What Is a Network Exposure Scan? How ARK Detects Yours
A network exposure scan checks whether your device leaks personal data through unsecured Wi-Fi connections, DNS queries, or IP address exposure. ARK by MRVL includes a Wi-Fi analyser and DNS leak test in its Shield tier to reveal whether your network setup is exposing you to data theft.
Network Exposure Defined
Network exposure scan is a security check that tests whether your device sends unencrypted traffic over Wi-Fi or public networks. When you connect to Wi-Fi without a VPN, your internet service provider, network owner, and anyone on the same Wi-Fi can potentially see what you're doing. A network exposure scan measures three main risks: whether your device leaks DNS requests (which reveal every website you visit), whether your IP address is visible to tracking services, and whether your Wi-Fi connection itself is using weak security standards like WEP or open networks. ARK's Wi-Fi analyser and DNS leak test (both in Shield tier) detect these exposures on your iPhone so you understand your actual risk level.
Why Network Exposure Matters
Network exposure is a real threat because Wi-Fi networks are shared. On public Wi-Fi at a cafe or airport, anyone with basic hacking tools can intercept unencrypted data. Even on home Wi-Fi, a weak password means neighbours or guests could snoop. DNS leaks are particularly dangerous because they reveal every site you visit, even if you think you're protected. A DNS leak test shows whether your queries are being routed through your ISP's DNS servers (where they can be logged and sold) or through a private service. ARK's Shield tier includes both a Wi-Fi analyser to check your connection security and a DNS leak test to confirm whether your device is exposing your browsing history through network queries.
How ARK Scans Your Network Exposure
ARK's network exposure scan works in two parts. The Wi-Fi analyser checks the security standard of any Wi-Fi network your iPhone is connected to (WPA3, WPA2, WEP, or open), then tells you whether that network is safe or vulnerable to interception. The DNS leak test runs a query from your device and checks whether the response comes back through a private DNS service or leaks via your ISP's public DNS. Both scans run on-device and store no data about your queries; ARK is privacy-first by design. Results appear in your security score breakdown with one-tap links to fix the issue, such as switching to a private DNS service or connecting to a more secure network. As of June 2026, ARK's Shield tier is the easiest way to understand your network exposure without needing to interpret technical logs.
Network Exposure vs Other Security Threats
Network exposure is different from app permission abuse, stalkerware, or data breaches, though ARK scans all four. A data breach exposes passwords and personal data stored by a company; a network exposure scan reveals what you're doing in real-time over Wi-Fi. Stalkerware is malicious software installed on your device; network exposure is a vulnerability in how you connect to the internet. ARK's free tier includes a stalkerware detector, while the Shield tier adds network checks plus breach exposure via Have I Been Pwned integration and a dark-web monitor to catch if your email appears in leaked databases. The Fortress tier goes further with data-broker exposure checks to see which companies have sold your data.
What to Do If ARK Finds Network Exposure
If ARK's Wi-Fi analyser flags your connection as weak (WEP, WPA, or open), your remediation options depend on whether it's your home network or public Wi-Fi. On your own network, ARK links you to your router settings so you can enable WPA3 encryption and set a strong password. On public Wi-Fi, the fix is to avoid entering sensitive data (passwords, bank details, email) unless you're using a VPN, or to switch to a mobile hotspot from your phone instead. If the DNS leak test fails, ARK links you to enable private DNS in your iPhone settings (available in iOS 14+), which routes queries through a privacy-focused resolver like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 instead of your ISP. Every fix is one tap away from the result screen.
Free vs Paid Network Scanning in ARK
ARK's free tier gives you a 0-100 security credit score and a stalkerware detector, but network exposure scans (Wi-Fi analyser and DNS leak test) are part of the Shield tier at £2.99 per month or £29.99 per year. Shield also includes breach exposure checks via Have I Been Pwned, a dark-web monitor to alert you if your email surfaces in leaked databases, a QR and URL phishing scanner, and a password health check. The Fortress tier (£7.99/mo or £79.99/yr) adds data-broker exposure detection, GDPR Autopilot for automated data-subject requests, and AI decision rights for tracking how companies use your data. Start with the free tier to see your security score, then upgrade to Shield if network exposure is a priority for your household.
Check your network exposure with ARK in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a network exposure scan without an app?
Yes. You can use online DNS leak tests like dnsleaktest.com or use your router's admin panel to check Wi-Fi security settings. ARK automates this and links you to fixes directly, saving time and technical knowledge.
Is ARK a VPN?
No. ARK detects network exposure but does not hide your IP or encrypt your traffic. ARK is a security scanner that tells you what's at risk; a VPN is a privacy tool that fixes it. The two work together.
What does a DNS leak test actually do?
A DNS leak test sends a query from your device to see which DNS server responds. If your ISP's server answers, your queries are visible to them and can be logged. If a private DNS service answers, your requests are routed privately. ARK's test takes seconds and shows you the result.
Will ARK slow down my Wi-Fi?
No. ARK's scans are lightweight and run on-device. They do not intercept or monitor ongoing traffic, so they have no impact on your connection speed.
Does ARK store information about my network?
No. On the free tier, scans run entirely on-device with no data sent to ARK's servers. Shield and Fortress tiers use encrypted cloud storage for scan history and dark-web monitoring alerts, but your raw network data is never logged or shared.
Can I fix network exposure on Android?
ARK is iOS only. Android users can use online DNS leak tests and check their Wi-Fi settings manually, but ARK's automated one-tap fixes are not available on Android yet.