The Dangers of Connecting to The Internet Through Your ISP

By Idrees Shafiq. in Internet. Updated on December 28, 2022.

Imagine for a moment that you’re at work, and you need to look something up online. So you pull out your phone, open up your web browser, and type in the website address you need.

Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem. But what if, instead of going through your phone’s built-in web browser, you connected to the Intenet through your Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Suddenly, your employer could see everything you’re doing online. They could see which websites you’re visiting, what you’re typing into them, and even how long you’re spending on each one. This is the most dangerous thing for being intruded on while having no privacy. Let’s explore more about it and see how you can hide your browsing history from ISPs.

What is ISP and Why is It a Threat?

ISP stands for Internet Service Provider, and it’s the company that provides you with your internet connection. A lot of people think of their ISP as just a provider of internet access, but the truth is, they can collect a lot of data about what you do online.

ISPs are in a unique position because they can see everything that goes through their network. This includes not just the websites you visit and the files you download but also your emails, your chats, and probably even your passwords.

And since they’re in charge of connecting you to the Internet, they can potentially see everything you do online, even if you’re using a different provider.

How Does an ISP Monitor Your Activities on The Internet?

When you connect to the internet, whether through your cellphone provider, your office Wi-Fi, or your ISP, you’re essentially opening up a door to the world. That’s because these networks can see everything you do online.

ISPs are able to monitor your activities on the Internet by using a technology called deep packet inspection. This allows them to see all of the websites you visit, the files you download and even the emails you send and receive. They can even see what apps you use and when you use them.

This information is incredibly valuable to companies, which is why ISPs are often willing to sell it to the highest bidder. This means that your personal information is at risk of being stolen or used for malicious purposes.

ISPs can also sell this information to third-party, who can use it for a variety of purposes – including marketing products and services to you. And if that’s not bad enough, they can also share it with the government without informing you.

The Danger of Connecting to Public WiFi Networks

You might not know this, but connecting to the internet through your ISP is actually a lot less secure than you might think. When you connect to the Internet through your ISP, your data is sent through their network. And what this means is that your data could be intercepted by someone who knows how to exploit the system.

And it’s not just your data that’s at risk – if you’re using your ISP to connect to a public WiFi network, you could be opening yourself up to all sorts of security threats, like viruses and malware.

How to Hide Your Browsing History From Your ISP?

There are a few things you can do to keep your browsing history from your ISP.

1. Use a VPN

One is to use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your data and routes it through a server in another location, making it much more difficult for your ISP to track what you’re doing online. It also hides your IP address so that third parties can’t track you online.

There are a lot of different VPN providers out there, so it’s important to do your research and find one that’s reputable and provides the features you need, for example – AstrillVPN.

It make sure you get it set up and working before you connect to the Internet. That way, you can browse with peace of mind knowing that your ISP can’t see what you’re doing.

2. Use TOR

Another option is to use Tor, which is a free software that anonymizes your traffic by routing it through multiple servers. This makes it much harder for anyone to track what you’re doing online.

3. Use a Web Proxy

You can also use a web proxy, which is a server that acts as an intermediary between you and the website you’re trying to access. This can help hide your IP address and make it harder for your ISP to track your activity.

4. Use HTTPS

HTTPS is a secure protocol that encrypts communication between your browser and the website you’re visiting. Whenever possible, make sure you’re using HTTPS instead of HTTP.

5. Use a Secure DNS

Domain Name System (DNS) is what converts web addresses into IP addresses. Using a secure DNS service can help prevent your ISP from snooping on your DNS requests.

Doing these things won’t make it impossible for your ISP to monitor your data, but it will make it much harder for them to do so. Finally, you can just not connect to the internet through your ISP. This might not be practical for everyone, but if you have the option of using a different Internet connection, it’s worth considering.

How to Stay Safe When Using Public Wi-Fi

While it’s important to be aware of the risks of using public Wi-Fi, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself.

Here are a few tips:

When connecting to public Wi-Fi, make sure you’re using a VPN. This will encrypt your traffic and make it more difficult for hackers to snoop on your activities.
Avoid inputing sensitive information or accessing sensitive websites when connected to public Wi-Fi. If you must, make sure you’re using a secure connection (https://) and that your data is encrypted.
Be cautious about the networks you connect to. If you don’t know the name of the network or it doesn’t look legitimate, it’s probably best to avoid it.
Keep your software and firmware up to date. Install security updates as soon as they’re available to help reduce the chances of being exploited by known vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

The fact is, when you connect to the internet through your ISP, you’re opening yourself up to a lot of dangers. From being tracked and spied on, to having your data stolen or sold, there are a lot of risks involved in using your ISP to connect to the internet.

The best way to protect yourself is to hide your browsing history and activities from your ISP. Above given tips can help you in protecting your privacy and hiding your activities from your ISP.