Can VPNs Be Traced?

It is possible to trace VPNs. In spite of this, using a VPN does offer additional protection and helps to encrypt data transmitted online, meaning that it is always better to use one to try and reduce the risk of having secure information accessed by attackers. VPNs are usually considered the most secure way to protect users online.

 

What Is a VPN?

 

A good VPN is a service that offers you online anonymity and privacy. This is due to the fact that a VPN masks your IP address and your online activity is rerouted through an encrypted tunnel that keeps your data safe from prying eyes.

VPNs are able to secure your entire internet connection, keeping you safe from hackers and prying eyes such as your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

 

 

What Is VPN Tracking?

 

VPN tracking refers to the fact that people can identify if you are using a VPN when online. Additionally, VPN tracking can also occur when someone is monitoring your online behaviour or snooping on your online activity.

 

Common Forms Of VPN Tracking

 

These are the most common ways VPNs are tracked online:

 

Logging Into Accounts

 

Attackers can trace VPN users by combining advanced technology with data obtained from websites where users log in and provide personal information. Even when using a VPN, details such as email addresses, usernames, or payment information may still be stored by websites. This allows attackers to build a profile of an individual or attempt account access, despite the user’s IP address being masked. While VPNs offer enhanced privacy by rerouting internet traffic, they do not provide complete anonymity, and users should remain cautious about sharing personal data online.

 

IP Leaks

 

A VPN is supposed to route your connection through a VPN server, subsequently masking your IP address with a VPN-assigned IP. This means that no website or person should be able to see your real IP address. However, some free or untrusted VPNs are known to offer poor protection and can leak your IP address, exposing your location and online activity.

 

Cookies And Tracking Scripts

 

Advertisers track your online activity using cookies that save your preferences and browsing details. While a good VPN can improve your privacy, it does not prevent advertisers from tracking you through cookies unless combined with browser settings or tools that block tracking scripts.

 

Malware

 

If malware is installed on your device, either by a hacker or through an untrusted free VPN service, it can monitor your activity and potentially steal personal information. This may lead to fraud or identity theft. While a VPN can help protect against hackers, it’s essential to use reliable antivirus software alongside it to defend against malware threats.

 

Browser Fingerprinting

 

Browser fingerprinting goes beyond cookies by using your device’s settings, installed software, and browser preferences to create a unique digital profile. This “digital portrait” can be used to track you online, even when using a VPN, as it does not rely on IP addresses or cookies.

 

DNS Leaks

 

DNS leaks occur when your device sends DNS requests outside of the encrypted VPN tunnel. This can expose your IP address and browsing data to your ISP or other third parties. To prevent this, it is important to use a VPN that offers DNS leak protection as part of its built-in setup.

 

Doxxing

 

Doxxing is the act of publishing someone’s personal information—such as a home address—online with the intent to harass or intimidate. This can occur if you share personal details online, regardless of whether you are using a VPN. Always be cautious about the information you enter on websites and avoid oversharing.

 

How Can Your VPN Be Traced?

 

These are the 3 most common ways for your VPN to be tracked:

 

IP Address

 

Websites and online services have the ability to spot known VPN IP addresses by cross-referencing them with databases that list VPN server IP ranges. If you’re using a popular or widely-used VPN, there’s a good chance that your traffic could be flagged as coming from a VPN.

 

Port Number

 

Every VPN protocol has its own set of port numbers, which network administrators, ISPs, or firewalls can easily spot to figure out if you’re using a VPN. This is how your VPN traffic can be tracked, even though your personal identity stays under wraps.

 

DPI

 

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is an advanced technique used by ISPs, governments, or network administrators to analyse the data flowing through a network—beyond just IP addresses and port numbers. DPI can detect, block, or throttle VPN traffic, even when it’s encrypted.

 

 

Who Can Track You Online?

 

There are usually three types of people or entities that come to mind when determining who can track you online:

• ISP (Internet Service Provider): Your ISP often monitors your online activity and, in some cases, may throttle your internet speed if you engage in high-data usage activities such as streaming or downloading large files.
• Government: The UK government is particularly known for monitoring the online activities of its citizens, whether to enforce regulations, investigate potential threats, or gather intelligence.
• Hackers: Cybercriminals are constantly looking for their next victim. If an unsuspecting person connects to public Wi-Fi without using a VPN, hackers may exploit that vulnerability to access personal information or cause harm.

 

Is Tracking a VPN Easy?

 

It is not necessarily easy to track a VPN, however attackers with great skill and technology may be able to do so. VPNs work through providing users with a new IP address and transmit connections through various servers. Most VPN providers will transmit data through only one new server, however there are some which offer the option to transmit through multiple for increased security.

Transmitting connections through new servers does making tracing a user difficult. In addition to this, most providers should not store a user’s data, meaning that even if the provider has technical issues then an attacker should be unable to locate any sensitive data.

Assigned IP addresses should not show up as linked to a physical address. If a VPN provider keeps assigned IP addresses and physical addresses on their server, then the user should be made aware of this. This can risk data being leaked if the VPN provider comes under attack, leading to a loss of user information.

 

What Does a Kill Switch Do?

 

A VPN kill switch automatically severs a user’s connection to the internet if the provider is unable to reroute it through a VPN server and disables it when the VPN is back up and running. That means that during the time when the VPN is not working properly, the user will not be left exposed online.

If a provider does not offer a kill switch, users may continue to access the internet without knowing that their connection has not been rerouted. This means their IP address may be visible to attackers online without them realising, and they will be paying for a service which is not operating as it should.

It is crucial to know whether or not a VPN provider offers a kill switch. If this is not the case, it is usually worth swapping to an alternate VPN provider to ensure that all data is protected and cannot be accessed by a third party. The kill switch is used as a last resort and will only be activated when it is necessary, meaning that users should remain connected to the internet as much as possible.

 

Do Protocols Protect VPN Connections?

 

There are protocol options available which can help users to increase their security. Some protocols have increased speed or security options available, allowing the user to choose the protocol which is best for them.

VPNs which offer multiple protocols are available. These are ideal for those who desire the option to vary both security and speed if the VPN will be used across a variety of tasks. For example, users may want to use different protocols for sending emails or streaming content. This means that providers will frequently offer different protocols to protect VPN connections based on what the user desires.

 

Can You Be Tracked Online If You Use A VPN?

 

Internet tracking is definitely much harder when you use a VPN, however it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely. A VPN will effectively mask your IP address and encrypt your online data, but other online activities can leave breadcrumbs, for instance when you type your personal information into websites.

To truly be safe from tracking you should invest in a good VPN with a good cybersecurity suite that offers comprehensive antivirus software, DNS leak detection, data leak alerts and more.