Blog | G5 Cyber Security

VPN Privacy: What You Need To Know

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

VPNs significantly improve your online privacy but aren’t a magic bullet. Your data isn’t completely private. This guide explains why and what you can do to boost your security.

Understanding VPN Limitations

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic, hiding your IP address from websites and preventing your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from seeing the content of your browsing. However, several factors can compromise this privacy:

1. Your VPN Provider

  1. Logging Policies: Most importantly, what does your VPN provider log? Some keep detailed records of connection times, bandwidth used, and even websites visited (despite claiming not to). Look for providers with a strict ‘no-logs’ policy that has been independently audited.
  2. Jurisdiction: Where is the VPN company based? Laws in that country dictate what data they can be forced to hand over to authorities. Choose providers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (e.g., Switzerland, Panama).
  3. Trustworthiness: Research reviews and look for any history of data breaches or questionable practices.

2. DNS Leaks

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates website names into IP addresses. If your VPN isn’t configured correctly, your DNS requests might still go through your ISP’s servers, revealing the websites you visit.

  1. Check for Leaks: Use a DNS leak test tool like DNSLeakTest to verify your VPN is properly masking your DNS requests.
  2. Configure Custom DNS: Manually set your VPN client to use public DNS servers (e.g., Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8) within the VPN settings. The exact method varies by VPN software; consult their documentation.

3. WebRTC Leaks

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) is a technology used for video and audio calls in browsers. It can sometimes reveal your real IP address, even when using a VPN.

  1. Disable WebRTC: Most modern browsers allow you to disable WebRTC. The method varies:
    • Chrome/Edge: Type chrome://flags/#disable-webrtc in the address bar and enable “Disable WebRTC”. Restart your browser.
    • Firefox: Type about:config in the address bar, search for media.peerconnection.enabled and set it to false. Restart Firefox.
  2. Browser Extensions: Use a browser extension specifically designed to block WebRTC leaks (e.g., WebRTC Control).

4. Malware & Tracking

A VPN doesn’t protect you from malware or tracking cookies.

  1. Antivirus Software: Use reputable antivirus software and keep it updated.
  2. Browser Privacy Extensions: Install extensions like uBlock Origin (ad blocker) and Privacy Badger to block trackers and malicious scripts.
  3. Cookie Management: Regularly clear your browser cookies or use a privacy-focused browser like Brave which blocks tracking by default.

5. Connection Type & Protocol

The VPN protocol used impacts speed and security.

  1. WireGuard: Generally considered the fastest and most secure modern protocol.
  2. OpenVPN: A reliable, open-source option but can be slower than WireGuard.
  3. Avoid PPTP & L2TP/IPsec: These older protocols have known security vulnerabilities.

6. IPv6 Leaks

If your system has an IPv6 address and the VPN doesn’t properly handle it, your real IP address could be exposed.

  1. Disable IPv6: The simplest solution is to disable IPv6 on your operating system if you don’t need it. This process varies depending on your OS (search online for instructions specific to your setup).
  2. VPN Configuration: Some VPN clients offer options specifically to block IPv6 leaks; check the settings.

7. Location Services

Your browser or operating system location services can reveal your approximate location, even with a VPN active.

  1. Disable Location Services: Turn off location access in your browser and operating system settings.
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