Who Can See My Internet Search and Browsing History?

Your internet search and browsing history can be seen by search engines, web browsers, websites, apps and hackers. You should protect your search and browsing history to keep your sensitive information, including your login credentials and financial data, safe from hackers.

Continue reading to learn more about search and browsing history, who can see it and how you can keep it private.

Search history vs browsing history: What’s the difference?

Although search history and browsing history tend to be used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two terms. Your search history is a collection of your searches when you use a search engine like Google. Your browsing history records more than just searches; it tracks all online activity on a browser. In simpler terms, search history tracks your searches while browsing history tracks all of the specific web pages that you visit.

Who can see your search and browsing history?

Even though your search and browsing history should be private, many people and organizations can see what you search and browse on the internet.

Search engines

No matter which search engine you use, there is a very high chance that your search history will be monitored. Search engines track what you search to customize ads to your interests. By tracking your browsing data, search engines can improve their algorithms and results based on what you’ve searched in the past. Some search engines have an easier time than others seeing your search and browsing history, such as Google if you are logged in to your Gmail account.

Browsers

While browsing the internet, do you ever notice a pop-up asking if you want to accept or reject cookies? Allowing cookies is one of the primary ways browsers can see your search and browsing history. Cookies track your online activity and can identify your online preferences and even your unique digital footprint. Popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox can see what you search or browse online, so it’s important to clear your browsing history, caches and cookies regularly.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that gives you WiFi, such as AT&T or Comcast. Some ISPs track your browsing data and send unnamed versions of your data to advertisers, so you will start receiving ads personalized to your interests. ISPs can see the domain names of websites you visit. For example, if you are searching Target’s website for a specific piece of furniture, your ISP may only see that you frequently visit Target’s website but will not know exactly what you are searching for.

WiFi owner

The person or organization that owns or manages a WiFi network can see what you search or browse when using that network. Think about when you search for something or browse the internet while at work. Your company’s IT department may track your online activity to make sure you are following company policies by not searching for any inappropriate or illegal content on their network. An employer needs to know that you are following security guidelines and company policies by having access to your search and browsing history.

Websites and apps

Many websites and apps that you use every day can see what you search or browse on the internet. Whether you’re doing research for your job or shopping on your day off, websites will track which pages you visit and what you click on to display personalized ads based on your interests. Websites can determine your interests by relying on cookies and other web analytics tools.

Apps can also monitor your search and browsing history, especially if you accept privacy permissions. When you first download an app, a few screens typically pop up asking if you want to enable location, allow access to your camera or microphone and access your browsing history. Often, these permissions are ignored and carelessly granted, allowing apps more data than they need to function. This is how apps like TikTok or Instagram start to display sponsored ads as you scroll through your feed based on things that you may have recently searched or browsed online.

Hackers

If your device or browser gets hacked, a hacker will be able to see your search and browsing history. Having any aspect of your online world compromised can be dangerous, but having your search or browsing history in a malicious hacker’s hands could lead to identity theft. Imagine you are house hunting, searching your local neighborhoods or creating online accounts to sign up for newsletters. Your search and browsing history could reveal your geographical location and give hackers access to your online accounts, allowing them to impersonate you. A hacker could gain access to your search and browsing history by installing malware on your device. After malware is installed, a hacker can spy on your online activity, including your search and browsing history.

How can I keep my search and browsing history private?

Despite so many people and organizations being able to see your search and browsing history, there are still ways you can keep your online activity private.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

One of the best ways to maintain a private browsing experience is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection, allowing you to use public WiFi safely by adding an extra layer of privacy. Think of public WiFi as a window: people can see through the glass and know what you are doing. A VPN is like having curtains, so you can move about your house in peace, knowing no one is watching your activity. Using a VPN stops organizations or hackers from collecting your search and browsing history, which also prevents you from receiving personalized ads or having your data analyzed by third parties.

Use a private browser

Some web browsers emphasize privacy more than others, and these are known as private browsers. Using a privacy-first browser, such as DuckDuckGo or Brave, prioritizes your online privacy by blocking third-party trackers, removing unwanted ads and giving you a clear view of what each web page wants to do with your data. Rather than using more popular web browsers with less emphasis on your privacy, you can protect your search and browsing history by setting your default web browser to a private browser.

Enable incognito mode

Incognito mode, also known as private browsing mode, is a feature that most popular web browsers have that stops your browser from storing your browsing history. If you use an iPhone and go on Safari, you can open private browsing by viewing all your tabs and selecting Private on the bottom part of your screen. From there, you will see that you have entered Private Browsing Mode, which eliminates your search and browsing history from Safari as long as you search or browse in this private mode. Chrome allows you to browse in Incognito Mode if you open Chrome, click More at the top right then tap New Incognito Window. After a new window opens, it will indicate that this window is in Incognito Mode.

An important thing to know about enabling incognito mode is that your search and browsing history will not be entirely private. Incognito mode will keep your search and browsing history private from anyone else who shares access to your device, but third parties can still see your data. For example, if your family shares the same Apple device and you want to surprise one of your family members with a gift, you may want to shop in Private Browsing Mode. Let’s say you want to buy your father a new set of golf clubs, so you open a tab in Private Browsing Mode in Safari and search for golf clubs. After you close the tab, Safari will not save the websites you visited, which is convenient if you are sharing one device with another family member. However, your browsing history is still visible to third parties, such as your ISP.

Keep your search and browsing history safe and private

No matter what you’re searching or browsing online, protect your online privacy by using a VPN, relying on a private browser or enabling incognito mode. Considering the various people and organizations that could see your search and browsing history, it is important to keep your privacy safe from unnecessary third parties and potential hackers.