How Do I Fix a DNS Leak?
A standard DNS leak can be fixed by configuring a VPN to only connect to its own DNS servers. This will force a computer to only use the VPN’s DNS servers and not connect to the user’s ISP.
In the case of the Windows SMHNR issue, this can be more tricky because it is built into the operating system. Some VPN providers enable Windows 8 and Windows 10 VPN users to install a free plugin that resolves the issue, while other users will need to contact their VPN for support.
How Can I Prevent a DNS Leak?
Understanding what is DNS leak is the first step toward ensuring it does not happen. Because a DNS leak involves your information getting leaked outside the confines of your VPN, one way to prevent it is to properly configure your VPN server. In this way, you can still use the internet anonymously without revealing your IP address. Also, make sure your VPN has features that protect you from DNS leaks.
Learn more about DNS Firewall here.
Set up your own VPN in a different country
You can also reduce the probability of DNS leaks by setting up your own private VPN in a different country whose internet service providers are less likely to leak your information. While this does not guarantee that no leaks will occur, it can make them less frequent.
Use an anonymous web browser
Using an anonymous web browser is another technique that can prevent DNS leaks. For example, you can use a browser like Tor, which does not require any DNS configuration on the operating system end. This gives you total anonymity while browsing.
Use a firewall
Another DNS leak fix is to use a firewall. Firewalls can be set up to prevent data from leaving your computer, including information involved in DNS requests. This can be effective because a firewall can disable the DNS process, which prevents your information from exiting your computer.
Set-up a nonexistent DNS
You may also configure your DNS server to one that does not really exist, such as 0.0.0.0 or 127.0.0.1. This can be done using a UNIX/Linux terminal or a graphical user interface (GUI), but you may have to figure out another way to resolve your domain names while using the internet. One method is to use a proxy. A proxy is positioned in front of your browser, and it handles requests on your behalf. It has its own IP address and uses this during the DNS process so your computer's IP address stays private.
