Am I using a VPN?
Cross-check your IP-derived country against your browser timezone and locale. A mismatch is a strong signal that your traffic is going through a VPN or proxy. Runs entirely in your browser.
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Frequently asked questions
How can a website tell if I am using a VPN?
There is no single perfect signal — instead, sites combine clues. The IP address alone reveals which network you are coming from, and many VPN provider IPs are well-known. Sites also cross-check the IP-derived country and timezone against what your browser reports for its locale and timezone — a mismatch is a strong tell. More aggressive checks include WebRTC leaks, DNS leaks, and paid IP-intelligence databases. Our test runs the same kind of cross-check locally, in your browser.
Why does this page say "Likely VPN" when I am not using one?
A few legitimate scenarios create a false positive: an expat whose laptop is set to their home country language but who lives abroad, a traveller whose browser timezone has not updated, or a corporate proxy that exits in another country. The verdict is heuristic and based only on signals visible in the browser — it is not a definitive answer.
Why does it say "No VPN detected" when I am clearly using one?
If your VPN exits in the same country as your real location, and you have not changed your browser locale or timezone, our heuristic has nothing to flag. That is actually a sign your VPN is working well from a privacy standpoint — you blend in with normal users in that region. Try our DNS-leak and WebRTC-leak tests for a more thorough check.
Does this test see my real IP if I am behind a VPN?
No. We can only see the IP that connects to our server, which is your VPN exit IP. WebRTC leaks can reveal a real IP separate from the main connection in some configurations — try the WebRTC leak test for that specific check.
Should I use a VPN?
A VPN is most useful when you want to hide your IP and traffic from your internet provider, when you use public Wi-Fi, or when a service is geographically restricted. It is not a silver bullet — it does not protect you from cookies, browser fingerprinting, or apps that have your account. We recommend NordVPN: independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, kill switch and DNS-leak protection in the apps.
Is using a VPN legal?
In most countries, yes. A handful of countries (China, Russia, UAE, North Korea, Iran, Belarus, Turkey, among others) restrict or ban consumer VPN use — the rules and enforcement vary. We can not give legal advice; check your local laws if you are unsure.