Many students wonder, is it possible for a school to gain access to my activities online? Can my school see my search history at home?
In this guide, we’ll discuss the truth behind your school’s ability to see your search history even if you’re just at home.
No, schools can’t access your internet search history at home. Your school would only be able to see your search history when you’re connected to the school’s internet network.
Don’t worry, we won’t leave you without all the relevant information you need to know about it.
So, Can My School See My Search History at Home?
The answer to this depends on what you will use.
To make it simpler, easier, and better for you to understand, your school will only be able to see what you’re accessing if you’re using a school-owned property.
This means your activities will be traced and tracked by officials and I.T. personnel by the school if:
- You are connected to the school’s WiFi network,
- You’re using any account that has your school’s domain,
- You’re using a device with a dedicated server controlled by the school,
But, if you’re at home connected to your private network, using your personal device, then you shouldn’t worry about your school being able to access your internet history.
Can Your School See Your Search History While Inside Their Network?
If you’re using your device to access the internet and you’re using the school’s internet access, then yes, they have the choice to check and look at your internet history.
Since they are the ones in control of the network, they have the ability to check and look at whatever you’re accessing while being connected to their network.
This is possible even if you’re using a device that did not come from the school.
Why Are Schools Monitoring Your Internet Search History?
Schools have the ability to check and see your internet history to ensure that you’re not accessing websites that you shouldn’t.
As a place and entity for education, while you’re in their vicinity, you are their responsibility.
Whatever happens to you would be to them. And with the many cases of victimizations and crimes online, schools can’t just be too sure.
They do this for your own safety and security. The internet is a very open place, full of all different types and kinds of people.
And being a student, you can’t always tell whether or not the website you’re accessing is safe.
Moreover, it could be a big problem when the state becomes involved and the school you go to will be blamed for the reason that you were able to access it.
NOTE: This is also the same reason why you have restrictions on the websites you can access whenever you’re connected to your school’s network.
But if that’s the case, what things can your school see from your activities? Can they perform remote access to your device?
Which of Your Internet Activities Can Your School See?
This will depend on the situation you are in. Each situation is different and distinct, but don’t worry, we’ll go through all of these so that you become aware.
When You’re Connected to the School’s Network
This situation is when your device, regardless of whether it’s a device you own or if it’s owned by the school, is connected to the school’s internet network.
Whether you’re connected to it wired or wirelessly, if you are using the school’s network, then it’s easy for them to see and access your internet search history, let alone your activities.
If this is the case, then your school could have programmed their connection to be able to see:
- Websites you’re accessing
- Activities you’re doing (online)
- IP address of the sites you’re accessing
- Internet search history
When You’re Using a School-Owned Device
Now, some schools offer students devices to aid their learning like tablets and laptops, but does this mean that the school has remote control over your activities?
No, not necessarily.
The only way for your school to have access to what you’re doing remotely, as well as your internet history is if the device they gave you has a program or application installed that’s for the purpose of remotely accessing your device.
This could be anything like a client, a server, or any other program which allows remote access to your device. Other than this, you should be safe.
NOTE: Don’t worry, they wouldn’t have access to the files saved to your device, unless there’s someone employed in your school that’s knowledgeable in hacking.
When You’re Connected to Your Home’s Personal Private Network
And lastly, if you are connected to your internet network at home, would your school see your internet search history?
No, absolutely not!
If you are browsing at home and you’re worried about your school being able to access your internet history, don’t be worried because this is not possible.
Beyond the vicinity of their internet networks, they wouldn’t have a lot of things to have access to.
All they can do is wait for you to access those things while being connected to their network.
So, do not worry about your schools gaining access to your internet history while you’re at home.
They can only gain access to it if they install an app or a program on your device WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
How else can they inject an application without gaining physical access to it?
Can I Use VPN For My School Not to See My Search History?
This is one of the many and best workarounds you can do in order to guarantee the security and confidentiality of your internet searches while you’re at school.
When you use VPN, your connection will be protected and secured not only from your school but also from cybercriminals and cyber invaders. It’s not safe from being accessed by the provider, though.
For students, we will recommend going for an Atlas VPN paid plan ($2.05 per month) if you want to bypass this Internet restriction. They are cheap yet powerful enough!
Read Next: Can Verizon Account Holder See Internet History?
Final Verdict
So, if you’re wondering if schools can see your internet search history at home, they can’t. They only have this ability if you’re connected to the school’s network and if you’re browsing through the net using their servers.
If you’re asking, can my school see my search history at home, the answer is No – they can’t.
They’ll need good software or program to be able to monitor and access your internet history if they want to check up on your online activities at home.
But while you’re connected to the school’s network, you’re not safe from them trying to access your internet search or browsing history.
Therefore, the best legal way to avoid your school from creeping up on your internet search history is VPN.
You can use our Altas VPN link to get a Cheap & reliable VPN ($2.05 per month).
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.