[Sliph]

Introduction

VPN's are a great tool in helping to remain anonymous while surfing the web. Your online activity is essentially tunneled through your VPN's servers, so that your ISP and any prying eyes are clueless. Your IP is also spoofed, throwing off anyone who might try to track you.
Great, right?
However, one threat to that anonymity is in the form of a DNS leak. A DNS leak allows your ISP to monitor your online activity even though you think you are protected by your VPN.

The Dynamic Name System (DNS) is used to translate domain names (www.google.com) into numerical IP addresses (173.194.79.99). This translation is usually performed by your ISP, using its DNS servers.
When using a VPN you want that translation to instead be performed by your VPN's DNS servers. But in some cases your network may remain on it's default DNS server settings. What this means is that, even though you are connected to your VPN, your own ISP is still performing the DNS translations, and thus still able to see which websites you are visiting.

Perform a leak test

While connected to your VPN, go to https://www.dnsleaktest.com/ and do the test. If the results show any servers that are not provided by your VPN, then you have a DNS leak.

Solutions

Firstly you should contact your VPN and ask what solution they offer if your DNS is leaking. Most providers will be able to assist you.
In the event that they have no solution, you can manually set your DNS server setting to point to a reliable DNS host, such as Open DNS.
To open instruction in a new tab, go HERE.
In-thread instructions can be found in the spoiler below.
Spoiler (Click to View)

Step 1:
Click on the network applet and choose Edit Connections or Network Settings (may depend on which distro you are using).


Step 2:
Click on “Edit” for your network device. This may appear as an arrow next to your network.


Step 3:
If the info panel shows up, select the "Settings" button near the bottom right.


Step 4:
- Select the “IPv4 Settings” tab.
- Next to the Method, choose the “Automatic (DHCP) addresses only” profile.
- In the "DNS Servers" text box, enter your prefered DNS server. You may enter multiple servers by separating them with a comma. Like this: 208.67.222.222,208.67.222.220
- Hit "Save" to finish.

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For Windows users, be sure to check out How to prevent DNS leaks and choosing the right VPN

For more tips on staying anonymous online, take a look at Kouichi's Ultimate Guide On Remaining Safe & Anonymous Online

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If there are any corrections or suggestions, please do let me know and I will fix it ASAP.

[ǤªƝƝƗƈus]

Glad i was an inspiration for you......

[Kouichi]

Thanks for suggesting this tutorial to me in my thread. It's very helpful. 🤝

[Sliph]

Glad i was an inspiration for you......

Yours is for Windows. Linux tutorials are lacking, so I figured I'd contribute.
If there are similarities, it is because the general steps are similar (go into network manager, go to ipv4, etc), but it's different enough to warrant an explanation.
I'll link your thread at the conclusion of mine to help direct any Windows users to take a look at your write-up.

Thanks for suggesting this tutorial to me in my thread. It's very helpful. 🤝

Will link your thread here as well, for people searching for more tips on anonymity.

[ǤªƝƝƗƈus]

Yours is for Windows. Linux tutorials are lacking, so I figured I'd contribute.
If there are similarities, it is because the general steps are similar (go into network manager, go to ipv4, etc), but it's different enough to warrant an explanation.
I'll link your thread at the conclusion of mine to help direct any Windows users to take a loot at your write-up.

Ok, thats nice of you, i can do the same for yours aswell.

[Kouichi]

Will link your thread here as well, for people searching for more tips on anonymity.

Thanks. I'm sure it'd get it some more views. 😝

[Gottfrid Svartholm]

Shittiest thread I've seen. 100% copy and paste

[Sliph]

Shittiest thread I've seen. 100% copy and paste

If you think I am copy/pasting, you are free to post a link to the source that I copied.
But you won't, because you're just trolling and have some personal crusade against me.

[Nargren]

Thanks for this, appreciated! Some VPNs have a "killswitch" for windows to prevent DNS leaks, I wasn't sure how I could tackle it with linux.

[Orianthi]

Linux tutorials aren't lacking, if anything; there are more Linux tuts, then Macs!

[Sliph]

Linux tutorials aren't lacking, if anything; there are more Linux tuts, then Macs!

Regarding DNS leaks, they are.
I did a search for "linux dns" before I made the thread and found no relevant results from the past 2 years. Didn't search beyond that timeframe.

If you feel that Macs are lacking in tutorials, you should make a few about some subjects you know 🤝