Internet Service Providers(ISP) are a necessary evil. The only way you can connect to the internet is by using the services of an ISP. According to BroadbandNow, there are over 2,890 ISPs in the United States alone. Some popular providers are AT&T, Xfinity, Verizon, and more. ISPs do more than simply connect you to the internet to earn money. They are leaders in the collection and selling of consumer data. _ When you type an URL into your browser, your request first encounters your ISP server before it’s forwarded onto the internet servers and then returned to you. This simple pit stop is a valuable proposition for your ISP for one core reason: your personal information. Some people do not want their online activities tracked or monitored. Learn what tool you need to implement and how to choose it to protect your online data privacy. How ISPs Secretly Violate Your Privacy They Collect LOTS of Personal Information An ISP can and will watch everything you do on the internet. Most people understand that their ISP is going to collect some data, but they may not understand how this information is then used. Depending on their policy, some ISPs share your browsing history with third parties like police, government, and others. A lot of information is transmitted with each internet request that you may not want available to others. Details like your internet search history, location, IP address, browsing data, television viewing history, contents of email, and more can be stored by your internet provider and shared with others. They even collect sensitive characteristics for ad targeting purposes like your race, sexual orientation, political affiliations, economic status, ethnicity, or religious beliefs. They Monetize Your Personal Information Data Privacy is the right to determine what and how your personal information is collected and used. Some ISP companies say they will not sell your personal information. However, lengthy privacy notices often bury the fact that they reserve the right to share, transfer, and monetize your information outside of selling it. They Provide Unencrypted Connections Privacy or security is not a given with most ISP providers. Internet connections are not encrypted as you search the internet. Not only is your identity and location in plain view to your ISP, but others can intercept your connection and view your private details. Sadly, there isn’t a way to use the internet without using an ISP. Rather than giving up the internet, use a VPN. VPNs give users a choice to decide who gets to collect their personal information. Why You Need A VPN VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. Initially used in 1996 by a Microsoft employee to secure business communications, today VPNs are used in both business and personal environments. VPNs provide 3 methods to keep your personal information away from your ISP. Stop Your ISP From Collecting Your Information When you use a trusted VPN, your browsing history and IP address are hidden and not stored for later third party use. Instead of first connecting to your ISP’s server when you browse the internet, your request is rerouted to your VPN and then the internet server. Most VPNs do not collect and store your information like ISPs. Your personal details, including your location, are then hidden by the VPN and not transferred or collected as you move around the internet. Secure Your Information Personal data protection is only one benefit of using a VPN. Another benefit is security. VPNs encrypt your information from outsiders and even itself. Encryption is like a virtual tunnel drawn from your computer to the internet server. This tunnel is secure and difficult for others to intercept your private information as you utilize your internet connection. Protect Your Info From Anywhere VPNs are portable and are the tool that allows you to connect to the internet or private network from anywhere. Luckily, they carry their benefits with them no matter where you connect from or to. Instead of using unsafe public internet connections, you can use your VPN to connect to public wi-fi and keep your private information. Not all VPNs are created equal. Some behave exactly like the ISPs you’re trying to shield your information from. Here are a few things to note when picking a VPN. Hidden Cons of VPNs You Probably Didn't About: Here are additional considerations for using a VPN. Using a VPN is a great way to protect your browsing activities, however, they are not a one and done tool. Particularly if you choose one based on price alone to protect your computer. Here are a few things you need to know about VPNs. VPNs Do Not Protect Your Computer From Attackers VPNs encrypt your information as it travels across the web, but it’s not a complete security prevention tool. Even with VPN, use your computer is susceptible to trojans, viruses, bots or other malware. To increase your computer security, you need to install an antivirus system. Antivirus software protects your computer from the actions of bad actors. Your VPN protects your browsing activity from prying eyes. Free VPN Have Hidden Costs The average VPN service ranges between $10 and $20, depending on the length of service. Some free VPNs earn money by selling the very information you seek to keep private from third parties. There also have been cases of some free VPN companies, not even encrypting connections. With most paid VPN providers, your data is encrypted and must be authenticated before being decrypted. These steps help to prevent man in the middle attacks and keep your browsing private. You Still Get Cookies with a Twist Cookies help websites track you across the internet. VPNs do not prevent cookies from being installed on your computer or automatically remove them. However, when you visit websites using a VPN, the VPN’s IP address is revealed, not your personal IP address. It becomes impossible to pinpoint you specifically because a multitude of other people are also using the same IP address. This means you don’t have to worry about companies following you across the internet after visiting their website. You can also implement browser cookie elimination techniques to further limit your browser history. VPNs belong in your security kit, but you must know their limitations. They are not a cure all and may require additional tools to fully protect your data. The right VPN provides all the protection you want without undoing your good intention. Conclusion Protecting your data on the internet is important; even if you only use the internet to read emails and watch Netflix. Data privacy laws allow you to stipulate what information is collected and how it’s used. Interestingly, ISPs are not commonly thought of when considering protecting your data online. When in reality, they are the first collectors of private information. VPNs are a tool to combat data intrusions into your daily life and protect your information on the internet.

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