Data breach and security have caught the attention of front-page news headlines. Big companies like Facebook, Yahoo, and Uber have successfully caught the attention of media and faced serious criticism.
You may also have heard the news about Internet Service Providers, who without your consent track your browsing history and use it as they like. Moreover, in some countries, downloading movies, music, and other stuff from torrent websites are illegal. The ISPs may track your activity and issue you a warning letter. If you continue to download the stuff from torrent websites, your data might be revealed to the government agencies to take action against you.
In this connected world, we have come to the point where our data and privacy are no longer a secret.
Not everyone is on the same page because some of the trusted Internet Service Providers like Cox, Frontier, and Mediacom aren’t practicing the same. They know how to respect customer’s privacy and keep data safe with them.
If you want to take extra measures to protect privacy from your ISP, make sure to read this article until the end. Let’s begin.
Find Internet Service Provider that Respects Your Privacy
Paying a hefty amount each month needs to be credited in your favor. If your ISP is not respecting your privacy, what is the use of paying heavy bills? Make sure that you find an ISP that respects your privacy and has never been in the news for leaking privacy. Read their privacy policy page to find what information they send to third parties.
Stay Away from Super Cookies
Verizon was caught in 2014 for injecting a cookie-like tracker to their users’ traffic. It permitted third-party ad networks and websites to create profiles without the consent of the user. After facing severe criticism and strict FCC action, the company stopped rolling out those cookies. Now the users can accept or reject to participate in their pushy privacy service.
You must check whether your account setting allows you to opt-out of any tracking. It is generally found under ads, marketing or privacy settings. However, keep in mind that your ISP does not have to provide the opt-out option. If they provide, it never hurts to check.
Install HTTPS Everywhere to Make Browsing Secure
Whatever browser you are using, install the “HTTPS Everywhere” extension so that you can connect to a service without any issues. If the website you are accessing is offering a secure connection, the ISP will not be able to track your activities.
There are certainly some limitations with “HTTPS Everywhere”, but still a useful tool to keep your privacy at par.
Setup a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Virtual Private Network is a useful way to avoid any type of privacy discrepancy. For instance, a VPN can encrypt the data that transfer through the ISP. Your Internet Service Provider will still be able to push your data, but won’t be able to recognize anything.
There are plenty of Virtual Private Networks free to use, but the premium version comes with own set of features. Keep in mind that your data is somewhat secured and hidden from your ISP, but not from Virtual Private Network. For this, you need to confirm that the VPN provider is reliable and reputed.
Conclusion
In the connected world, privacy has become the talk of the town. People are worried about their privacy and sensitive data. When it comes to Internet Service Providers, they can track and view everything you do. They can give your information to third parties as well as advertising and media partners. Moreover, in some cases, your data can be disclosed to surveillance agencies and government institutes, if the investigation is required.
