What Is a VPN Kill Switch? (And Do You Need It?)

A kill switch automatically disconnects your device from the internet if your virtual private network (VPN) connection drops. This prevents you from accidentally conducting online activities when your VPN isn’t actively protecting you.

That’s why using a VPN kill switch can improve the functionality of a VPN as a tool that masks your physical location and hides your online activity from prying eyes.

Read on to learn more about VPN kill switches, how they work, and how to activate them on your VPN.

What is a VPN kill switch?

A VPN is a network that routes your device’s internet traffic through a secure tunnel. This type of network privately and securely connects you to the internet and is designed to hide your physical location and encrypt your internet traffic. A VPN kill switch ensures your device is always connected to the internet through a secure VPN by cutting your access the instant the VPN drops.

When does a VPN fail?

Your connection to the internet through a VPN should be safe and secure. But your secure connection to a VPN server may sometimes drop without notice, redirecting your internet traffic without masking through your internet service provider (ISP). 

Your ISP likely tracks your online activity and has your public IP address, which makes you easy to identify.

How does a VPN kill switch keep you secure?

A VPN kill switch comes in handy when your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. If your kill switch detects that your device is no longer securely connected to the internet via a VPN connection, it completely disconnects your device from the internet, thereby safeguarding your privacy.

How does a VPN kill switch work?

When you first set up a VPN, it’s worth checking your settings to see if the kill switch is activated. Your default settings may already have it turned on.

If it’s already on, you can expect the kill switch to perform its functions when you use your VPN service. The kill switch functions may vary depending on your VPN provider, but it will:

• Monitor your VPN connection for any changes
• Detect whether a change could affect your VPN connection
• Disconnect your device or app from the internet if your VPN connection drops
• Re-establish internet access to your device or app when your VPN connection is back

If you don’t want the kill switch to perform its functions, you can simply turn it off. This isn’t a recommended action for the average VPN user since kill switches are intended to help keep your online activity safe and secure, including potentially sensitive data.

When should you use a VPN kill switch?

You should typically use a VPN kill switch whenever you use a VPN. The importance of using a kill switch may depend on the network you’re connected to or the online activity you’re performing. 

If your VPN doesn’t have a kill switch feature, you might want to switch to one of the best VPNs, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN.

On your home network

You most likely need to use a VPN at home if you’re concerned about online privacy. Most ISPs collect loads of customer data to sell to interested parties. So even in your home, you’re not necessarily safe from prying eyes.

A VPN kill switch may help maintain your privacy when your device loses its secure connection. In this scenario, your device wouldn’t automatically connect directly to your ISP if your VPN connection drops. Rather, the device’s internet connection would be severed until you can connect through your VPN again.

On public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are generally frowned upon from an online security standpoint since they provide unsecured connections with increased hacking risks. If you’re using a VPN with a kill switch enabled, you wouldn’t have to worry about any leaked information if you lost your secure VPN connection. 

This reduces the risk of being on public Wi-Fi networks, although avoiding them is still recommended.

When using specific apps

There are different levels of VPN kill switches. A system-level kill switch will completely block your device from connecting to the internet until your secure connection is established again or the kill switch is turned off.

Sometimes, you may use an application-level kill switch that only blocks the internet connection to certain apps or software. This could be helpful if you only need a secure connection when using specific apps, such as banking apps, investment platforms, and other software that deals with sensitive data.

How do you activate a VPN kill switch?

The process for activating a VPN kill switch may vary depending on your VPN software, but it generally follows similar steps.

For example, the NordVPN browser extension for Windows has a VPN kill switch that you can find in the app’s settings by following these steps:

1. Open NordVPN.

2. Navigate to Settings (the cog).

3. Click the Kill Switch tab.

4. Toggle Internet Kill Switch ON. 

FAQs 

Bottom line

A VPN kill switch is a vital security feature included with many popular VPN services. It helps keep your online activity hidden and secure by disconnecting your device from the internet if you lose your VPN connection.

If you don’t want to use a VPN kill switch, you can turn it off in your VPN settings. Learn more about the advanced security features of premium VPNs.