Kill Switch: What It Does and When to Enable It

The kill switch is your safety net. It blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

Updated 2026-03-05 4 min read

What the Kill Switch Does

If your VPN connection drops for any reason (server issue, network change, or app crash), the kill switch immediately blocks all internet traffic from your device. This prevents your real IP address and unencrypted data from being exposed during the brief window between disconnection and reconnection.

When to Enable It

We recommend keeping the kill switch enabled at all times, especially if you:

  • Use public Wi-Fi regularly
  • Handle sensitive information online
  • Want to make sure your real IP is never exposed
  • Use the VPN for financial transactions or crypto activities

How to Enable It

  1. Open Shieldeum and go to Settings
  2. Find the "Kill Switch" option
  3. Toggle it on

Once enabled, the kill switch works automatically in the background. If the VPN reconnects, your internet access resumes normally. You will see a notification if the kill switch activates.

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