How To Prevent Your Service Provider From Ogging Your Search History

The best VPNs to stop your Internet access provider from seeing internet activity

Worried about your Internet access provider seeing and tracking what yous exercise online? A expert VPN will hide your online activity from your internet provider.

@pabischoff UPDATED: January 18, 2022

stop your ISP tracking

Internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States can now track and sell records of your internet activity, including what websites you visit, messages, emails, searches, and more. Senate Joint Resolution 34 (S.J. Res 34) repealed an Obama-era FCC privacy rule that barred corporations like Comcast and Time Warner Cable from selling customers' browsing data without permission. In this post, we take a closer expect at how this affects internet users, and how yous tin can utilize a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to end your Internet service provider from seeing your internet activity.

No one is exactly sure how far ISPs will be willing to get when selling your info, only as information technology stands there'southward very piddling regulation preventing them from selling personally identifiable information (PII) along with private information ranging from sexual orientation to medical records.

There are but two surefire ways to prevent your Isp from monitoring web activeness: a VPN or Tor. We prefer VPNs considering they are faster and don't draw undue attending from ISPs or authorities. A VPN encrypts all of a device'south internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in a location of the user's choosing. While the VPN is connected, your Isp cannot see what websites you visit, your search history, what apps you use, or the contents of anything you transport or receive over the spider web. Nor tin can the ISP inject advertisements or other online content into your browser.

Desire TO Effort THE Height VPN Hazard Gratuitous?

NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-gratuitous 30 solar day trial if you lot sign up at this folio . You lot tin use the VPN rated #1 for Windows with no restrictions for a month. Just install and stop your ISP from seeing your action.

There are no hidden terms - just contact back up within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't correct for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here .

Below, we go into detail on each of the VPN providers that make up this list, but if you but accept fourth dimension for a quick review, here are our top choices:

NordVPN The best VPN to foreclose Isp tracking! Boasts ultrafast speeds and some of the strongest privacy protections available. Keeps no logs and comes with a 30-day money-dorsum guarantee.
Surfshark Our height budget VPN. Fast and versatile, with a wealth of security and privacy features. Secure every device y'all own at once.
ExpressVPN Strong encryption, security, and net privacy features. Keeps no logs and offers multiple options for protecting all your devices and traffic. 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy.
IPVanish Owns and operates all the servers on their network. Hold no logs or metadata on any of their users. DNS leak protection.
StrongVPN Strong security and privacy features along with a no-logs policy, but not the easiest apps to use.
Private Internet Access Solid security credentials. Strict with keeping no logs on user activity. Well priced merely displayed inconsistent download speeds in testing.
Hotspot Shield A fairly depression-cost provider that puts major emphasis on security and speed. Doesn't store whatsoever identifiable data once the session ends.

How to cull a VPN to prevent Internet access provider tracking

There are then many VPNs on the market place, how do y'all know which VPN providers offer the best service? Our top 8 VPNs to prevent ISP tracking have been called based on the criteria at the stop of our reviews below.

How to prevent an Internet service provider from seeing your online activeness

All you demand to prevent your ISP from seeing your online activeness is a VPN. The VPN'southward encryption will hide all of the data passing through your internet connection, and where that data is going.

Hither's how to hide your online activity from your Internet service provider with a VPN:

Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended in this commodity, NordVPN is our top option.
Download and install the VPN app for your device.
Open the app and select a server location.
Striking the Connect button
Wait a few moments for the connection to complete.

And that'south information technology! Your Internet service provider tin can no longer see what you lot do online. Brand sure to employ a VPN with adept leak protection, as all of our recommendations practise.

The best VPNs to preclude ISP tracking

Based on the criteria above we take carefully selected the 8 best VPNs to prevent ISP tracking. Beneath is a more in-depth review of each VPN in our shortlist to assist you lot choose the right VPN service provider for your needs.

one. NordVPN

May 2022 Prevents ISP Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
FireTV

Panama-based NordVPN offers excellent bang for your buck–upwardly to six simultaneous connections on a standard subscription. Only the real value is in the company'due south strict zippo logs policy and its strong encryption suite: 256-fleck encryption on OpenVPN and 2,048-flake Diffie Hellman keys.

The NordVPN app includes a procedure-specific kill switch, so you lot can specify which programs become blocked from sending unencrypted web traffic over your ISP network should the VPN connection driblet. 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:

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

Cons:

Desktop apps can have slightly longer to connect

All-time VPN FOR PREVENTING Internet service provider TRACKING: NordVPN is our top choice. Boasts a big server network, fast connexion speeds, and bang-up unblocking capabilities. This provider offers a risk-gratis 30-day money-dorsum guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

NordVPN Coupon

SAVE 60% + Gratuitous Malware Protection

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

two. Surfshark

Prevents Internet service provider Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

Surfshark users typically connect using OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols, but there's too the option to use Shadowsocks if y'all're in a country like Red china or the UAE. All traffic is secured with 256-flake AES encryption, 2048-bit DHE-RSA keys, a impale switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which ways that it isn't legally required to shop any details of user activity. Appropriately, Surfshark doesn't log any data that could place you. 24/7 back up 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 dwelling house routers.

Pros:

Fast enough for almost whatever chore
No connection limit
Strong security and privacy credentials

Cons:

Fewer servers than some others in this listing
Has the occasional wearisome server

All-time Upkeep Option: Surfshark is ideal for those looking to secure lots of devices on a upkeep since it has no connection limit. It as well boasts high speeds, a wide range of security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day coin-back guarantee.

Read our total Surfshark review

Surfshark Coupon

Become 2 Months FREE with a 2-twelvemonth program

Get Bargain >

Disbelieve applied automatically

3. ExpressVPN

Prevents Internet service provider Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Bachelor:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. It boasts a all-time-in-class encryption suite, combining the OpenVPN protocol with 256-bit channel encryption, SHA512 hallmark, 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 naught leaks out to your ISP. Hundreds of users tin share a single IP accost, so it's nearly impossible to runway whatsoever internet activity back to you.

The ExpressVPN app includes a "network lock" that halts net traffic should your connection drib at whatever point until information technology is re-established. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (control-line), and sure 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 information
Potent on security and user privacy
DNS leak protection, shared IP addresses and keeps no traffic logs
Superfast servers are not bad for streaming HD content
Offers 24/7 alive conversation

Cons:

Slightly college cost than others
Could offer more than customizable features

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE: ExpressVPN puts your privacy get-go. Information technology offers military-grade encryption protocols coupled with a neat design and fast connectedness speeds.Slap-up at unblocking geo-restricted sites and services. Plans include a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee.

Read our total review of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Coupon

SAVE: 49% on the annual plan

Get Bargain >

Coupon applied automatically

4. CyberGhost

Prevents ISP Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

CyberGhost makes information technology 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 Organisation, and IPv6 leaks, and 2048-bit DHE-RSA keys. What'south more, there's a kill switch in every version of the app.

That's not all this service has to offer; there'due south too an automatic ad-blocker and malware-scanner, and the ability to connect via a random port. The latter characteristic allows you to apply HTTPS fifty-fifty on networks that usually cake this kind of traffic. Each one of CyberGhost's security features comes pre-configured and enabled by default.

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

Pros:

Offers a broad range of security features
Upgrade to Static IP Addresses if required
Doesn't proceed any traffic logs
Up to vii connections permitted
Accepts Bitcoin

Cons:

Lack of advanced functionality could exist a problem for ability users
Tin can't be relied upon in China or the UAE

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

Read our full review of CyberGhost

CyberGhost Coupon

Save 82% on the 3 twelvemonth programme

Get Bargain >

Discount practical automatically

5. IPVanish

Prevents Internet access provider Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

IPVanish is i 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 existence based in the U.s., it couldn't produce any data on users even if it wanted to. DNS leak protection is built-in and a kill switch tin 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 Prc

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. thirty-day coin-dorsum guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

IPVanish Coupon

SAVE 63% on the almanac programme + bonus VIPRE Advanced Security AV

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

6. StrongVPN

Prevents Internet service provider Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Bachelor:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

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 utilize PPTP. Although nosotros're not a fan of the Windows app, StrongVPN does use 256-bit encryption and SHA512 authentication.

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

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

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

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

Read our full review of StrongVPN.

StrongVPN Coupon

Save 67% on an annual plan

Get Bargain >

Discount practical automatically

7. Individual Internet Admission

Prevents ISP Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux
FireTV

US-based Private Net Access, or PIA for brusk, doesn't keep any logs and it has fifty-fifty 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 ain 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 individual connections
Operates over 3,200 servers

Cons:

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

STRICT NO LOGS POLICY: Individual Internet Admission has pinnacle security, low price, rich security features, and corking customer service. Speeds can exist inconsistent. vii-day money-back guarantee.

Read our total PIA review.

Individual Internet Admission Coupon

SAVE 82% on the ii twelvemonth plan

Get Deal >

Discount applied automatically

8. Hotspot Shield

Prevents Isp Tracking Tested May 2022

Apps Available:

PC
Mac
IOS
Android
Linux

Editor's Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Pango, Comparitech'south parent company.

Hotspot Shield uses a proprietary connectedness protocol named Hydra. It uses 256-flake AES encryption, 2048-bit RSA keys, protection confronting IPv6 and DNS leaks, and a kill switch to keep your traffic secure at all times. Users too have the pick to featherbed the VPN when on specific websites, although this split-tunneling feature doesn't extend to other apps.

This VPN is based in the US, which is ane of the 5 Eyes countries. However, there's no cause for business organization since Hotspot Shield deletes all identifiable sensitive information when your session ends. Its apps are very piece of cake-to-utilise but if you run into trouble, you can reach back up 24/7 over live conversation.

Hotspot Shield apps are available for iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows.

Pros:

Consistently high speeds
Very easy-to-apply apps
Potent security features

Cons:

No Linux app
Does keep some logs during session

SPEED AND SECURITY: Hotspot Shield is a strong all-rounder that boasts both powerful security features, expert unblocking ability, and fast, reliable connections. What's more, this VPN includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our total Hotspot Shield review.

Hotspot Shield Coupon

Save 77% on the 3 year plan

Get Bargain >

Discount applied automatically

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 Internet service provider.

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

Beneath, we accept included some of the vital features we looked for when compiling this list of the all-time VPNs to prevent ISPs from tracking you lot:

A no logs policy: For a VPN to give yous online privacy both now and in the future, it is essential that the VPN is non keeping whatsoever records of what you do while connected. Our recommendations take solid privacy policies that hope never to go on any identifiable logs after a session ends. This ways that the VPN provider has nothing of value documented that could exist intercepted via a government warrant at a after date.
Robust encryption: A VPN tunnel is simply as secure as the encryption that protects the tunnel betwixt your device and the VPN server. In this guide, nosotros have recommended providers that implement trusted VPN protocols such every bit OpenVPN IKEv2, and WireGuard. Those protocols include robust cryptographic primitives, including armed forces grade AES encryption.
Net kill-switch: If your VPN connection drops out, your internet traffic will become visible to your ISP. As a issue, the Isp will be able to brainstorm 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 impale-switch protects against this possibility past cutting off your cyberspace if the VPN connection drops out.
Advanced security features: For a VPN to offer value for coin, it is essential that information technology provides a rich characteristic set with plenty of useful privacy and security settings. In this article, we take 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 unlike feature set, so be sure to bank check each summary to go 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 accept software and setup guides for using the VPN with tablets, smartphones, Windows and Mac PCs, and other niche devices such every bit firesticks, smart TVs, consoles, and VPN-compatible routers.
Value for money: A VPN doesn't demand to pause the bank to provide you lot with ISP privacy. Plenty of overpriced VPNs exist, and some fail to provide the level of privacy that y'all become with our recommendations. In this article we have included VNs that are priced fairly for what you lot get; to ensure y'all don't pay over the odds.

VPNs for ISP Tracking FAQ

Why are no-logging policies of import?

If a VPN logs your activity, information technology's no ameliorate than an Internet access provider that does the same. It could merely as easily mine your web traffic for data and sell it to third parties without brake.

This is why we strongly prefer VPNs that don't log. Nosotros'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 similar when you connected to the VPN, for how long, and how much data you used. What'southward 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 ways 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 net traffic nor can it figure out where your traffic is traveling to or from. That means your ISP cannot encounter what sites you visit or anything you exercise while connected. It tin can only encounter that encrypted information is traveling to a server.

It'southward possible that your ISP will know that said server belongs to a VPN. VPNs are 100 percentage legal in the United states of america, however, and no American ISPs that we know of block or throttle traffic to VPN servers.

Does incognito hide action from ISP?

No. Incognito mode and other private browsing modes built into web browsers do non prevent your ISP from spying on you. They but prevent websites from being able to place you with cookies, and prevents your browser from remembering your activeness. While incognito, websites can even so identify your device by your IP address, and your Internet access provider can however meet your online activity.

Can I inquire my ISP for internet history?

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

Depending on what land you alive in and the ISP'southward internal policies, you might have a right to know what information your Isp has virtually you lot. In California, for example, you tin can request your ISP hand over any personal data it holds most yous.

Can my Internet service provider see my Google searches?

Google uses HTTPS across all of its web services, so your search queries are encrypted with SSL. Your Internet service provider can see that you lot are visiting Google, but not specific search queries. However, Google often links to sites in search results that practise not take 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 about certainly tracking you to some caste, but to what extent comes down to individual ISPs and the jurisdictions in which they operate. A good place to starting time is by looking at your ISP's privacy policy and terms of service. You might exist able to asking a copy of the data that your Internet access provider has about you lot, but there is no way to be certain whether your Internet access provider is tracking you or to what extent.

In the USA, ISPs are non barred from collecting data nearly your cyberspace use, nor are they prohibited from sharing that information with third parties. It's best to presume that they are and take the necessary precautions.

What data do ISPs track?

An Internet service provider tin track whatsoever information passing through your cyberspace connection that isn't encrypted. That includes your browsing history, search queries, purchases, emails, downloads, location, and streams, amidst other data.

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

What tin can ISPs do with my information?

ISPs can utilize your data for their own purposes---diagnostics, marketing, analytics---or sell or share it with 3rd parties. Those third parties are commonly advertising networks, but they could too exist 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 accost. As a result, your Internet service provider is always privy to your IP accost and tin reveal information technology to government authorities (or whatever other interested party) if asked.

Therefore, information technology is essential to use a trustworthy VPNs that keeps no usage logs alongside your IP address. VPNs that proceed usage logs (adjacent to your IP) are useless for privacy purposes considering they provide the opportunity for your online habits to exist tied straight back to you.

Dissimilar a VPN, a proxy can only hide your IP address from the websites yous visit, by making you lot appear to be in a different location. Still, it is vital to remember that a proxy does not provide the privacy levels that you lot get with an encrypted VPN tunnel. Therefore, it is essential to utilize a VPN rather than a proxy to forestall Isp tracking.

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

Why does my Internet access provider want to track me?

ISPs track what their users practice online for diverse reasons, including to create a revenue stream. The things people practise online have the ability 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 excerpt frightening precise secondary inferences about y'all. ISPs know that the personal information that can exist extracted via automatic analysis of web browsing habits is extremely valuable. This is why they store that information and sell information technology to 3rd 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 Great britain, Australia, and Brazil, are required to keep user browsing records to comply with regime regulations. Mandatory data retention directives oblige ISPs to store your browsing history for anything betwixt 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 tin hands spy on everyone 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 lot 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 continue records of these visits, equally well every bit your metadata, for up to 2 years. Thus, a adept way to know whether your ISP is tracking you is to check on the status of data retention laws where you live. In the U.k., for example, ISPs must keep records of everything you do online for twelve months. This data tin then exist accessed by numerous regime authorities.

If you lot live in the US, things are arguably worse. ISPs are legally permitted to non only keep tabs on everything you exercise online – but also to sell that data without your permission to any third political 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 past selling information technology to marketing companies and data brokers, for instance. Information technology also means that your browsing data is lying around ready to be accessed via a warrant if regime snoops at the NSA decide they desire it.