How does IPv6 Protection work?

Overview

VirtualShield offers IPv6 Leak Protection by disabling all IPv6 traffic while connected to our VPN, thus providing you with a guarantee that no internet traffic leaks out over your regular connection.

All of your regular (IPv4) traffic will be encrypted and routed through our secure network, before it reaches the other end. Alternatively, you can permanently disable IPv6 traffic from your System Settings.


 Windows  macOS  iOS  Android

Windows

If you are using an IPv6 address to connect to the internet, it will be disabled automatically while you’re connected. If the VPN disconnects for any reason, your IPv6 traffic will be immediately restored.

As long as IPv6 Protection appears Active when you open the app, it means you’re protected. You can surf the web with full privacy, and use all of your apps just as you would normally.

Alternatively, you can permanently disable IPv6 traffic from your System Settings. Be aware this will impact your regular connection, and some components might not function.

IPv6 Protection

How to permanently disable IPv6 traffic on your Windows computer:
1

Open the Settings app on your Windows computer.

To open Settings, click the Start button, type “settings” in the search box and press Enter.

2

Navigate to Network & Internet Advanced network settings  Change adapter options.

If you can’t find this option, click the Start button, type “network connections” in the search box and press Enter.
3

Right-click your connection (typically Ethernet or Wi-Fi), and select Properties.

If you are prompted for your credentials, enter your Administrator password.
4

Toggle off the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) option, then click OK.

You can follow the same steps above to re-enable your IPv6 traffic again. See this Microsoft article for more information.

Common Questions

What is an IPv6 address?
IPv6 is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), the communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for networks and routes traffic across the internet. See this Wikipedia article for more information.
How can I determine if I’m using IPv6 or not?
If you are unsure, you can use this Google link to determine whether you’re using IPv6 or not. Just be sure to disconnect the VPN first, to ensure the results are accurate.
Do I need to disable this option if I’m not using IPv6?
No, your regular IP address will still be protected. Leak Protection will only be applied to IPv6 networks, it will not impact your IPv4 connection.

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