and disable IPv6 if unsupported.

7. Do all VPNs prevent leaks automatically?
No. Some premium VPNs include leak protection, but free or poorly configured VPNs often leak.

8. Is IPv6 responsible for VPN leaks?
Often, yes. If your VPN doesn’t handle IPv6 traffic, disable it to prevent leaks.

9. Are leak tests safe to use?
Yes. Leak test sites only display your IP and DNS info—they don’t log sensitive data.

10. Should I use a VPN and a privacy browser together?
Yes. Combining a secure VPN with a privacy-focused browser minimizes leak risks.

Tags

VPN leaks WebRTC leak fix DNS leak test VPN prevent IP leaks VPN privacy browser leaks VPN troubleshooting DNS protection WebRTC disable online anonymity
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About VPNTest

Content Specialist with expertise in cybersecurity and online privacy. Sarah has been testing and reviewing VPN services for over 5 years and regularly contributes to leading tech publications.

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