How to Check Your DNS and IP After Connecting to a VPN
Check your public IP, DNS resolver and browser network information after connecting, with clear steps that avoid misleading location assumptions.
After the app shows "Connected," you can further confirm that the browser and app are using the expected network path. By comparing before and after connections, combined with DNS, redirection and browser settings, you can understand the detection results more clearly.
IP and DNS are different things to check. DNS is in a different region than a VPN exit and does not automatically mean a breach has occurred.
01How does a DNS leak occur?
When entering a domain name, the device usually first sends a DNS request to convert the domain name into a server address. If the VPN is connected but DNS requests are still being made from the regular network, the queried domain name may be exposed to an unintended DNS service.
The ZoogVPN app handles these queries via DNS configuration within the connection, reducing the risk of requests veering off the intended path. Just seeing a VPN connection icon doesn't mean all network settings are as expected.
02What is the difference between an IP leak and a DNS leak?
| Check object | Information of concern | Check the key points |
|---|---|---|
| Public IP | The network route seen by the website | Matches the selected VPN location and connection. |
| DNS request | Server responsible for resolving domain names | Are there still undesired local carrier resolution paths? |
| Browser network information | Connection information that browsers may expose | In conjunction with browser privacy settings checks such as WebRTC. |
| Unexpected disconnection | Whether to restore regular network access | Check whether the Kill Switch is on and the app's disconnection behavior. |
03A complete connection check
The region displayed by the DNS server may not be exactly the same as the VPN exit, and leakage cannot be determined based on the region name alone. Operator, resolution path and connection status analysis should be combined.
- First record the public IP and DNS conditions when not connected to VPN as a comparison.
- Connect to the selected ZoogVPN server and wait for the app to show connected.
- Refresh the detection page and compare the public network IP and the resolution server to see whether there are expected changes.
- Check your browser for proxy, extension, and independent DNS settings that may affect routing.
- Do another control check after switching Wi-Fi, waking the device, or reconnecting.
04When test results are not as expected
First stop the operations that need to be protected and check whether the VPN is still connected. Reconnect to the server and confirm that the relevant applications are not added to the split tunneling exclusion list.
Check to see if manual DNS, browser proxies, or other network software have changed the connection path; enable Kill Switches in supported apps. The device system, application version, and exception occurrence conditions are retained to facilitate continued troubleshooting.
05FAQ
Is it a leak if the DNS region is inconsistent with the VPN region?
uncertain. The resolution service may use nodes in different locations, and should be judged based on the service provider and the actual path.
Do I need to recheck after switching networks?
It is recommended to recheck. Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and resuming from sleep may change connection status or system network settings.
Will shunting affect test results?
meeting. If the browser performing the detection is excluded, it will use the regular network; you should first confirm that the browser is VPN-enabled.