Why Your VPN Might Be Leaking Data — Even When It Says ‘Connected’

 

And what your VPN provider won’t tell you unless you know where to look

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“I’m safe. I’ve got my VPN on.”

That one sentence is the digital version of locking your door, then leaving the window wide open.

You boot up your device. Connect your VPN. See that friendly green icon saying you’re protected. You browse, torrent, or maybe access sensitive work documents, believing you're now cloaked in invisible armor.

But what if I told you that your actual IP address could still be exposed?

That your DNS requests might be leaking. That websites may still be able to see your real location. That your data could be bypassing your VPN tunnel entirely — all while the app says, “Connected.”

Let’s unpack the dirty truth.

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🕵️‍♂️ The False Sense of Security Most VPN Users Live With

The VPN industry has grown fast — and confusingly. Glossy ads promise “military-grade encryption” and “complete anonymity.” But here’s the thing:

Most people have no clue what their VPN is actually doing.
They think:

• “If it says connected, I’m invisible.”

• “Hackers can’t touch me.”

• “Even my ISP can’t see what I’m doing.”

Reality check:
That’s only true if your VPN is configured properly. And even then… things leak.

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💧 Leak #1: DNS Requests — The Metadata Snitch

Let’s start with the biggest betrayer of all: DNS leaks.

DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet. When you type medium.com, your device asks a DNS server, “Hey, where’s this site?” That request needs to go through your VPN — or else you’ve just told your ISP exactly where you’re going.

If your VPN doesn’t force DNS requests through its own secure DNS servers, your device may still ask your ISP — or Google — for help.

So yeah… you’re "protected," but still snitching on yourself every time you click a link.

Test it:
Sites like dnsleaktest.com will tell you who’s handling your DNS traffic. If your real ISP shows up? You’ve got a leak.

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🧠 Leak #2: WebRTC — The Silent Browser Hole

Even if your IP is hidden at the network level, your browser might out you through WebRTC — a real-time communication protocol baked into Chrome, Firefox, and others.

Here’s the kicker:
WebRTC can expose your real IP address, even if your VPN is active. Why? Because it bypasses the usual routes and uses your network interfaces directly.

And unless you dig into browser settings or use a dedicated extension to disable it, you’d never know.

Test it:
Search “WebRTC leak test.” If your real IP shows up… your VPN didn’t save you.

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🧱 Leak #3: Split Tunneling Gone Rogue

Split tunneling sounds useful — letting you route some apps through the VPN and others through your normal internet. But if misconfigured (and many are by default), sensitive apps could bypass the VPN entirely.

Think:

• Cloud storage syncing directly over your local network

• Auto-updaters pinging servers without encryption

• Background apps quietly leaking location data

One misstep, and your data is slipping out the side door.

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🧯 Okay, So What Can You Do?

Here's the part your VPN provider often forgets to print in bold:

1. Always Test Your VPN

Don’t just trust the “connected” label. Do real tests:

• DNS Leak Test

• IP Leak Test

• WebRTC leak check tools

2. Disable WebRTC in Your Browser

Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge — all have extensions or settings to block it. Do it once and you’re safer forever.

3. Use a VPN with Built-in Leak Protection

Not all VPNs are created equal. Look for ones with:

• Enforced DNS routing

• WebRTC protection

• Kill switch functionality

• Independent security audits (not just promises)

4. Turn Off Split Tunneling (Unless You Really Know What You’re Doing)

If your VPN allows it, fine — just triple-check what’s excluded.

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🙈 Why Doesn’t Anyone Talk About This?

Because most VPN marketing is designed to reassure, not educate. Fear sells — but so does false safety.

Truth is, the privacy tech industry thrives on half-truths: “Use us, and you’re secure.”
But real privacy? It’s a process, not a product.

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🧭 Final Thought: Protection Starts With Awareness

Think of your VPN as a raincoat — useful, but not magical.

• If your shoes are soaked (DNS leaks)? You’ll still get cold.

• If your hat’s missing (WebRTC)? Your head’s still exposed.

• If the zipper's broken (bad config)? You're fooling yourself.

A VPN isn’t a vault.
It’s a tool.
And it only works when used with eyes wide open.