A VPN Alone Won’t Save You. So What to Do?
Following the decision by the House of Representatives to allow internet service providers to sell their users browsing history, most people have opted to use VPN to conceal their personal information from the service providers. Legally, ISPs can now sell the data to internet marketers who will then bombard you with countless ads while online.
Using VPN (Virtual Private Network) software can to some extent help to conceal your personal information by encrypting all the data from your computer as you browse the internet. The software also goes an extra mile and gives you a dummy IP address that does not disclose your actual location.
As stated in a post on Tech Dirt the software has their share of shortcomings which could expose your personal information. It is recommended to carry out extensive research to know the functionalism of each VPN on your list before making your final decision. Check the reviews posted by other users online to get a clear perspective of what to expect after purchasing the software.
You also need to have an additional layer of protection since VPN alone will not deter the ISPs from compromising your privacy and confidentiality. Here are some ideas on what you can do to make sure that your personal information is not leaked to third parties without your consent.
Consider Opting Out
This is one of the most basic things that you can do if you discover that your internet service provider is trying to sell your personal information. Needless to say, companies that have robust and customer oriented policies cannot disclose their clients’ information to marketers and other third parties. However, there are some who do not care about their customers’ privacy and will jump on an idea that they can be making thousands of dollars selling their browsing data.
One of the sure-fire ways of making sure that you are safe is by asking for a signed agreement from the ISP before using any of their subscription packages. Read the entire document to understand how the company intends to protect you from prying eyes online and the plausible solutions or steps that will be taken if the information is leaked without your consent.
You may also want to seek the services of a professional attorney to help you get a clear understanding of all the details in the agreement before making any move. Note that one simple clause in the document could have huge repercussions on your privacy.
