Did anyone see what you searched for on the Internet? Read this article to know who will access our searches.
Have you ever had your website access denied? Or perhaps advertisements for items you've always desired but from websites you've never visited?
This is because multiple other parties, including your ISP (internet service provider), government organizations, and hackers, are gnawing at your browser history.
You can use a private browser for android and private mode safari in ios devices for surfer safe online. Your data has become extremely valuable, exceeding even the value of oil.
That is why it is critical to examine browsing patterns. With that in mind, let's consider protecting your online privacy.
Who May View Your Browser History?
Many people would want to get access to your data. Here are a few things to bear in mind:
1. Internet Service Providers
As your devices make DNS (Domain Name System) requests to their servers, ISPs can view your whole internet activity.
These requests represent the Internet's phonebook, with URLs (links) replacing digits. Here are some details that your provider can see:
* Your present location;
* The devices you use;
* The content you watch;
* The webpage you visit and how long you stay;
* The files you download
* What should you do on sites that still employ the antiquated HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)? HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is far more trustworthy.
ISPs gather data on you for several purposes, including:
* Complying With Data Retention Laws – They monitor and supply data to the authorities for investigations, most commonly involving copyright infringement.
* Imposing Censorship – Governments in repressive countries, such as China, mandate ISPs to block access to websites that challenge the regime or violate official religion.
* Bandwidth Throttling – Slowing down the connection when accessing specified online pages or services.
* Selling Data to Marketing Companies – Your online activity can forecast your online behavior and customize advertisements.
Can You Request That Isps Provide the Data Obtained From You?
Yes, but that would be a failure. ISPs refuse customer data requests to access their internet history since the quantity would be enormous.
This causes higher expenses and a manpower shortage for these service providers.
As a result, refusing is easy, and they don't want to reveal the specifics in the first place because the topic could be shocking. In addition, ISP tracking differs depending on the provider and data retention laws.
Some countries require providers to preserve logs for six months, while others require them to store them for a year. To learn more, consult your ISP's terms of service and privacy policies.
Nonetheless, this can be difficult because legal jargon is frequently ambiguous. It should be noted, however, that selling data to third parties is unlawful.
2. Government Institutions
Government trust has recently skyrocketed, and not without reason. They could know more about you than you realize. So, here is some information pertinent to the government:
* Places You Visit Often – If you are suspected of unlawful conduct, your workplace, home address, and so on are used to track down any changes in your schedule.
* Your Lifestyle – Hobbies such as cycling and jogging are fine, but interest in disciplines such as chemistry can be seen as 'terroristic' tendencies.
* People Close to You – Buddies and family members' criminal history might be reviewed to see whether they affect your behavior.
* Your Communication Tools and Online Calls – You name it: Whatsapp, Messenger, etc. The content you transmit, and any deviations from the norm can be used against you.
* Your Search Queries – Looking for specific topics (How to Make a Bomb? Making a nuclear missile?) can land you in hot water. Yes, even if it is a joke, because people do it for fun or clout.
How Does the Government Use Your Information?
Here are some instances of how authorities could make use of your data:
* Fighting Crime – Governments utilize the data to track people's travels, conduct internet banking, and create profiles of suspected criminals.
* Repressing and Influencing Opinions – In more extreme circumstances, dissidents may face persecution or even imprisonment for speaking out against the authority.
* Blocking Specific Pages – Any websites that contradict official views, public opinion, or state religion. The most common examples include porn, gambling, and social media sites.
Although most governments profess to monitor for just causes, we have only scratched the surface.
That is why it is critical to be cautious of what you do online and to protect yourself.
3. Hackers
The term "hacker" scares many people like a boogeyman under the bed.
But, are hackers as harmful as people believe? The short answer is yes. Hackers can obtain your browsing history in a variety of ways:
* Hacking Into Company Databases – They can obtain login information for your accounts, such as Google, which keeps your Google Chrome browser history.
* Installing Malware – Malicious files manufactured by fraudsters float about the Internet, and if they find their way into your devices, they contain a wealth of data.
* Breaking Into Your Network – When your gadgets are connected to the same network, hackers can easily access them. This is especially true with public Wi-Fi.
* Exploiting Security Loopholes – With the correct software, outdated operating systems, weak passwords, and unencrypted gadgets can be easily cracked.
Here are a few ways hackers can misuse your data:
* Blackmail – Demanding payment for not disclosing sensitive information.
* Payment Card Fraud – Using your existing credit cards or establishing new ones in your name to spend your money.
* Impersonation – After studying your surfing history, you can create a personality profile to swindle those close to you via phishing or other means.
* Black Market Sales – On the dark web, you can sell your data to the highest bidder.
The thing to recognize is that hackers are not bogeymen but real threats.
4. Search Engines
A search engine is where everyone's online trip begins, so it's no surprise that it can easily acquire data about you.
The search terms you input and each link you click lead you somewhere. Google, for example, is a tech behemoth with equally massive databases.
All Google services are linked to your Google account and are funded by targeted advertising.
That is, Google is what it is today because it sells your information to advertising.
This leads us to an unsettling but reasonable conclusion: no one knows you better than Google, not even your mother.
Websites and Apps
They are, indeed, beneficial. The same site will load faster the next time you visit. However, this is the primary method by which websites track you.
They can see the individual store sites you visited to show customized adverts. Dating applications and Google Maps, for example, require GPS.
Some programs even request strange permissions that are irrelevant to their use.
For example, an e-book app may request camera or phonebook access. Be wary of such apps, as they are designed to defraud you and fail to deliver on their claims.
They certainly can. Because it is an open network, public Wi-Fi is especially risky.
Anyone can connect to it and take advantage of it. But don't be fooled. Network administrators can also use private networks to track your browsing activities.
They can view everything if they manage the network, whether they are your landlord, boss, or family member.
Wired connections (through Ethernet cable) are slightly safer than Wi-Fi; therefore, use one when possible.
Our Thoughts
Finally, while no one wants to violate their privacy, other types of data might be necessary to a potential hacker, different from your surfing history.
Regardless of who you are, ensuring the security of your connection should be a top priority.
Henry Walker
