Exploring the Unexpected: My Internet Still Works via VPN Despite ISP Disconnection

Recently, I found myself in a perplexing situation: my Internet Service Provider (ISP) had disconnected my internet due to non-payment. However, to my surprise, when I connected to my VPN, I was able to access the internet effortlessly. This strange occurrence made me wonder if I had stumbled upon a significant loophole in the ISP’s policies.

Let me provide some background. I subscribe to a VPN service with ExpressVPN, which has been a helpful tool for securing my online activity. Unfortunately, the past few months have been financially challenging, and I fell behind on my bills. This month, my ISP decided that they had waited long enough for payment and cut off my service.

Curiously, though, once I activated my VPN, the internet returned to normal, allowing me to browse freely. This led me to question whether I had unknowingly discovered a way to access “free” internet. Is this a common phenomenon, or did I just get lucky?

To shed some light on the matter, I reached out to an ISP representative. They acknowledged my inability to pay at the moment but advised me that I could continue using my internet through the VPN for the time being. However, they also cautioned that this situation wouldn’t last indefinitely—eventually, my account would likely be marked as terminated.

This entire experience raises fascinating questions about the relationship between VPNs and ISPs. While I remain grateful that I can connect to the internet for now, I’m aware that my access may change soon. It’s a wild and unexpected turn of events, and I’m left contemplating the implications of using a VPN in a scenario like this.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, especially regarding the legality and ethical considerations of navigating internet service disconnections in this manner.