How to check if your VPN is working: The NymVPN way

Q: 1. Verify your IP is protected

A secure VPN should **mask your original IP address**. With **NymVPN**, IP protection works alongside an underlying mixnet that ensures unlinkability. To confirm: - Visit a site that shows your IP (e.g., a Nym blog) - **If your VPN is active**, the displayed IP should differ from your true IP Learn more about how mixnets power metadata protection in [What is a mixnet?](/blog/what-is-a-mixnet).

Q: 2. Check for DNS leaks

**DNS leaks** can undo your VPN’s privacy. Ensure your DNS queries are not sent through your ISP: start by reviewing our guide [What are DNS leaks and how to prevent them?](/blog/dns-leaks) NymVPN makes sure all DNS traffic routes through the encrypted mixnet — blocking leaks at the network level.

Q: 3. Test WebRTC safety

Modern browsers use **WebRTC**, which can expose your real IP even when a VPN is active. NymVPN includes built-in protections against WebRTC leaks. You should still verify it by checking your browser: - Navigate to **device settings** and **disable WebRTC features** You can refer to Nym’s Support Center article [What to do if NymVPN is leaking DNS/WebRTC and IPv6 addresses](https://support.nym.com/hc/en-us/articles/24630824940305-What-to-do-if-NymVPN-is-leaking-DNS-WebRTC-and-IPv6-addresses) for more info.

Q: 5. Metadata: The raw material of surveillance

Even if your content and DNS are secure, **metadata** — like timing, volume, and routing patterns — can still reveal sensitive information. Only [decentralized VPNs](/blog/decentralized-vpns) with mixnets, like **NymVPN**, can obscure this metadata by routing packets through multiple independent nodes and with added network noise to combat surveillance.

Prevent data leaks proactively and ensure your privacy is secure

Author: Benjamin Nemeroff

July 22, 20254 mins Read

Having a VPN that says "Connected" isn’t enough. Without verifying its effectiveness, your digital privacy could remain exposed: leaving IP addresses, DNS requests, or even WebRTC leaks visible to third-parties and surveillance systems.

This article will guide you through how to test your VPN, including decentralized VPNs (dVPN) like NymVPN, and show why metadata protection is just as important as encryption.

Try NymVPN for 80% off

Why VPN testing matters

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) that appears active may still leak data:

Your real IP address, through WebRTC
DNS requests, revealing the sites you visit
Metadata patterns, like timing and traffic volume
Silent drops, when your connection fails without warning

These leaks can compromise your security, especially when using dApps, remote access, or accessing confidential networks. To understand how metadata is tracked, check out Nym’s guide to What is metadata & what can it reveal?.

How to test your VPN

1. Verify your IP is protected

A secure VPN should mask your original IP address. With NymVPN, IP protection works alongside an underlying mixnet that ensures unlinkability. To confirm:

Visit a site that shows your IP (e.g., a Nym blog)
If your VPN is active, the displayed IP should differ from your true IP

Learn more about how mixnets power metadata protection in What is a mixnet?.

2. Check for DNS leaks

DNS leaks can undo your VPN’s privacy. Ensure your DNS queries are not sent through your ISP: start by reviewing our guide What are DNS leaks and how to prevent them?

NymVPN makes sure all DNS traffic routes through the encrypted mixnet — blocking leaks at the network level.

3. Test WebRTC safety

Modern browsers use WebRTC, which can expose your real IP even when a VPN is active.

NymVPN includes built-in protections against WebRTC leaks. You should still verify it by checking your browser:

Navigate to device settings and disable WebRTC features

You can refer to Nym’s Support Center article What to do if NymVPN is leaking DNS/WebRTC and IPv6 addresses for more info.

4. Verify kill switch protection

A silent disconnection can expose your real identity. NymVPN includes a system-level kill switch that blocks all traffic if the VPN disconnects. You can simulate a disconnect:

Turn off NymVPN mid-session
If traffic stops immediately, your kill switch is operating correctly

Learn why kill switches are critical in What is a VPN kill switch & why it matters?,

5. Metadata: The raw material of surveillance

Even if your content and DNS are secure, metadata — like timing, volume, and routing patterns — can still reveal sensitive information. Only decentralized VPNs with mixnets, like NymVPN, can obscure this metadata by routing packets through multiple independent nodes and with added network noise to combat surveillance.

Nym's Noise Generating Mixnet

Why NymVPN excels at leak prevention

NymVPN goes beyond typical VPN protections:

Uses a decentralized mixnet to obfuscate metadata
Includes full DNS leak protection
Safeguards against WebRTC and IPv6 leaks
Offers a reliable kill switch to prevent IP exposure
No centralized logs: NymVPN is anonymous by design, not by policy

See how NymVPN compares in Decentralized VPNs vs. traditional VPNs.

Nym’s VPN leak test checklist

	What to expect (NymVPN)	Why it matters
IP address	Masked and changed	Protects identity and location
DNS requests	Routed through mixnet	Prevents ISP tracking
WebRTC behavior	No IP leaks	Protects browser-level privacy
Kill switch	Blocks traffic on disconnect	Prevents data exposure during failure
Metadata obfuscation	High due to mixnet + cover traffic & packet mixing	Prevents sophisticated traffic analysis

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Checking if VPN works: FAQs

Can I trust a VPN provider’s “no-logs” claim?

With centralized VPNs, you must trust their no logs policies. NymVPN’s decentralized design removes that need: no central logs, no problem.

How often should I test for leaks?

Ideally after setup, when switching servers or devices, or anytime you update the VPN software.

Will NymVPN slow down my internet?

Mixnets introduce latency: it is best for latency-tolerate traffic like crypto transaction, private messaging, and email. But NymVPN balances this with the performance of the Fast mode, which is a decentralized 2-hop network powered by AmneziaWG (a fork of the WireGuard protocol.