- What is a kill switch and why is it important?
- How does a kill switch work?
- Types of kill switches in use today
- Why do VPN connections falter?
- How to use a VPN kill switch
- The risks of not using a VPN with a kill switch
- The VPNs with the best and most reliable kill switches
- Final thoughts: Stay safe online with a VPN kill switch
- FAQ
A kill switch protects your personal data by disconnecting your device from the internet if your VPN connection drops. This is vital in maintaining online privacy and security, preventing risks such as exposure of personal data, potential identity theft, and financial loss.
NordVPN is renowned for its robust kill switch feature. It offers both system-level and app-level kill switches, providing users with flexibility and comprehensive protection, making it a top choice for those serious about online security.
Learn about how a VPN kill switch works and which type of kill switch you should be using in the article below.
If your VPN connection drops, your internet traffic may no longer be encrypted. This can expose your real IP address and online activity, making it possible for third parties to track you and compromise your anonymity.
A VPN kill switch prevents this from happening. If the VPN connection fails, the kill switch automatically blocks your device’s internet access, ensuring that no data is transmitted outside the secure VPN tunnel.
In this article, I explain what a VPN kill switch is, how it works, and how to enable it. I also explore the different types of kill switches available. So, keep reading!
What is a kill switch and why is it important?
Most people who use a virtual private network (VPN) do so to protect their privacy. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, helping you stay anonymous while browsing the internet. This software prevents you from being tracked or monitored online.
However, VPN connections can falter for many reasons, as can any other type of connection. When this happens, a user’s internet activity and personal information, such as their IP address, will be visible to the outside world.
Luckily, most VPNs have a kill switch feature. A kill switch cuts off your device’s internet access if your VPN connection ever falters. This prevents any accidental data leaks if your VPN connection is disrupted. It also ensures that your device doesn’t reconnect to the internet until a secure VPN connection has been established.
Using a VPN kill switch is particularly important as drops in server connectivity can be unnoticeable. As a result, you could be using the internet without VPN protection and not even know about it.
How does a kill switch work?
The process behind a kill can be broken down into the following three steps:
- Monitoring and detection: A VPN kill switch continuously monitors your internet and looks for changes in connection status that could prevent the VPN from working properly.
- Blocking: Once the VPN detects a potentially disruptive change, it blocks your device’s internet connection to prevent an accidental data leak.
- Reconnecting: The kill switch continues monitoring to determine if the issue disrupting the VPN has been resolved, and then automatically re-establishes the internet connection.
While the process may sound simple, not all VPN services provide a reliable VPN kill switch. However, most of our top-ranked VPNs, including NordVPN, feature robust kill switches that ensure your information remains protected at all times.
Types of kill switches in use today
VPN services now provide different kill switches to aid flexibility and choice. They can be differentiated based on whether they cut off the entire system’s internet connection or only disconnect certain apps.
Another way to classify kill switches is based on their persistence, i.e., whether they continue to operate even when the system is restarted or shut down.
1. App-level kill switch
While using an app-level kill switch, only selected apps are disconnected from the internet when the VPN is disrupted. Other apps and software on the device remain unaffected.
App-level kill switches are handy when working across different applications, only some of which require a VPN connection. For instance, you may only require a VPN connection to access the dark web via the Tor browser, but not for other applications running on your device at the time.
They also help ensure that critical functions that require continuous internet access, such as system updates, are not disrupted.
2. System-level kill switch
System-level kill switches disconnect all applications and software on your device from the internet. As a result, they’re more secure than app-level kill switches, as there are fewer chances of data leaks if the VPN connection falters.
It’s best to use system-wide kill switches when privacy and anonymity are critical. For instance, you should use a system-level kill switch when accessing the internet in a country with heavy surveillance and censorship, like China or Iran.
3. Permanent kill switch
A permanent kill switch only lets you connect to the internet when you are connected to a VPN server. This kill switch works even if you manually disconnect from the VPN server. As the name suggests, a permanent kill switch prevents your device from connecting to the internet, even if you restart it or shut it down.
It’s advisable to use a permanent kill switch when you need persistent and continuous encryption and protection when using the internet. When encryption is required only intermittently, such as when connecting to public Wi-Fi, a temporary or regular kill switch may be more useful.
4. Temporary or regular kill switch
A regular kill switch disrupts your internet if the VPN connection falters. However, it does not persist if you manually disconnect from the VPN server. Additionally, a regular kill switch does not block your internet when you restart or shut down your device.
As such, I don’t recommend this kill switch for users who need consistent encryption.
Why do VPN connections falter?
A dropped VPN connection can have multiple causes. Here are some of the most frequent ones:
- Unstable internet connection: If you’re working with an intermittent internet connection, such as a Wi-Fi network with a weak signal, it’s likely your VPN will falter.
- Constant switching between networks: Repeatedly changing between Wi-Fi or cellular networks, like 4G and 5G, also causes VPN connections to falter and drop.
- Changing VPN protocols: VPN providers use different protocols, such as OpenVPN and IKEv2, to encrypt your internet traffic. Switching between these encryption protocols may disrupt your connection to the VPN server.
- Firewall and antivirus settings: Firewalls and antivirus scanners also scan your network to prevent you from downloading malicious items. They can conflict with and disrupt your VPN connection. Adding the VPN as an exception to the firewall or antivirus scanner should help resolve the problem in most cases.
How to use a VPN kill switch
The steps involved in enabling a VPN’s kill switch vary between service providers and depend on your device. However, the following steps should work for most VPN providers. I used NordVPN for this guide.
- Subscribe to and download a VPN client of your choice. I recommend NordVPN as it features a robust and customizable kill switch, excellent speeds, and a vast server network.
- Open the VPN client or application on your device.
- Access the Settings menu. It’s usually designated by a gear icon.
- Look for the “Kill Switch” option or button. It’s usually located in “General Settings” or has its own tab, like in NordVPN:
- Set your Kill Switch preferences. Typically, you have the option to toggle the kill switch on/off and select specific apps you’d like to block. However, some providers, including NordVPN, feature automatic or always-on kill switches that are active even without being specifically turned on.
- Your kill switch should now be active!
Test Your Kill Switch:
You can test a VPN kill switch by blocking the VPN provider in your firewall. If your internet connection goes down after the VPN is blocked, your kill switch is working.
The risks of not using a VPN with a kill switch
Using a VPN without a kill switch is like driving a car without a seat belt. You’re asking for trouble if things go wrong. The specific risks associated with not using a VPN kill switch are listed below.
- Your IP address becomes visible and traceable. Without a kill switch, your IP address, browsing history, and other personal information will become visible to your internet service provider, government, or other prying eyes if your VPN connection drops. This opens you up to online surveillance and tracking.
- Using public Wi-Fi networks becomes dangerous. Hackers often target public Wi-Fi networks, as several unsecured devices are connected to them. As such, a VPN is critical to using public Wi-Fi safely. However, without a kill switch, your activity can become visible on public Wi-Fi. This exposes you to exploitation by hackers and cybercriminals.
- You become exposed to identity theft and malware. Without a kill switch, hackers can more easily exploit your connection to infect your device with malware and steal your personal information. Identity theft is a common result of this lack of security.
- You risk censorship. Without a VPN kill switch, you risk being subject to government censorship and blocking due to your IP address being leaked. This is especially true in countries with restrictive internet regimes, like Turkey, where posting content online can even lead to jail time.
The VPNs with the best and most reliable kill switches
Now that you know the importance of using a VPN kill switch, you’re probably wondering which VPNs offer the best and most reliable kill switches. After testing 80+ VPNs, we concluded that NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN offer the best VPN kill switches.
1. NordVPN: The VPN with the best kill switch
Our highest-rated VPN provider, NordVPN, features a customizable and reliable kill switch that will secure your information even if your connection falters.
NordVPN offers app-level and system-level kill switches on both Windows and macOS. It even offers a permanent kill switch on Windows, though this feature is missing on other operating systems.
Paired with NordVPN’s robust security protocols and true no-logs policy, its reliable kill switch makes it one of the best VPNs for security and privacy today. You can test the VPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full NordVPN review for more details on its kill switch and no-logs policy.
2. Surfshark: The best VPN kill switch for mobile devices
Setting up a kill switch on mobile devices can be challenging. Some VPN providers require the creation of a separate VPN profile (using the phone’s settings menu). Surfshark sidesteps this confusing process and provides a kill switch that works directly from the mobile app.
While the Surfshark kill switch isn’t flexible or customizable, it does its job well on all platforms. Surfshark is also one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, making it an ideal option for unblocking streaming services and sports content.
Find out more about Surfshark’s features in our full review, or jump straight into the VPN risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Proton VPN: Reliable kill switch for extra security
Proton VPN offers a reliable kill switch designed to protect your privacy if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. It also includes an Always-on kill switch option. When enabled, this feature ensures that your device can only access the internet through the VPN tunnel. If the VPN disconnects or hasn’t connected yet, all internet traffic is blocked. This provides an extra layer of protection by preventing accidental data leaks and ensuring your online activity remains private at all times.
The kill switch feature is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s especially useful for activities that require strong privacy, such as using public Wi-Fi, downloading files, or accessing sensitive information online. By automatically cutting the connection when something goes wrong, Proton VPN helps keep your data secure without requiring constant monitoring.
Check out Proton VPN review for more details about its kill switch.
A solid cybersecurity and privacy package with a whopping 70% off
Final thoughts: Stay safe online with a VPN kill switch
A VPN app helps protect your identity and data online, but like any software, it doesn’t always work flawlessly. If your VPN connection suddenly drops, your internet traffic could become exposed, potentially revealing your real IP address and online activity.
A kill switch prevents this from happening. It automatically blocks your internet connection if the VPN fails, ensuring that no data is transmitted outside the secure VPN tunnel. This helps keep your information private and prevents accidental data leaks.
For most users, a system-level temporary kill switch provides the right balance between security and convenience. It protects your data during unexpected VPN interruptions without significantly affecting your internet access. In situations where privacy is critical, a permanent kill switch is a stronger option because it blocks all internet traffic unless the VPN is connected.
FAQ
Have unanswered questions about what a kill switch is and how it works? Check out our FAQ section below for answers to some of the most common kill switch-related questions
A kill switch is a security feature that protects your information even if your VPN connection falters. It blocks off your internet access to ensure that no personal information, such as your IP address, is not leaked when your connection to a VPN server is disrupted.
The steps in setting up a kill switch differ across service providers. But the following steps should generally work:
- Open your VPN application.
- Click on the Settings icon.
- Find the kill switch button or menu option.
- Toggle the kill switch on or off, or customize how it works.
- Your kill switch is now active!
I recommend NordVPN as it has both a temporary kill switch and a permanent kill switch.
Most VPN providers claim to have kill switches. However, not all kill switches work reliably. Some VPNs leak information even with the kill switch turned on.
Based on my tests, the following VPN providers have the most reliable switches:
- NordVPN: Reliable and customizable kill switches on all operating systems
- Surfshark: Easy-to-use mobile VPN kill switches
- Proton VPN: Reliable kill switch for extra security
