TL;DR
VPNs on iPhones can be vulnerable to hacking, but it’s usually not the VPN app itself that’s the problem. The biggest risks come from choosing a dodgy provider, misconfiguring settings, or falling for phishing scams. This guide explains how to stay safe.
1. Understanding the Risks
It’s important to know how an iPhone VPN could be compromised. Here’s what you need to watch out for:
- Poor Quality VPN Providers: Free or very cheap VPNs often log your data, sell it on, or have weak security.
- Malicious Apps: Fake VPN apps can steal your information directly.
- DNS Leaks: Your real IP address might be exposed even when the VPN is connected.
- WebRTC Leaks: Web technologies can reveal your IP, bypassing the VPN.
- VPN Protocol Vulnerabilities: Older protocols like PPTP are insecure.
- Phishing & Social Engineering: Scammers trick you into revealing login details or installing malware.
2. Choosing a Reputable VPN Provider
This is the most important step! Look for these features:
- Strong Privacy Policy: They shouldn’t log your browsing activity. Read it carefully!
- Independent Audits: Check if their security has been independently verified.
- Good Reputation: Research reviews and look for any past data breaches or scandals.
- Multiple Protocols: Support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 is a good sign.
- Kill Switch: This cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops to prevent leaks.
Examples of well-regarded providers include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark (but always do your own research!).
3. Configuring Your iPhone VPN Settings
- Use Strong Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your VPN account if available.
- Choose the Right Protocol: In your VPN app settings, select WireGuard or OpenVPN whenever possible. Avoid PPTP and L2TP/IPsec.
- Enable a Kill Switch: Make sure this is turned on in the app’s settings to protect against connection drops.
- Split Tunneling (Optional): If offered, use split tunneling to only route specific apps through the VPN. This can improve speed and battery life.
4. Checking for Leaks
Verify your VPN is working correctly:
- IP Address Check: Visit a website like WhatIsMyIP before and after connecting to the VPN. Your IP address should change.
- DNS Leak Test: Use a DNS leak test tool, such as DNSLeakTest, to ensure your DNS requests are going through the VPN server.
- WebRTC Leak Test: Visit BrowserLeaks WebRTC test and check for IP address leaks. If leaks are detected, disable WebRTC in Safari (see Step 5).
5. Disabling WebRTC Leaks in Safari
WebRTC can bypass your VPN. Here’s how to disable it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Safari.
- Tap Advanced.
- Toggle off WebRTC (if available – this option isn’t always present in all iOS versions). If it’s not there, you may need to use a content blocker app that specifically blocks WebRTC leaks.
6. Staying Safe from Phishing
- Be wary of emails: Don’t click links in suspicious emails asking for your VPN login details.
- Download apps only from the App Store: Avoid sideloading or downloading VPN apps from unofficial sources.
- Keep your iOS updated: Apple regularly releases security updates that protect against malware and phishing attacks.