Based on my personal experience and extensive testing, I can confidently say that Betternet VPN does indeed hide your IP address to some extent. However, it is important to note that it may not provide the level of privacy and security that you might expect from a reputable VPN service.
During my testing, I first checked for any IP leaks by using various online tools and conducting DNS leak tests. With the “Prevent IP Leaks” setting enabled in Betternet, I found no IP leaks. This means that my real IP address was successfully masked and replaced with the IP address of one of Betternet’s servers.
However, when I toggled off the “Prevent IP Leaks” setting and conducted the same tests, I discovered that Betternet exposed my DNS requests to my internet service provider (ISP). This is a significant concern as it means that my browsing activity could potentially be monitored and tracked by third parties.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that Betternet has been involved in some controversies regarding its privacy practices. In 2017, the Center for Democracy & Technology filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleging that Betternet’s mobile app failed to adequately disclose its data collection and sharing practices.
While Betternet claims to have a no-logs policy, it is always advisable to be cautious when using VPN services that have faced such privacy concerns in the past. It is essential to thoroughly research and choose a VPN provider that has a strong reputation for privacy and security.
While Betternet VPN does hide your IP address to some extent, it is not a safe or trustworthy option. It has been found to expose DNS requests when the “Prevent IP Leaks” setting is switched off, and it has faced privacy controversies in the past. It is highly recommended to consider alternative VPN services that offer more robust privacy and security features.