How to Test a Split Tunnel VPN?

If you’re using a VPN, you’re probably well aware of the numerous pros that come with the app. Privacy and security are at the forefront of every VPN user’s mind, and it’s evident in the feature set alone. However, it’s not always the case that all VPNs are created equal, and there are certain types of VPNs that could potentially pose a threat rather than protect you from one.

Let’s take a look at how you could test a split tunnel VPN to see if it’s the right choice for your needs.

What Is a Split Tunnel VPN?

With a regular VPN, your traffic is encrypted as it traverses the internet. This means that everyone viewing your activity can see everything you do, but only your intended recipient will be able to decrypt it. While this may not seem like a problem at first glance, it could create issues if you’re not careful.

A split tunnel VPN takes this concept one step further. Instead of just using your private key to encrypt your traffic, you’ll be sharing a public and private key pair. When a website you’re visiting terminates the connection, your traffic will be encrypted using your private key. However, if you’ve ever used an SSL certificate to secure a connection with a website, you’ll know that this is a fairly common practice. When a connection is terminated, the website will hand off the encrypted key so that your traffic can continue to be secure.

Because your traffic is only protected as long as your private key remains confidential, it’s essential that you keep your private keys well-hidden. This means that even if someone manages to obtain your private key, they still wouldn’t be able to decrypt your traffic. The more steps involved in the decryption process, the more likely it is that an error could occur and damage your data. For this reason, it’s best to keep your private key hidden even when not in use.

How Do I Test A VPN?

If you’re new to VPNs and are looking for information on how to test one, the following will go over various methods you could use to find out the truth about a particular VPN.

Browser Testing

One of the best ways to test a VPN is through your browser of choice. If you’ve used a VPN before, you’ll know that logging into the app and giving it a quick test drive isn’t always the most convenient option. This is where browser testing comes in handy. Instead of having to create an account and navigate through the login process to verify connection speed and other features, you could just go to the website you’re planning on using the VPN for and enter your credentials when prompted.

Browser testing is a great way to discover whether or not a VPN is suitable for your needs. However, keep in mind that this method has its limitations. For instance, if you’re testing a VPN on a desktop computer, you won’t be able to use some of the app’s features, like logging in or out, since they require you to connect to a server. Also, some desktop browsers don’t support all the features a VPN can offer, so you might not be able to test the full extent of its capabilities.

Download Testing

Just because a browser doesn’t support all the features of a VPN doesn’t mean that you can’t test it. Sometimes, the best option is to download the VPN app to your phone and use that. This is because some apps don’t always load the same as the website, so you might not be able to access some of the features on your desktop. However, this does have the advantage of allowing you to try out all the features without having to worry about breaking something on your computer.

This method has the potential to save you a great deal of time and ensure that you don’t end up with an underperforming product. It’s important to test various devices to ensure that you’re not missing out on any features because something on your part is preventing them from working. If you do end up with an underperforming product despite following the instructions carefully, it’s probably a good idea to return it and find another solution.

Manual Testing

If you’ve ever used a VPN before, you’ll know that testing it on your desktop isn’t always the most convenient option. You could always try the automated testing method again, but sometimes it’s better to take a more manual approach. This is especially handy if you’re trying to test a VPN on a device that you don’t own, like a borrowed phone or tablet. If you can get your hands on one, it would be best to try out the VPN on said device as soon as possible.

While it’s great to have all the automated testing done for you, sometimes a VPN just isn’t meant to be used on a certain device or software. If you want to be sure that you’re not missing out on any features, it’s best to try them out yourself. Keep in mind that manually testing a VPN is more time-consuming than automated testing and requires a greater level of attention, so be sure that you’re not missing any critical details.

Server/Network Testing

Your device or software’s performance will vary depending on where you are and how many other devices are connected to the same network. If you’re outside your home, your internet connection might not be as fast as it is at home, potentially causing issues with the VPN. In these situations, it’s best to either use a mobile hotspot or connect to a different network altogether.

Sometimes, your device or software’s performance can vary from network to network. If you use a VPN and are connected to a network with excellent performance, but the same doesn’t apply to other networks you connect to, it could be that the VPN isn’t up to par. In order to ensure that you don’t end up with an underperforming product, you should test it across various networks and servers to ensure that you’re not missing out on any features because your device is incapable of handling the load. If you do end up with a low performing product, it might be a good idea to return it and find a different solution.

User Testing

Last but not least, we have user testing. If you’ve ever used a VPN, you’ll know that trying out the product is one of the best ways to find out whether or not it’s suitable for your needs. Instead of relying on the manufacturer or developer for feedback, you could ask other users to test the product out and provide you with feedback as to how it functions.

It’s a good idea to try out a VPN in a sandbox environment first. If you use a sandbox environment, you can be sure that you’re not putting your actual personal data at risk. It’s also a good idea to split test the various features of the product to see how they work together. For example, do you want to be able to download apps and use them while connected or only while on the move?

Because not all VPNs are created equal, it’s important to test them cautiously to ensure that you don’t end up with something that doesn’t perform up to your expectations. Keep in mind that this is easier said than done, and it requires a fair amount of attention and effort. If you’re searching for a VPN and come across one that seems too good to be true, it might be a good idea to question its legitimacy or do some additional research before committing to a purchase.