Can CenturyLink see my history?
Yes. Internet Service Providers, including CenturyLink, can see every single thing you do online. This includes things like the various websites that you visit, how long you spend on these websites, the specific device you are using to access the websites, and your geographical location when browsing.
Your web browsing history refers to the list of web pages that you have visited, as well as associated data such as the time of visit and the page title. Your web history is usually stored locally by different web browsers in order to provide you with a history list to go back to previously visited pages. Keeping your browsing history improves your web surfing experience, saves your time in keeping track of your recent searches, and it provides an organized list of sites and pages that you visit the most.
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Before all else, why does CenturyLink track your activity?
For many internet subscribers, it seems normal that all the providers of their internet service are able to see everything they are doing online. Additionally, everyone assumes that their ISP needs full information about your internet traffic in order to provide you with the right amount of service in the first place. However, this isn’t always the case. The table below summarizes some of the reasons why CenturyLink wants to see your browsing history.
Main Reason |
Explanation |
Data Retention Laws |
In most countries, mandatory data retention laws identify that all ISPs (CenturyLink included) must track and record specific data about all their subscribers. Some of the data includes the websites you visit, messages, emails, location, the operating system of your device, and searches. This information is often for use by law enforcement and serves as an anti-terror initiative. |
Bandwidth Throttling |
CenturyLink often throttles speeds for heavy internet users. This is only a reactive measure used to minimize bandwidth congestion and regulate network traffic. |
For Advertising Purposes |
CenturyLink, just like every other ISP, makes deals with different advertises and collect information on their behalf. This explains why companies target you with relevant ads on the different web pages that you visit. |
Censorship Purposes |
Different governments restrict access to specific web pages for various reasons. To enforce this censorship, governments use ISPs such as CenturyLink, which in turn blocks access as mandated by the government. |
How long does CenturyLink keep browsing history?
Generally, CenturyLink keeps a record of the various websites you visit and the files that you download on your device. Just like every other ISP, CenturyLink has a privacy policy explaining how your data is used, stored, and secured. Also, CenturyLink defines how much of this data they log and for how long.
In the US, the Electronic Communication Transactional Records Act that was officiated in 1996 requires all internet service providers, including CenturyLink, to maintain all their customer records for a minimum of 90 days. In some other countries, the requirement is much longer. While CenturyLink discards most of that data after this time period, they keep records related to billing even longer.
How do I check my CenturyLink router history?
If you want to access the data on your device’s log, you can utilize a normal web browser to connect to your router then enter a username and password to navigate. This data includes the amount of data transferred, the exact dates of access and IP addresses.
Depending on the router/router-modem combo that you have, you may need to turn on its logging feature to access the data later on. Look up this option in the manual that came with your router or contact your ISP (CenturyLink) for more details if you are renting your router.
In the event that any of these options fail, then you have the freedom to contact your internet service provider for a log of your router because they have access to all the information you need. Unfortunately, there are times when your ISP may be hesitant about providing you with all this information. The good thing is that you have the option to check the router history for yourself. Here are the steps you should follow through;
Step One: Open CMD and enter in ‘IPCONFIG/ALL’ in the space provided
On your PC browser, type in your IP address and wait to be redirected to the next page. The IP address is often an 8-digit number and you can find it by checking your router/ router-modem combo device manually. It is often found on the back side of the device. Alternatively, you can check online for your IP address or ask for it from the CenturyLink customer service base.
Click ‘RUN’, type ‘CMD’ then select the ‘OK’ option. Afterwards, type ‘IPCONFIG/ALL’ on the space provided then allow the command prompt to execute your command before scrolling to the default gateway. Copy and paste the numbers that are shown on your careen on a web browser to open the router settings.
Step Two: Sign in to the device dashboard
After you have entered the IP address, you will be directed to your router’s dashboard. Whatever the dashboard looks like depends on the type of router or the router-modem combo device that you own. Once you have accessed the dashboard, sign in using your admin login details.
Step Three: Scroll through the Wi-Fi history and log settings
If you skim through the router’s dashboard homepage, you should see the log setting and the Wi-Fi history viewer. Click on that particular option to check through your router’s history.
The log should show you the specific date and time of the entry, the source IP (the device that initiated the search), the target address (the IP address and the website name that was visited) and the action that happened (whether access was allowed or denied at any point0.
Final Thoughts
Logging into your Wi-Fi router’s history tells you a lot more about the specific visited sites over a period of time than a simple browser history check. While it may not give you all the details you need, you get to access the IP address of each site that was visited and all the actions taken by the internet during the search. You also get to know if any of your network devices attempted to bypass any filters that you had applied.
FAQs
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Do old routers store personal information?
Generally, routers aren’t designed to store any personal information. However, if you want to access any information, you can directly contact your internet service provider.
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Can anyone see my internet history through the router?
Yes, they can. Wi-Fi routers keep logs. This means that the Wi-Fi owner can always see what website you visited.
