Is your phone’s browser a complete mess? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a speedy solution.
Your ISP is watching — Here's what it knows about you
You probably know by now that your internet service provider watches what you do. After all, a tiny bit of surveillance helps these companies provide the best services possible. But many ISPs collect data beyond their scope, according to a new report from the FTC.
For instance, some of the biggest ISPs use your web browsing history to target ads. They’ll pinpoint your race, ethnicity, economic status, politics, religious beliefs, and even sexual orientation. An ISP doesn’t need to know whether you find Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie more attractive to provide good internet services.
We put together this guide to the information your ISP collects to protect your privacy. Thanks to ExpressVPN for sponsoring this article. Here are some surprising ways ISPs track you — and what you can do about it.
First off, here’s how your ISP could hurt you
According to the FTC, several ISPs it studied use your data in ways that could cause you harm. For instance, they’ll collect and combine data like this:
- Location history
- What you watch on the TV
- Contents of your email
- Search history
- Data from connected devices
As we said earlier, they’re not collecting this information for fun. They want to make some sweet, sweet cash on the side. And they’re not picky when it comes to customers.
The FTC study says this data can be used by people who would use it “for discriminatory purposes.” Think of bail bond agents, property managers and bounty hunters.
That’s right. Dog the Bounty Hunter could potentially head to your ISP and ask for all your information. If he has deep enough pockets, he could sniff out your secret underground bunker. To make matters worse, he could buy your TV history from your ISP.
That means he could probably guess what you’re watching right when he breaks down the front door. You won’t even be able to hide the fact you were rewatching your guilty pleasure, like “Sex and the City.” After all, there are no secrets from the data collection industry.
Second, ISPs reach way further than you’d think
Did you think your service provider only tracks what you’re Googling on your phone or laptop? Think again.
List: The very worst gifts you can give if you care about privacy
Facebook.com/Ray-Ban.com
Anytime you go online or use a connected device, your privacy is at risk. This isn’t to say you should throw away all your tech and live in a cave, but there are ways to minimize exposure.
Let’s start with your choice of browser. This has a significant impact on your online experience. Many browsers share popular features like dark mode, but when it comes to privacy, you’ll find a greater distinction. Tap or click here for the best privacy-focused browsers, ranked.
Stop using that same old password for your online accounts - Try this instead
Hackers have plenty of tricks when it comes to making you their victim. They can send you emails containing viruses and malware. They can send you links that go to malicious websites. They can get you through phony social media accounts and apps that look like legitimate sources.
Google Search alternatives that respect your privacy
© Alexandersikov | Dreamstime.com
Between Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, and all the rest, the tech giant knows a ton about you. Let’s not forget about YouTube, the second-largest search site behind Google.
I recently showed you how you could take control of what appears when you search for yourself. Here’s my guide to doing an exhaustive search. Once you find what’s publicly available about you, take steps to delete anything that doesn’t sit well with you, from images of your home to personal photos.
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