stop your ISP tracking

In today’s digital age, the privacy of your online activities is under unprecedented threat. Shockingly, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the U.S. now wield the power to monitor and monetize your digital footprint. Including what websites you visit, messages, emails, searches, and more. Recent legislative shifts, specifically Senate Joint Resolution 34 (S.J. Res 34), repealed an Obama-era FCC privacy rule have stripped away essential protections. This allows industry giants like Comcast and Time Warner Cable to cash in on your browsing data without your consent.

Imagine this: every email you send, every search you make, and even the most personal details of your life, from medical histories to your preferences, are potentially up for grabs. The unsettling truth? With limited regulations, there’s no telling just how invasive these corporations might become.

However, there’s hope! Through extensive research and rigorous testing, we’ve identified the most robust solutions to shield you from prying eyes. There are only two surefire ways to prevent your ISP from monitoring web activity: a VPN or Tor. While options like Tor exist, our recommendation leans heavily toward Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This is because VPNs ensure faster connectivity and operate discreetly, keeping you off the radar of both ISPs and authorities. A VPN acts as your digital guardian, encrypting every piece of information flowing from your device and directing it via a secure server of your choice. This protection ensures your ISP remains blind to your online actions—whether it’s the websites you frequent or the personal messages you exchange.

Join us as we demystify the new internet landscape and arm you with the tools to regain control of your online privacy.

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Below, we get into detail on each of the VPN providers that make up this list, but if you only have time for a quick review, here are our top choices:

  1. NordVPN: The best VPN to prevent ISP tracking! Boasts ultrafast speeds and some of the strongest privacy protections available. Keeps no logs and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Privacy.
  2. Surfshark: Our top budget VPN for beating ISP tracking. Fast and versatile, with a wealth of security and privacy features. Secure every device you own at once.
  3. ExpressVPN: Strong encryption, security, and internet privacy features. Keeps no logs and offers multiple options for protecting all your devices and traffic. 30-day money-back guarantee.
  4. CyberGhost: Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy.
  5. IPVanish: Owns and operates all the servers on their network. Hold no logs or metadata on any of their users. DNS leak protection.
  6. StrongVPN: Strong security and privacy features along with a no-logs policy, but not the easiest apps to use.
  7. Private Internet Access: Solid security credentials. Strict with keeping no logs on user activity. Well priced but displayed inconsistent download speeds in testing.
  8. AtlasVPN: Budget-conscious provider that unblocks popular streaming platforms. Includes split tunneling and unlimited device connections.

How to choose a VPN to prevent ISP tracking

There are so many VPNs on the market, how do you know which VPN providers offer the best service? We’ll cover our testing methodology later in this article, but here’s a quick overview of our criteria when assessing VPNs for preventing ISP tracking:

  • 256-bit AES encryption
  • A selection of VPN protocols
  • A strict no-logs policy
  • Router compatibility is a bonus
  • Responsive customer support

Best VPNs to prevent ISP tracking – Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for preventing ISP tracking

No valueNordVPNSurfsharkExpressVPNCyberGhostIPVanishStrongVPNPrivate Internet Access
WebsiteNordVPN.comSurfshark.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.comIPVanish.comStrongVPN.comPrivateInternetAccess.com
Ranking for preventing ISP tracking1234567
Avg Speed (Mbps)100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps100+ Mbps74 Mbps100+ Mbps
Simultaneous Connections6Unlimited87Unlimited12Unlimited
Dedicated IP possible?US (four cities)
UK
France
Italy
Germany
France
Germany
Netherlands
Sweden
Australia
Japan
Switzerland
Hong Kong
Spain
Belgium
Denmark
US, UK, Netherlands, Germany United States, Germany, France, UK, Canada, US
Canada
Australia
UK
Germany
Total number of servers6,000+3,200Undisclosed11,000+2,200+950Undisclosed
Best deal (per month)$3.39
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Save 82% + Get 2 Months FREE
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$2.19
SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan
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SAVE 78% on the 2 yr plan
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Save 63% on an annual plan
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SAVE 82% on the 2 yr plan

How to prevent an ISP from seeing your online activity

All you need to prevent your ISP from seeing your online activity is a VPN. The VPN’s encryption will hide all of the data passing through your internet connection, and where that data is going.

Based on our real world experience, here’s how to hide your online activity from your ISP with a VPN:

  1. Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended in this article, NordVPN is our top choice.
  2. Download and install the VPN app for your device.
  3. Open the app and select a server location.
  4. Hit the Connect button
  5. Wait a few moments for the connection to complete.
  6. If you encounter any issues with your VPN, try clearing your cookies and cache.

And that’s it! Your ISP can no longer see what you do online. Make sure to use a VPN with good leak protection, as all of our recommendations do.

The best VPNs to prevent ISP seeing and tracking

Based on the criteria above we have carefully tested the 8 best VPNs to prevent ISP tracking. Below is a more in-depth review of each VPN in our shortlist to help you choose the right VPN service provider for your needs.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024 Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Panama-based NordVPN offers excellent bang for your buck–up to six simultaneous connections on a standard subscription. But the real value is in the company’s strict zero logs policy and its strong encryption suite: 256-bit encryption on OpenVPN and 2,048-bit Diffie Hellman keys.

The NordVPN app includes a process-specific kill switch, so you can specify which programs get blocked from sending unencrypted web traffic over your ISP network should the VPN connection drop. A huge range of servers is available including some optimized for extra privacy, including Tor over VPN and double VPN.

Apps are available for Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. NordVPN can also unblock geographically-restricted content like Netflix and Hulu if you travel abroad.

Pros:

  • Zero-logs policy
  • Offers secure, encrypted connections at all times
  • IPs never leaked thanks to kill switch on DNS protection
  • Most apps feature a process-specific kill switch
  • Extremely fast

Cons:

  • Desktop apps can take slightly longer to connect

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST VPN FOR PREVENTING ISP TRACKING:NordVPN is our top choice. Boasts a large server network, fast connection speeds, and great unblocking capabilities. This provider offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Surfshark.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Surfshark users typically connect using OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols, but there’s also the option to use Shadowsocks if you’re in a country like China or the UAE. All traffic is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, 2048-bit DHE-RSA keys, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means that it isn’t legally required to store any details of user activity. Accordingly, Surfshark doesn’t log any information that could identify you. 24/7 support is available over live chat, should you need it.

Surfshark has apps for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It can even be manually configured for use with supported home routers.

Pros:

  • Fast enough for almost any task
  • No connection limit
  • Strong security and privacy credentials

Cons:

  • Fewer servers than some others in this list
  • Has the occasional slow server

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark is ideal for those looking to secure lots of devices on a budget since it has no connection limit. It also boasts high speeds, a wide range of security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.ExpressVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. It boasts a best-in-class encryption suite, combining the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit channel encryption, SHA512 authentication, and 4,096 RSA keys that use perfect forward secrecy.

The company uses its own DNS servers and routes all DNS requests through the VPN, so nothing leaks out to your ISP. Hundreds of users can share a single IP address, so it’s nearly impossible to track any internet activity back to you.

The ExpressVPN app includes a “network lock” that halts internet traffic should your connection drop at any point until it is re-established. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (command-line), and certain wifi routers.

ExpressVPN is also great for unblocking geolocked content like Netflix and Hulu when traveling abroad.

Pros:

  • Based in the BVI and isn’t required to log any user data
  • Strong on security and user privacy
  • DNS leak protection, shared IP addresses and keeps no traffic logs
  • Superfast servers are great for streaming HD content
  • Offers 24/7 live chat

Cons:

  • Slightly higher cost than others
  • Could offer more customizable features

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN puts your privacy first. It offers military-grade encryption protocols coupled with a neat design and fast connection speeds.Great at unblocking geo-restricted sites and services. Plans include a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost makes it easy to browse the internet safely. This beginner-friendly VPN doesn’t log any personally identifiable information and keeps your activities private at all times with a combination of 256-bit AES encryption, protection against WebRTC, Domain Name System, and IPv6 leaks, and 2048-bit DHE-RSA keys. What’s more, there’s a kill switch in every version of the app.

That’s not all this service has to offer; there’s also an automatic ad-blocker and malware-scanner, and the ability to connect via a random port. The latter feature allows you to use HTTPS even on networks that usually block this kind of traffic. Each one of CyberGhost’s security features comes pre-configured and enabled by default.

CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, iOS, MacOS, Linux and Android. The VPN can be manually configured to work with select internet routers.

Pros:

  • Offers a wide range of security features
  • Upgrade to Static IP Addresses if required
  • Doesn’t keep any traffic logs
  • Up to seven connections permitted
  • Accepts Bitcoin

Cons:

  • Lack of advanced functionality could be a problem for power users
  • Can’t be relied upon in China or the UAE

Our score:

4.5 out of 5

GOOD CHOICE FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is an inexpensive yet powerful VPN that provides strong security and privacy protections, and very high speeds. It even comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost

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5. IPVanish

IPVanish Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.IPVanish.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers to actually own, rather than rent, its servers. That means it has greater control over who can access those servers. By default, users connect using OpenVPN with 256-bit AES full encryption, SHA512 authentication, and ephemeral 2,048-bit RSA keys with perfect forward secrecy.

The company keeps no records of traffic nor metadata on its users, so despite being based in the US, it couldn’t produce any information on users even if it wanted to. DNS leak protection is built-in and a kill switch can be enabled in the settings.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

Pros:

  • Connections, communications, and traffic remain encrypted and private at all times
  • DNS leak protection and kill switch enabled by default
  • Servers are fast for video streaming and downloading content
  • No-logs policy

Cons:

  • Doesn’t reliably unblock Netflix, Hulu
  • Doesn’t work in China

Our score:

4 out of 5

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves good speeds. Strong security and online privacy features. Could do with having live customer support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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6. StrongVPN

StrongVPN Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.StrongVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

StrongVPN is based in the US but keeps zero logs of any kind on user activity. We recommend users opt for the secure L2TP, SSTP, or OpenVPN protocols and avoid the obsolete option to use PPTP. Although we’re not a fan of the Windows app, StrongVPN does use 256-bit encryption and SHA512 authentication.

It owns its physical servers rather than renting them. DNS leak protection and a kill switch can be enabled in the settings.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

Pros:

  • High-grade encryption and authentication settings
  • Kill switch and DNS leak protections in place and keeps no logs
  • Torrent-friendly and works in China
  • Own and operate all servers

Cons:

  • Some users might find minimalist design limiting
  • Speeds were reasonable during testing but not great on the whole

Our score:

4 out of 5

MOST RELIABLE:StrongVPN confidently overcomes geo-blocking. Reliable network of servers. Good on privacy and they retain no internet browsing logs. Ample security. Manual configuration may challenge some users. 45-day money back guarantee.

Read our full review of StrongVPN.

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7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access Prevents ISP TrackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

US-based Private Internet Access, or PIA for short, doesn’t keep any logs and it has even published court documents to prove it. Users can set which VPN protocol they use along with the level of encryption.

The most secure configuration is OpenVPN combined with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys with perfect forward secrecy. PIA operates its own servers and its app includes DNS leak protection and a kill switch to prevent any traffic from leaking onto the unencrypted ISP network.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Pros:

  • Keep no logs, DNS leak protection and kill switch are activated
  • Strong encryption for secure and private connections
  • Operates over 3,200 servers

Cons:

  • Video streaming speeds can be inconsistent
  • Be prepared for troubleshooting in community forums
  • Other providers in this list are more capable of unblocking popular streaming sites

Our score:

4 out of 5

STRICT NO LOGS POLICY:Private Internet Access has top security, low price, rich security features, and great customer service. Speeds can be inconsistent. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PIA review.

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8. AtlasVPN

AtlasVPN Prevents ISP trackingTested Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Background FireTV

Website:  www.AtlasVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

AtlasVPN is a popular choice among privacy-conscious users as it provides military-grade encryption to hide your activity from your ISP and internet snoopers. It also includes split tunneling which allows you to route your regular traffic separately from VPN traffic. It has a kill switch that cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops.

Other tools include malware blocking and adblocking, DNS leak protection, a built-in breach tracker, and multihop servers. It doesn’t log your activities, and being owned by Nord Technologies backs its reputation as a trusted provider.

Privacy aside, AtlasVPN includes an unlimited connection limit, 32,00 servers in 40+ countries, and apps for desktop and mobile. It can also access popular streaming platforms like HBO Max. Support is available 24/7 and you can try the VPN today risk-free for 30 days.

Pros:

  • Malware and ad blocking tools are included
  • Servers in 42+ locations
  • Offers some interesting security tools
  • Beginner-friendly apps and 24/7 support

Cons:

  • Getting a refund can be difficult
  • Can’t be installed on Linux systems or routers

Our score:

4 out of 5

ROBUST PRIVACY FEATURES:AtlasVPN includes unlimited device connections, and a network kill switch, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full AtlasVPN review.

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ISP VPN testing methodology

We understand that picking a VPN can be hard. There are dozens of services on the market and they are not all able to provide the level of privacy and security you require from your ISP.

At Comparitech, we use a carefully devised VPN testing methodology to ensure that we only recommend services that offer high levels of reliability, and the vital privacy features you need. We also check for IP and DNS leaks to ensure that the VPN works exactly as advertised to obscure your online surfing habits from your ISP.

Below, we have included some of the vital features we looked for when compiling this list of the best VPNs to prevent ISPs from tracking you:

  • A no logs policy: For a VPN to give you online privacy both now and in the future, it is essential that the VPN is not keeping any records of what you do while connected. Our recommendations have solid privacy policies that promise never to keep any identifiable logs after a session ends. This means that the VPN provider has nothing of value documented that could be intercepted via a government warrant at a later date.
  • Robust encryption: A VPN tunnel is only as secure as the encryption that protects the tunnel between your device and the VPN server. In this guide, we have recommended providers that implement trusted VPN protocols such as OpenVPN IKEv2, and WireGuard. Those protocols include robust cryptographic primitives, including military grade AES encryption.
  • Internet kill-switch: If your VPN connection drops out, your internet traffic will become visible to your ISP. As a result, the ISP will be able to begin logging your online habits and will be able to share that data with the government to comply with mandatory data retention directives or government warrants. A kill-switch protects against this possibility by cutting off your internet if the VPN connection drops out.
  • Advanced security features: For a VPN to offer value for money, it is essential that it provides a rich feature set with plenty of useful privacy and security settings. In this article, we have pinpointed services that have DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, double hop connections, split tunneling, a SOCKS5 proxy, and other useful advanced features. Each VPN has a different feature set, so be sure to check each summary to get the right service for your needs.
  • Apps for all platforms: For a VPN to be useful, it should have software for every device that you own. Our recommendations have software and setup guides for using the VPN with tablets, smartphones, Windows and Mac PCs, and other niche devices such as firesticks, smart TVs, consoles, and VPN-compatible routers.
  • Value for money: A VPN doesn’t need to break the bank to provide you with ISP privacy. Plenty of overpriced VPNs exist, and some fail to provide the level of privacy that you get with our recommendations. In this article we have included VPNs that are priced fairly for what you get; to ensure you don’t pay over the odds.

Does my ISP care if I’m using a VPN?

Whether your ISP cares if you’re using a VPN really depends on your location. VPNs are legal in the vast majority of countries and ISPs in those countries won’t care if you’re using one as a result. ISPs can tell if you’re using a VPN although the fact that traffic is encrypted means they can’t see which websites and services you are accessing.

However, in countries in which citizens have limited internet freedom such as China, Iran, or Russia, ISPs may object to your use of a VPN. This is particularly the case if the ISP is state-controlled or subject to a high level of surveillance from the state. While VPNs are not outright illegal in these countries, VPN sites and connections have been blocked.

Arrests and fines have also occurred in some countries but this is uncommon and tends to target activists and journalists who are critical of the government. It’s very important to check your country’s laws before using a VPN to be safe.

Can my internet provider see my browsing history with a VPN?

No, your ISP can’t see your browsing history when you use a VPN. The VPN encrypts your internet traffic, which turns any potential browsing data into unreadable gibberish for anyone trying to snoop. While your ISP will notice that you’ve connected to a VPN service, the specifics of your online activities – like the sites you visit or the files you download – remain private.

In most places where VPNs are perfectly legal, your ISP likely won’t care about VPN use. However, in countries where internet use is heavily monitored or restricted, ISPs might be more vigilant about VPN traffic. In some cases, they may even be tasked with blocking VPNs or reporting their use to authorities. Always stay informed about your local laws regarding VPN use to ensure you’re not stepping over any legal lines.

VPNs for ISP Tracking FAQ

Why are no-logging policies important?

If a VPN logs your activity, it’s no better than an ISP that does the same. It could just as easily mine your web traffic for data and sell it to third parties without restriction.

This is why we strongly prefer VPNs that don’t log. We’re primarily concerned with traffic logs, which include the contents of web pages you visit and any unencrypted emails or messages.

Metadata logging is also a concern and includes things like when you connected to the VPN, for how long, and how much data you used. What’s most worrying is if those metadata logs include the user’s real IP address or the IP address of the server to which they connect, which means users’ activity can be traced back to them.

Can my ISP see my VPN?

While using a VPN, your ISP cannot decipher the contents of your internet traffic nor can it figure out where your traffic is traveling to or from. That means your ISP cannot see what sites you visit or anything you do while connected. It can only see that encrypted data is traveling to a server.

It’s possible that your ISP will know that said server belongs to a VPN. VPNs are 100 percent legal in the United States, however, and no American ISPs that we know of block or throttle traffic to VPN servers.

Does incognito hide activity from ISP?

No. Incognito mode and other private browsing modes built into web browsers do not prevent your ISP from spying on you. They only prevent websites from being able to identify you with cookies, and prevents your browser from remembering your activity. While incognito, websites can still identify your device by your IP address, and your ISP can still see your online activity.

Can I ask my ISP for internet history?

Internet service providers in the USA are not prohibited from collecting or sharing information and data about your internet activity, including your browsing history. Your ISP might or might not keep a record of what websites you visit and other online activities. Most websites you visit require sending a DNS request to your ISP, which it can then log and store indefinitely.

Depending on what state you live in and the ISP’s internal policies, you might have a right to know what information your ISP has about you. In California, for example, you can request your ISP hand over any personal data it holds about you.

Can my ISP see my Google searches?

Google uses HTTPS across all of its web services, so your search queries are encrypted with SSL. Your ISP can see that you are visiting Google, but not specific search queries. However, Google often links to sites in search results that do not have HTTPS, in which case your ISP can see the contents of that site being downloaded to your device.

How do I know if my ISP is tracking me?

Your ISP is almost certainly tracking you to some degree, but to what extent comes down to individual ISPs and the jurisdictions in which they operate. A good place to start is by looking at your ISP’s privacy policy and terms of service. You might be able to request a copy of the data that your ISP has about you, but there is no way to be certain whether your ISP is tracking you or to what extent.

In the USA, ISPs are not barred from collecting information about your internet use, nor are they prohibited from sharing that information with third parties. It’s best to assume that they are and take the necessary precautions.

What data do ISPs track?

An ISP can track any data passing through your internet connection that isn’t encrypted. That includes your browsing history, search queries, purchases, emails, downloads, location, and streams, among other data.

Note that much of the web is now encrypted by default through HTTPS (SSL). But even with that encryption in place, your ISP can still track what websites you visit and when.

What can ISPs do with my data?

ISPs can use your data for their own purposes—diagnostics, marketing, analytics—or sell or share it with third parties. Those third parties are usually advertising networks, but they could also be intelligence agencies, private investigators, or law enforcement.

Does a proxy hide my IP address from my ISP?

No. Your ISP provides you with your IP address. As a result, your ISP is always privy to your IP address and can reveal it to government authorities (or any other interested party) if asked. 

Therefore, it is essential to use a trustworthy VPNs that keeps no usage logs alongside your IP address. VPNs that keep usage logs (next to your IP) are useless for privacy purposes because they provide the opportunity for your online habits to be tied straight back to you.

Unlike a VPN, a proxy can only hide your IP address from the websites you visit, by making you appear to be in a different location. However, it is vital to remember that a proxy does not provide the privacy levels that you get with an encrypted VPN tunnel. Therefore, it is essential to use a VPN rather than a proxy to prevent ISP tracking. 

The key takeaway is that while proxies can spoof your location and prevent online services from detecting your IP address (location), they will not handle your DNS requests on your behalf to conceal the destination of your traffic (your online surfing habits) from your ISP.

Why does my ISP want to track me?

ISPs track what their users do online for various reasons, including to create a revenue stream. The things people do online have the power to reveal all kinds of things about their lifestyle, employment, earnings, ambitions, health, hobbies, religious beliefs, political affiliations, etc. 

This kind of data can allow for high levels of surveillance capitalism, in which companies use your data for marketing purposes or to combine information in order to extract frightening precise secondary inferences about you. ISPs know that the personal information that can be extracted via automatic analysis of web browsing habits is extremely valuable. This is why they store that data and sell it to third parties if they are legally permitted to do so (in the US they may do so without user consent).

In addition, ISPs in many countries, including the UK, Australia, and Brazil, are required to keep user browsing records to comply with government regulations. Mandatory data retention directives oblige ISPs to store your browsing history for anything between 12 weeks and 2 years in order to provide that information (including communications metadata) to the authorities if asked. In countries that impose data retention, the government can easily spy on anybody who does not use a VPN. This is a huge invasion of your privacy.

How do I know if my ISP is tracking me?

Unless you are using a VPN, it is best to assume that your ISP is engaging in some level of tracking. In order to provide you with the internet connection you pay for, your ISP must connect you to the websites you visit. Routing your traffic automatically allows your ISP to track every website you visit.

Depending on where you live, your ISP may be required to keep records of these visits, as well as your metadata, for up to 2 years. Thus, a good way to know whether your ISP is tracking you is to check on the status of data retention laws where you live. In the UK, for example, ISPs must keep records of everything you do online for twelve months. This data can then be accessed by numerous government authorities.

If you live in the US, things are arguably worse. ISPs are legally permitted to not only keep tabs on everything you do online – but also to sell that data without your permission to any third party that is willing to pay. 

This incentivizes ISPs to retain as much data about you as possible and to find ways to profit from that data by selling it to marketing companies and data brokers, for example. It also means that your browsing data is lying around ready to be accessed via a warrant if government snoops at the NSA decide they want it.

Is my data at risk with my ISP?

It’s fair to say that your data is at risk with your ISP. However, the degree of risk really depends on your country and its data and privacy laws. For example, if you’re in the US then your ISP can harvest and sell your data without your consent. This poses a high level of risk to your privacy.

In many countries, ISPs are legally obliged to store logs of your data, often for several years. Needless to say, this data may be at risk if it’s not properly protected. Furthermore, this data may be shared with your government upon request. If you live in a country with a poor human rights record, having this data shared with authorities could put you at great personal risk. 

Needless to say, it’s all the more important that you secure your data from your ISP and other prying eyes with the help of a VPN.

Can my ISP see when I am accessing the dark web?

When you use the Tor browser to access the dark web your ISP can see that you are entering the Tor network. Thus, while Tor prevents your ISP from knowing what you are doing while connected to the dark web, it can still detect that you are accessing it.

Your ISP will not be able to see the specific websites or content you access on the dark web because your traffic is encrypted and routed through multiple nodes before reaching its final destination.

The important thing to remember is that in some countries accessing the dark web may be enough to raise suspicions. This is why some people prefer to use a VPN alongside Tor.

By using VPN into Tor (Tor over VPN) you prevent your ISP from detecting the fact that you are entering the Tor network. This provides an extra layer of privacy that ensures your ISP, and therefore government agencies, have no way to know that you accessed the dark web.

Can my ISP see my downloads?

ISPs log almost everything you get up to on the web, including searches, websites you’ve landed on, and your downloads. However, they cannot see what is inside your downloads as the internet packets transmitted over your connection cannot be deciphered. It can see the IP address of where the download came from, the recipient’s IP address, and the port number used.