This detailed guide provides information on VPN Kill Switch and all of the ways this important VPN feature can be used.
If you are a VPN user you have likely heard of the term Kill Switch but may not be familiar with exactly what this is or how to use this tool.
We break down the benefits of using a Kill Switch and show you how to enable this feature on your device including streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google/Android Box, iOS, and more.
Table of Contents
What is a VPN Kill Switch?
Those familiar with VPNs or Virtual Private Networks know that there are tons of benefits to using this technology when connected to the internet.
Protecting your privacy is the most important asset a VPN provides and is typically the main reason for using these services.
However, as many of us know, VPNs are not foolproof and can become disconnected when we are least expecting it. This is where a VPN Kill Switch can come in handy.
The ultimate purpose of a Kill Switch is to disconnect your internet connection entirely if your VPN is disconnected for any reason. This is a foolproof method of ensuring your data is always private and your online identity is always anonymous.
Hide Your Digital Fingerprint
You can activate your Kill Switch within Settings and we recommend doing this whenever your VPN connection is necessary such as when downloading torrents or using a public wi-fi spot.
This is an important setting to have and not all VPN Providers offer a Kill Switch. If you are in the market for a VPN Service, make sure to find one that offers this feature!
Kill Switch Benefits
As noted above, the main benefit of a Kill Switch is to make sure your traffic is always encrypted and your IP Address is completely safe from prying eyes.
This will give you peace of mind whenever you are connected to the internet and reduce your risk of IP leaks while improving your overall online security.
While some VPN users opt to install their service on a router, using a Kill Switch is an alternative to this that doesn’t require a long set up process and will still ensure your data is always safe.
Surfshark offers two different types of “Kill Switch” – an application-level option and a system-level option.
App-Level
This option is built mostly for streaming devices and cord-cutters who use streaming apps and APKs to watch media content.
Instead of cutting your internet connection entirely, the app level kill switch from Surfshark will close various apps of your choice that will stop them from seeing your data or personal information.
System-Level
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The system level kill switch is the more well-known version of this feature and what many are familiar with.
This type of kill switch will cut your entire internet connection/status if your VPN disconnects for any reason. This is the preferred option for most, however, you may run into more connectivity issues if you are on an unstable network.
How to Turn on VPN Kill Switch
It is important to note that this feature is not available on all devices. However, most of them currently have them ability to enable Kill Switch and this includes popular media boxes such as Amazon Firesticks and Android/Google TV Boxes such as the onn. 4K with Google TV which is what we are using below.
1. Register for Surfshark VPN with Discount if you don’t already have an account.
2. Install the application on your preferred device and launch it for use.
3. Choose Settings.
4. Click VPN Settings.
5. Click the toggle for Kill Switch.
6. Your Kill Switch is now enabled!
While this guide is for streaming devices, the same general steps will apply for other devices including Android phone/tablet, iOS, and Windows PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a Kill Switch?
Yes, there are numerous reasons why you should use a Kill Switch and we describe them in detail in the guide above.
How do I know if it is Working?
The best way to make sure this setting is working is by opening the application and checking to make sure the toggle is set to ON within settings.
What VPN has a Kill Switch option?
While many services offer this feature, the best one is Surfshark as it is available on streaming devices and has two different types of kill switch.
Can I Turn Kill Switch Off?
Yes, you can easily turn off this feature within settings of the application on your preferred device.
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Hello,
Now that VPNSafetyDot is a pay app, wondering if you have any free alternatives for Firestick 4K? I do understand some VPNs have the kill switch but I have another year with Nord…
Thanks
I have had VPN Safety dot for a while with IP Vanish on my Fire stick. It is now turning off by itself and telling me I have to purchase the Premium version. My old VPN had a kill switch. I changed to IP Vanish through a link here so I paid for a year. Is there any alternative or do I just need to switch vpn’s? Help!
Well, since the “other” guy killed all of our free copies, I just created a new VPN Monitor Dot app for FREE!
(donations are encouraged to help support future features)
Download your copy now!
http://www.VPNmonitorDOT.com
the kicked off a premium version now with vpn tracking without limits and some other features.
in the free version you have to restart the vpnsafetydot every few hours which might be also ok for some.
i just bought it.
This is very helpful for android tv boxes, which suck when it comes to vpn killswitch. Really brilliant! I have looked all over for an app like this for years. No kidding, for years, and finally I found it on troypoint. Thank you.
I have one suggestion for the guys that created this app:
Can’t you create an app that actually is a vpn killswitch for android tv boxes. Maybe such an app would require root access to accomplish the killswitch, which should be fine. Please, let’s do this. These android tv boxes are very unsafe when it comes to vpn, they don’t have an “Always-on” vpn feature like to android phones. So, maybe someone can create an app that contains “Always-on” vpn feature for android tv boxes only. Hope this inspires someone to create such an app.
Is there an option to not have the green dot and just a massive red dot if the VNP drops? Or another app that does that?
I had to do a factory reset on my Firestick and I am trying to get safety dot back on there and I am not able to. I reach out to them through email and Facebook and no response. Is it not available to download anymore?? Is there another app that works like it that I can use instead??
Hi there, thanks for the comment we have been looking into this issue and will update this guide when we find a solution thanks.
Do you have a recommended alternative because this app no longer works with my Android version?
Hi Ed, thanks for the comment yes it appears the APK file is currently offline. We are doing some research for alternative options.
You can always enable the kill switch on your VPN if the service you are using has one available.
Hi, I use vpn safety dot and ipvanish on my firesticks. I “do” see if the thumb moves down telling me the IP Vanish is no longer connected. This is a “visual” warning, without an audio warning. It’s easy to miss for awhile. I’m reading this is a kill switch “alternative”, is it designed strictly as a visual warning, or does it actually interact with ipvanish and keeps my ip address invisible?
Hi Steve,
It only tells you if you have been disconnected. It does not work in conjunction with your IPVanish App.
Hey Troy! I love this tool! When I purchased my new firestick, your rapid app installer, ipvanish, and the safety dot apptdvh development were my immediate installs! I had recently used the beta of ipvanish, and thank God I had the safety dot app, bc I did not have a great experience with the beta. The safety dot alerted me I was no longer under VPN protection. I really appreciate the information you provide for free. I don’t think I would have been confident enough to even attempt to jailbreak my firestick without your website.
The safteydot does not work for the builds
It keeps log me out ipv
I have been using VPN Safety Dot since it came out. It has always worked perfectly. I installed the latest mandatory VPN Safety Dot now I have two Dots. One of them is green Dot that moves as I configured it, the other stays red and is in the top left corner where it has always been in the past.
Does anyone know why or experienced this error on why I would by getting two Dots. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app multiple time, the latest VPN Safety Dot. I have rebooted the TV and Firestick with no effect on the two Dot.
I did use ES File Explorer Premium to poke around after uninstalling the VPN Safety Dot app. an found a fragment of the VPN Safety Dot app left over from the uninstallation. I deleted that fragment but, the red Dot is still in the top right corner of the TV screen without Safety Dot installed.
Any suggestion with be greatly appreciate.
Thanks for any help.
John
I am using IP vanish threw my DD-WRT router but VPN Safety dot doesn’t recognize that I’m protected. I also checked the privacy check within safety dot which recognizing the VPN IP address correct. Please let me know if there is a setting for this situation when using a dedicated VPN router. Thanks!
I am getting the message that VPNdot needs updating. When I try to download I get a message “URL needs authorization. This is not supported.” How does one get authorization?
Hi Ken, I would suggest uninstalling and reinstalling. You can easily do so using the TROYPOINT App – https://troypoint.com/rapid-app-installer/
I have used VPNsafteydot on my Samsung Galaxy S20 5G android phone for over a year and it worked flawlessly. Samsung’s latest OS update made my whole system freeze. None of the touch screen apps would work and I thought my phone was toast. Turns out it was the VPNsafetydot app causing the problem. When I turned it off everything worked again. Your thoughts Sir.
I am using my IPVanish on my tv 98% no problem. Green Dot working great. On my OnePlus Nord N200 5G no problem IPVanish stays on as long as the phone is on. But when it comes to my Lenovo laptop computer not so good it turns off quit often, so my question is how can I install the Green Dot on my laptop,
Hello, you can actually use the kill switch feature on laptop that you can activate in the IPVanish settings. That way, if VPN ever becomes disconnected, your connection to the Internet will be terminated.
Largebody <fltcu46@gmail.com>9:49 PM (1 minute ago)
I want to confirm my Subscription, but when I click on the Confirm Your Subscription link this is the message I get.
The connection for this site is not secureemail.server.troypoint.com uses an unsupported protocol.ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
Details
Unsupported protocol
The client and server don’t support a common SSL protocol version or cipher suite.
So my e-mail doesn’t go through.
Hi there – Did you try using a different email?
I have Ipvanish installed on my Mibox but there is no kill switch. I have seen it on my laptop. Why does it not show up on Mibox?
Hi Benny, that’s why this kill switch alternative is needed, as IPVanish doesn’t provide a kill switch on Firestick/Android.
What about colorblind people who can’t tell the difference between a red dot and a green dot on the tv?
you can actually use a ‘Thumbs up” or ‘Thumbs Down” symbol instead of the colour dots.
I tried your instructions using Downloader on my Android box but i got an error msg: “Error: URL needs authorization. This is not supported.” Fortunately i was able to install the app putting the URL in the chrome browser.