How secure is your VPN?

Table of contents

How to check the security of your VPN

Basic VPN testing procedures to test for

VPN testing protocols

Advanced leak tests

VPN speed test tools

Working with Focus Group

Remote working, public Wi-Fi and connectivity are now part of the everyday work lifestyle. Because of this, virtual private networks (VPNs) have become top-tier tools to keep data private and secure. But how secure is your VPN?

Not all VPNs are created equal, and knowing how secure a VPN connection is can make a massive difference to your business security.

Whether you use a free VPN or a premium provider, understanding their limits is key to keeping your data protected. So today, we’ll explore how secure a VPN is, what to test for, and which services can help spot weaknesses.

How to check the security of your VPN

When connecting to a VPN, it should encrypt your data, mask your location, and stop third parties from tracking your activity. However, even trusted providers can have hiccups, so it’s worth checking!

If you’ve ever wondered, “how do I know if my VPN is secure?” this is what you’ll want to do:

Check your IP address

• Visit a “what’s my IP” site before and after connecting to your VPN. A secure VPN should change your IP address completely.

Test for DNS leaks

• If your DNS requests go directly to your internet provider, your browsing activity could be exposed. Online DNS leak tests can confirm this.

Review encryption and protocols

• The most secure VPNs use AES-256 encryption with protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.

Read the logging policy

• A zero-log policy means the VPN doesn’t track your activity, which is essential for privacy.

Basic VPN testing procedures to test for

With cyber crimes evolving alongside our very IoT world, even the best VPNs can have vulnerabilities. But there are solutions! Here are the three core tests you can perform.

DNS leaks

• DNS leaks can expose the websites you visit to your internet provider, even if your VPN is on.
• To test for DNS leaks: connect to your VPN and visit a DNS leak test site. If the results show your internet provider or real location, your VPN has a problem. Free services like dnsleaktest.com or ipleak.net make this process simple.

IP address leaks

• An IP leak exposes your true identity and location, defeating the whole purpose of a VPN.
• Check your IP address before connecting. Reconnect with your VPN active and check again. If your IP remains the same, your VPN isn’t securing your connection.
• A reliable VPN connection should always display an IP from your VPN’s server, not your physical location.

WebRTC leaks

• WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) enables live video and voice chat but can accidentally reveal your real IP address.
• Testing is simple: connect your VPN, visit a WebRTC leak test site, and if your real IP appears, your VPN may not be fully secure.

VPN testing protocols

VPN protocols define how your data travels across the internet and how it’s encrypted. These are the most common VPN protocols:

• OpenVPN: The gold standard for strong encryption and stability.
• WireGuard: A newer, faster option with high-end cryptography.
• IKEv2/IPSec: Great for mobile users who switch networks often.
• L2TP/IPSec: Older but still widely supported.

If you want to know how secure a VPN connection is, always check that your provider uses OpenVPN or WireGuard. Both deliver 5-star protection for business networks and remote workers.

Advanced leak tests

If your business handles sensitive or financial data, you’ll definitely want to go beyond the basics. Below, we’ve highlighted some advanced leak tests you can carry out:

Kill switch test

• A kill switch stops your device from sending data if your VPN disconnects. You can test it by switching off your VPN mid-connection—a secure VPN will immediately cut internet access.

Packet inspection

• Technology used to analyse the contents of data packets as they travel across a network. More advanced users or IT teams can use deep packet inspection to confirm that no data is leaking outside the encrypted tunnel.

VPN speed test tools

Security matters, but so does performance. If a VPN is slow, teams may disconnect, exposing data and creating problems—no thank you!

However, you can test your VPN speed using tools such as:

• Speedtest by Ookla
• Fast.com
• NordVPN’s built-in speed test (for comparison)

It’s worth mentioning that you should check your connection speed before and after turning on your VPN. A slight drop in speed is normal, but if performance drops by more than 50%, it could suggest poor server quality or inefficient encryption.

When comparing services, we recommend balancing security and performance. For example, how secure is Norton VPN compared with Turbo VPN? Norton offers better encryption, but Turbo VPN may deliver faster speeds. Finding the right combination depends on what works best for your business priorities.

Working with Focus Group

At Focus Group, our solutions help your business work smarter whilst staying secure—wherever your teams connect from. Our cyber security specialists can assess how secure your VPN is, recommend enterprise-grade solutions, and integrate them into your wider IT and connectivity strategy.

We work with trusted global partners to deliver secure and reliable VPN services tailored to your business needs. So, whether you’re supporting hybrid working or protecting data across multiple sites, we’ll help you achieve complete peace of mind with a VPN setup that’s fast and built to last.

Get in touch with our cyber experts today to find out how secure your VPN is, and how Focus Group can help strengthen your business network. Contact us here.