VPN Peek

Product Introduction

1. Definition: VPN Peek is a specialized macOS menu bar utility categorized as a VPN monitoring tool and privacy leak detector. It operates as a lightweight background application.
2. Core Value Proposition: VPN Peek exists to provide real-time verification that a user's VPN connection is active and secure, specifically by detecting critical DNS leaks and IPv6 leaks that can compromise online privacy and anonymity, offering instant notifications for any security lapse.

Main Features

1. Real-Time VPN Menu Bar Monitoring: Displays current VPN connection status directly within the macOS menu bar. Utilizes customizable icons and text formats (e.g., showing VPN provider name, connection time, or simple status indicators) for at-a-glance awareness. Continuously polls the system's network interfaces to determine if a VPN tunnel is active.
2. Automated DNS Leak Detection: Proactively checks if DNS queries are being resolved by the user's ISP servers instead of the VPN provider's DNS servers, which would expose browsing activity. Works by performing DNS lookups to known test servers and comparing the resolver's IP against the expected VPN gateway IP and the user's true public IP.
3. IPv6 Leak Detection: Identifies if the user's real IPv6 address is exposed, bypassing the VPN tunnel (common if the VPN only handles IPv4). Tests IPv6 connectivity independently, ensuring all traffic, regardless of IP version, is routed securely through the VPN tunnel to prevent IP address exposure.
4. Public IP & Geolocation Display: Shows the user's current public IPv4 address and inferred geographic location (city/country) as seen by external servers. Includes a one-click function to copy the displayed IP address to the clipboard for troubleshooting or verification. Location data is sourced from third-party geolocation APIs during the IP check.
5. Smart Connection & Leak Notifications: Delivers immediate system notifications (alerts) upon critical events: when the active VPN connection drops unexpectedly or when a DNS leak or IPv6 leak is detected. Ensures users are alerted promptly to take corrective action to maintain privacy protection.
6. Auto-Refresh on Network Changes: Automatically rechecks VPN status, public IP, and performs new leak tests whenever the system detects a network change, such as switching Wi-Fi networks, connecting/disconnecting Ethernet, or changing VPN servers. Eliminates the need for manual refreshes after network transitions.
7. Native macOS Menu Bar Integration: Built exclusively for macOS using native frameworks (like AppKit), adhering to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. Runs unobtrusively from the menu bar without a Dock icon, minimizing system resource usage (only 4.4 MB) and providing a seamless user experience.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: VPN connection drops or misconfigurations can occur silently, exposing users' real IP addresses and online activities to their ISP or network snoopers without their knowledge. VPN Peek solves the lack of visibility into active VPN status.
2. Target Audience: Privacy-conscious individuals (journalists, activists), remote workers handling sensitive data, frequent travelers using public Wi-Fi, security professionals verifying setups, and any VPN user concerned about DNS leaks or IPv6 leaks compromising their anonymity.
3. Use Cases: Essential when connecting to untrusted networks (coffee shops, airports), while working remotely with confidential information, for verifying a new VPN provider's configuration, ensuring torrenting privacy, or bypassing geo-restrictions without location leaks. Provides peace of mind for online security.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike full VPN clients, VPN Peek is a dedicated monitor compatible with any VPN provider (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Mullvad, self-hosted, etc.). It focuses solely on verification, offering deeper leak detection than most built-in VPN client indicators. Contrasts with web-based leak tests by providing continuous, automatic monitoring directly from the OS.
2. Key Innovation: Its lightweight, menu-bar-centric design provides persistent, real-time security status with zero distraction. The combination of automated DNS leak testing, IPv6 leak detection, and instant notifications triggered by network changes offers a comprehensive yet simple solution for ensuring VPN security integrity on macOS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does VPN Peek work with any VPN service? Yes, VPN Peek is a VPN status monitor designed to work independently with any VPN provider (like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or private VPNs) as it checks the system's active network connection state, not the VPN app itself.
2. How does VPN Peek detect DNS leaks? It performs controlled DNS lookups to specific test domains. If the IP address of the DNS server responding belongs to your ISP or local network, rather than your VPN provider's range, a DNS leak is identified and reported.
3. Why is IPv6 leak detection important for VPN users? Many VPNs primarily route IPv4 traffic. If your device uses IPv6 and the VPN doesn't handle it (or is misconfigured), your real IPv6 address and traffic bypass the VPN tunnel, exposing your location and activity. VPN Peek specifically tests for this IPv6 leak vulnerability.
4. Does VPN Peek collect or store my data? No, according to its App Privacy details, VPN Peek runs entirely locally on your Mac. Your public IP is queried from third-party services only to display your location; this data is not stored, logged, or shared by the app, ensuring privacy-focused operation.
5. Can VPN Peek reconnect my VPN if it drops? No, VPN Peek is a monitoring and alert tool, not a VPN service. Its core function is to detect VPN disconnections and security leaks and notify you immediately, allowing you to manually reconnect your VPN client or investigate the issue.