Have you ever felt like you were being watched when browsing the internet?
As if someone was behind you, trying to see what you were doing?
If so, you’re not the only one!
A lot of people have been expressing their concern about their privacy in the digital world. Most of us feel like our ISP, or Internet Service Provider, is spying on everything we do.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of ISP surveillance.
Get ready to learn new things and leave with tools to improve your privacy settings and stop people from getting their noses in your business.
Can Your Internet Service Provider Spy on You?
The shortest answer would be yes. They certainly have the technical ability to do it.
They’re the ones connecting you to the internet, after all!
What does this mean?
Well, they can access all the data you leave behind when browsing: what websites you’ve visited, the files you’ve downloaded, and the searches you’ve been doing.
Don’t panic so soon! There’s more than meets the eye here.
Yes, they could do it, but it doesn’t mean that they’re actively doing it.
ISP’s goals aren’t to spy on you. They have a service to provide: connectivity. Spying on people isn’t their goal anyway.
Even then, it’s better to prevent people from having free access to your online activities. There are other people who would very much like to have your data on their hands!
Does Using Incognito Mode Prevent Your ISP from Spying on You?
For some people, incognito mode is equivalent to Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak. If you use it, nobody will be able to see you.
This isn’t true for the world of the internet.
Private browsing, better known as incognito mode, will hide your browsing history from people like your mum or another family member who use the device.
It doesn’t hide it from your ISP!
Yes, you read that right.
Your ISP knows exactly what you’re doing when you turn on the incognito mode.
Does a VPN Truly Stop ISP Tracking?
Time for the good news! The answer is a resounding YES.
A VPN is one of the best tools you can have when protecting yourself from internet spies, whether it’s hackers or your ISP.
What does a VPN do?
In short, it encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel, creating a shield that won’t let your online activities show.
Your ISP is left in the dark, and they won’t be able to decipher what you’re doing.
Can My ISP See My VPN?
I know the question running through your mind right now: can the ISP detect the use of a VPN?
Yes, they can, but they can’t do anything about it! They can’t stop you from using the service since it’s legal, and they can’t spy on you anymore.
Everything you do on the Internet will be encrypted in this tunnel we talked about.
The content will be encrypted in such a way that not even your Internet Service Provider will be able to decipher it.
What Doesn’t a VPN Hide?
Like everything in life, there are limitations. Yes, the VPN will protect your online privacy, but it’s not all-powerful.
For example: if you visit an online website that doesn’t use encrypting methods, your ISP will be able to see what you’re doing. As a general rule, these websites start with “HTTP” instead of “HTTPS.”
Furthermore, some apps might send data outside the VPN-protected connection so that it will be exposed for your ISP to see.
4 Ways to Stop Your ISP From Spying on You
Let’s look at four different ways in which you can avoid being spied on by your Internet Service Provider.
#1. Make Sure To Use A Reliable Vpn Service
There are many VPN options to choose from. Make sure to pick the best one for what you need.
Download a VPN with good encryption. Also, check that it has a no-logs policy!
The best way to protect your privacy and anonymity is to buy a VPN service with a wide range of servers in different locations.
#2. Browse Only HTTPS Websites
The HTTPS protocol is the best when it comes to keeping your activity safe from prying eyes. It basically encrypts the data you exchange with the website, and the ISP cannot intercept and watch what you’re doing.
Always check that the website has a tiny padlock and starts with “https://”.
#3. Use Search Engines That Respect Your Privacy
There are many search engines, not just the most famous ones. In fact, the biggest players in the industry are not that strict with their privacy rules, but you’re never out of options.
Break free and choose a different search engine!
DuckDuckGo is a good choice. They have a good privacy-oriented policy, and they don’t track what you search for and your personal info.
Your ISP won’t be easily spying on you.
#4. Take Control Of Your Online Privacy With Good Browser Extensions
Adding privacy-focused extensions to your web browser is a good strategy as well. Here are some examples:
- Privacy badger
- uBlock Origin
- HTTPS Everywhere
These extensions block tracking scripts and other online trackers.
In the real world, they’d be the equivalent of bodyguards. They protect you from intrusive data collection cookies, for example.
You’ll browse securely and in peace.
To Sum Up
The importance of online privacy can’t be overstated. It’s crucial to understand exactly how much your Internet Service Provider can know about you just with your browsing activity.
They could, in theory, use these data in their favor. They certainly have the power to do so.
But always remember that you have the power to protect yourself!
- Use a reliable VPN service
- Browse only in secure connections
- Implement secure DNS
- Add privacy-focused browser extensions
- Consider using other browsers with better privacy policies
The effort to keep your private life, well, private, never stops. Stay informed and take proactive measures to protect yourself.
