Just wondering about surfing online using a home wireless network. I'm careful to use Google Chrome's incognito function to hide my internet activity...but was wondering if someone else in a household could monitor my online activities from another PC since I'm using wireless internet. Sorry I'm a bit of an IT idiot...but my SO isn't...so I want to be careful. thanks for any input.
keeping the hobby private
- Thread starter banal
- Start date
Hate to tell you, but if she is the suspicious type, she can set up a monitoring system easily enough. There's all sorts of nannyware out there that monitors all connceted devices and keeps a log of sites visited. Some versions are free even.
http://www.opendns.com/parental-controls
You can always use proxies (also some free versions, like http://hidemyass.com 's web-based proxy), but then you may have to explain why you are using a proxy. Or she will have to explain why she was monitoring your internet use. Or you can just stare sulllenly at each other filled with a growing sense of dread and suspicion. Works for me.
http://www.opendns.com/parental-controls
You can always use proxies (also some free versions, like http://hidemyass.com 's web-based proxy), but then you may have to explain why you are using a proxy. Or she will have to explain why she was monitoring your internet use. Or you can just stare sulllenly at each other filled with a growing sense of dread and suspicion. Works for me.
Yes.
If she is very savvy she could monitor everything on the network though it is beyond most people's ability. More likely is you make a mistake and leave the browser open or forget to use incognito.
Invest in a smartphone and browse there. If you are super paranoid install a second browser app on your phone for Terb and uninstall when not using. It takes only seconds to reinstall.
LOL...
and thanks...my proxy excuses would be a lot easier to come up with versus why do I visit a site called terb!!
Most domestic routers will also let you log web traffic and tell you what device was viewing what.
Beyond the nannyware, the router, or human error, there is always the possibility of somebody sniffing and decryption your wireless communications through brute force using software tools. Though anybody doing that (unless it's your SO) is likely after your internet / router / network.
I'm a geek, and a privacy geek, so I only surf stuff like this on my own network, which I control. All of my devices also have strong passwords (and public systems have guest accounts) and nobody gets onto my personal accounts (and my files are private). This has never seemed odd to the people I've dated because I am a privacy geek, and I don't like people messing with my user accounts on devices.
The big problem is for the folks that don't have a history of strongly separated user accounts. Suddenly demanding separate accounts would seem 'odd'. If you had to, I'd suggest blaming your SO for messing up your stuff then setting up separate accounts with passwords. (Also make sure you control the router and have it set up correctly, and know what software is running where.)
Beyond that, practice good privacy hygiene on all of your devices.
Get a smart phone with Unlimited internet 3g with new companies like Wind. It ranges from 30-40. Surf all you want.
This. Just make sure it's not your primary phone and you keep it hidden away. Modern smartphones log everything somewhere in one form or another, and you don't want Google making an inappropriate suggestion for you when you're around someone you know. I'm single, but I still have a separate phone with a data connection I use for SPing, Craigslist sales, etc. I keep it in my emergency bag on silent.
If she's the suspicious type who wouldn't understand what you have decided to continue doing secretively, why are you doing it where she presents a danger? As so many have said, do it elsewhere using systems she's not connected to. Or leave off until she leaves.
And perhaps consider thoughtfully the self-defeating nature of your various choices in technology, pastimes and people.
And perhaps consider thoughtfully the self-defeating nature of your various choices in technology, pastimes and people.
