Split tunneling is an advanced VPN feature that lets users route specific internet traffic through a secure VPN while allowing other traffic to access the internet directly. This setup balances security and speed, ensuring privacy for sensitive activities while maintaining fast access to local network resources and unrestricted browsing.
In a standard VPN setup, all internet traffic is routed through an encrypted VPN tunnel, keeping your data secure from hackers, ISPs, and surveillance. However, this can sometimes slow down your connection and restrict access to local network resources.
Split tunneling allows users to control which traffic goes through the VPN and which does not, connecting directly to the internet. This selective routing improves performance, speed, and flexibility, making it ideal for users who need both security and unrestricted local access.
A split tunnel VPN allows you to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which does not, offering faster speeds and local network access. Sensitive data (like work emails) is encrypted and routed through the VPN for security, while non-sensitive activities (streaming ) bypass the VPN for faster speeds.
A full tunnel VPN may encrypt all internet traffic and route it through a secure VPN server, ensuring maximum security and privacy but potentially slower speeds. Full tunneling provides complete encryption, securing all online activities, including browsing, streaming, and app usage. It also enhances privacy by hiding your IP address.
To ensure split tunneling is working correctly, you first need to check your current public IP address before enabling the feature. This allows you to compare your real IP with the one assigned by your VPN. To do this, visit an IP checker : What is My IP Address, which will display your current IP address and location. Once you connect to a VPN and activate split tunneling, revisit the site (nodedata.io/whoami) to check if certain traffic is using the VPN’s IP while excluded apps or websites continue to show your original IP. This verification helps you confirm that your internet traffic is being routed as intended, ensuring both privacy protection and optimized network performance.
