In April 2017, United States President Donald Trump signed into law a bill allowing U.S. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to monitor their customers’ online activities and sell that and other information to advertisers and other interested parties without first receiving permission from the users.
The law removed any limitations on how ISPs can store, use or share customer information. Affected information includes customer browsing histories, financial information and much more.
The law not only repeals the privacy protections that were previously in place but also prevents the Federal Communications Commission from putting any similar regulation in place in the future.
This has led to increased fears among users of surveillance by ISPs, as well as the U.S. government. Plus, the unfettered collection of customer information could be stolen by hackers. With the ever-increasing occurrences of data breaches, this is a genuine concern.
Luckily, internet users have easy access to a tool that not only protects their online security and privacy, it also enhances their online activities.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) places your internet connection inside a tunnel of encryption, preventing your ISP (and anyone else) from monitoring and tracking your online travels, keeping your online antics completely incognito.
A VPN also offers other benefits, as it can “spoof” your geographic location, making it appear as if you’re connecting to the internet from another part of the world. This unlocks access to blocked content, including Netflix and other streaming services in various countries, gaming servers, and other types of websites and services.
Below, I’ll list the 5 best VPNs for preventing your ISP (or anyone else) from tracking your internet activities. I’ll also share which features you should look for in a VPN provider.
How to Use Your VPN to Protect Your Online Activities
To use a VPN to protect your online activities from being observed, do the following:
- Subscribe to your VPN provider of choice. (I recommend NordVPN.)
- Install the provider’s app(s) on your device(s).
- Log into the VPN.
- Select a VPN server and connect to it. (In the U.S., if you’re not looking to unblock international content.)
- Enjoy your online protection and anonymity.
Best VPNs to Prevent ISP Monitoring
I researched and tested numerous VPN services, and the following 5 VPN providers proved to offer the best protection against ISP monitoring. In case you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary:
- NordVPN: My #1 provider. NordVPN offers bank-grade encryption for your devices, along with features to prevent your online activities from being exposed or monitored. Fast connection speeds and an excellent content-unblocking ability round out their offerings.
- Surfshark: Security-minded individuals on a budget will appreciate this provider’s top-notch security at a budget price. Surfshark offers excellent online protection at an appreciably lower price than most of the other providers on this list.
- ExpressVPN: This highly versatile VPN offers industry-standard privacy and security protections, as well as a wide server network and highly secure apps for many platforms.
- CyberGhost: This provider delivers excellent privacy and security protections via a collection of easy-to-use apps, making it an attractive option for novice VPN users who don’t want to sacrifice protection for simplicity.
- PrivateVPN: This Sweden-based provider delivers excellent protection for your online activities, keeping it safe from the prying eyes of your ISP. It also delivers fast connection speeds and reliable access to international content.
I ranked the top VPNs to prevent ISP tracking according to the following criteria:
- Large global server network
- Comprehensive security and privacy protections
- Fast connection speeds
- Extensive native app support
- Top-notch customer support
- Bonus points for allowing torrenting
- Bonus points for being located in a privacy-friendly country
Here are my top 5 picks for the best VPNs to use to prevent your ISP from tracking your internet activity.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN provides the best protection against your ISP’s nosy tendencies. Top-notch encryption, excellent privacy protections, and comprehensive app support all add up to optimal protection.
5,500+ servers located in 59 countries, with loads of servers in the U.S., provide reliable access to content around the globe. Shared IP addresses are the rule here, and while P2P activity is limited to certain servers, there are P2P-enabled servers in over 50 countries.
Military-grade encryption keeps your online activities protected from observation. Kill switch protection, as well as DNS leak and IPv6 leak prevention, keep your connection from being exposed.
The provider’s apps also offer ad and malware blocking and offer access to obfuscated servers (which help hide your VPN activity), as well as Double VPN protection, which encrypts your connection twice.
The Panamanian VPN service keeps no logs of your online travels, and also accepts Bitcoin to keep your payment info safe from interested parties.
NordVPN’s connection speeds are the fastest in this lineup, so if you have a need for speed, you won’t be disappointed. Their connections can easily handle your favorite online activities, and no data caps are around to spoil the fun.
Around-the-clock live support chat, email support and an easy-to-use knowledge base all add up to comprehensive customer support.
Apps for Amazon Fire, Android, Android TV, Windows, macOS, iOS and Linux devices are available, as are Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Router support is also available. Up to 6 concurrent connections are allowed.
Pros:
- 5,500+ servers, located in 59 countries, the U.S. included
- Incredibly fast speeds
- Stellar security and privacy protections
- Low-priced subscription options
- Allows P2P activity on a large number of their servers
Cons:
- Apps could be more user-friendly
BEST VPN FOR BLOCKING YOUR ISP’S PRYING EYES:NordVPN offers the best ability for keeping your online activities undercover from the nosy Nellies at your ISP. Top-notch encryption and total privacy protections have you covered, and the provider’s extremely fast speeds are much appreciated. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is an excellent option for privacy-minded individuals on a budget. The provider delivers excellent protection while keeping its prices budget-friendly.
The provider’s global server network includes 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries, double what they had just a few months ago.
While the provider allows P2P activity on all of their servers, they also offer P2P-optimized servers in 22 countries.
Based in the British Virgin Islands, the provider keeps no server logs and accepts Bitcoin in return for its services.
The service does just as well on the connection protection end of things, with bank-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak, and IPv6 leak protection, and ad and online tracking protection. A MultiHop server option routes your traffic through two VPN servers to further anonymize your online activity.
The provider’s connection speeds are not the fastest on this list, but they can still handle 4K streaming, downloading and sharing large files, and online gaming. No data caps get in the way of the fun.
Surfshark VPN apps are available for the iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, macOS and Amazon Fire device platforms. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is router support.
The provider allows a somewhat unusual unlimited concurrent connections on the same set of login credentials, making it a great option for large groups of users.
Pros:
- Reliable access to P2P as well as streaming services
- Budget pricing
- No limit on simultaneous connections
- Top-notch privacy and security protections
Cons:
- Lacking some advanced options
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers VPN protection at a below-average price, making it an attractive option for budget-minded users who don’t want to sacrifice protection for a low price. This provider delivers excellent privacy and security. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of Surfshark.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great all-around provider, offering privacy and security protections that will keep the prying eyes of your ISP far away.
ExpressVPN’s global server network currently stands at 3,000+ servers located in 94 countries. (Plenty of those are in the U.S.) The servers use shared IP addresses, which increase your anonymity, and P2P torrenting activity is allowed on all servers.
Those servers provide connections protected with banking-level encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak and IPv6 leak protection. A split tunneling feature allows you to pick and choose which apps will have their activity hidden from prying eyes.
The British Virgin Islands-based VPN service keeps no server logs of any kind and keeps your payment information completely incognito with its Bitcoin payment option.
Fast connections are the rule at ExpressVPN, providing more than enough horsepower for 4K streaming, P2P file sharing and any other online activity you can think of. No data caps are ever imposed.
ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire, and Chromebook devices. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available.
The service’s excellent router support keeps the rest of your connected devices undercover. Up to 5 devices can be simultaneously connected to the ExpressVPN servers on one set of login credentials.
Customer support is a 24/7 proposition at ExpressVPN thanks to always-available support chat, email support, a trouble ticket system, and a searchable support library.
Pros:
- P2P file sharing allowed on every server
- Comprehensive security and privacy protections
- Outstanding customer support
- Wide-ranging global server coverage
Cons:
- Priced higher than many other VPNs
- Not many simultaneous connections allowed
ALL-PURPOSE VPN:In addition to blocking your ISP's tracking, ExpressVPN is a good option for other activities, too, like streaming and gaming. Expect full-on privacy and security protections, no matter what activity you engage in. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of ExpressVPN.
4. CyberGhost
I believe CyberGhost will prove to be an attractive option for internet users who are new to the VPN scene. The provider’s easy-to-use apps provide comprehensive protection with just a click or two of the mouse.
CyberGhost has 6,700+ servers located in 90 countries around the globe, the U.S. included. The provider network uses shared IPs and also offers streaming- and P2P-optimized servers around the globe.
The Romanian VPN provider uses government-grade encryption, kill switch protection, and DNS leak and IPv6 leak protection to protect its users’ connections. Ad, malware and online tracking blocking are also available, as is the ability to force websites to serve up HTTPS versions of their web pages (if available).
The provider never saves any server logs, and a Bitcoin payment option is available.
CyberGhost should also prove attractive to streaming fans and P2P file-sharing users thanks to its fast download speeds. Plus, you never need to worry about data caps.
CyberGhost offers native apps for most devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, and Amazon Fire devices. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, as is router support. Up to 7 devices can connect at once using a single username.
Customer support is an around-the-clock proposition thanks to 24/7 live support chat, a trouble ticket tracking system and a searchable support library.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use apps for most popular devices
- Comprehensive privacy and security protection
- Fast connections
- P2P- and streaming-enhanced servers
Cons:
- Lacks the advanced options in apps available from other providers
- Doesn’t unblock all streaming services
BEST FOR FIRST-TIME VPN USERS:CyberGhost provides easy, one-click connection protection for most popular device platforms, making it an optimal choice for novice VPN users. P2P- and streaming-optimized servers make it an alluring option for users who enjoy those online activities. A 45-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of CyberGhost.
5. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN delivers well-protected connections to the internet, with fast connections that can handle any type of online activity you may enjoy.
The provider’s global server network consists of a rather limited 150+ servers spread among 60+ countries. All of those servers allow P2P file sharing and do an above-average job of providing access to streaming and other types of blocked content.
The Swedish provider protects its users’ connections with military-level encryption and DNS leak and IPv6 leak protection. Auto-reconnect quickly restores your VPN connection if you’re disconnected from the VPN’s servers. A “Stealth VPN” option disguises your VPN activities as regular browser activity.
The provider’s no-server-logs-ever policy and acceptance of Bitcoin keep things protected on the privacy end of things.
The provider delivers fast download speeds, which are well up to most online activities, and users are never faced with data caps.
PrivateVPN’s app support is a bit limited, covering only the Android, iOS, macOS and Windows platforms. (The Android app can be used on Amazon Fire devices.) Router support is available, but browser extensions are not. Up to 6 devices can be connected to the service at once.
Customer support consists of a support agent chat option (the company claims it is always available, but that hasn’t been my experience), a contact form and an FAQ section. The provider is unique in that it offers Remote help, where agents assist in setup and troubleshooting of the VPN software.
Pros:
- Optimal privacy and security protection
- Remote help for setup and troubleshooting
- P2P file sharing on all servers
Cons:
- Server count could stand a boost
- App support covers only the big 4 device platforms
PROVIDES EXTRA HAND-HOLDING:PrivateVPN delivers fast, well-encrypted connections via a small but well-placed VPN network. The provider offers extra support when needed, offering remote control-based support for setup- and troubleshooting-related issues. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
Read my full review of PrivateVPN.
Why Use a VPN?
While the United States is generally thought of as “the land of the free” (SNORT!), efforts to enable the constant monitoring of the country’s citizens’ online activities continue to increase.
The U.S. government both allows and encourages Internet Service Providers and Virtual Private Network providers to keep and share logs of their customers’ supposedly private online activities.
Although the government is pushing this as an “anti-terrorism” measure, the truth is that it has a chilling effect on the online freedoms that U.S. citizens and visitors currently enjoy on the internet.
When using an unprotected connection to the internet, your ISP can track your activities. That means they can track which websites you visit, what movies you watch, and when you share files.
A VPN encases your internet connection in a protective tunnel of encryption, hiding all of your online activities from being observed by your ISP or anyone else. At worst, the only thing they can detect is that you’re using a VPN.
Many ISPs have been pressured by movie studios, music companies and other content producers to block or severely throttle users’ connections if they engage in P2P file-sharing – even legal file sharing. (P2P technology isn’t illegal, although using it to share copyrighted materials is.)
If your ISP can’t see that you’re sharing files, they can’t block your activities.
A VPN’s encrypted protection also protects your online activities – including banking, shopping and paying bills – safe from the prying eyes of bad guys. That includes that shifty character down at the coffee shop, where you use the unprotected public Wi-Fi hotspot.
A VPN can also make it appear as if you’re in another country, opening access to blocked content intended for access only in that country. (Streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other companies are legally bound to limit access to their libraries to a specific country. VPNs allow you to overcome that roadblock.)
Is a Free VPN a Good Option to Block Observation?
If you’re a regular visitor to my website, you know I am not a fan of free VPN services. When we’re talking about keeping your online activities undercover, a free VPN is too much of a privacy risk.
Many “free” VPN providers keep their lights on by violating their users’ privacy.
They do this by monitoring their users’ online activity, saving the information, and selling it to the highest bidder. Do you really think they’re going to put up much of a fight if Johnny Law comes knocking at their door?
Some freebie VPNs will even inject unwanted ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browsing sessions. (And those tracking cookies stick around even after you disconnect from the VPN’s servers.)
You’ll also find that free VPN services are inconvenient. Some will force you to cool your heels in a virtual waiting room before allowing you to connect to their servers. Then, once you’re given the go-ahead to connect, you’ll either be faced with a limited selection of servers or be automatically connected to a server of the provider’s choice.
You’ll also find that a number of no-charge VPN providers throttle their users’ connection speeds and also impose daily or monthly data caps on your VPN usage.
A month of service from a reliable VPN provider can cost as little as a kid’s meal from your favorite fast-food joint. Why chance having your online activities exposed or inhibited, just to save a few bucks?
A Quick Note About Using VPN Browser Extensions
While VPN browser extensions allow you to protect your browser sessions with a click of the mouse, keep in mind one thing: A browser extension hides only your activities inside of the browser, while all of your other connected apps’ online activities are left unprotected and open to monitoring.
This means that while your visits to websites are kept undercover, your other activities, such as streaming via Popcorn Time, P2P file sharing, messaging via apps, and more are left open to monitoring.
If you need a quick bit of protection for your in-browser activities, then use a VPN browser extension. However, if you want all of your online activities to be protected from prying eyes, always use your VPN provider’s app.
Conclusion
Internet users looking to protect their online activities from prying eyes will be well served to use a Virtual Private Network when accessing the internet.
A VPN – like my #1 choice, NordVPN – keeps all of your online activities undercover and safe from monitoring by your ISP or any other interested parties. A VPN also keeps your personal information safe, opens access to blocked content around the globe, and enhances and protects all of your online activities.
For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.
