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What a VPN leak test shows

A leak is anything that leaves your device outside the VPN while it says it is connected: usually your real IP address, or the DNS lookups that turn website names into addresses. The leak test in TekLan VPN checks both in a few seconds.

Short answer: The test asks TekLan’s leak-test servers which IP address and which DNS servers they see. No leaks found means both belong to the VPN, so your traffic and your lookups are staying inside it.
What it checks

Three things, all through the VPN

  • Your IPv4 address

    Should be the VPN server’s address, not your home or mobile address.

  • Your IPv6 address

    If your network has IPv6, it should not show your own address.

  • Your DNS

    Which servers answer your lookups. Should be TekLan DNS, or the provider you chose in the app’s DNS settings.

Reading the results

What each result means

  • No leaks found: everything is inside the VPN. Nothing to do.
  • DNS answered by another provider: if you chose that provider in the app’s DNS settings, that is expected. If your phone uses its own secure or private DNS setting, the test names that provider: your lookups are going there instead of TekLan DNS. Turn the phone’s setting off, or keep it if you chose it deliberately.
  • Your own IP address appears: disconnect any other VPN app, reconnect TekLan VPN and test again. If it still shows, open a support ticket with the result.
Where to find it

Which apps have the leak test

In the apps it sits with the DNS settings; in the browser extension it is a button on the Connect page. This list follows the app releases.

Which apps have Leak test
AppStatus
iPhone and iPadLeak test: coming in 4.4.0 DNS lookup: coming in 4.4.0
MacLeak test: coming in 4.4.0 DNS lookup: coming in 4.4.0
Apple TVLeak test: coming in 1.2.0 DNS lookup: coming in 1.2.0
AndroidLeak test: coming in 4.5.1
Android TVLeak test: coming in 4.5.1
Fire TVLeak test: coming in 4.5.1
WindowsLeak test: available DNS lookup: available
Browser extensionLeak test: available
How it works

Nothing to install

The test asks TekLan’s leak-test servers (leak4.teklanvpn.com, leak6.teklanvpn.com and dnsleak.teklanvpn.com) which IP address and DNS servers they see, through the VPN, and shows you the result. Our privacy policy describes it.

Questions

Frequently asked

How often should I run it?

After changing DNS settings, after joining a new network, or whenever something seems wrong. There is no need to run it every time you connect.

Does the browser extension test the whole device?

No. It tests that browser, which is all the extension protects.

Can I run a leak test without the app?

Yes, many websites offer one. Run it with the VPN connected and check that the addresses shown are not your own.

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