Can someone see your internet history when using the same WiFi?
Before the advent of WiFi, connecting a device to a router required an Ethernet cable. Then, the router was connected to the modem, which linked your device to the internet. Routers and modems are often combined into one device, so the term router is usually understood to mean both together. Then came WiFi. It allowed devices to connect to the router wirelessly on specific radio frequencies (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and now 6 GHz).
What can the WiFi owner see?
Anyone with direct access to the router — the network owner (or administrator in commercial or educational contexts), but potentially also a hacker who has somehow compromised the router — can see and record the following: - full browsing history while connected to the router - how much time you spend on each website - the exact time you connect to a website - total time spent online After the implementation of HTTPS protocols, the WiFi owner can see which websites you visit, but not which pages you view or the data you enter on those websites — such as web forms and payment information. However, if HTTPS is not used, the WiFi owner can see everything you do on a website, the MAC addresses of all devices connected to the router, and even track your movements between WiFi networks.
Can WiFi owners see your search history?
Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo are protected with HTTPS, so although the WiFi owner can see that you visited a search engine, they cannot see what exactly you searched for there. But (and it's a big "but"), as soon as you click on a link that takes you out of the search engine (for example, to a site listed in the search results), the WiFi owner can see that you visited that site.
Can public WiFi owners see your internet history?
Yes, and many sell this data to advertising and analytics companies for targeting and retargeting. Also, public WiFi often requests your email for network access, these data are needed to link your online actions to your real identity. Even when companies do not log or use your browsing history for their purposes, they often monitor and filter the websites you visit in real time, to be able to block access to illegal or inappropriate content.
Can the WiFi owner see which sites you browse on your phone?
Yes, a phone is no different from any other device. However, by using a mobile internet connection, you can bypass the need to use WiFi. Nonetheless, be aware that your mobile carrier will see your browsing history instead.
What can hackers find through WiFi?
If a hacker controls the router you are connected to, HTTPS will prevent them from accessing your data. In this case, they can only see your visit history while connected to the router, but this is of little interest to most hackers.
How to protect your internet history when using WiFi?
A VPN encrypts all your data (including DNS requests) between your device and the VPN server, managed by a VPN service, such as Shiva VPN. This prevents WiFi owners, hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), mobile internet providers, or anyone else in between your device and the VPN server, from accessing your data or your visit history. Although other users on the same WiFi network cannot see your internet history, the owner or anyone who has access to the WiFi router can. However, protecting your privacy is easy—just use a VPN!
