It’s becoming increasingly challenging to have privacy online. That’s why people turn to VPNs, which do a great job of protecting their users from digital spying, tracking, data collection, invasive advertising, and cybercriminals. But can you be tracked with a VPN on? It’s a natural question to raise (well done, you). And I’m here to provide the answer.
Table of contents
What do we talk about when we talk about tracking?
It’s important to first understand what tracking is in this context. There are three aspects to it:
- Can someone see that you’re using a VPN?
- What information is available to them?
- Can they see what you’re doing online?
Let’s explore it.
Can you be tracked with a VPN?
You can’t be tracked using a VPN because it encrypts your data. As a result, your ISP or bad actors can’t get any information out of your traffic. They only see the VPN server’s IP address (e.g. if you’re connected to a US server, the US IP address is visible), while your real IP and online activities stay hidden.
To answer how effective a VPN is at protecting your privacy, you can try Surfshark’s VPN free trial and see it yourself.
That said, you still provide information to websites or services when you accept their cookies or log into your account. If you want to provide as little information as possible, you should block cookies and avoid logging into any accounts whenever possible.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common ways used to track users online.
Malware
Accidentally installing malware on your device can result in severe issues like stolen personal information or even fraud.
IP address
Unless you use a VPN, a proxy, a Tor browser, or any other privacy protection tool, your real IP (Internet Protocol) address is visible to the websites you visit. Find out what your IP address is.
Cookies
Advertisers can track you across the internet based on cookies, whether you use a VPN or not. However, browsers like Google Chrome block most cookies. If you’d rather not have your internet habits saved, install a VPN Chrome extension to ensure no cookies are saved.
Digital fingerprinting
More intrusive than cookie-based tracking, fingerprinting uses your computer settings, software, web browser preferences, and other similar things to make a digital portrait of you.
DNS leak
DNS leaks can happen when a VPN or a DNS is not set up correctly and when your device gets hacked. These leaks can compromise your privacy by exposing your activity online. To avoid DNS leaks, use a VPN that provides you with its own DNS addresses.
Doxxing
Doxxing is a malicious practice that people use to expose someone’s private information, like their home address or workplace.
Logging into your accounts
If you log into your personal Google account, Google still knows that it’s you and follows the steps you take in the Google ecosystem, even when a VPN is in use.
Revealing information online
When you go around the internet saying, “I’m John Q. User, here’s my actual home address,” that information becomes public even if you’re using a VPN.
As you can see, an IP address isn’t the only identifier on the internet. Thus, a VPN isn’t the only solution to online threats. Apart from antivirus programs, we should also be cautious about what we share and what we click on online.
Who can (potentially) see that you’re using a VPN?
Not every person online will see that you’re connected to a VPN. But some can. ‘’Who has access to this information?!’’ you may be wondering. Well, the usual suspects are your Internet Service Provider (ISP), websites or apps (such as Netlix), and of course, hackers.
But how do they access it? Another great question!
- The ISP gives you access to the internet, so they can see the connections you make through their servers. It doesn’t mean that there are bold letters proclaiming that you’re using a VPN, but based on IP addresses and encrypted traffic, they could, in theory, connect the dots.
- Websites and apps detect virtual private network use by blacklisting IP addresses that many different people around the world use to connect. This kind of IP looks suspicious to a service provider; thus, it gets blocked.
- Hackers can see that you’re using a VPN if they try to access your data through an unsecured network (e.g., a public Wi-Fi without a password) or if you connect to a fake open Wi-Fi created by shady persons.
It’s important to note that your ISP or some online service seeing that you use a VPN, isn’t bad news. That’s because it doesn’t mean that they can see what you’re actually doing online.
When you connect to the internet through a VPN, your ISP only knows that you’re connecting to a VPN server. And when you’re connected to a server, the service sees its IP address instead of your actual one, so your real IP address cannot be tracked.
Can you mask your VPN traffic?
A VPN hides your online traffic, while an obfuscated server hides your VPN usage. It’s like an invisibility cloak — sometimes called a stealth VPN.
Where can you “get” those obfuscated servers? Well, some premium VPN providers (Surfshark included) use them. With Surfshark, this functionality is called Camouflage mode.
Obfuscation is great for bypassing various VPN blocks like the Great Firewall of China.
Is a free VPN a viable option for privacy?
No, it’s not. When comparing free VPNs vs. paid VPNs, free ones are less safe. Secure VPN technologies require a lot of investment and resources, and free VPNs just don’t have that sort of money.
Yet keeping a VPN running requires funds. How do they make money if users don’t pay for the service? Usually, it means that your data is being sold to advertisers and marketing companies. Sometimes these free apps are so invasive that they get more out of you than just your online habits, purchases, and visited sites. Some can have access to your full name, phone number, or even home address.
If you’re concerned about being tracked with a VPN, I suggest not going for free options and downloading a premium VPN instead.
Can the government track you through a VPN?
They can, though it is not easy, and they probably don’t care to do it. Here’s the thing: federal authorities don’t waste their time on casual VPN users. There needs to be a legal foundation for them to take an interest in someone’s VPN activity.
When federal agents suspect someone of a crime, they go to an ISP to ask for connection logs. After detecting VPN connections, they might try approaching a VPN provider. If a VPN keeps no logs of users’ data, they will have nothing to give away, even if they want to.
However, there aren’t many cases of authorities approaching VPN providers because they have multiple other methods of tracking a potential criminal down. It was recently revealed that the US government issues “keyword warrants” to Google, which asks the tech giant to submit lists of accounts and IPs that search for certain words online.
So a VPN will prevent your IP from being disclosed, but if you use your own Google account, that will be on record. Once again, privacy and security depend not only on technical means but also on your own vigilance.
Can Google track you through a VPN?
Google can track you if you use your own Google account when surfing with a VPN. So if your account is johntpublic@gmail.com and you don’t log out of it when using a VPN, nothing changes with regards to Google tracking. The web giant may not know your IP, but all the activity that’s tied to your account can be tracked as easily as if you didn’t have a VPN.
That applies to any web service that you need to log into. Pinterest cares less about tracking your IP than it does about connecting all the things you do on Pinterest.
Can the police track you with a VPN?
The short answer is that the police can’t track your live traffic. To do any sort of tracking, they have to get the approval to make your ISP give up your traffic records. They may also try going after your VPN provider so that they would transfer your connection records.
For a more in-depth explanation, we have an article on police VPN tracking.
If a VPN disconnects, can you be tracked passively?
Yes. Can an IP address be traced then? Certainly, when a VPN disconnects, your data is no longer encrypted, and your real IP address is exposed. Your ISP has access to the activity of your IP address (e.g., the websites you visit), so you’re a much easier target for tracking when you disconnect from a VPN.
A solution to this problem is the so-called Kill Switch feature that some VPN providers offer.
Final thoughts: can you be tracked if you use a VPN?
The answer is that it’s difficult but not impossible. If someone really wants to track you online, they will probably find a way to do that, whether you use a VPN or not.
However, a VPN changes your digital location and keeps your browsing activity safe. Even those who can see that you use a VPN (i.e., your ISP, websites you visit, or even hackers) can’t access your data, real location, or any sensitive information. But make sure to choose a VPN with transparent privacy and a no-logs policy, like Surfshark.
FAQ
Can you be tracked if you connect to a VPN server in the same country?
Connecting to a VPN server in the same country is just as secure as connecting to a server in a foreign country. The only downside is that you won’t bypass geographical restrictions since your ISP sees you in the same location.
Can a VPN be hacked?
A good VPN is secure and safe from hacking due to all the security measures necessary for it to work. The same can’t be said for all VPNs – the free ones are especially shady and can be the actual vector for stealing your data or installing malware on your device.
