DNS Leak Test
Check which DNS server handles your queries. If it's your ISP — your VPN is leaking.
What Is a DNS Leak?
Every time you visit a website, your browser sends a DNS query to translate the domain name into an IP address. When using a VPN, these queries should go through your VPN provider's DNS servers — keeping your browsing invisible to your ISP.
A DNS leak happens when those queries bypass the VPN tunnel and reach your ISP's DNS servers directly. Your ISP then sees every site you visit, even though you believe you're protected.
How to Fix a DNS Leak
- Use a VPN with built-in DNS leak protection — NordVPN, ProtonVPN, and Mullvad all route DNS through their own servers by default.
- Set DNS manually to 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 — Windows: Settings → Network → DNS. macOS: System Settings → Network → Details → DNS.
- Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) — Firefox: Settings → Privacy → Enable DNS over HTTPS. Chrome: Settings → Security → Use secure DNS.
DNS Leak vs WebRTC Leak
| Type | What leaks | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Leak | Your browsing destinations (domains) | VPN with DNS protection or 1.1.1.1 |
| WebRTC Leak | Your real IP address | Browser settings or VPN |
| IPv6 Leak | Your real IPv6 address | Disable IPv6 or use IPv6-aware VPN |
FAQ
What is a DNS leak?
A DNS leak happens when your DNS queries are sent to your ISP's servers instead of your VPN's DNS servers. Your ISP can then see every website you visit, even if you're using a VPN.
How do I fix a DNS leak?
Switch to a VPN with built-in DNS leak protection (NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad). Or manually set your DNS to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) in your system network settings.
Is 1.1.1.1 safe to use as a DNS server?
Yes. Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 does not log queries by IP address and is one of the fastest public DNS resolvers. It's a significant privacy upgrade over most ISP DNS servers.
Complete your privacy check:
- → WebRTC Leak Test — find IPs leaking from your browser
- → IPv6 Leak Test — verify your IPv6 is not exposed
- → Browser Fingerprint Test — see what websites know about you
- → IP Checker — see your current public IP
Author: Katia Belokon — Privacy Researcher & VPN Analyst at MyIPScan. 5+ years testing VPN services and privacy tools.
Last updated: April 2026