App Kill is a critical security feature in the TorGuard desktop client that automatically terminates specified applications when your VPN connection drops. This prevents sensitive applications like torrent clients, banking apps, or private browsers from exposing your real IP address during unexpected disconnections.

⚠️ Why App Kill is Essential

Torrent Clients: Prevent IP exposure in swarms
Banking Apps: Avoid location-based security triggers
Streaming Apps: Maintain geo-location privacy
Work Applications: Protect corporate data access
Private Browsers: Ensure anonymous browsing sessions

App Kill vs Network Kill Switch

Feature	App Kill	Network Kill Switch	Best Use Case
Protection Level	Application-specific	System-wide	Both together
Internet Access	Other apps continue	All traffic blocked	Depends on needs
Flexibility	High - choose apps	Low - all or nothing	App Kill
Recovery	Restart apps manually	Auto-restore on reconnect	Kill Switch

Step 1: Access TorGuard Settings

Open the TorGuard desktop client and locate the settings:

Launch TorGuard client
Look for the settings cog icon in the top-right corner
Click to open the settings window

TorGuard client settings button — Click the settings cog to access App Kill configuration

Step 2: Configure App Kill Settings

In the settings window:

Navigate to the "App Kill" tab
Check "Terminate these applications when VPN disconnects"

Important: Applications must be running to appear in the process list. Launch any apps you want to protect before configuring App Kill.

Step 3: Select Applications to Terminate

You have two methods to add applications:

Method 1: Select from Running Processes

Click the "Select" button
Choose from the list of running processes
Click OK to add selected apps

App Kill process selection — Select running processes or manually enter application names

Method 2: Manual Entry

Type the exact process/executable name
Include file extension (e.g., qbittorrent.exe)
Add multiple apps separated by commas

Common Applications to Protect

Application Type	Windows Process	macOS Process	Linux Process
qBittorrent	qbittorrent.exe	qbittorrent	qbittorrent
Deluge	deluge.exe	Deluge	deluge-gtk
Transmission	transmission.exe	Transmission	transmission-gtk
Firefox	firefox.exe	Firefox	firefox
Thunderbird	thunderbird.exe	Thunderbird	thunderbird
Telegram	Telegram.exe	Telegram	telegram-desktop

Step 4: Save and Apply Settings

After adding all desired applications:

Click the "Save" button
Settings take effect immediately
No client restart required

App Kill save settings — Click Save to activate App Kill protection

Step 5: Enable Network Kill Switch (Recommended)

For maximum protection, combine App Kill with the network kill switch:

Navigate to the "Network" tab
Enable "Kill Switch" option
This blocks ALL internet if VPN drops
App Kill provides targeted protection

✅ Optimal Configuration

Use both App Kill and Kill Switch together:

Kill Switch: Prevents any data leaks
App Kill: Ensures sensitive apps can't run unprotected
Result: Multi-layered protection against IP exposure

Advanced Configuration Tips

Process Name Formats

Windows: Include .exe extension (firefox.exe)
macOS: Use app name or bundle identifier
Linux: Use exact process name from ps command

Finding Process Names

Windows

# Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
# Go to Details tab
# Look for process name in Name column

macOS

# Open Terminal
ps aux | grep -i "application name"
# Or use Activity Monitor

Linux

# Find process name
ps aux | grep -i "application"
# Or use
pgrep -l "application"

Real-World Use Cases

1. Torrent Protection

Essential for P2P users:

Add all torrent clients to App Kill
Prevents IP exposure in swarms
Stops seeding with real IP

2. Banking Security

Protect financial applications:

Banking apps detect location changes
App Kill prevents security alerts
Maintains consistent geo-location

3. Corporate Compliance

For remote workers:

Company apps require specific locations
Prevents compliance violations
Protects sensitive data access

Troubleshooting App Kill

Apps Not Terminating

Wrong process name: Verify exact name in task manager
Permissions: Run TorGuard as administrator
Multiple processes: Some apps spawn child processes

Apps Terminating Unexpectedly

Brief disconnects: Normal during server switches
Connection instability: Try different VPN protocol
False positives: Check VPN connection logs

Process Not in List

Ensure application is running first
Try manual entry instead
Check for service vs application process

Best Practices

Test Configuration: Disconnect VPN manually to verify apps close
Regular Updates: Update process names after app updates
Backup Lists: Save your App Kill configuration
Combine Protections: Use with Kill Switch and DNS leak protection
Monitor Logs: Check when App Kill activates

Limitations and Considerations

No Auto-Restart: Apps must be manually restarted
System Processes: Cannot kill critical Windows services
Elevated Apps: May not kill admin-level processes
Browser Tabs: Kills entire browser, not specific tabs

Alternative Protection Methods

Method	Protection Level	Complexity	Best For
App Kill	Application-specific	Simple	Targeted protection
Kill Switch	System-wide	Simple	Complete protection
Firewall Rules	Customizable	Advanced	Power users
Split Tunneling	App routing	Moderate	Mixed usage

💡 Pro Tip: Connection Scripts

For advanced users, consider using VPN connection scripts instead of App Kill for more control:

Pause applications instead of terminating
Auto-restart when VPN reconnects
Custom notifications and logging
Complex conditional logic

Need App Kill Assistance?

Our support team can help configure App Kill for your specific applications and use case, ensuring maximum protection without disrupting your workflow.

Get Configuration Help

How to Setup App Kill with the TorGuard Client