7 Best VPNs With Kill Switch for Windows to Stop IP Leaks
Sudden disconnections from your ISP can break your privacy online
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Key notes
- A VPN kill switch is an emergency measure that shuts down Internet access if your VPN connection is lost.
- It stops IP leaks and keeps you anonymous in the time it takes for the VPN to reconnect.
- The way they handle Internet access varies, so make sure to understand how the kill switch works to be able to properly use it.
- Discover the best VPNs with a kill switch for Windows PC.
A VPN is mainly designed to ensure your online privacy and safety. That means it must have powerful security features, such as a strong VPN protocol with the highest level of encryption.
However, you should also for a kill switch when it comes to VPNs for Windows PC.
What is a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch (also stylized as killswitch) is a safety feature that automatically cuts off Internet access for your computer’s entire network when the VPN connection gets disrupted.
Its goal is to stop IP leaks when you’re online without a VPN.
If you don’t have a kill switch enabled, your true IP address will be immediately broadcasted online as soon as the VPN connection drops.
Do I need a VPN kill switch?
If you use a VPN to remain anonymous on the web, then yes, you definitely need a VPN kill switch. This way, you can make sure that your online activities won’t be traced back to you.
It’s particularly practical for users who live in countries with harsh Internet censorship.
Many of them resort to virtual private network solutions to bypass government censorship and access blocked websites, such as journalists or whistleblowers.
Which VPN has a kill switch?
ExpressVPN – Best combo with the stealth servers
ExpressVPN is a VPN service that has a kill switch called Network Lock, featuring support for Windows, Mac, Linux, and routers. It stops all traffic flowing in and out of your network as soon as you get disconnected from the VPN.
This way, it hides you from your ISP and maintains your online anonymity. Created by Express VPN International LTD, this tool uses OpenVPN with 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, exclusive DNS servers, IPv6 leak protection, and split tunneling. It allows 5 simultaneous device connections.
What else you must know about ExpressVPN:
- +3,000 VPN servers in 94 countries
- No logs or leaks
- 24/7 live chat and email support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial for Android and iOS
ExpressVPN
Stop IP leaks by using the automatic kill switch of this dependable VPN.Private Internet Access – Best combo with PIA Mace
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a top VPN for Windows 10, which also comes integrated with an automatic kill switch called VPN Killswitch. It’s set to auto mode, which means that it blocks all outside network traffic when the VPN is on.
However, you can set VPN Killswitch to Always in order to block all incoming and outgoing traffic, whether the VPN is on or off. Or you can disable it.
Created by Kape Technologies, PIA is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can even set it up on your router to share your VPN account with all connected devices. It allows 10 simultaneous connections.
What else you must know about PIA:
- +3,300 VPN servers in 48 countries
- No logs or leaks
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)
Private Internet Access
Prevent IP leaks by turning on the kill switch of this reliable VPN.NordVPN – Best combo with Double VPN
When it comes to a VPN kill switch for Windows computers, NordVPN really shines because it has two types of kill switches: for applications and the entire network traffic. The Internet kill switch stops all inbound and outbound connections if the VPN gets interrupted.
Meanwhile, the App Kill Switch terminates specific programs to make sure they won’t expose your true IP address. Made by Tefincom & Co., NordVPN has some of the best security features you can find in a virtual private network solution.
In addition to a kill switch, you can use Double VPN, obfuscated servers, Onion-over-VPN, and dedicated IP addresses. It uses OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption to secure your data.
NordVPN is compatible with all popular platforms, including Windows, Android, Linux, Mac, and iOS. Plus, you can install it at the router level to provide VPN access to all connected devices. It supports 6 simultaneous connections.
What else you must know about NordVPN:
- +5,100 VPN servers in 59 countries
- No logs or leaks
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)
NordVPN
Remain anonymous even when the VPN connection drops by using the kill switch of this app.Surfshark – Best combo with CleanWeb
Designed by Surfshark LTD, Surfshark is yet another VPN with a kill switch for Windows PC. Simply called Kill Switch, it disables all Internet access when you’re not using the VPN. That means that you will lose network connectivity even after quitting or logging out of the app.
Besides a kill switch, Surfshark brings to the table other awesome security features, such as support for WireGuard and OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption, Shadowsocks proxy, multi-hop VPN connections, obfuscation mode, along with an ad and malware blocker.
The best part about Surfshark is that you can use a single account on any number of devices since it permits unlimited simultaneous connections. It works with Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, and routers.
What else you must know about Surfshark:
- +1,700 VPN servers in +63 countries
- 24/7 live chat and email support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial for Android and iOS
Surfshark
Protect your online privacy by using the kill switch of this affordable VPN.CyberGhost VPN – Best combo with NoSpy servers
Operated by Kape Technologies, CyberGhost VPN is one of the most efficient VPNs with an Internet kill switch for Windows PC. That’s because it’s the only premium service on this list that offers a free trial for Windows (no credit card).
CyberGhost VPN has an automatic Internet KillSwitch built into the software application, which you can’t turn off no matter what. It’s not a drastic measure because it doesn’t shut off your Internet access when the VPN is off.
But it’s designed to block all connections as soon as you lose access to the CyberGhost VPN network. You can set up CyberGhost VPN not only on Windows but also iOS, Android, Linux, and Mac. It also has OpenVPN manual config for router setup. It can protect up to 7 devices at once.
What else you must know about CyberGhost VPN:
- +6,500 VPN servers in 89 countries
- No logs or leaks
- 24/7 live chat support
- Up to 45-day money-back guarantee
- 1-day free trial for Windows and macOS
- 7-day free trial for Android and iOS
CyberGhost VPN
Protect your online privacy by stopping IP leaks using the kill switch of this VPN.VyprVPN – Best combo with VyprDNS
VyprVPN is a virtual private network solution based in Switzerland provided by Internet privacy and security solution provider Golden Frog.
The solution currently runs over 700 servers in over 70 different locations and provides VPN apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
VyprVPN has 256-bit encryption and supports a number of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, and the vendor’s proprietary protocol Chameleon.
The VPN also activates automatically whenever you connect to an unknown or unprotected public network.
Furthermore, it includes a Kill Switch that activates instantly when the VPN is disabled or disconnected to ensure no traffic slips through the cracks.
What else you must know about VyprVPN:
- VyprDNS to defeat censorship
- VyprVPN for Business Cloud
- DNS Leak Protection
- Split tunneling
- Public Wi-Fi Protection
- Ping server monitoring
VyprVPN
Employ system and apps kill switch for an anonimous browsing, torrenting and banking while traveling.IPvanish – Best combo with traffic block
IPVanish is a VPN service based in the United States that currently provides access to over 40,000 IP addresses and over 1,600 P2P-optimized servers in over 75 locations.
When you enable the kill switch feature in your IPVanish app, it acts as a failsafe. If you’re online and discover you don’t have active encryption, the kill switch disconnects your internet connection.Â
Connection to the internet is blocked until your VPN encryption can be enabled, preventing you from being exposed to threats.
It also offers its users user-friendly apps with a plethora of features and customization options. IPVanish uses the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols to protect your online privacy, and you can choose which OpenVPN port to use to connect – 1194 or 443.
You can also use the Scramble OpenVPN Traffic feature to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN in countries that typically monitor for and block VPNs, such as Iran or China.
What else you must know about IPVanish:
- Cloud Storage (only in VPN + Storage)
- VPN Encryption
- Multiple Connection Protocols
- P2P Support
- Data Restoration
- Wi-Fi Hotspot Privacy
IPVanish
A VPN suited mostly for torrent thanks to its advanced protocols and kill switch on system level.Why a Kill Switch feature is important to VPN?
A kill switch feature is important to a VPN when you lose your internet connection and thus your VPN server encryption.
Your laptop, smartphone, or another device will most likely revert to the public IP address provided by your home ISP.
This means that your online activity and browsing history, as well as your IP address and location, may become visible to and tracked by others at any time.
A VPN kill switch feature adds security by preventing DNS leaks and Wi-Fi packet loss.
Tip
Return to our Security VPN section to find out how a VPN improves your online privacy and security.
To recap, a VPN kill switch for Windows 10 is indispensable for privacy-concerned users who want to protect their online anonymity all the time, even in the short time it takes for a VPN to disconnect and reconnect.
If you’re trying to hide your browsing activity from your ISP and block government traffic, you definitely need a VPN kill switch. The virtual private network solutions above are the best in the business, especially when it comes to Internet security and anonymity.
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