How to Test Your VPN Connection with Online IP Leak Detectors
A VPN should route your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel and replace your visible public IP address with the address of a VPN server. That protection can fail in small but important ways, especially when DNS requests, IPv6 traffic or browser-based WebRTC connections escape the tunnel.
Learning how to test your VPN connection with online IP leak detectors gives you a practical way to check what websites can actually see. The process is useful for privacy, remote work, travel, online banking and checking whether your VPN is performing as advertised on an Australian internet connection.
What an IP leak detector checks
An IP address test usually reports your apparent public IPv4 address, approximate location and internet provider. Before connecting to a VPN, record these details. After connecting, the visible address should change to the VPN server’s address, and the location should generally move to the selected city or country.
Location results are approximate rather than proof of a precise physical position. An Australian VPN endpoint labelled Sydney might be registered in another suburb, while a server advertised for Melbourne could appear in a nearby regional area. The important comparison is whether your normal ISP address, such as an address associated with Telstra, Optus or TPG, remains visible.
A useful online checker may combine IP lookup, DNS testing and WebRTC detection. CoderVortex’s IP lookup tool can be useful when checking how an address is identified, although a full leak test should include more than a single IP result.
Run a clean before-and-after test
Start by disconnecting from the VPN. Open an IP address checker in a private browser window and note the displayed IPv4 address, IPv6 address, ISP, DNS provider and broad location. Taking a screenshot can make later comparisons easier, particularly if your provider assigns a new address during the test.
Connect to the VPN and choose a server in a different location. Refresh the detector rather than relying on an old browser tab. The public IP should change, and DNS requests should be handled by the VPN service or a deliberately selected resolver instead of your ordinary broadband provider.
For a realistic result, test the connection on the device and network you actually use. A home NBN connection in Brisbane may behave differently from a phone hotspot in Adelaide. Airport Wi-Fi, a university network in Canberra and a café connection in Fremantle can also apply different IPv6, DNS or captive-portal settings.
Check DNS and IPv6 separately
A DNS leak occurs when your browser asks a resolver outside the VPN tunnel to translate domain names into IP addresses. The websites you visit may still be encrypted with HTTPS, but the DNS provider could observe the domains being requested. A leak detector should show the resolver organisation and country, giving you a way to compare it with your VPN settings.
If the test lists your Australian ISP’s DNS servers after the VPN is active, investigate before trusting the connection. Some VPN applications offer a setting such as “use VPN DNS” or “prevent DNS leaks”. Changing DNS manually can help in certain cases, but it is not a substitute for a properly configured tunnel.
IPv6 deserves a separate check because some VPNs protect IPv4 traffic while leaving IPv6 traffic outside the tunnel. If your home router and ISP support IPv6, an IPv6 address linked to your normal provider can reveal your network even though the IPv4 result appears safe. Disable IPv6 only as a temporary diagnostic measure unless you understand the wider network implications.
Test WebRTC and the kill switch
WebRTC is a browser technology used for video calls, voice chat and peer-to-peer connections. Depending on the browser and VPN configuration, WebRTC may expose a local address or a public address through connection discovery. Modern browsers have reduced some forms of exposure, but testing remains worthwhile.
Run the leak check in Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari, then repeat it in the browser you use for banking or work. If the detector reveals your ordinary public IP while the VPN is connected, review the VPN’s WebRTC protection, browser permissions and extension settings. Avoid installing random privacy extensions without checking who maintains them and what data they can access.
A kill switch is equally important. Disconnect the VPN while a page is loading, then see whether normal internet access stops. If traffic continues through your home or mobile connection, the application may allow a brief exposure during reconnection. This matters when working from a shared office in Sydney, travelling between Perth and regional Western Australia, or using a VPN for sensitive client systems.
Read the results before taking action
A changed IP address is a positive sign, but it does not prove that every application is protected. Some apps use their own DNS settings, ignore system proxy settings or connect directly through background services. Test browsers, torrent clients, video-call software and other tools separately if they handle sensitive traffic.
Streaming services may also identify a VPN through server reputation, account activity or device signals rather than a simple IP leak. A blocked Australian catalogue does not automatically mean the VPN is leaking. Likewise, a location that looks slightly wrong may reflect commercial geolocation data rather than a technical failure.
| Check | Expected result with a working VPN | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Public IPv4 | VPN server address and location | Normal home ISP address |
| Public IPv6 | VPN-provided address or no exposed IPv6 | Address tied to your ISP |
| DNS requests | VPN resolver or chosen private resolver | Telstra, Optus, TPG or local ISP resolver |
| WebRTC | VPN address or no sensitive public address | Ordinary public IP appears |
| Kill switch | Traffic stops when tunnel drops | Browsing continues normally |
| Reconnection | Protection returns before traffic flows | Apps reconnect through the ISP |
Use these practical checks before treating a VPN as reliable:
- Record your normal IP, IPv6 and DNS details before connecting.
- Test from both your usual home network and mobile hotspot.
- Repeat the check after changing VPN servers or protocols.
- Run DNS and WebRTC tests in every browser used for sensitive work.
- Confirm that the kill switch blocks traffic during a forced disconnect.
- Check for VPN software updates and review its leak-prevention settings.
A good result should be consistent across repeated tests, not just a single favourable screen. If an IP leak detector exposes your ordinary address, contact the VPN provider, enable its DNS and kill-switch protections, or choose a service with stronger IPv6 and WebRTC handling. Regular checks are sensible after changing routers, browsers, operating systems or internet providers.