With the dismissal of Net Neutrality, the internet service providers were held responsible for internet throttling by the FCC. The shift in the rules enabled ISPs to throttle the user's connection with any legal reason. The law also leaves it to each state to draft their legislation regarding safeguarding customers from broadband companies that can either block or slow down their access or even charge for fast access. At first, it was difficult to predict how the countries will make policies against the lobbying forces, but it was something beyond our expectations.
The ISPs have mainly developed software-filters that they use to throttle internet connection of their users that might have high bandwidth usage. Not only this, but special filters are also designed to keep track of user activities over the internet.
At present, there are no profound browsers that can secure users from the abuse of net neutrality. Google Chrome's Incognito mode may shield browsing history from the prying eyes of their roommates. However, it doesn't hide your activity from the ISPs. The same thing goes with all other anonymous options provided by browsers like Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.
But, if a browser fails to safeguard you from net neutrality, you can still use a more powerful tool. This tool is none other than a VPN. Yes! You heard, right! By now, you'll be thinking about how a VPN can help you? Well! In this post, we've gathered all the essential points that might answer your questions. But, before getting into the main topic, let's first talk about speed throttling, the reasons behind it, and the problems associated with it.
Speed Throttling Issue
ISP or speed throttling has the same meaning. It can be defined as the deliberate interference within your broadband connection by the internet service provider (ISP). During the process of throttling, the ISPs slow down the internet connection intentionally. It can occur during any task you're performing on the internet. When caught by the ISPs, users often give the excuse of avoiding network congestion because of high bandwidth usage and requests by the customers.
If we look back at the past, it was quite late until throttling became known among the internet users and ISPs accepted that it was going on for quite a while. Internet throttling is challenging to detect because various algorithms are running to control internet data on specific activities.
The legislation like the new FCC broadband rules has given more strength to the internet providers. It is the prime concern of several individuals that their ISPs can easily access and monitor their activities and can also share their data with the third-parties.
As a result, your browsing history becomes exposed as soon as the ISP takes control of it. Luckily, hiding the browsing history from the ISP can prove useful to bypass the chances of ISP throttling. To deal with such concerns, a VPN service will be the simplest and the best solution to secure your online privacy.
With a VPN, the ISP won't be able to figure out things such as the content you are browsing, websites you often visit, and time spends on such sites. Thus, they do not limit your bandwidth by judging some heavy stuff you are streaming.
Reasons for ISP Throttling
After thorough research and examining various online communities, the only solution to evade ISP throttling is the use of reliable VPN service. There are multiple reasons associated with the bandwidth throttling, like playing online games, torrenting, and excessive numbers of users. The following mentioned points further clarifies the motives behind ISP throttling
Torrenting: The majority of internet users often complain that they experience slow internet while they are torrenting or streaming sites like Netflix, HBO, and Hulu in HD quality. It is right because the internet service providers tend to throttle a connection if they caught a system involving in performing heavy tasks like video consumption or torrenting.
Late Bill Payment: In case an ISP detects a pattern of late bill payments, they simply participate in ISP throttling.
Online Games: Online games have become pretty much familiar these days, and the amount of bandwidth they use is exceptionally high. It can put some extra load on the network and can be one of the reasons to interfere with your speed.
Excessive Users: When many users are connected to a single network, it increases the chances of internet throttling. It can be high at its peak times like between 6 pm to 11 pm when everyone's at home and streaming Netflix.
Issues Because of ISP Throttling
Bandwidth throttling disturbs your online experience to a great extent. There are some signs that when your ISP throttles your connection, you come across the following issue.
High latency issues when you are playing online games.
Higher predicted time of arrival (ETA) of files during torrenting.
Long loading times or even buffering while streaming HD videos on Netflix or YouTube.
All the points mentioned above are the negative impacts that ISP throttling can impose on your entire online experience. But, again, you can bypass this throttling by configuring the best VPNs on your device. A VPN separates the encrypted lane and also adds an anonymity layer that ensures the safety and fast speed.
Bypassing ISP Throttling With A VPN
As there are certain legal protections for the customers against throttling and the death of net neutrality means even fewer in your residing state. A VPN can get back their fast speed with a VPN. People can evade ISP throttling by using a VPN service because it encrypts all the data packets by sending it through a protected pipeline.
To prevent speed throttling, your ISP should not be able to view your IP address. A robust VPN can secure your identity by giving you a shared IP address. For example, a VPN makes you different from hundreds of other users in any part of the world with the same IP address. Moreover, it hides traffic behind a server in another state that is outside the reach of your state privacy regulations.
While you are choosing a VPN for yourself, search for those services that boost a massive number of IP addresses and a large number of servers. The range of servers should be more than 2000 that effectively minimizes speed issues that you are experiencing when your VPN is shooting your traffic around the country.
Securing against leaks in a system is another way a good VPN can gain your trust. Hence, look for VPNs that have a record of testing negative for DNS leaks. In case your DNS leaks so, it is a danger sign because it exposes your traffic to your internet service provider.
Do not choose VPNs that don't offer a kill switch feature. A kill switch automatically disconnects any data-using apps in case your VPN gets disconnected. Without this feature, a VPN disconnection can become a massive privacy exposure enabling your cable company to monitor your traffic.
An ISP can find out what you are doing over the internet through a process called Deep Packet Inspection. It is a process of snooping that determines your data for unnecessary details. While you are working with the right VPN service provider, your traffic will be encrypted enough to circumvent such kind of spying. Thus, select a VPN that has at least AES-256 encryption as well as a split-tunneling feature.
Another essential factor while using a VPN to protect net neutrality is selecting services that don't keep logs of your internet activity. Even if the ISP, by any other way, finds out that you are using a VPN and which VPN you are using, a no-log VPN means that there is no evidence of your internet browsing.
Final Thoughts
Towards the end of the article, hopefully, you all are well aware of what ISP throttling is, on what grounds it is done, and what issues does it impose on the users. Internet throttling significantly causes frustration and annoyance among users. However, to avoid ISP throttling, using a VPN can be the most useful solution for the users.
To enjoy an uninterrupted internet connection, you must pick up a reputable and famous VPN that has an efficient customer service, and you pay a certain amount of fee every month or yearly. Remember, nothing comes in this world for free, so it is better to save some dollars each month and enjoy browsing the internet without ISP disturbing you.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
