Each and every device that is connected to the internet is assigned an address for location and identification purpose. This address is known as the IP address. The internet experienced an exponential growth during the 1990s which rendered it necessary to make available new space for hundreds of thousands of devices that will be connected to the worldwide web.
A new protocol was formalized by IETF (internet Engineering Task Force) in the late nineties. It was called the IPv6. The IPv6 utilizes a 128 bit address which is able to allow more than 7.9 X 1028 times the addresses that were allowed by its predecessor IPv4. The IPv4 offers more than 4 billion addresses. IPv4 and IPv6 are not interoperable but there have been mechanisms that allow communication between the two hosts.
There are several other technical benefits of IPv6 apart form a bigger space for addressing. The address allocation process of IPv6 makes it easier to route across the web limiting the expansion of routing tables. Additional optimization is offered through multicast addressing system. While designing the protocol, the security, mobility and configuration aspects of the device were taken into consideration.
Recent research carried out by two of the leading educational institutions of Europe has revealed that there risks of leaking personal identifying information through IPv6 when the client is using virtual Private Network or VPN. The risk of this leakage was known for a long time, however this time, the researchers were positive that a few renowned VPN providers were also leaking IPv6 request.
The following article will discuss what an IPv6 leak is, how it occurs, and how a person can prevent private requests from getting leaked.
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the abbreviation of InternetProtocol Version 6. The IPv6 is the future’s internet protocolwhich will replace the present IPv4 or InternetProtocol Version 4. Presently, when anyone connects to the internet, that person is assigned an IPv4 address. As more and more people connect to the internet, the need for these addresses grows. In one of the coming days, there will be no more IPv4 addresses to allocate to the new users. By that time, a transition towards IPv6 will become necessary.
How to establish protection against IPv6 Leaks via VPN
When version 6 protocol comes into use by websites and ISPs, there is a possibility that people with malicious intent will be able to trace the request sent by a user. This threat is present even if the user is on a virtual private network or VPN. The user will not know about it while surfing the web or downloading a movie. This will make it easier for a third party to spy over the browsing history of a user or log his / her online activity with the help of leaked requests on version 6 protocol or IPv6.
TorGuard is a software that helps block most of the leaks through IPv6. A new feature has been added to the software that forcibly confines all IPv6 traffic into the virtual private network. This effectively blocks any kind of leak right at its source.
It is very easy to activate this feature. Open TorGuard VPN software and click on the button titled “More Settings”. This button is found right on the main screen. You will see a network tab. On this tab, click the “Prevent IPv6” checkbox. Save the setting.
After this procedure, when you connect with a VPN server, the IPv6 protection will be activated. This will force each of your request over the internet into the VPN tunnel. This will ensure that your personal information including your IP address will not be leaked to any unauthorized person.
It is imperative for you to be sure all the time that the VPN service that you have subscribed to is keeping your data and information safe. Besides, the Block feature of TorGuard, the secure open VPN application offers safety against DNS leaks and web RTC leaks. It also provides a secure application and full connection killswitch.
TorGuard offers 5 connections on each one of your devices. It is very easy to setup on just about any system whether it runs on Linux, Mac, Android, Chrome or iOS. The best thing about this VPN software is that one does not need to go through highly sophisticated setups in order to install it. Updations are automatic. TorGuard mobile app is also very easily available. Another great benefit of TorGuard VPN software is that it allows users to bypass regional restrictions and censorships especially if you love to download torrent in different parts of the world. TorGuard offers around the clock customer support.
