Safe without Network lock if https://ipleak.net/ shows no leak?

[RandomGuyJoe 0]

I'm using ESET Smart Security so Network Lock doesn't work since it disables Windows Firewall. If https://ipleak.net/ isn't showing any leaks at all, does this mean I'm 100% protected without Network Lock?

[zhang888 1066]

The main protection that Network Lock provides is when your VPN session is disconnected. Stopping leaks is a "side-effect" of this.

So you need to ask yourself if you are aware of the fact that once you disconnect the VPN tunnel, ipleak will show your real IP/DNS.

[RandomGuyJoe 0]

Okay. So if I close down whatever I'm doing and then disconnect I should be fine then, right?

[zhang888 1066]

Again, only you can answer that question based on the apps of which behavior you are aware and unaware.

Some background services can still run, and may still cause leaks.

[RandomGuyJoe 0]

Thank you for the replies. I dug around in the settings and found that you can disable ESET's firewall permanently (previously I only noticed the option to pause it). After doing that the Network Lock worked correctly so that solves this dilemma.