Introduction: When Your Landlord Becomes Your Internet Gatekeeper
You're paying rent, the WiFi is included, and everything seems fine—until your landlord casually mentions they'll be "checking your activities regularly." That sinking feeling hits. Even if you're not doing anything illegal, the idea of someone monitoring your internet history feels invasive, uncomfortable, and frankly, a bit creepy. The original Reddit poster captured this perfectly: "I don't do illegal stuff but I don't feel comfortable getting my network history checked by him."
This isn't just paranoia. In 2026, with smart home devices everywhere and increasingly sophisticated network monitoring tools, the question of digital privacy in rental situations has become more urgent than ever. And the core question remains: If you use a VPN like Proton VPN (or others), will your landlord still see what you're doing? Let's unpack this complex issue with technical accuracy and practical advice.
What Your Landlord Can Actually See (The Technical Reality)
First, let's demystify what's technically possible. When you're connected to your landlord's WiFi network, they have access to the router—the device that manages all internet traffic. Depending on the router's capabilities and their technical knowledge, they could potentially see:
DNS Requests: Every time you visit a website, your device asks a DNS server to translate "google.com" into an IP address. Many routers log these requests. So they might see you visited "reddit.com" or "netflix.com"—but not necessarily which subreddit or what you watched.
Connection Metadata: They can see when devices are connected, how much data they're using, and which external IP addresses you're communicating with. Think of it like seeing who you're calling and how long you talk, but not hearing the conversation.
Deep Packet Inspection (Advanced): Some business-grade routers can actually look inside the data packets. This is less common in residential setups, but if your landlord is particularly tech-savvy or paranoid, they might have this capability. It's the difference between seeing envelope addresses and actually reading the letters inside.
Here's the crucial distinction: Most residential routers don't show specific browsing history by default. They show traffic, not content. But with the right software (like Wireshark or commercial monitoring tools), someone determined enough could piece together quite a bit.
The VPN Question: Does It Actually Hide Everything?
Now to the million-dollar question from the original post: "If I get something like proton vpn, will he still see it if I'm connected to a VPN?"
The short answer is: Yes, but what they see changes dramatically.
When you connect to a VPN, you're creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. All your internet traffic goes through this tunnel. From your landlord's perspective looking at the router logs, here's what changes:
Instead of seeing you connect to various websites (amazon.com, youtube.com, your bank's website), they'll see you connecting to one IP address constantly: the VPN server. All your DNS requests go through the VPN too, so those disappear from their view. The data usage patterns might look strange—constant, heavy encryption traffic to a single endpoint—but the actual destinations become invisible.
Think of it like this: Without a VPN, your landlord sees you visiting the post office, the grocery store, the bank, and the library. With a VPN, they just see you going to a single, unmarked building—and everything else happens inside that building.
One solution worth considering is NordVPN Service, which offers robust encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Many privacy-conscious users rely on services like this because they're designed specifically to prevent anyone—including your ISP or, in this case, your landlord—from seeing what you're doing online.
The Limitations: What VPNs Don't Hide
Before you install that VPN and breathe a sigh of relief, there are important caveats. VPNs are powerful tools, but they're not magic invisibility cloaks.
They know you're using a VPN. The traffic patterns are distinctive. Constant encrypted connections to known VPN server IP addresses are pretty obvious to anyone who knows what to look for. Your landlord might not see what you're doing, but they'll definitely know you're trying to hide something.
Timing and volume are still visible. They can see when you're online and how much data you're transferring. If you suddenly start using 200GB per month when you previously used 20GB, that might raise questions—even if they can't see what that data actually is.
DNS leaks can happen. If your VPN isn't configured properly, your device might still make DNS requests outside the encrypted tunnel. This is like whispering your secrets in a soundproof room but shouting your friend's address through the door. Most quality VPNs have DNS leak protection, but you should test yours.
Local network traffic might be exposed. If you're accessing devices on the local network (like a shared printer or another tenant's device), that traffic might not go through the VPN. Most VPNs have "split tunneling" options, but the defaults vary.
Beyond VPNs: Additional Privacy Layers
A VPN is your first and most important line of defense, but in a situation where someone has physical access to the network infrastructure, you might want additional protection.
Use HTTPS Everywhere: Modern websites mostly use HTTPS by default now, which encrypts traffic between your browser and the website. Even without a VPN, this prevents your landlord from seeing the actual content of what you're viewing on properly secured sites. But they'd still see which sites you visit.
Consider Tor Browser for sensitive browsing: For maximum anonymity, the Tor Browser routes your traffic through multiple encrypted layers. It's slower than a VPN but provides stronger anonymity. It's overkill for most daily browsing but worth considering for particularly sensitive activities.
DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT): These encrypt your DNS requests specifically. Even without a full VPN, this prevents your landlord from seeing which websites you're looking up. Most modern browsers support DoH.
Get your own internet connection: This is the nuclear option, but sometimes the simplest. If your lease doesn't prohibit it and the building has the infrastructure, getting your own ISP account completely severs your digital life from your landlord's oversight. Yes, it costs more, but privacy often does.
The Legal and Ethical Landscape in 2026
This isn't just a technical issue—it's a legal and ethical one too. The original Reddit discussion had people debating whether this monitoring was even legal. The truth is, it's complicated and varies by jurisdiction.
In many places, if the WiFi is provided as part of the rental agreement, there's an implied right to use it for lawful purposes. Your landlord providing the service doesn't necessarily give them carte blanche to monitor your activities. Some jurisdictions consider this an invasion of privacy, similar to reading your mail.
However—and this is important—if the network is in their name and they're legally responsible for what happens on it, they might have some legitimate interest in preventing illegal activities. The key is usually in the method and scope of monitoring.
Here's what I'd recommend: Check your rental agreement. Some landlords include clauses about internet usage. Even if they do, overly broad monitoring might not hold up legally. If you're really concerned, consulting with a tenant rights organization in your area is smart. Sometimes a simple conversation clarifying expectations can resolve things without technical or legal battles.
Practical Setup: How to Actually Protect Yourself
Let's get practical. If you decide to use a VPN (and I think you should in this situation), here's how to set it up properly:
1. Choose a reputable VPN with a no-logs policy. Free VPNs often make money by selling your data—which defeats the whole purpose. Paid services like NordVPN or the Proton VPN mentioned in the original post are better choices. Look for independent audits of their no-logs claims.
2. Install it on every device. Your phone, laptop, tablet—anything that connects to that WiFi. Many VPNs allow multiple simultaneous connections.
3. Enable the kill switch. This feature cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly, preventing any data from leaking outside the encrypted tunnel.
4. Test for leaks. Visit a site like ipleak.net with your VPN connected. It will show you what information is visible. If you see your real IP address or your ISP's DNS servers, you have a leak.
5. Consider a travel router. This is a pro tip: Get a small travel router GL.iNet Travel Router, connect it to your landlord's WiFi, then connect all your devices to the travel router. Configure the VPN on the router itself. Now every device gets VPN protection automatically, even devices that don't support VPN apps natively (like smart TVs or gaming consoles).
Common Mistakes and FAQ
Based on the Reddit discussion and common questions I see:
"Will a VPN slow my connection?" Yes, somewhat. Encryption takes processing power, and your data travels farther (to the VPN server first). But modern VPNs on decent connections are often fast enough for streaming and browsing. The trade-off for privacy is usually worth it.
"Can my landlord block VPNs?" Technically, yes. They could block known VPN server IP addresses or block VPN protocols. But this is an arms race—VPN providers constantly get new IP addresses. If they go this far, you're in a serious privacy battle, and getting your own internet might be your only good option.
"What if I just use my phone's hotspot?" This works! Using your cellular data bypasses their WiFi entirely. But be mindful of data caps and coverage. It's a good temporary solution but might not be sustainable for heavy use.
"Should I confront my landlord?" This depends on your relationship and the local laws. Sometimes asking technical questions ("What exactly are you monitoring?") can reveal their actual capabilities and intentions. They might be bluffing or only checking for malware-infected devices, not actually reading browsing history.
"What about incognito/private browsing?" This only prevents your browser from saving history on your device. It does nothing to hide your activity from the network. Your landlord sees the same traffic whether you're in incognito mode or not.
When Technical Solutions Aren't Enough
Sometimes the problem isn't technical—it's about power dynamics and rights. If your landlord is monitoring you aggressively despite using a VPN, or if they're threatening consequences for using privacy tools, you might need to escalate.
Document everything. Save any written communications about monitoring. Note any changes in your internet access after installing a VPN. In some cases, you might need to consult with a legal professional who specializes in tenant rights. There are affordable options online if local lawyers are too expensive.
Also consider: Is this part of a larger pattern of control? Excessive monitoring of tenants often correlates with other problematic landlord behaviors. Your digital privacy might be the symptom, not the disease.
Conclusion: Taking Back Your Digital Space
Living with someone else monitoring your internet feels like having a digital peephole into your home. It's unsettling, even if you have "nothing to hide." Privacy isn't about hiding wrongdoing—it's about maintaining personal boundaries and autonomy.
A good VPN is your best technical defense. It won't make you completely invisible, but it transforms your traffic from an open book into a sealed envelope. Combine it with other privacy practices, understand the legal context in your area, and know when technical solutions need to be supplemented with conversations about rights and boundaries.
The original poster's instinct was right: You shouldn't have to accept surveillance as the price of included WiFi. In 2026, we have the tools to protect ourselves. Use them wisely, understand their limits, and remember that your digital life deserves the same privacy as your physical one.
