What Can Your Internet Service Provider See?

Last Updated on May 19, 2025 by Editorial

The short answer? Your internet service provider can see a lot.

Many people underestimate their internet service provider’s power over their private data. As much as they may claim never to share customer data, there’s so much hidden in the fine print. Unfortunately, most people never read, well.

By the end of this article, you will know what your internet service provider can see, who they can share it with, the dangers of this, and how you can counter the surveillance.

Don’t skip anything to the end if you care about your privacy.

What Is an Internet Service Provider?

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that provides internet access and related services to customers. An ISP acts as the bridge between the customer’s device and the wider internet, allowing them to connect to websites, online services, and other content.

ISPs offer various services, including

• Broadband Internet is the most common internet service, providing high-speed internet access to homes and businesses.

• Dial-up Internet: This is an older internet service that uses a telephone line to connect to the internet.

• Mobile Internet: This service allows customers to connect to the internet using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

• Wi-Fi Hotspots: Many ISPs offer Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, such as coffee shops and airports, allowing customers to connect to the internet wirelessly.

• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): This service allows customers to make voice and video calls over the internet rather than through traditional telephone lines.

• Web Hosting: Some ISPs offer web hosting services, which allow customers to host their websites on the internet.

• Email: Many ISPs provide email services to their customers, allowing them to send and receive messages online.

Notice anything familiar with all these services? They all involve a lot of private data that would be detrimental if it fell into the wrong hands. I mean, just look at what’s happening with Safaricom these days.

Overview of ISP Monitoring

Internet traffic monitoring is collecting and analyzing data about internet usage by an Internet Service Provider. This monitoring process is meant to help ISPs manage network traffic, ensure network security, and provide customers with a smooth and reliable internet experience.

ISPs collect the following data

• IP address and geolocation information: The IP address of a device and its location can be collected and used to determine the user’s geographical location. This information can be used for network management and to provide localized content.

• Browsing history and search queries: ISPs can collect information about the websites customers visit, including the pages they access and the length of time they spend on each site. They can also collect information about search terms entered into search engines.

• Downloaded content and file-sharing information: ISPs can monitor the types of files that customers download and share, including music, movies, and software. 

• Online purchases and financial transactions: ISPs can collect information about customers’ online purchases and financial transactions, including the products they purchase, the merchants they buy from, and the amounts spent.

• Social media and email activity: ISPs can collect information about the social media platforms that customers use and the content they post, as well as their email activity, including the types of emails they send and receive and the contacts they communicate with.

Legal Basis for Internet Service Provider Monitoring

This information collected by ISPs allows them to monitor network usage and make informed decisions about network upgrades and maintenance. At least, that’s what most of them claim.

For example, suppose the ISPs notice that their customers use more bandwidth for streaming video than other activities. In that case, they can make necessary changes to their network to ensure that the video streams are smooth and high-quality. This is what leads to speed throttling. 

ISPs use traffic monitoring to protect their networks from security threats such as hacking, malware, and spam. By analyzing the data they collect, they can identify and block malicious traffic before it reaches their customers.

In some cases, ISPs may monitor internet traffic to provide customers with more personalized experiences. For example, they may use the collected information to provide targeted advertisements or offer customized internet packages based on the customer’s usage patterns.

The Problem With ISP Monitoring Your Activities

The data collection by Internet Service Providers on their customers can pose several risks and dangers. Here are some of the main concerns:

• Privacy Invasions: The collection of personal data by ISPs can lead to privacy violations and the exposure of sensitive information. This can include information about a customer’s online behavior, financial transactions, and personal contacts. This information can be used by third parties for purposes such as targeted advertising, identity theft, and even blackmail, as is the case with Safaricom these days.

• Misuse of Information: ISPs may use the information they collect for purposes other than providing better internet services to their customers. For example, they may sell the information to third parties for profit or use it for political purposes, such as influencing elections or suppressing dissent. Ring a bell, Kenyans?

• Discrimination: ISPs can use the information they collect to discriminate against specific customers based on their online behavior or personal characteristics. For example, they may offer different prices or services based on a customer’s location, age, race, or other personal factors.

• Government Surveillance: ISPs can be required by law to provide the government with information about their customers’ online activity. This can include their browsing history and online communications. This can result in government surveillance and the infringement of civil liberties, such as freedom of speech and privacy.

• Hacking and Cybersecurity Threats: The collection and storage of personal information by ISPs can make it vulnerable to hacking and other cybersecurity threats. If the data is stolen, it can be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or the spread of malware.

How to Counter ISP Monitoring

There are ways to beat ISPs at their own game and thwart any form of surveillance. They include the following.

Use a VPN

This is the most effective way of dealing with ISP surveillance. A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for your ISP to monitor your online activities. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a secure server in another location, which hides your IP address and location. This makes it difficult for your ISP to track your online activities and reduces the amount of personal information they can collect.

Use Encryption

Encrypting your internet traffic makes it difficult for your ISP to monitor your online activities. There are several ways to encrypt your internet traffic, including using secure protocols like HTTPS, SSL, and TLS and encryption tools like PGP and BitLocker. All premium VPNs offer the best encryption, so getting one can reduce the hassle of getting third-party tools.

Be Mindful of the Information You Share Online

It is essential to be mindful of the information you share online and to limit the amount of personal information you make available. This includes avoiding sharing sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords and being careful about the types of websites you visit and the content you post on social media.

Use Privacy-Focused Browsers

Unlike VPNs, privacy-focused browsers are free. They’re designed to protect your privacy and security by blocking tracking scripts and cookies, encrypting your internet traffic, and providing security features like anti-malware protection. Examples of privacy-focused browsers include Tor, Brave, and DuckDuckGo.

Choose an Internet Service Provider with a Strong Privacy Policy

Although a long shot, it is essential to review the ISP’s privacy policy to ensure that they have strong privacy protections in place. This includes limiting the amount of data they collect on their customers and being transparent about how they use that data. But again, getting a transparent ISP is almost impossible as they’re more focused on profits and will do anything to achieve that.

The Best VPNs for Countering ISP Surveillance

VPNs offer more than just a means of dealing with surveillance from your ISP. They also allow you to bypass any restrictions imposed by your internet service provider. Here is a quick look at the four best VPNs for ISP monitoring.

Surfshark

• Advanced Security Features: Surfshark offers advanced security features, such as a kill switch, which stops all internet traffic if the VPN connection is lost, and CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware.

• Large Network of Servers: Surfshark has an extensive network of 3200+ servers, which provides a wide range of options for encrypting your internet traffic and avoiding ISP monitoring. You can also bypass blocks on websites.

• Affordable Pricing: With its affordable pricing, Surfshark is a cost-effective option for those looking to protect their privacy and security online.

NordVPN

• Double VPN Encryption: NordVPN offers double VPN encryption, which routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers for added security and privacy. You also get IP leak protection and Threat Protection which prevents trackers, ads, and malware.

• No-Log Policy: NordVPN has a strict no-log policy, which means that they do not collect or store any information about their customers’ online activities.

• Large Network of Servers: NordVPN has an extensive network of 5400+ servers, which provides a wide range of options for encrypting your internet traffic and avoiding ISP monitoring.

CyberGhost

• Strong Encryption: CyberGhost uses strong encryption, which provides a high level of security and privacy for your online activities. It also offers a kill switch and an ad and tracker blocker called Block Content.

• No-Log Policy: CyberGhost also has a no-log policy, which means that they do not collect or store any information about their customers’ online activities.

• Easy to Use: CyberGhost is easy to use, making it an excellent option for those new to VPNs, and has over 9000 servers for bypassing any restricted content.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

• Strong Encryption: PIA uses strong encryption, providing high security and privacy for your online activities. It also offers a kill switch and an ad and tracker blocker called PIA MACE.

• No-Log Policy: PIA has a no-log policy, which means that they do not collect or store any information about their customers’ online activities.

• Large Network of Servers: PIA has an extensive network of servers, which provides a wide range of options for encrypting your internet traffic and avoiding ISP monitoring.

So What Next?

There’s no telling if you’re being monitored or not, but it’s safe to prepare for the worst. VPNs are your best shot at keeping anyone who may have plans with your private data. After all, the AES 256-bit encryption offered by premium VPNs is impossible to crack, even with the most sophisticated computer ever built.

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