Domain Name System (DNS) as the name itself explains, is a system which translates a domain name into an IP Address. As remembering all the IP addresses can be impossible to a single user, the need of a translator arises. This makes things very easy. Every device such as a computer, phone or tablet is assigned with a unique IP address. And these devices communicate with each other by making use of there IP address. In the same manner, as we communicate with our friends through there phone numbers. But as it is impossible to memorize the numbers, so need for this DNS system arises.
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We will try to make it easy to understand with an example. Imagine that we have to remember people or communicate with them by there number on their IDs. Then it would become very tough to communicate. But if we use names instead, the same thing becomes quite easy. This can be related to domain names. Remembering the name of a website such as www.google.com is very easy. But remembering the IP address of all websites can be a big task. Though Google has a very simple primary and secondary DNS IP address i.e. 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. But other than that most of the websites have very complicated DNS IP addresses.
What is a DNS Leak?
DNS Leaks are a big threat to the privacy and security of the user. So let’s read further to find out how this happens. Now that we know about a DNS, let’s see what information does a DNS server stores. When we search for any domain main, our DNS server stores that information. For example, if you requested to visit Twitter. The information relating to the websites we requested to visit is automatically stored. And it is done by the Internet Service provider (ISP) DNS Server. Now, this information is visible to our ISP and can even be under governmental surveillance.
To avoid this leak of privacy, users generally opt for Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers. VPN encrypts our information and DNS requests through a secure VPN Tunnel. Because of this, no one is able to see what is requested and by whom. All this information is sent through a secure VPN server. A good VPN service has privacy policies, for not storing any data related to DNS requests or share it with third parties.
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But sometimes there can be a fault in it. It is possible that while using a VPN service your DNS requests are going through your ISP DNS server. This is known as a DNS Leak. This can be due to issues in the configuration settings or DNS being routed to ISP by default. This can lead to users information being seen by ISP. All the websites visited can be easily visible to the ISP, thus compromising with the privacy of the user. This can question the complete purpose of choosing a VPN. But only the DNS requests can be visible not any other information. The activities done on the websites visited cannot be traced or stored. Because only the DNS Leaks and all other information is encrypted through a secure VPN Tunnel.
How to check for a DNS Leak with DNS Leak Test?
When you are using a good VPN service, they ensure that all your DNS requests are routed through there safe servers. But if you are using any free VPN service or not a trusted one, you can always check for any leaks in your system. This is for ensuring your safety at all times. Many good VPN service provider also offers DNS Leak Test on their websites such as ExpressVPN. You can check for a DNS Leak either on VPNs website or you can take this Test. A DNS Leak test is very important for this. Follow the steps below for conducting the DNS Leak Test online.
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- Go to DNS Leak Test Website through this link. You will see an IP address and a location. We tested it using the ExpressVPN server of UK, thus our location is seen as the UK. This confirms that our original location and the IP address is hidden and the DNS is not leaking. But let’s confirm and check further.
- Now take the Standard test by clicking on the Standard Test icon and check the results. What we found again was the same result and same location which does not relate to our original IP address nor our true location. So that basically means that our DNS is not leaking. You can also check it similarly. We also tried the Extended Test below to see the results.
- The results of our Extended Test were the same as of the Standard Test. So it proves that our DNS was not leaking. Similarly, you can also check it for yourself.
I hope you find this information useful about what is DNS leak and its leak test. For the latest tech tutorials, best software deals subscribe us and also follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
