What Is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is often called the "phone book of the internet." When you type a website address like vpnwg.com into your browser, DNS translates that name into a numerical IP address (such as 93.184.216.34) that your computer can connect to.
DNS queries are typically sent in plain text, meaning your ISP or anyone monitoring your connection can see every website you visit — even if the websites themselves use HTTPS encryption. This makes DNS a significant privacy vulnerability.
Why DNS Matters for VPN Users
A properly configured VPN routes all DNS queries through the encrypted tunnel to the VPN provider's own DNS servers. However, misconfigured VPN connections can "leak" DNS queries outside the tunnel — a problem known as a DNS leak.
DNS Security Protocols
Protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encrypt DNS queries. However, a VPN provides more comprehensive protection by encrypting all traffic, including DNS. VPNWG runs its own private DNS servers and forces all DNS queries through the encrypted tunnel. Test your DNS for leaks.