Can Wi-Fi owner see what sites I visit on apps?

Can Wi-Fi Owner Track My Online Activity on Apps?

In the era of ubiquitous wireless connectivity, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential risks to our privacy. One common question that arises is whether the owner of a Wi-Fi network can monitor our online activities, specifically when using apps.

DNS Logging

One way that Wi-Fi owners can potentially track our online behavior is through Domain Name System (DNS) logging. DNS servers translate domain names (e.g., google.com) into their corresponding IP addresses, enabling us to access websites. When we connect to a Wi-Fi network, our DNS requests are typically sent to the network’s DNS server.

If the Wi-Fi owner has enabled DNS logging, they can track the websites we visit and the apps we use based on these DNS requests. However, it’s important to note that DNS logging alone does not provide access to the actual content of our online activity.

Unencrypted Data

Another potential security concern is the transmission of unencrypted data over Wi-Fi networks. Unencrypted data includes things like plain text messages, photos, and videos. If a Wi-Fi owner has access to network monitoring tools, they may be able to intercept this unencrypted data and access its contents.

Protecting Your Privacy

To safeguard your privacy and prevent Wi-Fi owners from tracking your online activity, consider the following measures:

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it impossible for others to intercept or track your activity.
• Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks: Public Wi-Fi networks are more likely to be monitored by network administrators.
• Use privacy-focused browsers: Some browsers, such as Firefox and Brave, offer privacy features that block DNS logging and encrypt unencrypted data.
• Enable HTTPS encryption: When accessing websites, ensure that the address bar displays the “HTTPS” prefix, indicating that the connection is encrypted.

Conclusion

While Wi-Fi owners can potentially track our online activity through DNS logging and unencrypted data, there are steps we can take to protect our privacy. By using a VPN, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, using privacy-focused browsers, and enabling HTTPS encryption, we can minimize the risks associated with sharing our Wi-Fi connection.