DNS Leak When Using Proxies: 5 Proven Methods to Protect Against Data Leaks

DNS leak is one of the most dangerous vulnerabilities when working with proxies, which reveals your real IP address and location even when connected through a proxy server. For arbitrage specialists, SMM professionals, and anyone working with multi-accounting, this is a critical issue: platforms like Facebook Ads, Instagram, and TikTok can link all your accounts and block them simultaneously.

In this guide, we will explore what a DNS leak is, why it occurs even with properly configured proxies, how to check your system for leaks, and — most importantly — how to fully protect yourself from this vulnerability in anti-detect browsers, operating systems, and when working with various types of proxies.

What is a DNS leak and why is it dangerous for multi-accounting

A DNS leak occurs when your browser or application sends DNS requests directly through your provider, bypassing the proxy server. As a result, the target website or platform sees the DNS server of your real provider, revealing your true location and potentially linking different accounts together.

Imagine this scenario: you set up a proxy with an IP from the USA to work with Facebook Ads, but your browser continues to use the DNS servers of your Russian provider (for example, Rostelecom or MTS). Facebook sees the American IP from the proxy, but simultaneously logs DNS requests from the Russian provider. Such a discrepancy is a red flag for anti-fraud systems.

The main risks of DNS leaks for businesses include:

• Chain banning of accounts: Platforms link accounts by DNS server and block them all at once
• Revealing real location: Even when using proxies from another country
• Decreased trust score: Mismatched IP and DNS lowers trust in anti-fraud systems
• Failure of advertising campaigns: Facebook Ads, TikTok Ads, and Google Ads block accounts for suspicious activity
• Loss of client accounts: For SMM agencies, this means loss of reputation and clients

The issue of DNS leaks is particularly critical when working with platforms that have advanced anti-fraud systems: Facebook (Meta), Google, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn. These platforms analyze dozens of connection parameters, and the DNS server is one of the key markers for determining the user's real location.

How DNS leaks occur when working through a proxy

To understand how to protect against DNS leaks, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of their occurrence. The problem is that the proxy server by default only redirects HTTP/HTTPS traffic or SOCKS connections, but DNS requests can take a separate path.

How a normal connection works through a proxy:

1. You enter the website address facebook.com in the browser
2. The browser needs to find out the IP address of facebook.com through a DNS request
3. When set up correctly: the DNS request goes through the proxy server
4. The proxy receives the IP address and establishes a connection with facebook.com
5. Facebook sees the IP of the proxy server and the DNS server that the proxy uses

How a DNS leak occurs:

1. You enter the website address facebook.com in the browser
2. The browser makes a DNS request, but NOT through the proxy, instead directly through the system DNS
3. The request goes to your provider's DNS server (for example, 212.1.224.6 — Rostelecom's DNS)
4. The provider returns the IP address of facebook.com
5. The connection then goes through the proxy with the American IP
6. Facebook sees the American IP of the proxy, BUT logs the DNS request from the Russian provider

Main causes of DNS leaks:

It is important to understand: even if you are using high-quality residential proxies with real IP addresses of home users, a DNS leak can completely nullify their effectiveness. The platform will see a mismatch between the proxy IP (for example, USA) and the DNS server (Russia), which will raise suspicion.

How to check your system for DNS leaks: 3 reliable services

Before setting up protection, you need to check the current state of your system. Even if you are confident that the proxy is configured correctly, DNS leaks can occur at the operating system or browser level. Here are three reliable services for diagnostics:

1. DNSLeakTest.com — the most popular test

How to use:

1. Connect to the proxy server (through an anti-detect browser or system settings)
2. Open the website dnsleaktest.com
3. Click the "Extended test" button — it will check all DNS servers
4. Wait for the results (20-30 seconds)

How to read the results:

• No leak: All DNS servers belong to the country of the proxy (for example, all show the USA if the proxy is American)
• There is a leak: Among the DNS servers is your real provider or another country
• Critical leak: Shows only your provider's DNS — the proxy does not work for DNS at all

2. IPLeak.net — comprehensive check

This service checks not only for DNS leaks but also for WebRTC leaks, IPv6 leaks, and other vulnerabilities. It is especially useful for checking anti-detect browsers.

What IPLeak.net checks:

• IP address (should match the proxy IP)
• DNS servers (should be from the same country as the proxy)
• WebRTC (should not show your real IP)
• IPv6 address (should be disabled or match the proxy)
• Torrent IP (for those using proxies for torrents)

If in the "DNS Addresses" section you see DNS servers from different countries or from your provider — this is a DNS leak.

3. BrowserLeaks.com — for detailed diagnostics

The most advanced service for checking all possible data leaks. Use the "DNS Leak Test" section to check DNS.

Step-by-step check:

1. Open browserleaks.com/dns
2. The service will automatically start the check
3. Look at the "Country" column — all DNS servers should be from the same country (the country of the proxy)
4. Check the "ISP" column — your real provider should not be present

Method 1: Protection against DNS leaks in anti-detect browsers

Anti-detect browsers are the main tool for arbitrage specialists and SMM professionals. Most modern anti-detects have built-in protection against DNS leaks, but it needs to be configured correctly. Let's discuss the setup for popular browsers.

Dolphin Anty — DNS configuration

Dolphin Anty is one of the most popular anti-detect browsers among arbitrage specialists. By default, it does NOT protect against DNS leaks when using HTTP proxies.

Step-by-step protection setup:

1. Open the browser profile or create a new one
2. Go to the "Proxy" section (proxy settings)
3. Important: Choose SOCKS5 proxy type instead of HTTP — SOCKS5 redirects DNS requests through the proxy
4. If you only have HTTP proxies — enable the "DNS through proxy" option (if available)
5. In the "Advanced" section, find "WebRTC"
6. Set WebRTC to "Disabled" or "Alter" — this will prevent leaks through WebRTC
7. Save the profile
8. Launch the browser and check on dnsleaktest.com

Additional protection in Dolphin Anty:

• In the profile settings, enable "Do Not Track"
• Disable IPv6 in network settings (Network section)
• Use "Real" mode for geolocation — it will pull geolocation from the proxy IP

AdsPower — automatic leak protection

AdsPower has a more advanced DNS leak protection system that works automatically when using SOCKS5 proxies.

Setup in AdsPower:

1. Create a new profile or open an existing one
2. In the "Proxy settings" section, select "Socks5" type
3. Enter the proxy details (IP, port, username, password)
4. AdsPower will automatically configure DNS through the proxy for SOCKS5
5. In the "Advanced settings" section, check that WebRTC is set to "Disabled"
6. Enable the "Auto timezone" option — the timezone will be determined by the proxy IP
7. Save and launch the profile
8. Check on ipleak.net — it should show only the IP and DNS of the proxy country

Multilogin — professional protection

Multilogin is the most expensive and advanced anti-detect browser with the highest level of protection against all types of leaks.

Protection features in Multilogin:

• Automatic protection against DNS leaks for all proxy types (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5)
• Built-in blocking of WebRTC leaks
• Protection against IPv6 leaks — automatic disabling of IPv6 in the profile
• DNS over HTTPS (DoH) — encrypting DNS requests

In Multilogin, it is enough to simply specify the proxy in the profile settings — the browser will automatically configure all parameters to prevent leaks. Recommended for professional arbitrage teams with large budgets.

GoLogin — budget alternative

GoLogin is an affordable anti-detect browser with basic protection against DNS leaks.

Setup in GoLogin:

1. In the profile settings, select "Proxy type: Socks5"
2. Enter the proxy details
3. In the "WebRTC" section, select "Block"
4. Enable "Auto language" and "Auto timezone" by proxy IP
5. Check the profile on browserleaks.com/dns

Method 2: Configuring DNS at the operating system level

Even with the correct setup of the anti-detect browser, the operating system may make DNS requests directly through the provider. This is especially relevant for Windows 10/11, where the Smart Multi-Homed Name Resolution feature operates — the system sends DNS requests through all available network interfaces simultaneously.

Configuring Windows 10/11

Step 1: Disabling Smart Multi-Homed Name Resolution

1. Press Win + R, type regedit and press Enter
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dnscache\Parameters
3. Right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value
4. Name the value: DisableSmartNameResolution
5. Value: 1
6. Restart your computer

Step 2: Changing DNS servers at the network level

1. Open "Control Panel" → "Network and Internet" → "Network and Sharing Center"
2. Click on your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
3. Click "Properties" → select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" → "Properties"
4. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses"
5. Enter public DNS (for example, Cloudflare):
   • Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
   • Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
6. Click "OK" and close all windows

Step 3: Disabling IPv6 (critical for preventing leaks)

1. In the same "Connection Properties" window, uncheck "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)"
2. Click "OK"
3. Restart your network adapter or computer

Configuring macOS

Changing DNS in macOS:

1. Open "System Preferences" → "Network"
2. Select the active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
3. Click "Advanced" → "DNS" tab
4. Click "+" and add DNS servers:
   • 1.1.1.1
   • 1.0.0.1
5. Remove all other DNS servers from the list
6. Click "OK" → "Apply"

Disabling IPv6 in macOS:

1. Open "Terminal" (Applications → Utilities → Terminal)
2. Enter the command: networksetup -setv6off Wi-Fi (for Wi-Fi)
3. Or: networksetup -setv6off Ethernet (for Ethernet)
4. Restart your computer

Method 3: Using custom DNS servers

Using public DNS servers instead of the provider's DNS is a simple way to partially protect against DNS leaks. Although this is not a complete solution (platforms will still see a mismatch between the proxy IP and DNS), it is better than using the provider's DNS.

Best public DNS servers for working with proxies

Recommendation: For working with proxies, use Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) — it is the fastest, does not log request data, and has servers worldwide, minimizing latency.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) — encrypting DNS requests

DNS over HTTPS is a technology for encrypting DNS requests, which prevents interception by the provider. This is an additional layer of protection, especially relevant in countries with strict internet censorship.

Configuring DoH in Firefox:

1. Open Firefox → Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Scroll down to the "DNS over HTTPS" section
3. Enable "Enable DNS over HTTPS"
4. Select the provider: Cloudflare (recommended)
5. Save the settings

Configuring DoH in Chrome/Edge:

1. Open chrome://settings/security (or edge://settings/privacy)
2. Find the "Security" section → "Use secure DNS"
3. Enable the option
4. Select "Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)" from the list
5. Restart the browser

Method 4: Combining VPN and proxy for double protection

For maximum protection against DNS leaks, some specialists use a combination of VPN + proxy. This creates two levels of protection: the VPN encrypts all traffic and DNS at the operating system level, while the proxy is used in the anti-detect browser for specific accounts.

How VPN + proxy works

1. VPN at the system level: All computer traffic goes through the VPN server (for example, in Germany)
2. The VPN redirects all DNS requests through its servers — protection against DNS leaks at the system level
3. Proxy in the anti-detect browser: Each profile in Dolphin Anty is set up with a separate proxy (for example, USA, France, Poland)
4. Result: Facebook sees the proxy IP (USA), DNS requests go through the VPN (Germany), the real IP is hidden

Advantages of the method:

• Complete protection against DNS leaks — even if the proxy is configured incorrectly, the VPN will intercept DNS
• Protection for all applications on the computer, not just the browser
• Additional layer of traffic encryption
• Protection against WebRTC leaks and IPv6 leaks at the VPN level

Disadvantages of the method:

• Reduced speed — traffic goes through two servers (VPN + proxy)
• Additional costs — a quality VPN is needed (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark)
• Complexity of setup for beginners
• Risk of conflict between VPN and proxy — routing needs to be configured correctly

VPN + proxy setup: step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Choosing and installing a VPN

Choose a VPN with DNS leak protection and a kill switch (automatic internet disconnection when the VPN drops). Recommended:

• NordVPN: Automatic DNS leak protection, kill switch, servers in 60+ countries
• ExpressVPN: High speed, own DNS servers, split tunneling
• Surfshark: Budget option, unlimited number of devices

Step 2: Configuring the VPN

1. Install the VPN client on your computer
2. In the VPN settings, enable:
   • "DNS leak protection"
   • "Kill Switch"
   • "IPv6 leak protection"
3. Select a VPN server in a country that is geographically close to your proxies (for example, Germany for working with European proxies)
4. Connect to the VPN
5. Check on ipleak.net — it should show the IP and DNS of the VPN server

Step 3: Configuring the proxy in the anti-detect browser

1. With the VPN active, open Dolphin Anty or AdsPower
2. Create a profile with the proxy (SOCKS5 is preferable)
3. Enter the proxy details
4. Launch the profile
5. Check on dnsleaktest.com:
   • IP should show the country of the proxy (for example, USA)
   • DNS may show the VPN server (Germany) — this is normal and safe

Method 5: Proxies with built-in DNS leak protection

The simplest and most reliable way to protect against DNS leaks is to use proxies that have built-in support for redirecting DNS requests. Not all types of proxies support this feature, so it is important to know the differences.

Types of proxies and DNS leak protection

Conclusion: Always choose SOCKS5 proxies for working with multi-accounting. If the proxy provider only offers HTTP/HTTPS — request the SOCKS5 version or change the provider.

Comparison of protection methods: effectiveness and complexity

Conclusion: comprehensive protection against leaks

Protecting against DNS leaks is crucial for anyone working with proxies, especially in the context of multi-accounting. By implementing the methods outlined in this guide, you can significantly reduce the risk of exposing your real IP address and location, ensuring safer and more effective online operations.