VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are a tried and tested approach to digital wellbeing. Not many users will deny the usefulness of a VPN nowadays. This type of network has not only conquered the corporate world but has also penetrated deep into the individual market. If the latest numbers are to be trusted, the VPN industry is growing, with a projected estimated nearing an astounding $120 billion. However, the situation is not all roses for the tech. Many wonder whether a VPN can see their traffic.
Also, several bad apples gave the VPN practice a bad name, and it all stems from trustworthiness. The whole business model works on trust. VPNs essentially replace your ISP (Internet Service Provider) as a middleman. Hence, they can see what you do online. Then the question remains, “Do you trust your VPN with your browsing habits, and can a VPN provider even see your traffic?”
What can a VPN see in terms of traffic?
If we are being honest, there’s not much you can hide from your VPN, despite their claims against that. In merit, the VPN works as a proxy of your ISP. If you do not use a VPN, your ISP can, with no effort on its part, see everything you do online. That includes all the websites you visit and what files you download. As long as any data is left unencrypted, it is a piece of cake for your ISP to monitor it. But what of VPNs? If you replace one middle man with another, the result will hardly be any different. With this technology, you use the vendor’s network to access the internet instead of the ISPs.
Although the data traveling within the network, is safe behind an encrypted VPN tunnel, as soon as it leaves the VPN server, it is open season for your vendor. Do not be misguided that your VPN servers do not know which sites you visit daily. While a reputed VPN may choose not to log such activities, what about a greedy provider? Can you trust a few lines claiming no logging takes place? Hence, it is essential to establish what a VPN can see before blindly believing in these so-called VPN no-logs policies. Given below are some common examples of things that your VPN can’t overlook:
1. VPN can see your IP address
A VPN can pry into your connecting IP address and outgoing address request. Hence, it can map who used what web services when, and to a precise degree. It does so because the network should understand where the packets are coming from and where they are going to function properly. Only then can it divert your traffic to a remote server. Hence, those VPNs that log IP addresses are a risky investment.
2. It has access to VPN credentials
Even though it may sound incredulous and non-threatening, a VPN provider knows the credentials you use. Of course, it has to. Otherwise, how will it allow users to access the network? But if someone (highly unlikely) gains access to your credentials, they can easily learn your online habits.
3. VPNs can track your browsing pattern
Although a VPN will never admit it, most providers, and even some leading ones, employ trackers to collect user data. While we recognize the fact that it may get used for research purposes or to develop a newer and better version of the VPN client, it is slightly unethical for VPNs to stalk you. Since they claim to prevent monitoring, a VPN turning back and tracking you is simple hypocrisy.
Hence, a VPN can discover enough browsing patterns to actively target you. We are reiterating that most VPNs would not do so, but it doesn’t mean they can’t. If somehow they log this data and are forced to hand it over, you will have to worry about your digital safety.
What type of traffic a VPN doesn’t see?
Thankfully, things aren’t all bleak with VPNs. Although they can see your traffic, a few things are still beyond even for a VPN. A VPN is no malware and can’t spy on your private and localized data. Unless you voluntarily expose such sensitive data, there is still hope. Here’s what VPNs cannot view:
1. VPN can’t see your passwords
No VPN can view your passwords, since it doesn’t act as a keylogger. Hence, it doesn’t record your keystrokes. Although it will see your data going to a particular website, that’s it. The service is incapable of recording what you type.
2. VPNs can’t view local content
Although VPN can monitor your web activity, there is nil chance it can ever view your localized data. Unless your device connects to the internet and uses the web for accessing a resource, your content will be safe. An unconnected device is like a blind spot for both VPNs and ISPs.
3. It can’t read your encrypted data
Encryption is the act of hiding something behind a layer of indecipherable data. Most of the time, such data is merely gibberish. But encryption is highly regarded as it can protect your content. Additionally, this protection also extends to data traveling between two sources. Even if such data gets intercepted, the miner won’t be able to glean the actual content. In such scenarios, the VPN can only track the source IP and learn something is being transferred.
Do VPNs track you?
Now, it’s time for the question of the hour, do VPNs track you? If you want a short answer, then yes. VPNs use trackers on their websites and apps for collecting data. But isn’t it against everything a VPN stands for? But what can you do? VPNs are a highly successful tool that can aid online privacy and supplement your digital security. They prevent third parties from accessing your web traffic and prevent any cyberattacks. They also help you in hiding from cookies and web trackers. But who can defend you against a VPN? We’ll answer.
Why is the no-logging policy important?
Since a VPN holds so much sway over our data, the logging, or should we say a no-logging policy plays a crucial role. It is the policy that decides how the VPN will treat our data. Although we do not recommend blindly trusting a VPN provider and the subsequent policy, we have to realize that, in the end, VPNs are essentially built on trust. Hence, any affirmative action to supplement said trust should be welcome. That’s why we advocate for independent auditing.
If a VPN doesn’t log anything, there is nothing to share. When that is the case, is it a problem if your vendor knows about your online habits? Many would say that there are VPNs that still keep a log despite claiming to be zero-logging. To which we have to reply, some logs like your subscription status should be kept by a VPN for it to function. What they have to ensure is: to never touch PII (Personally identifiable information).