Kill switch and split tunneling, explained
Two commonly used VPN features that give more control over exactly how and when your traffic is protected.
Kill Switch
Blocks internet access automatically if the VPN connection drops, helping prevent traffic from leaking outside the tunnel.
App-Level Split Tunneling
Lets you choose specific applications to run outside the VPN tunnel while everything else stays protected.
IP/Domain-Level Exclusions
Some configurations allow excluding specific IP addresses or domains from the tunnel instead of entire apps.
Why Use a Kill Switch
Without one, a dropped VPN connection could silently expose your real IP address until you notice.
Why Use Split Tunneling
Useful when certain apps behave unexpectedly over a VPN, such as triggering unusual login alerts.
Platform Availability
These features are generally available on desktop platforms, with some limitations on mobile operating systems.
Explore related guides
Read practical guides on configuring these features.