What Is an IPv6 Leak?

Most networks today use dual-stack connectivity, supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously. When you connect to a VPN, it typically creates an encrypted tunnel for your IPv4 traffic. However, many VPNs fail to handle IPv6 traffic properly — allowing it to bypass the tunnel entirely and reach websites directly through your ISP, revealing your real IPv6 address.

IPv6 leaks are particularly dangerous because they're invisible to the user. Your VPN appears to be working normally for IPv4 traffic, but every website that supports IPv6 can see your real identity. Since IPv6 adoption is growing rapidly, this leak affects an increasing number of connections.

How to Prevent IPv6 Leaks

Use a VPN with built-in IPv6 leak protection that blocks IPv6 traffic when the tunnel is active, preventing any leaks. Alternatively, you can disable IPv6 in your operating system's network settings or add firewall rules to block IPv6 traffic when a VPN is connected.