Security

How Your Search History Could Get You Investigated

Have you ever searched for something kind of strange on your mobile device or computer and thought how weird it would be if someone looked at your search history? If so, you’re definitely not alone. One of the best things about having the World Wide Web at our fingertips is the fact that we can find the answer to virtually any question that pops into our minds. But doing so, we may even come across a sketchy website now and then. That’s why it’s important to be careful. Click here to use the anti-hacking feature to protect yourself from malicious websites:

Once activated, anti-hacking can protect you from dangerous websites and phishing attempts that are designed to steal your personal information. You’ll also receive warnings about potentially deceptive websites so that your information is never at risk.

Your browsing history can actually get you investigated now, and the government can go through channels to gain access to that information. Keep reading and you may be surprised at what they can see and why they would even want to.

If you read a lot of tragic news stories.
There’s no crime in staying in the loop on current events, but frequent clicks on news stories — especially if they are tragic, involve terrorism, or have to do with violent crimes — can arouse suspicion for the government. In a recent article by The Guardian, someone ended up being investigated, and their completely innocent clicks on stories about the Boston Marathon bombing and about other unfortunate current events played a role in getting them there. Especially because we’re, by nature, curious; clicking on embedded links within these articles — such as a tutorial on how to make a homemade bomb — can play into those suspicions.

If you’ve searched for products that are multi-use.
The same Guardian article discusses how those investigated had recently searched for items such as a pressure cooker and a backpack on their computer. While these searches were completely innocent, when paired together and looked at holistically with some of the other searches on that device, it aroused suspicion, and the family was ultimately checked out.

While this all may seem strange and far-off, this is a reality we face in today’s world. Searches that are completely innocent and that seem random and isolated to you may seem like cause for concern to higher forces.

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The dfndr blog is an informative channel that presents exclusive content on security and privacy in the mobile and business world, with tips to keep users protected. Populated by a select group of expert reporters, the channel has a partnership with dfndr lab's security team. Together they bring you, first-notice news about attacks, scams, internet vulnerabilities, malware and everything affecting cybersecurity.