Split tunneling and kill switch are two important security features in a VPN. Both these features are designed to improve the security experience of users while using a virtual private network server. But they serve in different ways. A VPN kill switch is a failsafe mechanism that ensures the protection of the user’s privacy when an internet connection suddenly stops. Split tunneling allows users to route only a few of the traffic through a VPN tunnel while the rest of the traffic passes through a normal route. This blog provides a detailed comparison between VPN kill switch vs split tunneling, allowing you to make a wise selection for more security.
What is a VPN kill switch?
A VPN kill switch is a built-in security feature that quickly disconnects your device from the Internet in case your VPN connection fails. It saves user’s data from being exposed due to sudden faults.
The main purpose of this feature is to safeguard your IP address by stopping the device from sending unencrypted data over the internet during streaming, torrenting, and browsing. If your VPN doesn’t have a kill switch feature, your device may reveal your original IP address, location, and sensitive data.
Application of VPN kill switch:
Although a kill switch feature doesn’t directly impact the speed of your VPN connection. But, it is crucial in protecting your online activities. Therefore, you can go for a VPN with a kill switch to stay safe and secure over the internet all the time. Some of the applications of VPN kill switch are;
- A kill switch feature is crucial in high-risk scenarios. In case of a sudden connection drop, a kill switch feature makes sure your internet traffic is not sent out without encryption. It helps users to maintain confidentiality and protect their data against leaks.
- During sensitive browsing, making online transactions, and all such situations, a fault in your VPN connection may lead to a big loss. At this time, having a kill switch feature is the greatest advantage for all users.
- Torrenting is a peer-to-peer file-sharing process where there is always a threat of data leakage if the VPN fails to download or upload files properly. A kill switch feature in a VPN prevents torrent clients from continuing their tasks to avoid any unexpected damage.
- In the same way, a VPN kill switch is also beneficial during remote work and business communication and bypassing geo-restrictions and internet censorship.
Working Principle of VPN kill switch:
A VPN server protects the privacy of your internet activity, but the threat of leakage is always in hand if your VPN lacks a kill switch. Enabling the kill switch feature protects users from unauthorized access and cybercriminals. Here’s a closer look at how a VPN kill switch operates:
- Continuous Monitoring of VPN Connection: In order to find any possible insecurity and instability, the kill switch regularly checks the current state of your VPN connection. A kill switch does so to ensure all the time remains encrypted.
- Detection of Connection Failure: When a connection drops, immediately kill switch feature gets activated. The major reasons behind connection failure may be due to server issues from a VPN provider, network instability, or software or hardware failure.
- Disconnection of Internet Access: The kill switch quickly stops the device to prevent data transmission from the unencrypted connection. It keeps users safe from ISP tracking, malicious attacks, and data breaches.
- Temporary Suspension of Traffic: during the whole process till the connection is re-established, the kill switch suspends traffic flow.
Reasons Behind Activation of a VPN Kill Switch:
Many issues could disrupt your connection and activate your VPN kill switch. The following six reasons are common cause of VPN disconnections:
- Secure Configuration: Security programs such as firewalls, antivirus software, or spyware protection can affect a virtual private network (VPN). If your connection keeps reducing, add your VPN to the firewall’s list of exceptions.
- Poor Wi-Fi signal: Your connection may disconnect if your Wi-Fi signals are weak. So this will activate the kill switch since you won’t be able to connect to your VPN provider if you lose your internet connection.
- Network blockage: In case there is network congestion, a VPN kill switch will activate. Because if there is a lot of traffic on the Internet, it may cause overcrowding or ISP throttling. This will slow down or stop your internet connection.
- Interference from ISP: Your VPN server may disconnect if there is interference from your internet service provider. This is the situation where kill switch activates to help you.
- VPN client-server difficulties: A VPN server may have troubles due to server overload, network instability, or other problems. Therefore, to help guarantee a reliable connection, use a VPN with backup servers located all over the world.
Advantages of VPN kill switch
- It protects private information during VPN connection failure
- It prevents IP and DNS leakage
- It provides additional security to personal secrets.
- It protects against censorship, ISP throttling, and other such issues.
What is Split Tunneling?
Split tunneling is the advanced VPN feature that allows users to segregate their traffic into two sections and then select which apps traffic they want to run through a VPN secure tunnel. The rest will pass through the normal internet connection. In this way, they can more secure their data on specific apps and benefit from a safe approach during surfing and communication.
You can use a VPN split tunneling feature to safeguard your online banking on a VPN connection while streaming local video over your standard internet connection.
Applications of Split Tunneling:
- Split tunneling helps users avoid internet censorship and restrictions in countries where certain websites and apps are blocked. It allows to bypass all limitations for some activities while keeping others unaffected.
- It allows users to conserve bandwidth and maintain speed for online activities. It reduces the amount of traffic routed through the VPN, which can slow down the connection.
- Split tunneling reduces latency for services that don’t require as much security. While sensitive activities, like browsing or streaming, can still be routed through a VPN for added security.
Working Principle of Split Tunneling:
AVPN split tunneling gives users great control over their traffic flow. Usually, a device has only one internet connection for traffic flow. When it connects with a VPN, then all traffic passes through this secure tunnel and is encrypted for more security and privacy. But it sometimes slower the speed and also impacts the performance. When a device connected with a VPN has split tunneling features, it works with two connections; one is the VPN’s secure connection, and the other is a normal connection.
Here, first, the users have to configure their device from settings to decide which apps data should pass through the VPN tunnel and which one should go through normally. Then, split tunneling features allows the selected apps data (sensitive traffic) to pass through an encrypted tunnel, letting other traffic pass through a regular internet connection. In this way, it speeds up traffic flow without any bandwidth clogging.
Reasons to Use VPN Split Tunneling:
Split tunneling is useful in a variety of situations.
- If you want to access more than one network at the same time, split tunneling is the best option. It allows users to hide their IP address over one network during traffic flow, while you can pass unencrypted traffic through the other network.
- In case you are facing a problem in downloading due to heavy traffic flow, you can turn on the split tunneling feature to speed up process without any bandwidth throttling issues.
- You can modify your VPN usage if you want more control over it. This is achieved by selectively routing only the important traffic through the VPN.
- For instance, with a regular internet connection, you can stream your favorite shows at full speed while using a VPN to separate tunnel the sensitive data.
- When bandwidth is expensive or limited, split tunnels are advantageous because they increase efficiency and reduce bandwidth.
Advantages of Split Tunneling
- It increases privacy and security
- It reduces lag and latency and offers better speed
- It provides local internet access
- It saves bandwidth
Kill Switch vs Split Tunneling: Key Differences:
All VPNs are not the same. Some have built-in kill switches and split tunneling features, while others don’t. Here are some of the key differences between a VPN kill switch and split tunneling that will help you make a fine selection based on your security requirements while using a VPN.
Security and Privacy:
VPN kill switch is considered one of the best features in regard to the security and privacy of users. As it makes sure your internet is safe all the time, even if the connection fails. With the kill switch feature, there is less possibility of DNS leaks or IP address hacking problems.
Split tunneling offers users great control and flexibility. with a split tunneling feature, users are free to choose which traffic they want to keep more secure. While it also poses threat of exposing data of apps and services that are out of the VPN reach.
So, a kill switch feature is more preferable if you are looking to add more to your security and privacy.
Performance and Speed:
A kill switch feature offers users additional security. So, it doesn’t have a direct relation with performance. However, it has a negative impact on performance as when a VPN connection falls, the kill switch disconnects the internet.
Split tunneling improves the performance. It allows users to bypass the VPN tunnel for specific apps. It helps in increasing speed, preventing bandwidth congestion and reducing latency. You can use it during gaming and streaming for better performance.
Accessibility:
A kill switch is an automated security feature that always work in the background. So, it doesn’t require any configuration or setting. it only demands a little ongoing maintenance.
While split tunneling feature require proper configuration. the user need to manually adjust or select apps or services that should pass through VPN tunnel. So, it demands a bit understanding and interaction for maximum control and results.
VPN Kill Switch vs Split Tunneling: Which is More Important?
Both features perform significant functions, yet they address different needs. Like if we compare kill switch vs split tunneling, kill switch is helpful if security is your top priority. It guarantees your data is safe and sound. This feature makes it especially useful for activities such as streaming, browsing, torrenting, etc.
Moreover, if performance and flexibility are important to you, split tunneling may be a better option. It helps you improve internet performance and bandwidth by routing just specific traffic over the VPN. Also it leaves other applications on the normal Internet to improve the efficiency and performance.
Split tunneling is perfect for journalists, torrents and gamers to achieve higher speed without facing bandwidth issues.
Kill switch is useful for streamers, gamers, and anyone who wants more security while accessing restricted content.
Conclusion:
VPN kill switch and split tunneling features offer users security, but they work in different ways with different purposes. With split tunneling, you can gain better performance. The kill switch facilitates users with more security by disconnecting their devices during sudden VPN connection failure. The above discussion gives a thorough comparison of VPN kill switch vs split tunneling. By knowing about these characteristics, you can make an informed decision regarding your security and performance requirements.
