How often should I test my VPN?

Test your VPN after initial setup, after any app updates, and periodically every few weeks. You should also test when switching to a new server or protocol.

My VPN shows connected but my IP has not changed — what is wrong?

This usually means the VPN connection is not properly routing your traffic. Try disconnecting and reconnecting, switching servers, or switching protocols. If the issue persists, contact your VPN provider.

Does SecureVPN protect against all these leaks?

Yes. SecureVPN includes DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and routes all traffic through the encrypted tunnel. It is designed to pass all five of these tests out of the box.

How to Check If Your VPN Is Working (5 Quick Tests)

You have installed a VPN and hit connect — but how do you know it is actually working? A VPN that is not properly configured might be leaking your real IP address, DNS requests, or other identifying information without you knowing.

Here are five tests you can run right now to verify your VPN is doing its job.

Test 1: Check Your IP Address

This is the most basic and important test. Your IP address should change when you connect to a VPN.

Disconnect from your VPN
Visit our What Is My IP tool and note your IP address
Connect to your VPN
Refresh the page and check your IP address again

If your IP address has changed and shows the VPN server's location instead of your real location, the VPN is working correctly.

Test 2: Run a DNS Leak Test

Even if your IP address is hidden, your DNS requests might still be going to your ISP. This is called a DNS leak.

Connect to your VPN
Go to our IP checker tool
Click the test button and wait for results

If the DNS servers shown belong to your VPN provider (not your ISP), you are safe. If you see your ISP's DNS servers, you have a DNS leak.

Test 3: Check for WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC is a browser technology that can reveal your real IP address even when using a VPN. Some browsers expose your local and public IP through WebRTC by default.

To check for WebRTC leaks:

Connect to your VPN
If the test reveals your real IP address (the one you noted in Test 1), you have a WebRTC leak
Disable WebRTC in your browser settings or use a browser extension to block it

Test 4: Verify Your Connection Is Encrypted

A properly working VPN encrypts all traffic leaving your device. You can verify this by checking your VPN app:

Open your VPN app and confirm the status shows "Connected"
Check which protocol is being used (WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2)
Look for the encryption indicator — it should show AES-256

Test 5: Test the Kill Switch

The kill switch is your safety net — it blocks all internet traffic if the VPN drops. To test it:

Connect to your VPN
Open a website in your browser
Manually disconnect the VPN (not through the app — simulate a drop by disabling the network adapter briefly)
If the kill switch is working, the website should stop loading immediately

What to Do If Your VPN Is Leaking

If any of these tests reveal a leak:

Switch to a VPN protocol like WireGuard or OpenVPN
Enable the kill switch in your VPN settings
Enable DNS leak protection
Disable WebRTC in your browser
If leaks persist, consider switching to a more reliable VPN like SecureVPN, which has built-in protection against all these leaks