Can VPNs Conceal Data Usage from ISPs and Cellular Carriers?

Key Takeaways

A VPN can hide your web activity from websites, but your ISP and carrier can still see how much data you're using.

Using a VPN can bypass certain types of data throttling, but it can also potentially result in increased data consumption without necessarily improving your overall internet speed. If you want to conceal your online activities from your ISP or cellular carrier, a VPN is typically the preferred choice. However, it is important to note that, despite using a VPN, your ISP and carrier still have visibility into your data usage. Furthermore, a VPN will not override any limitations imposed by your monthly data cap and can only bypass certain forms of data throttling.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Week article is brought to you in association with Incogni.

VPNs Hide Your Activity, Not Your Data Consumption

Using a virtual private network (VPN) allows your internet traffic to pass through a distant server. This effectively gives you the IP address and location of the VPN server. By using a VPN, websites face obstacles in identifying and tracing your online activities, as they only have access to the VPN's identifying details.

However, your privacy can be compromised not just by websites. Your internet service provider (ISP) or cellular carrier has the capability to monitor all of your online actions. Additionally, if a hacker successfully intercepts your internet connection (such as when using public Wi-Fi), they can obtain your login credentials and other sensitive information. To safeguard against these potential threats, a VPN establishes a "secure tunnel" that encrypts your web activity. With a VPN in place, your ISP and cell carrier may be aware that you are online, but they are unable to perceive the nature of your actions.

A VPN does not conceal your data usage. Your internet service provider and mobile carrier can always monitor the amount of data you consume, even if your online activities are masked. In fact, using a VPN can potentially bring you closer to reaching your data limit. The encryption process employed by VPNs can increase your data consumption by up to 15%.

If you consistently exceed your monthly data allowance, you have two options: upgrade to a more costly plan or reduce your data usage. We suggest starting with the latter choice and observing the outcomes. Streaming services are often the culprit for excessive data consumption. Therefore, remember not to leave Netflix running all night, take advantage of the offline download feature in your preferred streaming apps, and lower your streaming resolution whenever possible.

A VPN Can Bypass Some Forms of Data Throttling

Jason Montoya

When you go over your monthly data limit, your ISP or cell carrier may not charge you an additional fee but instead decrease your internet speeds for the billing period. It's important to note that using a VPN will not solve this issue as it doesn't hide your data usage. If you consistently reach your data cap, it's advisable to switch plans or modify your online habits.

Nevertheless, a VPN can help you bypass certain types of data throttling. ISPs often throttle connections to streaming platforms like Netflix, and budget-friendly unlimited plans from cellular carriers may impose lower resolutions for streaming content. By using a VPN, you can prevent your ISP or cell carrier from monitoring the websites you visit, making it an effective way to bypass these restrictions.

Using a VPN connection will typically result in decreased internet speed. You will only experience a speed boost on websites that are intentionally slowed down by your internet service provider or mobile carrier. If you suspect that a particular website is being deliberately throttled, consider using a VPN to determine if the situation improves. It is advisable to avoid free VPN services as they tend to be extremely slow and can potentially compromise your privacy.

Does Your ISP or Carrier Know That You Use a VPN?

The secure tunnel between your computer and VPN encrypts the connection, rendering the data indecipherable to your ISP or cell carrier. While they are able to observe the encrypted data, it appears as unintelligible content. Due to the complex encryption, it is virtually impossible for your ISP or cell carrier to decrypt this data within a practical timeframe.

Regardless, the presence of encrypted data strongly indicates VPN usage, so your ISP and cell carrier are aware when you are utilizing a VPN. However, they either disregard or are unable to take any action in response. While some individuals use VPNs for accessing out-of-market sports games, they are also vital for corporate and government cybersecurity, making their usage acceptable and necessary.

Your campus or workplace might restrict your internet access if they discover that you are utilizing a VPN. Additionally, authoritarian governments commonly ban or limit VPN usage, although the enforcement of anti-VPN policies can be inconsistent, particularly for international travelers or individuals engaged in foreign business.