People use the Internet every day. However, the router to which you are connected logs everything you do online, including your IP address and browser history, behind each click and search result. Any connected device’s entire internet history is stored on a router.
Although it might not seem crucial to keep the history on your router clear, doing so is essential if you want to protect your privacy. So, if you want to learn how to clear router history, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how you can clear and see router history.
How to Clear Router History
Think again if you believe you don’t need to clear the history of your router frequently. This insignificant information might gather over time and provide unauthorized individuals access to your data.
For various reasons, keeping your router’s history clear is essential. All the websites you have accessed online are documented in your router history. Even while it might appear unimportant, this could have dangerous security consequences. Thus, here is how you can do it.
Open router web interface
The first step in clearing your router’s history is to access the web interface. Any web browser, including Chrome, Firefox, and others, can be used for this.
Open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Usually, the router’s bottom has this IP address.
Log in
To access all of your router’s backend options, you must enter your username and password when you first open the web interface. You can typically locate the username and password for your router on the back of the device.
Enter this information and hit “Enter” when the log-in prompt appears. Then, you will be sent to the main dashboard for the web interface.
System tools
The number of settings and information available inside the UI can easily overwhelm you. However, all you have to do is search for “System Tools”. You can find the “System Tools” option in the navigation panel at the top or to the left.
System logs
In the System Tools, there are several options relating to the router’s settings. However, the one we’re interested in is the “System Logs.”
Since different router models and manufacturers may refer to this differently, search for anything that says “Router Log,” “History,” etc.
Clear router history
You can check your router’s surfing history and the IP addresses of the websites and services you visited in “System Logs.” Click “Clean Logs” to remove the router’s historical data.
Everything depends on the type and brand of router you’re using. However, the process could change significantly.
Why Should You Clear Your Router History?
You may be debating whether you need to clear your router’s history now that you know how to do so. The short response depends on what you’re doing with the router. It’s a good idea to delete the history logs and reset the router to default settings if you’re thinking of either buying or selling it.
This ensures that no one who acquires the router after you, whether they purchase it from you or find it after you destroy it. They will have access to your data. Additionally, it guarantees they can log in using the default credentials and view the router’s system settings.
Most routers are primarily designed to store your system logs. However, some can retain the IP addresses of the websites or services you’ve used or visited. Clearing the history of your router every few months might help protect you from online criminals who might desire access to that information because you can store such information there.
How Can You Check the Router History?
Get your IP address
Your Wi-Fi router’s handbook or the back of your router both contain your IP address. Don’t freak out if you can’t access your Wi-Fi router physically or if you’ve misplaced the documentation. You can get it by doing the following:
Windows
Go to the Wi-Fi network listed on the taskbar if you are running Windows 10. Click “Properties” after choosing the Wi-Fi network you’re currently connected to. Find the IPv4 address. Next to it will be a list of your IP address.
Users of Windows 11 should click “Settings” from the Start menu. Select “Wi-Fi” after choosing “Network & Internet”. Choose “Properties” after clicking on the WiFi network you currently utilize. The IPv4 address is presented next to your IP address.
By simultaneously pressing the Windows key and the R key on your keyboard, Windows users can also check their IP address. A box titled “Run” will appear. “Cmd” should be typed into the box provided, then click “OK.” Then, “Ipconfig/all” is entered after typing it. Your IP address is presented in the same line as the IPv4 address as you scroll down to see it.
macOS
If you are a macOS user, click on the “Apple” logo in the upper-left corner of your screen. Select “System Preferences”. Next. to access your network settings, select “Network”. To view the current connections, visit “Wi-Fi”, and your IP address is listed under “Status”.
Router dashboard
Once you’ve located your IP address, you can type it directly into your browser, copy it, then paste it and click “Enter”. Your router’s dashboard will then appear. Use the login information for your router, which can be located on the back or in the manual.
See router history
You can access the Wi-Fi history viewer and the log settings after successfully logging in to your router’s dashboard. Find the device you wish to see the surfing history for by browsing the devices plugged into your Wi-Fi router.
Read more: How to Check Browsing History on a WiFi Router
Conclusion
Erase your Wi-Fi browsing history quickly and painlessly, whether you’re trying to keep a secret from someone or are simply self-conscious about what you’ve been looking at online. You could decide to manually restart your Wi-Fi router, which will cause all of your browsing history to be deleted.
You can also log into the dashboard of your Wi-Fi router and select the data you want to erase from there. Eliminating tracks left behind by websites you’ve visited in your browser is one more approach to maintaining your privacy.
Everything you’ve read in this article on how to clear router history can be easy to use and completely safe. So, you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing your online searches and what you’ve been watching.