Kill Switch

Kill Switch is a security mechanism integrated into VPN services or network traffic protection systems that automatically terminates or blocks a device’s internet connection in the event of a sudden VPN disconnection. The primary purpose of this feature is to prevent data leaks and the exposure of the user's personal information if the secure tunnel is compromised.

There are 2 main configurations of The Kill Switch:

• System-wide Kill Switch: Disconnects the entire device from the internet when the VPN connection drops.
• App-specific Kill Switch: Disconnects specific applications from the internet while allowing other apps to continue running, useful when only certain apps require protection.

Why do VPN services use a Kill Switch?

1. Protection against IP leaks
   Masking the user’s IP address is one of the most common reasons to use a VPN as this makes it challenging to track the user’s online activity. The absence of a Kill Switch means that when the user suddenly disconnects from the VPN, their real IP address can be exposed. The Kill Switch prevents this sensitive data from being leaked, ensuring that the anonymity users expect from a VPN is upheld.

2. Prevention of data exposure
   In case a VPN connection fails, your data is unencrypted and can be intercepted by potential malicious attackers. This is especially dangerous when users are performing sensitive tasks like online banking, shopping, or accessing sensitive data. A Kill Switch stops this by freezing internet traffic until the VPN reconnects, ensuring that not a single byte of unprotected data escapes.

3. Protecting user privacy on untrusted networks
   Many users use VPNs when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, which are less secure than our encrypted home Wi-Fi networks and are prone to cyber-attacks. On these networks, a dropped VPN connection can reveal private browsing activity to potential attackers. A Kill Switch is used to protect users on public networks by allowing internet access only when the VPN connection is secure.

4. Enhancing anonymity for confidential transactions
   It also helps users who want to bypass censorship, government surveillance, or access content that may be blocked in countries with heavy internet monitoring. VPNs are often used by journalists, activists, or people in repressive areas to encrypt their communication. The Kill Switch feature protects users’ identities and communications by cutting the internet connection in case of an unstable VPN connection.

How to turn on the Kill Switch feature on a VPN

The vast majority of modern VPN services now include a Kill Switch in their settings menu, and it can usually be turned on with just one toggle. Users are encouraged to test the Kill Switch themselves by performing a connection test — simply disconnect from the VPN server and verify if your internet connection is indeed severed when the VPN is offline.

Examples of VPN services with Kill Switch support

• Surfshark VPN (The biggest draw of Surfshark VPN is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices to a single subscription, which is not the case with most other VPN providers.).

• NordVPN (Strong privacy protection with military-grade encryption. It offers a large server network, allowing for fast and reliable connections, and is superb at unblocking streaming services. It has a few unique features such as strong security, fast speeds, and global coverage.).

• TurboVPN (TurboVPN is a popular and ultra-fast VPN service. It has servers across over 110 locations and a simple user interface.).

• Proton VPN (Proton VPN is a well-known VPN service with over 10 million users and is located in Switzerland. The pricing is not inexpensive either, but you receive stable and super-fast speeds along with every protection and innovative data solutions in return.).

• VeePN (VeePN is a very popular VPN service with over 40 million active users. It has a reasonable price and an easy-to-learn interface for all platforms.).

• PureVPN (PureVPN is a fairly successful VPN service at low prices.).

• IPVanish (IPVanish provides a cost-effective 2-year plan, ideal for those who want to use it for a while.).

• PrivateVPN (PrivateVPN is a VPN provider based in Sweden.).

Kill Switch: A must-have feature for VPNs that prioritize security and privacy. It ensures a safe and private internet experience by preventing data leaks and exposure of users’ real IP addresses, even if the VPN connection drops. The Kill Switch is an essential feature in most credible VPNs, enhancing the trustworthiness for users involved in sensitive activities such as anonymous communication or accessing geo-restricted content. For those who use a VPN service to maintain the privacy of their internet activity, a Kill Switch provides an additional layer of security.