What is my IP address VPN? Verify If Your VPN Is Working

If you have recently installed a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your device, you might naturally ask: "What is my IP address VPN?" and wonder if your connection is actually secured. A VPN protects your identity by creating an encrypted tunnel and masking your real IP. However, configuration errors, protocol drops, or browser leaks can sometimes expose your real network details without your knowledge. This guide will walk you through verifying your VPN connection status and troubleshooting leaks.

Why Does Your IP Address Change When Connected to a VPN?

Your public IP address is a routing number issued by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that represents your home router on the open web. When you launch a VPN client, it routes your device's network traffic through an encrypted tunnel directly to a remote VPN server.

Because the VPN server acts as a proxy for all your network requests, websites you visit will only detect the server's public IP address, not your household connection. This effectively conceals your physical location and internet provider details from tracking networks.

How to Verify That Your VPN is Working Correctly

To verify if your VPN is active and successfully masking your real IP, follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Check Your IP Address Location Before Connecting

Before launching your VPN application, visit the WhatMyIP.site homepage. Take note of the IP address, ISP name, and location coordinates displayed on the map. This represents your baseline, unsecured connection.

Step 2: Connect to Your VPN Server

Open your VPN software on your computer or phone and connect to a server in a different city or country (for example, if you live in France, connect to a server in New York, US).

Step 3: Refresh and Verify

Go back to the homepage to check whats my ip location right now. If the VPN is working, you should see:

• The public IP address has completely changed.
• The ISP now displays the hosting provider of the VPN server (e.g., M227, Datacamp, or NordVPN servers) instead of your home broadband provider.
• The interactive map displays the location coordinates of the server in New York.

Beware of VPN Leak Hazards

Simply having a different IP address shown on your screen does not guarantee complete privacy. Sometimes, your browser leaks data around the VPN tunnel. There are two primary types of leaks:

1. DNS Leaks

A DNS leak occurs when your browser translates a domain name (like google.com) by querying your local ISP's DNS servers instead of the secure, encrypted DNS servers provided by your VPN. This allows your local provider to keep a complete record of every site you visit. You can read our detailed guide on what is a DNS leak to learn how to diagnose and prevent this issue.

2. WebRTC Leaks

WebRTC is a browser protocol that enables peer-to-peer real-time communication (useful for video calls and voice chats). Unfortunately, WebRTC can bypass your VPN connection and request your device's actual public IP directly from the browser, exposing your true location to any website running WebRTC check scripts.

Frequently Asked Questions