How do DNS leaks happen?

Your DNS requests are a record of the websites you have visited. If they are not encrypted through a secure tunnel, they might be leaked and exposed to attackers and your ISP.

How do I check for DNS leaks?

The easiest way to test for a DNS leak is to visit this website and run tests. You should run two tests: one before you activate Proton VPN and one after. Since Proton VPN prevents third parties from seeing your DNS requests, the results should not be the same.

If I use Proton VPN, who resolves my DNS requests?

If you are connected to Proton VPN, all of your DNS requests are encrypted, run through our VPN tunnel, and resolved by our DNS servers. No third party has access to your DNS requests. We also do not keep any logs of your DNS requests.

How do I fix a DNS leak?

If you encounter a DNS leak while using Proton VPN, please report it to our security team immediately via this form.

Prevent DNS leaks

DNS leaks pose a critical threat to your online privacy. By using Proton VPN’s encrypted VPN tunnel, you can keep your online activity and data private, safe and protected at all times. Our features also include:

Strong encryption protocols
IPv6 leak prevention
Audited by independent experts

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What are DNS leaks and how do you prevent them?

When you visit a website, your browser sends out domain name system (DNS) requests to find the webpage you want. The DNS translates the domain names we use (like protonvpn.com) into IP addresses that computers use. If these DNS requests are not encrypted, your internet service provider can monitor your activity, along with anyone else. Proton VPN takes several steps to ensure your DNS requests are never exposed.

Your DNS requests are encrypted

Our VPN apps automatically encrypt your DNS requests and include them in the VPN tunnel, meaning they cannot be intercepted or read by any third parties in transit.

We run our own DNS servers

Proton VPN server has a DNS server that will resolve your DNS requests. No third party ever has access to them in an unencrypted state, including your ISP and DNS provider.

Test for DNS leaks

You can check that your VPN connection is secure by connecting to a server, going to a DNS leak test(new window) website, and running their standard or extended test. If the results show DNS servers that don’t belong to your actual ISP, your VPN connection is secure.

A VPN you can trust to safeguard your privacy

Based in Switzerland

Proton VPN is created by the same team who made Proton Mail. We are based in Switzerland, a country outside of US and EU jurisdictions and known for its strong data privacy laws.

Strong encryption

Every Proton VPN connection is encrypted using AES-256, an encryption algorithm that has no known vulnerabilities and is resistant to brute force attacks.

Use on any device

Our easy-to-use Proton VPN apps are available on every platform, including iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, Fire TV Stick, Chromebook, Android TV, and more.