VPN kill switches are an additional security measure for when you're browsing the internet—but what exactly do they do?
When researching a VPN, you'll likely run into terms and lingo you haven't seen before. It can get confusing very quickly, and it's not always easy to figure out what VPN services are talking about.
A VPN kill switch is one such term. If you've heard of a kill switch in general, a VPN works in a largely similar way, although it won't be a physical button. If you haven't, though, we'll explain it all below.
What exactly is a VPN kill switch?
To fully understand what a VPN kill switch is, you need to understand what a VPN does in general. VPNs, in a simple sense, encrypt and reroute your internet to one of their servers. This allows you to mask your browsing history.
There are several advantages to using a VPN—if you're looking to bypass internet censorship laws or torrent without receiving warnings from your ISP, VPNs can help you achieve these goals without worrying as much about getting caught.
Be forewarned that while a VPN can mask a significant amount of your data from your ISP, it can't hide everything from them. While what an ISP can track will differ from service to service, make sure to see what your ISP can still learn about you .
Even watching content from other countries, which is what many commonly use a VPN for, is wrapped up in legal intricacies that make it why you can't watch it in your country in the first place.
But, just like any internet connection, a VPN's server can inadvertently disconnect you, whether it's because the server is down or for a variety of other reasons. If you're using a VPN and it disconnects, your browsing history will be unprotected again.
A VPN kill switchhelps to protect you. Should you get disconnected from your VPN server, the VPN will shut off your internet entirely until you can reestablish a connection. The kill switch helps to keep your data as safe as possible.
While a VPN kill switch isn't the most critical feature of a VPN, it's crucial if you're prioritizing online privacy first and foremost.
When should I use a VPN kill switch?
Generally, when using a VPN, it is recommended to enable the kill switch. You may not notice a loss of a VPN connection—or if you're, say, seeding a torrent, you may not even be at the computer when it shuts off. The kill switch makes sure that when the VPN fails, your browsing data and history won't be visible to others.
It can sometimes be frustrating if you're doing or watching something and your internet shuts down, but if that happens, you know it's for your own privacy protection.
However, it's essential to note that not every VPN service comes with a kill switch, and some that do have it off by default. If a VPN kill switch is essential for you, ensure the VPN service you're planning to purchase has one and that it's activated before you begin browsing.
How do I turn my kill switch on and off?
While the exact methods for enabling and disabling a VPN kill switch may vary by VPN, the general steps remain largely the same. These instructions will use Surfshark as an example.
For the Windows 11 version of Surfshark, you enter the 'Settings' menu, then 'VPN Settings', and you'll find the kill switch toggle near the bottom. You can choose between a 'soft' kill switch and a 'strict' one, depending on how stringent you want the VPN kill switch to be.
Since VPN kill switches are easy to activate, there's no reason not to use them.
