Can a VPN Be Hacked? How to Check If Yours Works

You use a VPN to add a layer of protection to your online traffic, so it’s fair to wonder what happens if the VPN itself becomes compromised. While reputable VPNs use strong encryption and multiple security measures, no software or online service is completely immune to vulnerabilities. This guide breaks down what a VPN security flaw looks like, how to spot warning signs, and the simple checks you can run to make sure your VPN is working as it should. 

Understanding VPN Security Risks

A VPN can be compromised, but that doesn’t always mean someone has broken the VPN’s encryption. When people ask whether an attacker can hack a VPN, they’re usually asking one of three questions: whether the VPN provider has suffered a security incident, whether the VPN connection itself can be compromised, or whether you can still become a victim of cybercrime while using a VPN.

Can Attackers Hack the VPN Provider or Its Servers?

Yes, it’s possible. Like any other online service, a VPN provider’s servers, apps, or internal systems can get compromised if they’re misconfigured, exposed, outdated, or protected by weak access controls. This is why the provider’s infrastructure matters as much as the VPN app on your device.

A more premium VPN helps reduce security risks with privately managed infrastructure and quick patching practices. It also mitigates privacy risks with RAM-only servers, independent audits, and a strict no-logs policy. These measures can’t make breaches impossible, but they can limit the scope of what a provider-side incident exposes.

Can Hackers Get Through the VPN Tunnel?

Modern VPN protocols that use strong encryption, such as WireGuard® and OpenVPN with AES-256 or ChaCha20, are designed to make intercepted traffic extremely difficult to decrypt.

Attackers are more likely to look for weaker points around the tunnel instead. That could mean bugs in the VPN app, outdated protocols, DNS or IP leaks, server-side vulnerabilities, stolen credentials, or malware already running on your device.

Can You Still Get Hacked Using a VPN?

Yes. A VPN protects data while it’s traveling between your device and the VPN server, but it can’t stop every type of cyberattack. Phishing websites, malicious downloads, weak passwords, and malware can still compromise your accounts or device, even when your VPN is connected. That’s why a VPN should be one part of your wider cybersecurity strategy alongside software updates, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and safe browsing habits.

How VPN Security Usually Fails

A VPN doesn’t usually fail because someone has cracked its encryption. More often, security issues happen because of outdated software, configuration problems, account security issues, or vulnerabilities elsewhere in the system. Here are some of the most common causes:

• • Outdated VPN apps: Old apps can contain bugs that expose traffic, break leak protection, or cause routing issues. Updates often include security patches and not only new features.
  • Weak or outdated protocols: Older VPN protocols may have known weaknesses. Modern options like WireGuard® and OpenVPN are generally more secure than legacy protocols like PPTP.
  • IP, DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 leaks: A leak can reveal your real IP address, DNS requests, or IPv6 address even when the VPN app says it’s connected. Running occasional leak tests can help confirm your VPN is protecting your traffic as expected.
  • Server or gateway vulnerabilities: Corporate VPN gateways and provider infrastructure can become targets if they aren’t patched or configured properly.
  • Stolen credentials: Cybercriminals often use stolen logins instead of breaking encryption. A reused or exposed VPN password can put the account at risk.
  • Compromised devices: Malware can see or steal data before the VPN encrypts it. A VPN can help secure your connection, but it can’t clean an already-infected device.

Real-world security incidents reinforce these risks. Corporate VPN gateway vulnerabilities have affected government agencies, critical infrastructure, and private organizations, highlighting the importance of timely security patching for internet-facing systems.¹ Separate incidents involving some free VPN services have also exposed user data,² showing that a provider’s privacy practices matter just as much as the strength of its encryption.

The takeaway is that VPN security depends on more than the VPN tunnel itself. Infrastructure, timely updates, access controls, and responsible data-handling practices all play an important role in protecting users.³

How to Test if Your VPN Is Working Properly

A VPN app can show “connected” even if part of your internet traffic isn’t being routed through the VPN correctly. Browser leaks, outdated settings, or configuration issues can expose information such as your IP address or DNS requests without you realizing it.

You can run some tests to see if your VPN is keeping you secure. Start by connecting to your VPN and note the server location you selected. Then, run these checks one by one.

1. Check Your IP Address

This is the quickest way to confirm that your VPN is routing your internet traffic through the server you’ve selected. Disconnect your VPN and search for “what is my IP address” in Google. Note the public IP address and approximate location that appear. Then reconnect to your VPN and test the connection to check your IP address.

If your VPN is working correctly, your visible IP address and location should match the VPN server you’re connected to. If your real public IP address still appears, your traffic may not be passing through the VPN as expected:

• • Pass: The VPN server’s IP address appears.
  • Fail: Your real public IP address appears.

A local address like 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x isn’t a public IP leak. These are private IP addresses used within your home, office, or local Wi-Fi network.

2. Run a DNS Leak Test

DNS requests translate website names into IP addresses. When a VPN works as expected, those requests should use the VPN’s DNS resolvers or another protected DNS setup. If your ISP’s DNS servers appear when you connect to the VPN, your DNS requests may be leaking outside the VPN.

Open a DNS leak test site while connected to your VPN. Run a standard test, then check the DNS server owner and location.

• • Pass: The results show your VPN provider’s DNS servers or another protected DNS service.
  • Fail: The results show your ISP’s DNS servers, which may indicate your DNS requests are bypassing the VPN. If you detect a DNS leak, update your VPN app, reconnect to a different VPN server, and run the test again before contacting your VPN provider.

3. Run a WebRTC Leak Test

WebRTC is a feature that helps browsers support real-time voice, video, and peer-to-peer connections. In some cases, it can expose information about your real IP address, even while you’re connected to a VPN. Research has shown WebRTC can reveal client IPs through JavaScript, including when a VPN is in use.⁴

To check for WebRTC leaks, connect to a VPN server and visit a trusted testing site like BrowserLeaks. Run the test using the browser you normally use, as different browsers can behave differently.

• • Pass: Your real public IP address doesn’t appear.
  • Fail: Your real public IP address appears, which may indicate your browser is exposing information outside the VPN tunnel.

If you see a leak, check your browser’s WebRTC settings or use your VPN provider’s recommended solution. Some browsers let you limit or disable WebRTC (Firefox lets you manage this through “about: config”), while others, like Chrome and Edge may require a browser extension or different privacy settings. Then, run the test again to confirm the issue has been resolved. Safari users should still test, even if WebRTC exposure is usually less common.

4. Check for IPv6 Leaks

Some VPNs route IPv6 traffic through the VPN tunnel, while others disable it altogether. Either approach can protect your privacy, but your real IPv6 address shouldn’t be visible while you’re connected to the VPN. A 2025 study found that some commercial VPNs still leak IPv6 traffic for a share of users, especially when VPNs focus on IPv4 support.⁵

Visit an IPv6 testing website and run a leak test with your VPN on. If the test shows your real IPv6 address or your ISP’s IPv6 details, your VPN may not be handling IPv6 traffic as intended.

• • Pass: Your real IPv6 address doesn’t appear.
  • Fail: Your real IPv6 or your ISP’s IPv6 address appears.

If you see a leak, enable IPv6 leak protection in your VPN app if it’s available. You can also disable IPv6 at the operating-system level, but make sure you retest afterward.

5. Test the Kill Switch

A VPN kill switch is designed to block your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects. This helps prevent your real IP address or other traffic from being exposed if the encrypted tunnel drops.

To test it, connect to your VPN and open a webpage that refreshes automatically or start a continuous connection check. Then force-close the VPN app using Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS. Don’t simply click Disconnect, as that’s a normal shutdown rather than an unexpected connection drop.

• • Pass: Internet traffic stops immediately until the VPN reconnects or you manually disconnect the kill switch.
  • Fail: The page continues to load or your internet connection remains active after the VPN closes.

6. Check the VPN App Version

Keeping your VPN app up to date helps protect you against known security vulnerabilities. Updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and improvements that help your VPN work as intended.

Open your VPN app settings and check the installed version. Then compare it with the latest version listed on the official website or your device’s app store. If your VPN supports automatic updates, consider enabling them so you receive security patches as soon as they’re released.

Download VPN updates only from your provider’s official website or a trusted app stores, like Microsoft Store, App Store, or Google Play. Fake installers are a common way to spread malware,⁶ so avoid downloading VPN software from unofficial sources.

What to Do If Your VPN Is Hacked or Leaking

A failed leak test doesn’t always mean someone hacked your VPN. An outdated app, a browser or server issue, or a network conflict can also cause exposure. However, until you figure out what’s happening, you should avoid activities that involve sharing your sensitive information, like online banking or accessing work accounts.

If you think your VPN isn’t protecting your connection properly, take the following precautions:

• • Pause sensitive activity: Stop using financial, work, and other confidential accounts until you know what’s wrong.
  • Update the VPN app: Install the latest version from the website or app store.
  • Restart and retest: Run the IP, DNS, WebRTC, IPv6, and kill switch checks again.
  • Reinstall the VPN app: Use a clean install if the same leak appears after updating.
  • Change your VPN password: Use a unique password and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if your provider offers it.
  • Check provider advisories: Look for incident reports, status updates, patch notes, or customer support articles.
  • Reassess the VPN: If leaks continue or the provider handles the issue poorly, switch to a service with clearer security practices and faster communication.

What Can a VPN Protect You From?

A VPN is most effective when the risk involves your internet connection, such as using public Wi-Fi, ISP monitoring, or exposing your public IP address. It helps protect data in transit, but it can’t protect information that’s already been compromised or prevent every type of cyberattack. Here’s exactly what it can and can’t protect you from:

A VPN Can Help Protect Against	A VPN Can’t Protect Against
✅ Traffic snooping on unsecured Wi-Fi	❌ Phishing emails and fake websites
✅ Some man-in-the-middle attacks	❌ Malware already on your device
✅ DNS snooping by your ISP	❌ Weak or reused passwords
✅ Some IP-based tracking	❌ Data already stored on breached websites
✅ Some DDoS attacks targeting your real IP	❌ Scam links and malicious downloads
✅ Activity-based ISP throttling	❌ Physical device theft

Malware can still steal information from an infected device, phishing websites can still trick you into revealing passwords, and a VPN can’t remove personal information that’s already been exposed in a data breach. That’s why it’s best to use a VPN alongside other security measures, such as strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, software updates, and antivirus protection.

What to Look For in a VPN

• • Modern protocols: Choose a VPN that supports modern protocols like WireGuard® and OpenVPN. They’re generally more secure and better maintained than older options such as PPTP.
  • Strong encryption: Look for strong encryption standards, such as AES-256 or ChaCha20-Poly1305, to help protect your internet traffic while it’s in transit. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256 for sensitive data.⁷
  • Leak protection: Choose a VPN that includes DNS, IP, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection to help prevent information from being exposed outside the encrypted tunnel.
  • Kill switch: Look for a kill switch that automatically blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops.
  • No-logs policy: Choose a provider with a verified no-logs policy, backed by independent audits or transparency reports, so there’s less user data to expose if a security incident happens.
  • RAM-only servers: Search for a VPN with RAM-only infrastructure, as it can help reduce data persistence because it writes to volatile memory that’s erased when the server powers off or reboots.
  • Jurisdiction: Consider where the VPN provider is based, as local laws can affect how it handles user data and legal requests.

Improve Your Security With a Better VPN

A VPN can be affected by security vulnerabilities, provider-side incidents, or configuration issues. But in most cases, attackers don’t break the VPN’s encryption. Instead, they exploit weaker points, such as outdated software, leaked credentials, or misconfigured devices. That’s why it’s important to keep your VPN up to date, run occasional leak tests, and choose a provider with strong security practices.

CyberGhost VPN is built with security in mind. It combines AES 256-bit encryption with lightweight VPN protocols like WireGuard® to provide advanced security options. We also offer IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection and a built-in Kill Switch to keep your browsing sessions safer. You can test out our security features with a risk-free 45-day money-back guarantee (14 days for monthly users). 

FAQ

References:

1. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog – CISA
2. Free VPNs are a privacy nightmare. You shouldn’t download them – Wired
3. Exploitation of Pulse Connect Secure Vulnerabilities – CISA
4. One Leak Will Sink a Ship: WebRTC IP Address Leaks – arXiv
5. Smoothing Rough Edges of IPv6 in VPNs – arXiv
6. Malware, Phishing, and Ransomware — CISA
7. FIPS 197: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) – NIST