Should I just turn IPv6 off?

Only as a workaround if your VPN can't handle it. IPv6 is the future of the internet; disabling it everywhere isn't ideal long-term.

Is IPv6 less private than IPv4?

Not inherently. The risks are VPN bypass and stable addressing — both manageable with leak protection and privacy extensions.

How do I know if I have IPv6?

Run the tool above — if it reports an IPv6 address, your connection supports it.

What is IPv6 and does it affect privacy?

What is IPv6 (and does it affect your privacy)?

IPv6 is the modern version of internet addressing. It solves a real shortage of addresses — but if your VPN doesn't handle it, it can quietly leak around your protection.

Tool: What is my IP Try it now — free, no signup. Open →

What it is

The old IPv4 system has about 4 billion addresses — not enough for today's devices. IPv6 fixes this with a vastly larger space, written like 2a01:4f8:1c:abcd::1.

Most networks now run IPv4 and IPv6 side by side (“dual stack”).

Why it matters

Two privacy points matter. First, if your VPN only tunnels IPv4, IPv6 traffic can travel outside it and expose your real address — a leak. Second, some IPv6 setups use a stable address that can make a device easier to track; “privacy extensions” randomise it.

How to check

Open the tool above. It shows whether your current connection is reaching us over IPv4 or IPv6. For a deeper check, the privacy check and DNS leak test reveal whether IPv6 paths bypass your VPN.

How to fix

If your VPN doesn't support IPv6, either enable IPv6 leak protection or disable IPv6 on the device while connected.
Enable IPv6 privacy extensions (temporary addresses) — on by default in most modern systems.
Re-test to confirm no IPv6 path escapes the tunnel.