Your Internet service provider (ISP) is probably not spying on you, and chances are it would never do that in the first place. If your ISP is spying on you, they’re probably just logging data that helps them find out what services work best for you. But if your ISP does spy on you and actually does have access to everything, it’s time to switch providers as soon as possible.
The top signs that your ISP is watching everything can all be found by simply looking through their privacy policies. Do they mention doing this? Or are they claiming they don’t compile any personal information gathered from observation or use of their services unless specifically authorized by the user? If so, then you’re fine.
But what if your ISP is more honest about their lack of privacy? What if they’re watching everything you do and don’t bother to promise you that they won’t do it? That’s a problem.
Your ISP probably has the power to monitor your Internet usage for marketing purposes, without having to notify you. And there’s no way for you to protect yourself from their observation without using a VPN like NordVPN or CyberGhost. But even when using such a VPN, there’s always the chance that the service providing you with your Internet access could still see what you’re doing online.
So that begs the question: is your ISP spying on you right now?
Take a look at some of these signs to find out.
- Your ISP automatically gathers your information from their website without you asking for it.
- Your browser has been blocked by your ISP at random times, for no reason.
- Your ISP automatically fills out forms you don’t want them filling out for you.
- Your ISP wants to sell your information to outside companies, like a spammer or an insurance company, without your permission.
- You’re seeing weird advertising pop up on your computer screen for websites that are not associated with your ISP or your Internet service provider, like weird ads from other ISPs in the U.S., or ads from third-party ad companies (like Google) which may not have been authorized by any of the third parties they appear on your screen.
- Your ISP keeps changing your password without your consent or knowledge.
Did you notice any of these signs?
If you spot any of these tell-tale signs, you’re being watched by a snooping ISP that has access to everything you do online and plans to sell your information to third parties and advertisers. And if they can’t be stopped, there’s one final option remaining: switch ISPs.
There’s no way to stop a spying ISP from watching everything you do online because most ISPs are allowed to do it all the time, legally speaking, so the only thing left for you to do is find one that will protect your privacy even when it isn’t required by law.
Are you being watched by a snooping ISP?
The days of laissez-faire ISP snooping are practically over, so you can’t expect an ISP to protect your privacy anymore. The only thing you can do now is shop for ISPs that don’t spy on their users.
Are you being watched by a snooping ISP? Take a look at some of the signs above and find out! And if it turns out that your ISP is spying on you, it’s time to switch providers.
Remember, the days of unsupervised ISPs are over. Your ISP probably has access to everything you do online, and they plan to sell your information to third parties and advertisers, so don’t wait too long before switching providers.
What can you do to stop your ISP from spying on you?
The most obvious solution is to block your ISP’s IP address so they can’t see what you’re doing online. But there’s a better way: switch providers while you still can!
A VPN like NordVPN or CyberGhost is also one of the best ways to protect yourself from a snooping Internet provider because it replaces your actual IP address with one of its own (so you’ll no longer be vulnerable) and encrypts everything you do online so that nobody else, not even your ISP, can see what you’re doing.
And the best news about using a VPN in this manner is that you can only be snooped on by your ISP when you’re connected to the Internet, which means that once your VPN service disconnects, your ISP instantly loses access to everything you do online.
So be sure to switch internet providers as quickly as possible if your ISP is spying on everything you do online. You don’t have much time, so act now!
Reasons You Should Stop Using Your ISP and Switch to a VPN Service
The main drawback of most VPNs is their relatively high cost, especially given the low usage prices offered by most ISPs. However, there are so many benefits to using a VPN service that it’s hard to know where to start. But the best place is right here—this article has five of the most compelling reasons for you to give a VPN service a try.
- VPN services are encrypted by default, meaning they can keep your data safe from prying eyes-and even black hats on the network itself. VPN services protect you during data transmissions by using strong encryption methods and never taking your data off-site. That means that not only is the message you send encrypted, but it’s stored safely with your VPN provider.
- VPN services allow you to prevent website tracking. Without a VPN, any website can see your IP address, the location you’re connecting from, and everything about your online activities. With a VPN that’s using protection correctly, anyone trying to spy on you will see your true location in a different country and will think you’re just browsing from there. Since a VPN can also hide your IP address, it’s pretty easy to pretend you’re located in a different country from the one you really are.
- VPN services allow you to access geo-blocked content. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Pandora, and Spotify all have different content available in different countries and regions. With a VPN for these services you can unblock them all and enjoy it wherever you are with an internet connection. Even if your provider doesn’t offer a server specifically for the service in question, chances are there’s one close enough to fool the geo-restrictions it uses.
- VPN services can help protect you while torrenting. Torrent sites such as the Pirate Bay offer exciting entertainment possibilities for people all around the world—unless you’re in a country that strictly bans torrent downloads. With a VPN for torrenting, you can get around these kinds of restrictions and download stuff using your favorite torrent site in complete privacy and safety.
- VPN services allow you to watch media and sports from around the world. When it comes to live events like soccer games or TV programs, not all of us are located within the same geographical area. Some of us want to catch up on the latest episode of Game of Thrones but we might not be able to view it because we’re abroad or don’t have access to HBO anymore. VPN services allow you to unblock any geo-restricted content so you can watch live broadcasts any time, on any device, from anywhere in the world.
Conculsion
In addition to these advantages, VPNs also allow you to do things like connect securely in public WiFi hotspots, browse the Internet anonymously and prevent third-party advertising. But it’s the extra privacy that makes VPNs so attractive. And by using one, you can keep your browsing history safe from hackers, government agencies, and anyone else who might want to take a peek at it. Read this article if you think your ISP might be tracking you.
