Can I see what websites have been visited on my WiFi?
Have you ever wondered about this question? Or, maybe you're concerned about who is accessing your network and what they are doing.
Whatever the reason, it's essential to know how to check the browsing history on your Wi-Fi router. Fortunately, checking your router's browsing history is relatively easy and only requires a few steps. In this article, we'll provide a detailed tutorial. Let's get started.
Before we start
- Not every router keeps a log of the websites you visit. Some might record the IP addresses your devices connect to, but they usually don't save the full web addresses you see in your browser.
- Some routers have built-in traffic logging features for you to access these logs. But the level of detail and duration of logs can vary greatly depending on the router model and manufacturer.
Steps to Check Browsing History on Wi-Fi Router
As mentioned above, many routers do not provide detailed browsing history, only IP address logs. To show you how to check these detailed histories on a router, here we'll take the ASUS router, which provides this feature, as an example.
Step 1. Type your router's IP address into the web browser's search bar. Ex: 192.168.1.1 or you can just access https://www.asusrouter.com (for ASUS router users).
Step 2. On the login page, enter your username and password.
Step 3. Choose 'Adaptive Qos' from the left menu, then select the 'Web History' tab. The Web History is disabled by default. Simple toggle on the button.
Step 4. After that, wait a few seconds and refresh the button, you'll see the browsing history under 'Domain name.'
Extra Tips: How to Find Your IP Address
On Windows
1. Click on the Windows Start button and go to 'Settings.'
2. Choose 'Network and Internet' > 'Wi-Fi' > 'Properties.'
3. Scroll down and you'll see your IP address listed next to 'IPv4 address.'
On Mac
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Preferences.'
2. Go to 'Network.'
3. Select your network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the list on the left.
4. Click 'Advanced' on the bottom right corner, and choose 'TCP/IP.' Now you can see your IP address in 'IPv4 Address.'
Does Unplugging Router Delete History?
No, unplugging a router doesn't delete its history. The logs and settings are saved to the router's firmware, so they aren't lost when it's turned off or restarted. If you want to clear the history or logs, you typically need to do it through the router's admin settings.
Can I Check Wi-Fi Router History on Android?
Yes, you can check Wi-Fi router history on Android using the above standard procedure. Besides, with a right app, you can check the browsing history of your router more easily.
The best app for checking your Wi-Fi router's browsing history is Fing. It is a free network scanner that quickly detects any connected devices to your Wi-Fi network. No matter you are using TP Link, spectrum or any other routers, once it detects the devices, it will show you the name and the IP address of each one. It also allows you to view the browsing history of each device.
Bonus: Check What Websites Your Kid Visited
As discussed above, you can see the browsing history, including from your kid's device when they using Wi-Fi. However, you may worried your child accessed some inappropriate websites. To avoid this, it's time to limit the websites your child can visit.
AirDroid Parental Control offers a safe browser that allows parents to whitelist and blacklist websites. If their child attempts to open a blocked website, parents will receive an alert and view the details of the URL.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to check browsing history on a Wi-Fi router. The steps we provided are simple and effective. And it's a good way to monitor the online activities of your home network.
By the way, you should note that not every Wi-Fi router provides detailed web history, some may just include IP address logs. So, make sure that your Wi-Fi router supports this function.
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