A virtual private network (VPN) routes your internet traffic through an encrypted and remote server. Then, no one, including your internet service provider, can see which sites you visit or what you download.
Those characteristics make VPN tools popular with people who care about maintaining their privacy. But how can you know if your VPN is working correctly, and what do you do if it’s not?
How to Tell If Your VPN Is Working
You have several options for testing a VPN. Fortunately, many are very simple, and you can do them in minutes.
Do an IP Address Comparison
Activating your VPNgives you a different IP address. So, one of the easiest ways to test your VPN is to see if the IP address changes when you turn it on versus off. Start by going to a website such asWhat Is My IP Address.
First, visit the site with your VPN disabled and take note of the details about your IP address. Then, turn on your VPN and reload the IP-checker site, seeing if the information changes. Your VPN is working well if it does.
When testing your VPN this way, consider choosing a server in a place much different than your current location. That makes it easier to verify the results.
Ensure Your VPN Encrypts Traffic
Another check involves seeing if your VPN encrypts your internet traffic. Get started by downloading a free tool such asWireshark, a network protocol analyzer. You’ll go through the basic steps for using that tool here, but the process should be similar if you choose a different one.
Download and install Wireshark, then connect to your VPN. When you’re on the “Capture” screen, select an active internet connection, such as Wi-Fi. Clicking an active internet connection starts the data-capture process.
Let it run for several seconds, then press the stop button that looks like a red square in the upper left corner. If you want to start capturing data again, press the green shark fin button to the left of the stop button.
Right-click on a data packet in the Wireshark window. Then press Follow > TCP Stream. Doing that opens a window showing the packet’s data. You should see readable text, signifying the lack of encryption. That’s normal with your VPN deactivated.
Repeat this test with your VPN running. One telltale sign of a problem is if you see data packets associated with the HTTP protocol in your data-capture window. There shouldn’t be any with your VPN activated.
Right-click on a data packet and inspect it using the process above. If you see any legible text in it, that means the VPN is not encrypting the data.
What to Do If Your VPN Isn’t Working
The tests above may reveal your VPN is not functioning as expected. Here’s what to do in that case.
Start With Basic Troubleshooting
Begin by investigating the simplest things that could cause a VPN malfunction. Check that you have the latest version of your VPN tool installed, and download it if not.
Malware-screening tools and similar cybersecurity offerings can sometimes stop a VPN from running. Try temporarily turning off those products, then turn them back on and test your VPN again.
Sometimes, you may notice the VPN tool tries to connect to a server but never does. That could indicate an issue with a particular server. Try disconnecting from the problematic one and connecting to an alternative to see if that resolves the problem.
In other cases, the issue is with your internet connection. Check if it’s working before and after you connect with the VPN. If you can’t load websites in either case, the problem stems from your internet connection. If the sites only fail to load with the VPN connected, start by choosing a different server. Review your VPN settings if you also can’t connect with that one.
Finally, visit your VPN provider’s website and social media feeds. Check for information indicating a localized or widespread outage.
Know the Potential Issues and Resolutions
Domain name service (DNS) and internet protocol (IP) leaks are some of the most common problems associated with faulty VPN tools. A DNS leak occurs when your internet service provider can see your internet traffic, despite having a VPN tool running. Similarly, an IP address leak shows your real IP address rather than one associated with a remote VPN server. You can see evidence of these issues by running the IP checks mentioned above.
These leaks sometimes happen if you manually configure a VPN and make mistakes. Try setting it up again and see if the problems persist.
It’s also highly advisable only to use VPN tools from established companies. They’re most likely to have reliable infrastructure that will prevent malfunctions. Unfortunately, some VPN tools seem legitimate but are scammy products that could harm your computer.
Learn some ofthe suspicious signs of a scam VPN. For example, if the tool has a vague privacy policy or mentions data logging, those are warning signs.
Understand What a VPN Can Do
Some people believe they have a VPN problem, but the real issue is they misunderstand what the tool can and cannot do. For example,a VPN cannot stop virusesand malware. It could even make you more susceptible to them by routing your traffic through untrustworthy networks. If you get a virus with your VPN activated, that’s not necessarily a sign of the VPN not working properly.
That said, a properly functioning VPN conceals your browsing activity, location, and personally identifiable information. It also hides the use of torrenting software.
Another thing to keep in mind is many VPN tools offer free versions with limited features. If you’re able to’t access something shown as a capability and don’t currently pay for the VPN, whatever you want to access is probably a premium feature.
Use Your VPN Successfully
A VPN is typically a user-friendly tool, provided you have set it up correctly and have a product from a genuine company rather than a scammer. Even so, you can occasionally run into problems. The tips above will help you get through them and return to seamless connectivity.
