Are VPNs Hackable? How to Stay Safe Online

Protecting yourself from online threats is a big job. 

In an era of increasing digital surveillance and cyber threats, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a go-to tool for protecting online privacy and security. Sometimes, VPN users will even call their preferred VPN “unhackable.” 

But how accurate is that label? VPNs can certainly increase your overall privacy and protect your data, but are they hackable? The short answer is yes. VPNs can be hacked. But that doesn’t mean that they are without value. 

Think of a VPN as a digital shield that encrypts your internet traffic and masks your digital footprint, offering a sense of protection in an increasingly vulnerable online landscape. However, as cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, even the best VPN can become the target of cybercriminals. 

Although VPNs are designed to provide robust security, they are not infallible. Potential vulnerabilities can arise from various sources — outdated encryption protocols, server misconfigurations, software vulnerabilities, or even deliberate attacks by skilled cybercriminals. Understanding these potential weak points is essential for users who rely on VPNs to safeguard their digital privacy and sensitive information.

Understanding VPNs: How they work and what they do

A Virtual Private Network, commonly known as a VPN, is an essential tool for enhancing your online privacy and security. At its core, a VPN creates a secure connection between your device and the internet by routing your data through an encrypted tunnel. 

This means that when you access the web while connected to a VPN, your IP address is masked. This protects personal information from prying eyes. In short, adopting a VPN not only safeguards one’s digital footprint but also empowers individuals with greater control over their online experience. 

VPN users cite a number of reasons for adopting this technology: 

• Maintaining anonymity online
• Seeking unrestricted access to geo-blocked content based on location
• Protect sensitive work or personal data
• Adhere to company policies for accessing data from home or while on the road

VPN encryption works like this: When you initiate a connection to the internet using a VPN, your data is encrypted before it leaves your device. This encryption transforms readable data into unreadable code that can only be deciphered by the intended recipient. 

What encryption means for VPN security

As such, even if someone intercepts this information during transmission (such as on public Wi-Fi networks), they will find nothing but gibberish instead of sensitive personal details. The primary purpose of employing a VPN extends beyond just securing one’s browsing habits; it also provides users with the ability to bypass geographical restrictions on content. 

For instance, many streaming services restrict certain shows or movies based on location. By connecting to servers in different countries through the VPN, users can easily evade these barriers and enjoy their favorite media without limitations. 

Moreover, utilizing a VPN significantly enhances online privacy by preventing third parties from monitoring web activity. In today’s digital landscape where data collection has become commonplace—by advertisers and corporations alike—a VPN becomes an important tool in your data protection strategy. 

Tools like these enhance your overall browsing experience As we are all susceptible to ever-increasing cyber attacks and privacy invasions online, investing in a VPN service is wise. However, it is important to understand that VPNs have limitations. They are not infallible or unhackable. 

Four potential VPN vulnerabilities 

Knowing how VPNs can be vulnerable to hackers and attacks can help you protect yourself more effectively. Let’s take a look at four well-known VPN vulnerabilities that could compromise your personal data. 

Vulnerability #1: WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is a browser interface designed to enable advanced browser-to-browser applications like voice calls, video chats, and file sharing. However, it presents a significant privacy vulnerability for VPN users. Despite being a standard browser feature, WebRTC can be manipulated by technically skilled individuals to reveal a user’s actual IP address, even when a VPN is active. This occurs when websites create specialized code that tricks the VPN into exposing the user’s true IP address.

The potential for exploitation is particularly concerning because most popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera have WebRTC enabled by default. Websites can essentially use WebRTC as an “x-ray” to see through the masked VPN IP address, potentially identifying and blocking a user’s real location. 

To mitigate this risk, users can disable WebRTC or use browser extensions like WebRTC Leak Prevent or WebRTC Control. However, users should be aware that disabling WebRTC might disrupt certain web applications that rely on microphone or camera access.

Learn more about WebRTC leaks in our recent blog post. 

Vulnerability #2: DNS Leaks

DNS leaks are a serious security vulnerability that occurs when a VPN fails to properly hide users’ IP addresses, DNS requests, or other personal information. 

Normally, every time you type in a website name into your browser, your device needs to convert that name into an IP address. This conversion request is called a DNS query. When using a VPN properly, these queries should go through the VPN’s encrypted connection to maintain your privacy.

However, during a DNS leak, these lookup requests bypass the VPN entirely. Instead, they go straight to your regular internet service provider or other DNS servers. This effectively compromises your privacy since your ISP can see which websites you’re trying to visit, even though your actual browsing data might still be protected by the VPN!

To fix the risk of DNS leaks, users can: 

• enable DNS leak protection if their VPN offers it
• choose a VPN with a kill switch feature
• disable IPv6 if their VPN doesn’t support it
• use a DNS leak testing tool

Vulnerability #3: Weak Authentication Mechanisms

If your VPN service has inadequate authentication protocols, that can make them a prime target for hackers. Free VPN services may be more likely to have these weaknesses than their paid counterparts. 

Watch for issues like: 

• weak password policies that fail to require complex passwords
• a lack of two-factor authentication
• outdated authentication methods that may be vulnerable to brute-force attacks

You may also encounter VPNs that have insufficient protection against credential stuffing, which is what happens when hackers use leaked username and password combinations from other data breaches to gain access to people’s accounts. 

Vulnerability #4: Compromised VPN Servers

Some vulnerabilities are found at the server level. When the infrastructure is faulty, the whole product can be compromised. For example, server misconfiguration issues can render a VPN insecure. Some examples include weak authentication settings, improperly set up access controls, unchanged default credentials, and ports that are unnecessarily open.

Servers can also be compromised by employees of the VPN service who have access to various levels of infrastructure. Although there is a small chance that malicious employees may abuse their access, a bigger risk is that an employee’s credentials could be compromised. If a hacker can access an employee’s log-in credentials, they could then access anything the employee has access to. 

Additional issues at the server level may include VPN servers that aren’t updated quickly or failure to use proper encryption at every level. 

How to protect yourself from VPN attacks

Each of these vulnerabilities highlights why users cannot simply assume that using a VPN automatically guarantees complete online security. Instead, you can take simple actions to protect yourself online.

Choose a reputable VPN provider:

• Avoid free VPNs as they often have limited security resources
• Select paid VPNs with strong reputations for security
• Research providers’ track records with security incidents
• Look for VPNs that regularly update their infrastructure

Enable critical security features: 

• Turn on DNS leak protection if available
• Use a VPN with a kill switch feature
• Enable any available WebRTC protection
• Configure IPv6 protection or disable it if your VPN doesn’t support it

Maintain secure software:

• Keep your VPN client software updated
• Only download VPN software from official sources
• Regularly patch your operating system and browsers
• Use antivirus software alongside your VPN

Perform regular security checks:

• Test for DNS leaks using specialized tools like our WhatIsMyIPAddress.com resources
• Check for WebRTC leaks through testing tools
• Verify your IP address is properly masked
• Monitor for unusual connection behavior

Practice safe browsing: 

• Avoid connecting to suspicious public WiFi networks
• Be cautious of social engineering attempts
• Don’t share your VPN credentials
• Verify website security even when using a VPN

When you take these steps and combine them with the built-in protections that come with your VPN, you can have confidence that your security measures are the best they can be.