Does VPN Hide History From Router: The Ultimate Guide

A good VPN encrypts your data to provide maximum security in public networks.

But, does a VPN hide history from a router? 

Let’s find out.

Does a VPN Hide History from Router?

VPNs encrypt the traffic that passes through the router. When your VPN is on, the router can only see the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to. It doesn’t have access to information like browsing history or your true location. Connecting to a VPN that can be set up on a router is a smart option because it uses high encryption to stop anyone from seeing which web pages you visited.

What’s more, most household routers lack the storage to keep browsing history, making it practically impossible for the network to collect any history, especially while using a VPN for web browsing. 

However, they might be a way for a network administrator to tell whether you’re connected to a VPN as they can monitor the ports that a VPN is using to transmit data. For example, network administrators can block the UDP port 500 that’s used with the IPsec protocol.

Your employee can track your wifi router history if the VPN is company-owned. 

What Else Does a VPN Hide and Doesn’t Hide?

VPNs guarantee digital privacy and security because they encrypt your entire online traffic. Here’s exactly what a VPN can conceal and what it can’t hide.

Browsing history from Google

VPNs can’t help you hide browser history from Google, especially if you’re logged into your Google account, which is tied to your search history. Google also uses different metrics, like timing and patterns, to identify its users, so if you’re looking for privacy, it’s best to opt for a different browser.

But keep in mind, this isn’t the only method Google uses to identify users, so you should get a good VPN that will get past Google. 

Browsing history from ISPs

ISPs have the ability to do all sorts of shady things with data, including selling it to third parties or providing it to the government. A VPN offers some ISP privacy. It can hide your browsing history from your ISP but your default browser will still be able to see your searches. Getting a VPN that offers secure browsing is essential to protect your browsing history. 

IP Address

All VPNs hide a user’s IP address. Once you connect to a server, provided by your VPN, browsers, and websites can only see the IP address of the server, which successfully hides your location and your actual IP address history.

Location

VPNs, including free VPNs, offer a multitude of servers from around the globe to hide your true IP address, and with it, your location. For example, if you live in the US and use a VPN like ExpressVPN, you can connect to a server in France, you will be allocated a French IP address.

Personal data

One of the primary functions of a VPN is the protection of personal data and malicious attacks. It’s crucial to always turn on your VPN when using public Wi-Fi networks since they are generally unsafe and often the target of hackers.

Bottom Line

A VPN is a great tool to protect your privacy and personal data from potential breaches and malicious attacks, especially when using a public network. A network administrator might be able to tell that you’re connected to a VPN but they won’t be able to access your search history.