Can you really hide your IP address from your ISP ?

[xencar]

I have been using vpn called HMA which is recommended by bros in $$$$$$$$$$$$. It also provides the encrytion that bros here mentioned. So far still ok.

I think at the end of the day, it is still worthwhile to use vpn because it is really safer for the common users and dont need to think of so many problems...

[nichnich]

Originally Posted by sammyboyfor

Your ISP can see the total amount of in/out traffic but that's about it.

While you are connected to the VPN your ISP sees all packets going to and coming from a single IP address (the entry-IP address of the VPN server your computer is connected to).

Your ISP can NOT see:
- the real packets header
- the packets payload (i.e. the content you send and receive)
- the real origin and destinations of the packets
- the "real" protocol you use
- the applications you use

This is because everything is encrypted via your VPN connection. The strength of the encryption depends upon what you VPN provider uses for encryption. The good ones use AES-256-CBC cipher.

but TS was just referring to hiding IP address mah...

so i referring to that haha...

[anonym69]

VPN protect your IP from the sites you visit. But never been on protecting yourself from the law you are breaking if any.

Originally Posted by xencar

I have been using vpn called HMA which is recommended by bros in $$$$$$$$$$$$. It also provides the encrytion that bros here mentioned. So far still ok.

I think at the end of the day, it is still worthwhile to use vpn because it is really safer for the common users and dont need to think of so many problems...

[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by nichnich

you cannot hide your IP from your ISP because they are the one giving you access to the internet.

They have to assign the IP to you so that you can surf the net.

but you can try to hide your IP from external party

So hypothetically speaking, if you're posting from Singapore, the local ISP can trace your IP address simply from your handle nichnich ? Or must the ISP find out from Sammyboyforum your IP address ?

I remember I was using my condo's wifi and the technician came to my unit to check the wifi connection. I had a peep at his laplop and he could actually see the websites to which I was connected.

So I have a feeling that ISP behaves the same way. Whichever website that you're now connected, it's reflected on the ISP. No ?

[nichnich]

Originally Posted by Peter_North

So hypothetically speaking, if you're posting from Singapore, the local ISP can trace your IP address simply from your handle nichnich ? Or must the ISP find out from Sammyboyforum your IP address ?

the isp wont be able to be that. they will need sbf to release my ip b4 they can link it to me

[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by nichnich

the isp wont be able to be that. they will need sbf to release my ip b4 they can link it to me

So does ISP know if you're watching porn ? In terms of detecting the IP is there a difference between watching porn on the site (like YouTube streaming) and downloading ?

[Johnbass]

Originally Posted by Peter_North

So does ISP know if you're watching porn ? In terms of detecting the IP is there a difference between watching porn on the site (like YouTube streaming) and downloading ?

Yes, if you see this page...
No, if you don't see this page...

[Abcdefghijklmn]

When you are surfing Internet, the traffic is not encrypted (plaintext). When you use vpn, the traffic become encrypted.

In order to read the encrypted traffic, you must have the key to unlock.

This is the reason why you are using vpn and most ISP won't able to detect. But with the current technology, this is doable if they have the intention.

Nothing that you do online is 100% safe, even if you are on onion (tor)

[oLdMaN68]

Correct me if I am wrong.
From what I understand abt vpn - you connect to internet by a isp with the ip address your isp assigned to you, which then enter to a vpn server, but when you pass through the vpn, it will assign another address so that your real one is hidden, so to the world, you are the 2nd address, not the 1st. As for the isp, they can't know where you went after you connected to the vpn server because normally vpn use shared network, meaning many others is going through the same server the same time as you, so they can't tell which is really you. But some vpn have records of where you go, and will release it if serve a court order.
As for isp to know where you go without vpn, no they don't need the website to release ip to know, they are the service provider, they don't need permission from website and they have their own record. And for website restricted by MDA, it's simply because MDA ban the site, not because you are or not detected, so if you are able to watch some porn on site, it's because MDA haven't ban it yet. Download or streaming, isp knows everywhere you goes.

[oLdMaN68]

and then there is also anonymous web browsing, or proxy server. If you are not downloading, just want to hide yourself from the web, or cover your tracks, use a proxy server, although not as save as a vpn, it's normally free.
Copy from Wikipedia - 'Anonymous web servers generally work by placing an anonymous proxy between a user and the website he is visiting. These servers can be used to bypass restrictions and visit sites that might be blocked in a specific country, office, or school.'
Same as vpn, proxy server also mask your real ip, but I am not sure if isp can track where you go by using a proxy server or not, maybe some bro can enlighten me on how proxy server works.

[KeepingItAlive]

Originally Posted by sammyboyfor

This is because everything is encrypted via your VPN connection. The strength of the encryption depends upon what you VPN provider uses for encryption. The good ones use AES-256-CBC cipher.

This type of encryption even best hacker also got problem to hack let alone ISP

[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by oLdMaN68

Same as vpn, proxy server also mask your real ip, but I am not sure if isp can track where you go by using a proxy server or not, maybe some bro can enlighten me on how proxy server works.

This is at the very heart of my question.

I have never seen a server used by ISP before. Say if ISP only has 10 subscribers, I tend to believe that all 10 subscribers will appear on the ISP screen and whichever websites they are accessing are shown, just like the WiFi man who came to my condo to repair the WiFi.