What is a VPN kill switch and why do you need one?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are an essential tool if you want to browse the web securely. They route your internet through a remote server, encrypting all traffic and changing your IP address in the process. And this is great for several things, from shielding yourself from online surveillance to bypassing geo-blocks. But what happens when VPNs stop working?
Well, your web traffic stops being routed via the VPN server, losing encryption. Thus, your IP address and all browsing activities become visible again to third parties. Thankfully, most reputable VPN providers include a feature to prevent this from happening – a kill switch. Learn more about VPN kill switches and why they’re a must-have.
What is a kill switch on a VPN?
A kill switch is a firewall feature of your VPN software. It’s designed to protect your data from leaking by killing all internet traffic if you ever get disconnected from the VPN. You won’t be able to browse or do anything that requires internet access until the encrypted VPN connection is established again. Or till you disable the VPN kill switch feature.
How does a VPN kill switch work?
VPN kill switches are like trip wires. Its protocols constantly monitor your connection to the VPN server and IP status. The instant it detects any disruptions in them, it immediately prevents your computer from accessing the internet using an open or public IP address. And once you reestablish the VPN connection, the kill switch reconnects your device to the internet.
Here’s a little breakdown of how it all works:
- Observing. The VPN kill switch continuously checks your connection to the VPN server. It’s done by scanning for any changes to the status or the IP address.
- Detecting. If the VPN connection drops or some disruptions prevent the software from working correctly, the kill switch detects it instantly.
- Blocking. Depending on the VPN service, the kill switch either blocks your device or certain apps from accessing the internet.
- Reconnecting. When the encrypted connection reestablishes itself, the kill switch restores access to the internet.
One important thing to keep in mind is that not every VPN kill switch is created equal. Not all of them work as they are supposed to, so it is crucial to pick a service with a reliable one.
Types of VPN kill switches
There are two kinds of VPN kill switches – application-level and system-level. Providers usually offer one or the other, with rare instances of some including both in their software, like NordVPN.
- Application-level kill switch. Whenever the VPN connection fails, this type disconnects the internet for specific apps only. Meaning they won’t work until the VPN connection reestablishes itself. It’s quite customizable since you can choose the applications, and useful when you want to hide your IP address while using a particular app.
- System-level kill switch. If your connection to the VPN drops, this type prevents your device from accessing the internet. Nothing that requires an internet connection will work until the secure connection is restored.
Why you should turn on a VPN kill switch
There are a number of reasons why a kill switch could become an essential feature for you as a VPN user. Yes, this technology keeps you secure and untrackable, but if you ever lose the encryption, you need a fail-safe to avoid data leaks. It is your last line of defense against them.
Remain anonymous
Those living in authoritarian countries don’t have much online freedom. Or privacy at that, since such governments tend to spy on their citizens, too. VPN technology is convenient for shielding yourself from this. And kill switches prevent authorities from finding out what you’re doing on the internet in case they fail.
VPN kill switches are vital for journalists, political activists, whistleblowers, and people trying to spread the truth. This technology is mandatory if you wish to avoid being tracked down (and potentially suffer the consequences of speaking your mind).
Protect sensitive data
If you have any confidential files that should remain, well, confidential, then you can’t have your security compromised. This involves all kinds of documents, from personal ones to work-related information. Lawyers, doctors, social workers, or anyone needing the internet for work should protect themselves.
VPNs with robust kill switches take care of potential worst-case scenarios that might happen if any sensitive data gets leaked. The tool encrypts your internet traffic with an unbreakable cipher, providing much-needed security. And the kill switch ensures everything you do online stays confidential if the VPN connection ever fails.
Secure public Wi-Fi
Although handy in case you don’t have any mobile data left, public networks are playing grounds for cyber criminals. Without proper protection, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to all kinds of threats. We’re talking about Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, session hijacking, malware, and even fake hotspots.
VPNs are great for hiding from malicious internet users. But this protection doesn’t mean much if your data can still get leaked if the secure connection drops. Enabling a VPN kill switch prevents that from happening, though.
Shield P2P activity
Many countries have blanket bans on peer-to-peer (P2P) downloads due to the poor reputation torrenting has as a whole. ven if you share personal files like this, Internet Service Providers (ISP) don’t know your intentions or what you’re sending/downloading. Doing so unprotected could result in fines and potential jail time if they choose to report you.
For this reason, many torrenters use VPNs to protect their download activity. However, your actions will be exposed if your VPN connection drops and your computer reverts to a public connection. Yet again, a powerful kill switch would make it impossible to happen.
What causes a VPN to disconnect
Depending on the provider, VPN connections tend to be pretty stable, so disruptions aren’t that common. Still, this technology isn’t perfect, and there are several factors that might cause it to fail. And you don’t want your data to leak in case it ever occurs.
- Unreliable networks. It includes weak Wi-Fi signals, constant internet connection interruptions, timeouts, and even breaking the internet connection by switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi and vice versa.
- Software settings. Antiviruses and firewalls can prevent VPNs from working correctly by preventing them from establishing an encrypted tunnel. To avoid this, you’ll have to add the service to the exceptions list.
- VPN protocols. Some secure VPN tunneling protocols have two communications protocols to transport data. UDP is faster, while TCP is more reliable. Switching from the former to the latter could prevent unstable VPN connections.
Of course, if anything happens to the VPN’s physical servers, the connection will also fail. It’s extremely rare, though, so there’s no need to worry about this kind of scenario.
How to test a VPN kill switch
- Activate the VPN kill switch and connect to a server. Pick one located in another country for easier testing.
- Block the VPN app by using the firewall. Restrict your VPN in the firewall settings so that it no longer can work properly. But don’t stop your online activity or disconnect from the internet.
- Try browsing the web. If nothing loads, then it means the kill switch is working as intended.
- Whitelist your VPN in the firewall’s settings. Continue surfing the web safely and privately.
Which VPNs have the best kill switches
Having a kill switch is the bare minimum in terms of security features provided by VPNs. Still, not every provider ensures it works as intended. Furthermore, not all offered VPN apps include kill switches depending on the operating system.
We tested lots of services to find out which offer the most functional and reliable kill switch. Our IP address did not leak, no matter how many times we disrupted the VPN connection with these providers:
- NordVPN. Our top-rated VPN with system and app-level kill switches. The function is available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. This service is highly customizable and utilizes industry-leading security measures.
- Surfshark VPN. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS apps come with system-wide kill switches. They reliably killed the internet every time the VPN connection got disrupted, preventing sensitive information from leaking.
Besides implementing great kill switch features, these services are our recommended VPNs for plenty of other reasons, too. They include robust toolkits for extra protection, excellent speeds for a seamless online experience, and prices that won’t hurt your wallet.
Conclusion
A VPN kill switch is an essential feature that prevents your data from leaking if the VPN connection fails. Your device gets disconnected from the internet, and access to it is reestablished only when the VPN reconnects to the encrypted tunnel. A mandatory failsafe, it comes with every proper VPN service.
Even so, not every kill switch is reliable. Currently, NordVPN has the best kill switch feature in the market. Subscribers get two types – system-level and app-level – and it’s available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. This way, the provider lets users customize their VPN application to better suit their specific needs.
You may also like to read:
The ultimate guide to setting up a VPN
What is a VPN firewall
What is a proxy
How to stop DNS leaks
How to check if my VPN is working
Common VPN errors
FAQ
What is a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch is a security feature that disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. It actively monitors the status of your connection to the secure server. If something changes, all access to the internet is cut off, ensuring your IP and data don’t leak.
What does a kill switch do?
A VPN kill switch protects you from accidental IP and data leaks if the VPN stops working. It monitors your connection to the remote VPN server. And if its status changes, the kill switch kills your device’s access to the internet.
Should you turn on a VPN kill switch?
Yes, you should turn on the VPN kill switch. Especially if you rely on this technology to shield your online activities from third parties, like cybercriminals, governments, ISPs, advertisers, and such.
Are kill switches on by default?
Depends on the VPN provider. Some have kill switches enabled on default, while others keep it turned off to let users decide. In some cases, VPN services have built-in kill switches that you can’t turn off.
Is it bad to leave the kill switch on?
No, leaving the VPN kill switch on is actually good practice. It doesn’t affect your speeds, device performance, or a VPN’s effectiveness. But you have to keep in mind that your internet connection will depend on the VPN provider’s uptime.
Do all VPN services include a kill switch?
Not all VPN services include a kill switch, even though it’s an essential security feature. We suggest avoiding providers that don’t have it. A kill switch prevents data leaks in case the VPN service stops working.
