Almost everyone is connected to the internet. When browsing, there are times you want to clear your internet history. Doing so lessens the data consumed on the device. But did you know that you can do the same on your Wi-Fi router? Most people have probably not realized this.
It may not be possible to find the content in the router, but what you get is IP addresses. Some routers allow you to view more of your Wi-Fi history, but not everything. Why? Getting in touch with such information can be problematic. Regardless of its legal status, you have the right to browse your own router history as long as you are not using someone else’s connection.
With that being said, here is how you can check your Wi-Fi browsing history. First, be sure that you are the only one using it to avoid conflict. Sharing sensitive information should not be shared by anyone you do not trust.
1. Enter an IP address
An IP address has eight digits. You can find the address at your own router. If you cannot find one, you can type in 192.168.0.1. Some may also use 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1 instead. Be sure that you place the decimals. Most of the time, the wifi modem router is case-sensitive. Entering the wrong format will not grant access to the dashboard.
2. Use your internet browser
Once you have the number, enter them on your internet browser. You will be taken into the dashboard of your router. For Windows computers, you may need to sign in as an administrator. Similar steps can be encountered on Mac computers as well. Finding your router history is checking information as a trusted user.
3. Check your router history
You will see your Wi-Fi router history and log settings on the dashboard homepage. You can start checking here. Before you can browse the logs, you can find which device is connected to the IP address. It is found under the Connected Devices tab or similar names depending on your router.
The logs usually show this information:
- Source IP, the IP of the device
- Date and time of entry
- Target addresses, also known as the website name
- Actions that happened, whether access was allowed or not
While you are able to check the router history here, the router may not access the exact details of the website. Only the IP addresses are presented to you. Think of them as their unique code or social security number. Servers and websites worldwide use different IP addresses, and some of them are not permittable for viewing. You can get an idea of the website but not prove its content.
Conclusion
Checking your router history is like scrolling your own internet browsing history. The difference here is that you look into specific information but not everything. It can be a way for you to know if there is any suspicious activity. Be careful, however, as anyone can alter information. You are responsible for handling such information given.
Author’s Bio:
Rosette has a knack for anything DIY, but not only that, she also knows a lot about manly chores and tech stuff as she spent her younger years immersed in books about tools and technology. She makes it a point to write about the things she’s most passionate about during her free days.
