I saw in a video that you can see the browsing history through your router. So I looked up how to do it on the Netgear site, but the directions it gave don't seem to be helping me to do it. It says to go to the IP address in your web browser and go to the "advanced" section. This does not seem to exist. Can anyone help me to find what it is referring to? The only stuff I can find is about changing settings, like shutting it off at certain times, limiting use on a device, changing the password, etc. I cannot find anything that allows me to see what sites are being viewed through my router or a way to set it up to allow me to see them in the future.
Not a router. Look for "Model" on the product label.
> [...] I cannot find anything that allows me to see what sites are > being viewed through my router or a way to set it up to allow me to see > them in the future.
That might be because it is, in general, not possible. When using HTTPS ("https://<whatever>"), which is almost universal these days, the traffic between the web browser and the web server is encrypted, making it impossible for the router to record any useful data regarding that transaction.
I don't recall seeing that feature in either of those routers.
I don't know if NetGear Routers support that feature.
I have an ASUS router, where you can turn a feature that lets you see what web site any device or client or all clients visit, a really handy feature to have.
Waiting to see if MissKM will send links to look at.
> I have an ASUS router, where you can turn a feature that lets you see > what web site any device or client or all clients visit, a really handy > feature to have.
Thanks for the detailed info. That's impressive, especially as it's not possible with HTTPS. Apparently, at least one of us is confused.
HTTPS is now used more often by web users than the original non-secure HTTP, primarily to protect page authenticity on all types of websites; secure accounts; and to keep user communications, identity, and web browsing private.
Nowadays, many web browsers also offer DNS-over-HTTPS, which hides even the DNS name of the site(s) being visted. See, for example:
Some individuals and organizations rely on DNS to block malware, enable parental controls, or filter your browser's access to websites. When enabled, DoH bypasses your local DNS resolver and defeats these special policies.
URL. A URL (aka Universal Resource Locator) is a complete web address used to find a particular web page. While the domain is the name of the website, a URL will lead to any one of the pages within the website.
My point to this going back and forth is this.
With a netgear router this was not even accessable before as for as I know. Now it is.
Maybe this description is a misnomer on ASUS's part.
And an error of stating on my part.
ASUS calls this Web History "showing clients web surfing history".
For me to know what domain a devices visit is a help especially when you have children on your network.
Perhaps this is what MissKM is looking for or will see..
Something to help in monitoring her network.
I hope our discussion did not make her shy in responding.
The point is that a router is, in general, incapable of tracking this stuff. Web browser history is best obtained from the web browser, or software closer to it than a router.
"The point is that a router is, in general, incapable of tracking this stuff. Web browser history is best obtained from the web browser, or software closer to it than a router."
And this may by the case as to what I am seeing.
When using the ASUS Adaptive QoS and activating Web History you must enter into a EULA with Trend Micro "By using AiProtection, Traffic analyzer, Apps analyzer, Adaptive QoS/Game boost, Web history, you agree to the Trend Micro End User License Agreement.
Please note that your information will be collected by Trend Micro through AiProtection, Traffic analyzer, Apps analyzer, Adaptive QoS and web history............"
Just a theory here. I use OpendDNS web filtering....So the same thing may apply with NetGear'S protection system on the RAX/NighHawk series.
When I had the RAX-50 I woundered how it seem to go in front of OpenDns and perform it's protection functions or it went through it, as bit defender would not have been a site blocked by OpenDNS.
I've been thinking about using a proxy but havent pulled the trigger on that.
Trying to figure out which company I want lay out the cash for.
You can tell your router to use a special DNS server to (attempt to) control access (by a web browser or any other program), but that depends on the client device using the router as _its_ DNS server, and on the particular program using that DNS server, too.
But see "DNS-over-HTTPS", above.
It's easy to be restrictive, if everyone agrees to be restricted. If the user or the program can use a different DNS server, then a restrictive DNS server can be bypassed. And a proxy server can bypass almost any such restrictions. Everything's complicated.
