The primary purpose of a virtual private network is to secure your online connection and make you invisible online. Of course, there’s bypassing online geographic locations, but one question still bothers many people.
If you’re using a VPN, can your internet service provider, government, or employer track what you’re doing?
Since the tool’s purpose is encryption of your IP address and data that goes through, the immediate answer should be no. However, there are a lot of details that go into tracking. Let’s get into the specifics.
Can your ISP see what you’re doing if you have a VPN?
One of the first things we need to point out is that your internet service provider will know you’re using a VPN. They won’t know what you’re browsing, but they will see that you’ve installed this software.
Even if you use unencrypted and public websites, they won’t be able to see what you upload, download, or watch. This is one of the reasons why online piracy skyrocketed when VPNs started becoming mainstream.
If someone wants to know whether you’re using a VPN, they can check the connection and find out. However, they won’t be able to find out what you’re doing online.
Can your employer see what you’re doing if you have a VPN?
When it comes to an employer, several different scenarios can happen. First, you could be using a business VPN they’re providing. In that case, they can see everything you’re doing while you’re connected and monitor the activity.
There is a massive difference between a business and a personal VPN. The main focus is on the individual’s anonymity and security if you’re using a personal plan. However, business packages are oriented toward protecting the company.
In this case, hackers, ISPs, and the government won’t have a clue about what’s going on. However, the company will be able to monitor everything.
Usually, these services come with increased protection and multiple server bounces, which makes them a bit slower than personal ones. If the company gave you a login and password, it’s best not to do anything that would get you in trouble.
Installing an individual plan will not protect your browsing if you’re using a work computer. The job of the IT department is to act as the device’s admin. In simple terms, they can log in remotely and see what you’ve been doing on that device.
The only time that your employer can’t track you is if you use a personal VPN plan on your device.
Can the police see what you’re doing if you have a VPN?
The answer to this one is yes and no. The police can find out your actual IP address if they want to or if they ask the VPN company to give it to them. However, they won’t know who’s been using the device.
There have been a few cases where in the case of national security, VPN companies provided the police with logs of suspected child predators. Now, because these people were criminals, the decision to do so seems morally right.
However, if someone is using a VPN for online piracy, what’s to say that the companies will not provide the police with their personal details?
Are VPNs keeping logs of your data?
You can be more sure it uses a zero logs policy using a paid VPN. Everything you’ve browsed gets deleted as soon as you disconnect from the service. However, as criminals have been convicted because of these logs, the entire problem boils down to trust.
Zero logs can mean different things in the terms and conditions of one company versus another. In some cases, it can be connection logs only. In other cases, it could be everything that you’ve browsed. That’s why it’s essential to stay away from free services.
How to choose the best VPN?
As mentioned above, free VPNs are something to avoid. They’re incredibly lucrative since you don’t pay anything and get a good enough product.
But what they do in the background is pretty sinister. They’re selling connection logs to interested parties, even though they vouch for anonymity.
Paid services don’t have this kind of incentive because you’re getting the dollar’s-worth of the software.
Finally, remember to check the country where the company is based. It’s crucial to pick a service with no data retention laws.
China, for example, keeps tabs on all of its citizens. India is planning to do the same thing. For that reason, pick a service located in Switzerland or Panama.
