How VPNs Affect IP Geolocation — And Why It Matters for Cybersecurity

Think your VPN has you completely invisible online? Think again. Although a Virtual Private Network (VPN) masks your real IP address, it is not always effective in deceiving IP geolocation trackers, which is potentially dangerous to your network security. Even though you may not mind your privacy or you are using VPNs at work, you should know how the services handle your location information in case you want to remain safe online. In this blog post, we are going to dispel some myths, present the facts, and provide you with some tips to make the best use of your VPN.

What is a VPN and how does it work?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a secure tunnel between you and the internet. Once you are connected through VPN software, your actual IP disappears, and your traffic is redirected via a distant server. This makes it appear that you are surfing the web from a different location, keeping your online activity anonymous and secure — particularly when you are on public Wi-Fi. It is a rather rudimentary tool, but an effective one in terms of protecting your information, preventing surveillance, and even getting access to content that might not be available in your country.

How to Use a VPN for Maximum Privacy — and What Most People Get Wrong?

In order to access a VPN with the highest degree of privacy, one should first select a reliable no-logs VPN provider, as free options usually are associated with a number of risks. Never log in to insecure servers (especially in non-privacy-friendly locations), and turn on such options as a kill switch and DNS leak protection.

Many people take it that once you have the VPN running, everything is insulated, but that isn’t always accurate if you are logged into your Google account on an insecure browser or forget to update the VPN app. Your privacy is still left open in these ways. It’s fine if done right and consistently.

Top 5 VPN Settings You Should Enable for Total Security

1. Kill Switch

Kill Switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects to prevent IP leaks. This is more like a safety net. All internet traffic will be blocked in case of sudden VPN connection loss; hence, your real IP address never leaks—even for a second.

2. DNS Leak Protection

DNS Leak Protection ensures your DNS queries stay encrypted and private. Without this, DNS from your device may go out of the VPN tunnel. Turning it on makes sure that your browsing activity is staying private and encrypted.

3. Strong VPN Protocol (OpenVPN or WireGuard)

Strong VPN Protocol delivers secure and fast encrypted connections. This is determined by the protocols of a VPN and how it works. Good protocols, like OpenVPN or WireGuard, make for strong encryption and quick performance—both important for secure and smooth web browsing.

4. Disable IPv6

Stops potential IP leaks when IPv6 traffic bypasses the VPN tunnel. IPv6 can leak your real IP address to the site. Shutting it off avoids leaks by ensuring all traffic goes through the secure VPN tunnel.

5. Auto-Connect on Startup

Auto-Connect keeps your VPN always active, especially on unsecured networks. This makes it incredibly convenient for public Wi-Fi networks or for situations where you simply forgot to turn on your device, as the VPN is activated as soon as it turns on.

How to Test If Your VPN Is Really Hiding Your Identity?

To check if your VPN is really hiding your identity, the most primitive way is to go for IP address tracking. Visit sites such as iplocation.net before and after the connection to the VPN. If the IP changes, then it is working. If it still shows your actual location, VPN detection might be exposing you.

Finally, one can test for the DNS leaks (eg, DNS Leak Test) to ascertain if these DNS requests are not leaking outside the encrypted tunnel. Furthermore, check if there are any IPv6 leaks in case your VPN doesn’t support it.

VPN vs. Antivirus: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?

It’s like putting on armor every time you go online, hiding your IP address, keeping your activity private, and using public Wi-Fi securely. With weak protocols like PPTP, nonetheless.

It just doesn’t help against viruses or malware slipping through. Here lies the difference between VPN and antivirus. Antivirus defends your device from harmful files, phishing attacks, and various threats that want to steal your data.

So, do you need both? Absolutely. A VPN keeps you private. Antivirus keeps you safe. Together, they’re your best defense online.

The Dark Side of Free VPNs: What They Don’t Tell You?

Free VPNs may seem great, but they come with serious risks. In fact, these services do not keep your information private; instead, they collect data and sell your browsing history to others, all while bombarding you with ads and tracking. Weak encryption, poor server maintenance, and a lack of IP address tracking prevention can, in fact, weaken your network security. Really, a VPN is supposed to work for your good, but if it’s a free version, you are most likely trading your privacy for convenience all without even knowing it. All while having your best interests in mind.

Common VPN Mistakes That Put Your Privacy at Risk

1. Using a free VPN: Usually, free VPNs end up costing consumers in one way or the type of advertising or selling the users’ data. On average, they do not have strong encryption alongside notable servers for evasion tracking and data leak.
2. Not enabling the kill switch: If the kill switch is not activated, then in case of a VPN connection failure, your real IP address may be exposed. This can be avoided by simply activating an easy-to-use setting that ensures unbroken privacy.
3. Ignoring DNS and IP leak protection: In case DNS and IP leak protection is not blocked by your VPN, then it would mean that all your online traces can be traced. Always double-check to keep anonymous in this regard.
4. Using outdated or weak VPN protocols: This makes certain that your VPN turns on by itself when your device starts, quite useful for public Wi-Fi networks or in case you’ve forgotten to enable it yourself. Opt for contemporary and secure alternatives for enhanced encryption and better performance.
5. Trusting "no-log" claims without independent audits: Even if a VPN says that it logs nothing, it could still be false. Ensure you choose providers that have proof of independent audit to support their assertion of keeping logs.

Featured Image by Freepik.