How to Test for Ip, DNS & Webrtc Leaks (2025 Tutorial)

You trust your VPN to hide your IP address and encrypt your traffic—but what if it’s leaking data without you realizing it? In 2025, IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks remain common privacy pitfalls that expose your real location, browsing history, or even device details. This step-by-step guide shows you how to test for leaks (and fix them) in under 10 minutes, ensuring your VPN actually protects you.

Why VPN Leaks Are Still a Threat in 2025

Despite advancements in VPN technology, leaks persist due to misconfigured settings, outdated software, or browser vulnerabilities. Here’s what’s at stake:

• IP leaks: Reveal your true location and ISP, letting websites bypass your VPN’s geo-spoofing.
• DNS leaks: Expose your browsing history to your internet provider or third-party DNS servers.
• WebRTC leaks: Browser-based vulnerabilities that expose your local IP address even with a VPN active.

Testing regularly is critical—especially if you use your VPN for streaming or torrenting.

How to Test for IP Leaks

Your VPN should mask your real IP address. To verify:

1. Connect to a VPN server (e.g., NordVPN or ExpressVPN) in your target country.
2. Visit an IP-checking site like ipleak.net or whatismyipaddress.com.
3. Check if the displayed IP matches your VPN server’s location (not your ISP).

Red flag: If you see your real ISP’s name or hometown location, your VPN is leaking.

Quick Fixes for IP Leaks

• Enable your VPN’s kill switch (blocks traffic if the VPN disconnects).
• Switch to a more reliable provider like Surfshark.
• Disable IPv6 in your device’s network settings (many VPNs only handle IPv4).

Testing for DNS Leaks

DNS requests translate website names (e.g., google.com) to IP addresses. A leak occurs when these requests bypass your VPN’s encrypted tunnel.

1. Visit dnsleaktest.com or ipleak.net.
2. Run a standard or extended test.
3. Check the results: The listed DNS servers should belong to your VPN provider—not your ISP or Google/Cloudflare.

How to Stop DNS Leaks

• Use a VPN with built-in DNS leak protection (e.g., Private Internet Access).
• Manually configure your device to use your VPN’s DNS servers.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi networks without VPN protection—common hotspots for DNS hijacking.

Detecting WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) enables browser features like video chats but can leak your local IP. Test it:

1. Visit browserleaks.com/webrtc or ipleak.net.
2. Look for any non-VPN IP addresses under “WebRTC Detection.”

Note: Firefox and Brave block WebRTC leaks by default, but Chrome and Edge often require manual fixes.

WebRTC Leak Solutions

• Disable WebRTC in your browser (via extensions like WebRTC Leak Prevent).
• Use a browser with built-in WebRTC blocking (e.g., Brave or Firefox with strict privacy settings).
• Enable your VPN’s “block local networks” option if available.

Best VPNs to Prevent Leaks in 2025

Not all VPNs handle leaks equally. Based on our 2025 tests, these providers excel at sealing privacy gaps:

• ExpressVPN: Automatic leak protection across all protocols.
• NordVPN: Custom DNS servers and a kill switch on every plan.
• Proton VPN: Open-source apps with verified no-logs audits.

Final Steps to Stay Protected

Run leak tests monthly—or whenever you change VPN servers or update your browser. Bookmark this guide, and pair it with our privacy guides for full coverage. If your current VPN fails repeatedly, switch to a leak-proof alternative before your data becomes the next breach headline.