Finding out about peoples' search history

Recently a man in Atlanta was arrested because he let his little boy stay locked in the car on a hot day for several hours and he died from the heat in the car. The police say he recently searched the internet for how hot the weather has to be for a child to die in a car.

This is not the first time that you hear about an alleged criminal looking guilty or guiltier because of their suspicious online search history subjects. You hear about it all the time. Casey Anthony is another example of someone who had some sketchy internet searches too as I recall.

My question is, don't these people clear their browsing history after making such crazy searches. Are they not aware of this? And clear their search history if they are logged in to Google with the Google account?

Or, is there something that is being overlooked? If, even after clearing your browsing history, and clearing your search history if logged into Google, is there still a secret way for authorities to if necessary analyze your computer and find out what you've been searching for? Is that how these people get caught?

Don't worry, I'm not planning on leaving a child locked in a hot car, lol, I'm just dumbfounded as to how these people keep getting caught by their online activities.

 

I like to think I'm at least a little less ignorant than the general public about computers, and I can honestly say I clear my browsing history maybe a few times a year. Mostly because I pretty much never search for anything that could get me in trouble, although I do occasionally look something up that would be embarrassing if others learned about it. I'm religious about my other scans and clearing my cache, but browser history? Nah.

I can't imagine I'm the only one. And when you consider how computer-stupid so very many people are, it's no wonder they don't clear it. They probably don't even know they can.

 

If he was running Chrome and had an Android phone with Google sync they could have learned about his computer activity through his phone.

 

If a suspect, the cops can obtain a subpoena and quiz his ISP.

 

So even though you clear your history, it remains on the ISP server?

Glad I'm law-abiding.:-D

 

Absolutely.

 

You mean when you (one) clear your (one's) cache, you don't (one doesn't) clear your (one's) browser history ??? I thought you (one) were (was) doing both (browser history is cleared when cache is cleared [browser history is automatically included in cache]). I must be one of the computer-stupid people

I am not concerned about criminal activity, but how advertisers get to target people so specifically.

Dumb_Question
1.July.2014

 

Always remember "Your security is an illusion".
Deleting your browser history does little as your ISP, Google and probably half a dozen other agencies keep it. The good news is that usually their information is only used to target advertising. The bad news is that it is just the tip of the iceberg on what personal information they are saving on you.
Read about Facebook and how they sell information. Then think about how they are up front and truthful about it. Now consider what is being done with your information by those who don't want you to know what they are doing.
http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-stay-anonymous-with-tor-1498876762
Or do like I do and just figure it is part of the internet game.

 

Not usually, because it takes longer and I have zero patience. LOL Clearing the cache is necessary to clear out old crap so things don't get hung up when browsing, but I usually uncheck the box for history (and number of other things) to speed up how long it takes. In Chrome, you can choose which items are cleared.

 

I didn't realize it was as bad as that - I once read Google's privacy policy and now I try avoid using Google, but I am becoming aware that the others are equal. As for Facebook, I try to use that minimally as well. But is all to no avail

The only computer security is don't have one.

Dumb_Question
2.July.2014

 

NSA! NSA! Oh, wait we lost in the Earth Cup. :-D

I think privacy in the digital age is unplugging the Cat5 cable. Or just have fun with the NSA, and search for peanut butter aliens, make them wonder what you know... :-D

 

Another thing to keep in mind: Just because it's deleted, it doesn't mean it's gone.