Can WiFi provider see your history on phone? This can be a common question among people who often browse the web and input different sites on the address bar.
This concern is reasonable enough though as you do not want to put your credentials and other sensitive data at risk. WiFi admins can see your browsing history which could reveal information that would is crucial to you.
If you are one of these people who want to find the answer to the question, then this article is the best for you.
You will later get an all-inclusive discussion about your concern. You will also learn more about online privacy.
In all likelihood, a WiFi admin can see your browsing history and determine your browsing habits. However, the internet service provider can only see your browsing history and other activities depending on certain factors.
Why Can WiFi Provider See your History on Phone and Online Activities?
A lot of users, especially those who do not run in incognito mode, think that the WiFi owner sees what sites were visited, does internet traffic tracking, traces browsing history, search history, and WiFi history, and all the data to give them the necessary services.
So, why will WiFi providers attempt to see your browsing history?
Here are some of the reasons:
- WiFi owner simply wants to put up with the data retention laws.
- Internet service providers in some countries will track and record specific data
- Track WiFi history about the internet users on web browsers.
- Information will be used by the government in various ways.
- Many wifi networks collect data and unknown browsing histories and trade them to corresponding companies.
Note: Bear in mind that WiFi owners can use the right tools such as data packet sniffing tools. Packet sniffer examines the data that stream on a network.
How to Block Access in your History
Can WiFi owner see what sites I visit on phone? If you are using a phone to browse the internet and check a particular site, it will be very easy for the WiFi routers to see your browsing history and search history.
Unfortunately, granting access to your wifi provider can somehow jeopardize your sensitive information. Thus, it becomes crucial that you secure your privacy whenever you are using the internet.
Here’s how you can block access in your history:
1. VPN Encrypts
The use of a Virtual Private Network or VPN connection is a reliable service when it comes to hiding your browsing history on your WiFi. With it, you can browse the internet without being known by the WiFi owner even if you are connected to the WiFi network admin.
VPN provider assigns a new IP address that works to make yourself anonymous and firmly encrypt all the traffic and data packets.
VPN can work effectively in hiding search history along with other browsing activities such as links clicked, websites visited, and search terms. It even hides your IP address.
2. Tor Browser
With the Tor browser, you can hide browsing history from the WiFi owner. Data packets that are transmitted to the Tor network admin will be encrypted, thus, it will be impossible for the WiFi owner to see what sites you visited.
Tor encrypts your information and transmits it to its servers named as a circuit so your wifi provider cannot trace your activities online. Different tabs coming from a single website are all loaded on the same server.
3. Incognito Mode
You can run in incognito mode for private browsing to hide your history and private data from your WiFi provider. It is private browsing that leaves no traces.
It erases temporary data that is seized by your computer or any device you are using. Many private browser settings will not keep your browsing history, cookies, passwords, search records, or PII.
4. Delete Cookies
Deleting cookies can help achieve privacy. It gives you more privacy if you are sharing your device with other people. More importantly, it can give you more privacy from your wifi provider.
It erases the information that is stored in the browser such as website preferences, passwords, and settings.
Deleting cookies will restrict your provider from seeing your total visits on a certain website, nor make a digital persona according to your information.
5. Change DNS Settings
When it comes to privacy, DNS is not a good thing. This system is prompted each time you type in your browser, send an email, or click on a link. This can give your wifi provider an advantage so they can establish a profile of what you are doing.
Use DNS resolver to protect your system from unsecured DNS. DNS resolver can put an extra layer of encryption to your DNS, hence, making it more difficult for the wifi provider to track your activity.
6. Use HTTPS Everywhere
Since the majority of the internet is not yet encrypted, you should be very cautious and make sure you are only surfing on secured websites.
Download and install HTTPS Everywhere browser extension. It inhibits the wifi provider from determining what you are checking at by keeping the page contents.
Browsing History Still Traced by WiFi Provider?
Do you think your WiFi providers still gain access to your wifi history after using the Tor browser or VPN connection? Aside from trying VPN and Tor browser, there should be other ways to help restrict your wifi admin from accessing your history.
Another way of restricting wifi admins in your history is to utilize a privacy-certain search engine. This can help you hide your browsing history from your wi-fi provider.
Read Next: Can Someone Hack my Phone Through WiFi?
Conclusion
Can WiFi provider see your history on phone? You now know that the answer is Yes. The WiFi owner can track your browsing history. In fact, the WiFi owner see what sites you visit often including your text messages.
There are times that internet service providers utilize these details to transact with advertisers or forward them to the government to help resolve an issue.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.