IP: Detecting...Not Protected
LockNet VPN

DNS Leak Test

Check if your VPN is protecting your DNS queries from leaks

DNS Leak Test

Check if your DNS queries are being leaked to your ISP

What is a DNS Leak?

58% of the global population are active internet users—that's billions of people! However, when most of us go online, we don't actually know what goes behind the scenes and who has access to what information. Even if you're worried about your privacy and use tools to protect it, an unreliable or malfunctioning VPN app can leave your DNS queries visible to your ISP. This is known as a DNS leak.

Whoever runs your DNS server can make a log and track every single website and app you use. That means your ISP can collect your online browsing habits. Why would they want to do that?

  • •It provides a source of income for your ISP.
  • •Data is easily collected and sold to marketing companies for a pretty penny.
  • •Companies then use this information for targeted ads and other marketing strategies to promote their brand.

What is DNS?

Not so long ago, every home had a phonebook. It was a lifeline that we couldn't do without. DNS stands for Domain Name System and can be likened to the phone book of the internet. DNS servers are databases of all of the public domains on the internet.

How does DNS work?

Users find domain names useful but browsers communicate via IP addresses. A DNS is responsible for translating the domain name into an IP address and the other way around so the proper content is loaded to your browser page.

The Dangers of a DNS Leak

The mechanism that makes DNS a serious privacy risk is that your web browser uses DNS to find the sites you are looking for online. Your device then asks the DNS server, which in turn sends back the directions that tell your browser how to get to the site you are looking for. This process leaves a cookie crumb trail to your ISP (or DNS service provider), leaving you vulnerable.

Tracking Your Online Activity

It can give unauthorized third parties the ability to track all of your online activity.

Compromised Privacy

It can compromise your online privacy by providing a clear overview of what you do online.

Let's face it, there are some things that you don't want to end up in the wrong hands. For instance, do you want your boss to know you are looking at other job opportunities? The answer is probably not. Once out, the information has the potential to pop up in all kinds of wrong places.

What Causes VPNs to Leak DNS?

There are endless reasons a DNS leak can occur and as fast as technology is changing, new ways are constantly popping up. Here are the three most common cases:

1. Manually Configured VPN

A manually configured connection inherently leaves you at a much higher risk of incurring a DNS leak.

2. You've Been Hacked

If a malicious third-party attacker has gained control of your router it can trick your device into routing DNS traffic around your VPN which leaves you vulnerable.

3. Manual DNS Configuration

You may have intentionally or unintentionally told your device not to use DNS servers operated by your VPN provider.

✓ Using LockNet VPN applications significantly reduces your risk of a DNS leak.

How Does LockNet VPN Prevent DNS Leaks?

When you connect to the internet, your device is making DNS requests. However, if you're using LockNet VPN, our apps will block all the DNS requests that your device is making and direct them through a safe, encrypted tunnel. Since we do not keep any logs, your privacy is protected. Here's the key benefits you get:

Faster DNS Servers

Faster DNS servers than the standard ones provided by your ISP.

No Activity or Connection Logs

We maintain a strict zero-logs policy. Your DNS queries are never recorded or stored.

End-to-End Encryption

End-to-end encryption for absolutely all traffic between your devices and DNS servers.

How This Works:

  1. 1.You click a link or enter a URL in order to visit a website.
  2. 2.The domain name is sent to a LockNet DNS server via LockNet's encrypted tunnel.
  3. 3.The IP address is looked up by the DNS server.
  4. 4.That IP address is then used by your device to access a website.

The main takeaway is that all traffic is contained within the safety of the encrypted LockNet tunnel which protects your information and privacy.

Protect Your DNS Queries Today

LockNet VPN is dedicated to making sure you are protected from DNS leaks. Each VPN server has its own DNS complete with leak protection.

Get LockNet VPN Now