VPN Kill Switch: Why do you need it?

Virtual private networks — more commonly known as VPNs — provide great all-around protection for your privacy. They employ various technologies to safeguard your browsing activity, ensuring its confidentiality and maintaining your anonymity while surfing the internet. For starters, VPNs encrypt all incoming and outgoing traffic from your devices to keep snoopers guessing what you’re up to. They also hide your IP address by redirecting your online traffic through secure VPN servers. Those are the two main functions of a VPN, but they also offer secondary features that are just as useful. One of those features is a VPN kill switch. Here we’re shining a spotlight on it. What is a VPN kill switch? How does it work? Why do you need it? In this article, we’ll answer all those questions and more. 

What is a VPN Kill Switch?

A VPN kill switch is a feature that automatically disconnects your computer, phone, or tablet from the internet if your VPN connection drops out. This means there’s no chance that your IP address and other sensitive information could be exposed if your VPN stops working. So the security and anonymity of your internet connection won’t be compromised.

VPNs often have the kill switch feature activated by default, but you can choose to deactivate it if you want. If you switch it off, you can continue using the internet as normal, even if your VPN isn’t connected. But if you switch it on, you can’t send any data via your internet connection if your VPN is disconnected.

How does it work?

VPN kill switches act as a failsafe by completely disconnecting your device from the internet whenever your VPN connection is down. When your connection is restored, the kill switch reverses itself to hook you back up immediately — often before you’ve even noticed a thing.

Here are the four main processes that determine how VPN kill switches work:

• Scanning: A VPN kill switch analyses your connection to the VPN server in real-time by scanning for changes in your network status or IP address.
• Detecting: Any disruption to your VPN connection is instantly detected by the kill switch feature.
• Blocking: The VPN either disconnects your entire device from the internet or just blocks certain applications, depending on your VPN service and its settings.
• Reconnecting: The moment your VPN connection returns, the VPN app’s kill switch disengages, automatically restoring your connection.

Why do you need a VPN Kill Switch?

You may not feel it necessary to turn on your kill switch if you are engaging in low-risk activities like scrolling on social media or browsing your favorite websites. In these cases, if your VPN connection drops, you’ll continue browsing as normal without a VPN until the connection is restored.

But for situations where security is paramount or if you want as much privacy as possible, a kill switch ensures security, privacy, and peace of mind by taking you off the internet for as long as you are unprotected by the VPN.

Here are a few reasons to use a VPN with a kill switch enabled:

• Identity protection – A kill switch shields your online identity by preventing exposure of your real IP address. This protects you from unwanted tracking and exposure of your real location, as your real IP address can be connected back to you.
• Data privacy – A kill switch ensures consistent encryption of your data transmission. In the event of a VPN disconnection, it prevents data from potentially reverting to a non-encrypted state, thus protecting it from interception by third parties.
• Prevent monitoring – In regions with internet censorship or monitoring, a kill switch is essential. It prevents your connections from defaulting to potentially monitored or restricted states, safeguarding you from surveillance.
• Thwart attacks – Public Wi-Fi in places like coffee shops or airports might be unsecured, making you vulnerable to man-in-the-middle and other attacks. Ensure your online safety with a VPN, plus a kill switch that keeps you off the internet if the VPN drops.

Two types of VPN kill switches

First, let’s clarify something. There are actually two types of VPN kill switches: system level kill switches and application level kill switches.

• System level kill switches – System level kill switches detect when there is a problem with your connection to the VPN server you are using. The instant that happens, the kill switch activates and blocks all traffic from leaving the device. Because a system-level VPN kill switch stops all traffic going from your device, it is a sure way to prevent your IP address from leaking onto the internet.
• Application level kill switches – This lets you decide which apps you want to be stopped when the VPN kill switch is active. It gives you complete control over what still works and what doesn’t. But it also increases the odds of your IP address being exposed since some apps will still be ‘talking’ to the internet even though they aren’t protected. People who use application-level kill switches typically use them to disable things like their web browser, email app, chat apps like Skype, and whatever apps they use to download torrents.

How to choose the right VPN kill switch

It’s clear that a kill switch is an important part of maintaining your online privacy and security. So, before choosing a VPN, check whether a kill switch is offered and how it functions across different devices and operating systems. Here are key factors to consider:

Default activation

Check if the kill switch is enabled by default. A kill switch that requires manual activation might not protect you if you forget to turn it on. For example, ExpressVPN’s Network Lock is on by default, providing immediate protection without any additional setup.

Level of protection

Understand the level of security provided by the kill switch. It should ideally block all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks. This is particularly important in environments where network stability is a concern.

Platform availability

Check if the kill switch is supported on all the devices and platforms you plan to use, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers. If a kill switch isn’t available on a specific device, ensure there’s a comparable feature.

User control

Consider how much control you have over the kill switch settings. You might prefer the ability to toggle the feature on or off depending on your specific needs.

Transparency and trust

Choose a VPN provider that’s transparent about how their kill switch works and the limitations it might have on different platforms. Trustworthy providers will provide detailed information about their security features, helping you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

A VPN kill switch is a vital security feature that provides an additional layer of protection for VPN users. It shields against potential data breaches, maintains anonymity, and safeguards financial transactions. Whether it’s a system-level or application-level kill switch, it’s an essential tool for any internet user who values their privacy and security. It’s not just a fancy term; it’s a crucial mechanism for ensuring a safer online experience.