Using a VPN can give your online privacy and security a vital boost, but what if you get disconnected suddenly? That's where a kill switch can help you stay protected.
VPNs have seen their popularity skyrocket in recent years, with the best VPNs frequently sponsoring online content or taking out major advertisements. According to research from last year, nearly half of Americans have used VPNs, with Gen Z and millennials being particularly avid users.
That being said, VPN connections aren't bulletproof. Even the most secure VPNs can suffer from dropped connections, and when that happens, your data is temporarily exposed, as though you weren't using a VPN at all. This problem is what a kill switch is designed to solve.
In this article, we're going to explore what a kill switch is, why you need one, and how they work. Read on to find out more!
What is a VPN kill switch?
Effectively, a VPN kill switch can be described as a feature that disconnects your device from the internet when it detects a dropped connection to your VPN. This means that your data isn't floating around unprotected: it doesn't go anywhere until you've reconnected to the VPN.
This added layer of protection is vital for users who want to safeguard their personal information and maintain their online anonymity, even if your connection drops.
Types of VPN kill switches
There are two primary types of VPN kill switches: system-level and app-level.
- System-level kill switch: A system-level kill switch works at the operating system level. If you lose your connection to your VPN of choice, the system-level kill switch blocks all internet traffic on your device. This means that the data stays right where it is, rather than venturing out onto the internet without protection. This is the more broad approach that kill switches can take.
- App-level kill switch: For a narrower approach, app-level kill switches only block traffic for specific apps. This lets you pick which apps get the extra protection, so, for example, if you want to set it so that your banking app requires a VPN connection, but your general browsing doesn't, you can do that. This is a more flexible, but somewhat more advanced approach.
When does a VPN kill switch activate?
A VPN kill switch doesn't activate until it needs to. Perhaps you're browsing the internet, and your VPN connection drops. This could be due to issues with the server, the VPN client on your device, or a networking issue.
If you're interested in how a VPN kill switch works, then you might also be interested in other technical aspects of VPNs. You may want the lowdown on VPN protocols, find out about split tunneling, or understand why VPNs are adopting post-quantum encryption.
This is precisely when your VPN kill switch swoops in to save the day. It’s designed to respond quickly to these events, minimizing any potential risk to your data and privacy.
Older kill switches sometimes kicked in when you purposely disconnected from your VPN, but that's far less common today. Modern kill switches typically don’t activate if you intentionally disconnect from your VPN, allowing you to access the internet without a VPN if you choose to, while also keeping you protected when you expect to be.
How does a VPN kill switch work?
A VPN kill switch effectively keeps track of your connection to the VPN (not your browsing, just the connection status). When there's a failure for any reason, the kill switch detects the dropped connection and kicks in, blocking your internet traffic until the connection is re-established. Here's a brief overview of how it works:
- Detection of VPN connection failure: The kill switch monitors your VPN connection status and IP address. If it detects a disruption, a drop, or a change of IP address, it kicks into action.
- Blocking internet access: As soon as it detects the issue, the kill switch blocks all internet traffic into and out of your device. This means your data doesn't leave your device without protection, so your browsing stays secure.
- Reconnection: Once your VPN connection is re-established, the kill switch resumes internet traffic, restoring your secure connection.
Why do you need a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch is an important feature for any VPN, letting you maintain privacy and security regardless of adverse network conditions. If you don't have one, as soon as your VPN connection drops, your data stops being protected, leaving you open to monitoring, tracking, and cybercrime.
A kill switch ensures that your online activities remain private, even if your VPN connection fails. Besides protecting your personal information, a kill switch can also help prevent accidental exposure of your IP address, which could lead to location tracking or targeted attacks.
Who needs a VPN kill switch the most?
While anyone can benefit from using a VPN with a kill switch, it's particularly important for the following:
- People who rely on VPNs for secure communication or sensitive data, such as journalists, whistleblowers, and business professionals.
- People who reside in countries with strict online surveillance and censorship, where VPN usage may be illegal and where maintaining privacy is crucial for avoiding potential repercussions from accessing restricted content or expressing dissenting opinions.
- People who use public Wi-Fi networks frequently, as these networks are often less secure and more susceptible to cyberattacks.
- People who torrent, as your IP address is shared with others in the P2P network. If your VPN connection fails, your real IP address will be revealed to all peers.
What VPN providers offer a kill switch?
Most top-rated VPN providers offer kill switches on all platforms. Some of the top VPN providers with kill switch features include:
NordVPN: Provides a kill switch on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. NordVPN's kill switch is known for its reliability and effectiveness, making it a popular choice among privacy-conscious users.
Surfshark: Updated kill switch, which matches that of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux.
ExpressVPN: Offers a kill switch (Network Lock) on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. It makes sure there are no IP address or location leaks in case of a connection drop.
Proton VPN: Robust kill switch that did not fail once during our testing. Available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux.
Norton VPN: Kill switch is available on both desktop and mobile devices, and performed very well in our testing. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV and more.
Bottom line
A VPN functions much like a bouncer for your devices. If your data isn't protected, it can't come in, nor can it leave. This is an important safety net for your privacy and security, making sure that you stay protected even if your VPN connection goes down for any reason.
For this reason, we'd recommend ensuring that, whichever VPN provider you opt for, they have a strong kill switch. We always make sure that our reviews take this into account, so if you're not sure which to opt for, check out our reviews and stay safe!
