SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-vpn-split-tunneling

What happens to ordinary internet traffic during split tunneling?

It uses the normal network connection instead of the VPN tunnel.

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  1. It is discarded
  2. It bypasses the VPN tunnel ✔
  3. It becomes a backup copy

Why: Split tunneling sends protected-network traffic through the VPN while other traffic takes the default gateway. This saves bandwidth but creates another path that must be secured.

Huh, didn't know that: A compromised split-tunnel client can become a bridge toward an internal network.

The dad joke
The traffic split up because one route wanted the scenic internet.
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References

Answer: It bypasses the VPN tunnel. Split tunneling sends protected-network traffic through the VPN while other traffic takes the default gateway. This saves bandwidth but creates another path that must be secured.

  1. NIST SP 800-113 nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/legacy/sp/nistspecialpublication800-113.pdf
    only sends traffic destined for the internal network through the VPN tunnel
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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