The simple answer to this question is that if your ISP chooses, it could find out that you are using a VPN.
Without a VPN, you connect directly to your ISP’s network from your computer, which then connects to the website you wish to access.
When you connect using a VPN, you first visit the server of the VPN provider and then get connected to a website. This process gives the website the impression that you are using the VPN server’s IP address, hopefully leading them to believe you are someone else from a different location. However, keep in mind that without incognito mode on, you might still be quickly recognized.
These techniques could be used by your ISP while looking to identify VPN connections.
What does ISP see when using a VPN?
A great way to improve your online privacy is by using a VPN. Whether we like it or not, almost everyone must use an ISP (Internet Service Provider) when sending emails, streaming Netflix, and performing any other online activity. To keep their internet activities secret from ISPs, many people use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Your ISP will still be able to observe some of the following even though a VPN affords you a level of privacy online:
- Your VPN connection: Although they won’t know what you are doing, your ISP can monitor your VPN use by observing that you are connected to a VPN server. Everything, however, is unreadable and encrypted.
- Your VPN protocol: VPNs offer a secure connection through a technique that uses many protocols (visible to your ISP). Though your ISP is aware of the protocol in use, they cannot gather any information from it; thus, it has no bearing on you.
- Your VPN’s IP address (Internet Protocol address): Your requests will be transmitted to a VPN server by your ISP in the form of data packets. They will thus always be aware of the VPN’s IP address but not the data packet’s eventual location.
- Your connection timestamps: Your internet service provider will not be able to see which websites you visit, but they can see when and how long you connect. They can observe when you connect to the internet whether or not you use a VPN.
- Your bandwidth usage: Your ISP might be able to see how much bandwidth you use whenever you browse, stream, download huge documents or play games. However, they won’t be aware of its purpose.
Your service provider can determine, more than just the details of your data consumption and the telltale signs of a VPN connection, that your web traffic is encrypted, rendering it unreadable to them.
As a result, it can no longer access the following:
- Your website visits
- Your downloaded and uploaded files
- Your visit to a website and how long you spend there
- The particular web pages you visit
- Your search and browsing history on the web
Why should you hide your data from ISPS?
In protecting your data from the ISP, there are three major reasons to use a VPN:
- Bandwidth throttling: Certain ISPs are legally permitted to restrict your internet speed when streaming or playing online games. This practice is done to reduce network congestion.
- Censorship: If you reside in a country under an oppressive regime, your ISP is one of the key organizations ensuring that you don’t access prohibited websites.
- Data sales: In the US and some select countries, it is authorized for ISPs to provide advertisers with the information they have collected about you.
Frequently asked questions
Can my VPN provider see my data?
Technically, a VPN provider may view your data if HTTPS encryption is not enabled. However, if it is under HTTPS, a VPN service can only keep track of your activity by logging the URLs you visited, when you did so, and how long you spent.
Can ISPs see incognito browsing?
The answer is yes; they can. Only the browsing history of your local web browser is erased when you use incognito mode. Even when you use incognito mode, ISPs can still see everything you browse. You must utilize a VPN service to conceal your internet activities from ISPs.
Can my ISP see what I download with VPN?
Your ISP cannot. ISPs cannot determine what is being downloaded or where it originates from if you are using a VPN. All they can tell is that you are using a VPN server to download an unknown file.
Conclusion
Although a VPN cannot ensure complete anonymity, it offers a high safety level on the internet. Your ISP cannot view the websites you visit or any other internet activity you may conduct.
Additionally, a VPN can assist you in accessing prohibited websites, avoiding bandwidth limiting, and much more. Employing a VPN is the first step toward a better online experience if you value your privacy.