topic Re: Browser History in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Browser History

sofistikate79 — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 08:51:06 GMT

Can anyone tell me if I can see my browser history on here please?

Re: Browser History

Mav — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:04:46 GMT

What browser(s) on which device(s)?

Re: Browser History

ReedRichards — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:18:46 GMT

"Here" meaning somewhere on Plusnet's website? The answer is no. Your browser history is stored on the device you did the browsing from.

I don't know if Plusnet and other ISPs maintain a secret record of the sites visited by their clients. This information might be very useful to the security services. But I imagine the storage capacity required would make this prohibitively expensive to do.

Re: Browser History

LifeonMars — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:38:15 GMT

I Thought that is was now the law for ISP's to keep a big junk of your Browsing History irrespective of whether you are thought to be involved of a crime. Under Investigatory Powers Act 2016 c.25

Looking at it, it is now an Act of Parliament

Re: Browser History

jab1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:47:36 GMT

@LifeonMars - Even if they do(and I assume they do) that information is only released to specific government agencies after a court order.

Re: Browser History

LifeonMars — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:59:10 GMT

I think the Act makes it easier for Security Services to obtain the info without a Warrant. Except for the most detailed information.

It is not only the Security services that will have access, but other Government Departments and Police Force.

ISP's have to log everyone for min of 12 months

The list is here

https://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Schedule-4.pdf

Re: Browser History

jab1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:58:59 GMT

OK - I never really followed the saga of that Act, or it's ramifications, but your comment doesn't help the OP - as an individual, you cannot get that info from your ISP.

As stated previously, the required data is only stored on the browser you use, and will be removed if you have the browser (or a program like CCleaner) set to delete history on close.

Re: Browser History

ReedRichards — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:59:28 GMT

So would Freedom of Information laws allow you to see your own browsing history?

Re: Browser History

LifeonMars — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:06:41 GMT

@jab1 wrote:

OK - I never really followed the saga of that Act, or it's ramifications, but your comment doesn't help the OP - as an individual, you cannot get that info from your ISP.

As stated previously, the required data is only stored on the browser you use, and will be removed if you have the browser (or a program like CCleaner) set to delete history on close.

My replies help the poster of message 3 and your self who obviously did not know.

Re: Browser History

jab1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:04:33 GMT

Would you want to pay £10/time to do that , rather than just set history clearing to 'never', or some period of time? Personally, I have CC to clear it when I run the program before shutdown.

Re: Browser History

LifeonMars — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:13:40 GMT

I would say no, as It has to be Government Bodies Computers that Freedom Of Information Act refers to.

The Isp's are not Government Computers.

However should the Government services obtain your browsing details from your Isp and place it on their computers for some reason, then the Freedom of Information Act may kick in.

@ReedRichards wrote:

So would Freedom of Information laws allow you to see your own browsing history?

Re: Browser History

jab1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:06:34 GMT

@LifeonMars wrote:

My replies help the poster of message 3 and your self who obviously did not know.

Sorry, hadn't read that post.

Re: Browser History

Browni — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:11:54 GMT

As @LifeonMars says FOI doesn't apply here but a Subject Access Request could be made.

Re: Browser History

Jonpe — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 11:39:41 GMT

If they try to 'do you' for something using your browsing history as evidence, you must surely be given access to the information the charge is based on, unless they claim that such disclosure would breach national security, and even then holding the hearing(s) in closed court might be a preferred option.

Re: Browser History

VileReynard — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 16:56:01 GMT

They store more than a destination IP address - they store the full domain address.

I wonder what would happen if I used my full 20 Mbits/sec which costs me nothing, to clog up someone's history log.