Is My VPN Working?

We answer one of the most common questions we get - how do you know that your VPN is working?

Is My VPN Working?

So you bought a VPN app but are unsure whether it’s really doing what it should — protecting your communication while you’re online? We’ll try to briefly explain it here…

But first, in order to understand whether your VPN is working, we first need to know how a VPN works.

How VPN works?

As a user, you connect to a VPN server which in turn gets you a new IP address — that is different from the one provided by your ISP. From this moment on, all communication coming to and from your device is encrypted and routed through that VPN server. This enables you to access websites and services that could otherwise be outside of your reach — without anyone knowing what you’re doing online. Also, this is how users from, say Europe and Asia, are accessing US Netflix or anonymously downloading files using BitTorrent.

So when you’re connected to a VPN server and you can browse the Internet — or access some other service — your VPN is working. If you can’t access the Internet, it could be that your VPN isn’t working, but it could also be due to your Internet connection. After all, you still need Internet access.

That’s like a super short explanation of how VPN is working, now you want to know…

Is your VPN working?

A VPN app — at least all which we’ve tested — clearly says that it’s turned on AND connected – when that’s the case. Otherwise, it is “inviting” you to connect — in case it has only been started but is still not connected.

In Windows, you can see the small icon of your VPN service provider in the bottom right corner. When you move the mouse over it, you’ll see whether you’re connected or not. If you’re not connected, you can click on the icon and follow instructions provided on the screen to connect. Alternatively, you can right-click on it and check available options to achieve the same thing.

On smartphones and tablets, the same icon is typically located in the notification area. You’ll have to swipe from top to bottom to see what the VPN app has to “say.” Again, if you’re not connected, tapping on that information will take you to the VPN app from where you can select the server you want to connect to.

Most VPN apps clearly state when you’re connected and when you’re not, which is neat. Still, if you’re new to VPN apps — and for some reason, you don’t want to have your VPN app running at all times — you will have to manually check whether the VPN connection is on or off.

How to test whether the VPN is working?

The easiest way to test this is to first disconnect from a VPN app (if it was connected) and then search in Google for “my ip address.” Take note of what you got as a result, cause that is the IP address provided by your ISP (or mobile operator).

Now turn on the VPN app, connect to a server, and repeat the process. You should see a different IP address now — since all traffic is now routed through that remote (VPN) server which has assigned you that new IP address.

What if there is a problem?

Some VPN apps may be “leaking” your IP address and in order to see whether that’s the case, you’ll have to use some other tool to check it out. Specifically, you’ll want to test your VPN app for IP and DNS leaks, as well as WebRTC leaks.

There are many such tools out there, and you’ll have to find them online for yourself. Simply put, that’s beyond the scope of this article. Besides, we are always suggesting users not to be cheap on their VPN purchases — and to instead get the best possible service and forget about these sorts of nuances, knowing that their communication is secured with top-notch algorithms. To that end, you’ll want to check our list of Best of the Best VPNs and pick the one that sounds best to you. Cause all of them rock. 😉