I like using my virtual private network, or VPN, for casual activities like staying private while browsing the internet or unblocking streaming content from around the world, just like anyone else. But when I really need to lock down and make sure my privacy protections are optimal, I adjust a few of my VPN’s default settings.
Most VPN apps default to optimal speed and usability to help people get started with as little friction as possible and ensure the VPN runs smoothly out of the box. But while your VPN’s default settings will typically deliver enough protection, there are usually settings you can adjust to get a privacy boost.
There are many situations in which you’d need to optimize your VPN’s privacy settings. If you’re a lawyer, doctor, activist, whistleblower, journalist or anyone else engaging in an activity that requires critical privacy, you’ll want the most you can get out of your VPN at all times. If you’re in a region where VPN use is outlawed or restricted, you need to be extra careful to stay private, on top of taking steps to hide your VPN usage altogether.
Even if you’re mostly a casual VPN user who doesn’t fit into any of those categories, you’d want to take additional precautions if you’re torrenting or want to hide your activity from network administrators on public Wi-Fi -- activities that often carry added risk.
These are the VPN settings I enable when I need optimal privacy
Some of these settings will likely be enabled by your VPN by default, but it’s still important to double-check the settings to make sure before using your VPN for any privacy-critical activities. Also, bear in mind that setting availability and functionality may differ slightly from one VPN provider to the next, but generally speaking, most of our top picks incorporate the following features in one way or another into their settings menus.
Kill switch
This one is usually enabled by default, and some VPNs (like Mullvad) don’t even let you disable it. And for good reason: The kill switch is arguably the most critical VPN privacy feature. It automatically kills your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects, helping ensure that your online activity isn’t inadvertently leaked to your internet provider or network administrator. Having your kill switch enabled is important at any time, but especially when the privacy of your online activity is paramount. If your VPN doesn’t include a kill switch, you should start looking for a different VPN immediately.
DNS leak protection
Not every service does, but if your VPN has a separate setting for DNS leak protection, make sure it’s enabled at all times. DNS leak protection helps ensure that your DNS requests -- attempts to access a website -- are resolved through the VPN provider’s encrypted DNS servers rather than through your internet provider’s. If your device bypasses the VPN tunnel and sends your DNS requests to your internet provider, a DNS leak occurs and your internet activity can be exposed. You can easily check for DNS leaks by connecting to a VPN server and checking a site like ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com.
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