CAN ISP's see all the sites i visit? or things i download?

[LukaszR1]

O i am just asking out of curiosity. I kinda would find it odd if like say my ISP like knew what sites i visited everyday and crap...like the whole privacy issue.

Yeah, and for those who go to porn websites, or download sites do they like know?

 

[Kage]

Look'e here:

http://www.betanews.com/article/Google_to_Purge_Personal_Data_from_Logs/1173972485

You are kept record of, whatever you do. The internet is in no way private.

 

[Computer Head]

Like I said, they have to keep this information in case for example your computer usage logs are supoenaed for a child porn case or something like that. Just like your e-mail client would have all of your e-mails that have arrived in your inbox, even after you "delete" them.

 

[Kage]

Yep, I forgot about that. It is pretty scary though, even for a legitate user, that so much is stored.

 

[LukaszR1]

Ok, so lets put it this way....lets say i watch porn, and visit sites like ones that supply torrents, am i going to get fined for illegal activity. Is it something my parents would be notified about aka the ones who pay the internet bills.

 

[Computer Head]

It depends on if the company whose content you are obtaining reports you. I don't think that ISPs actively monitor, but they have the ability to look back if an abuse complaint is filed by Microsoft because you illegally torrented Windows Vista (just an example).

 

[Kage]

Porn is illiegal now?

No, your useage isn't stored in a bill.

Not like a phonebill, where every number you've rang/sent a text to is logged on paper (pretty dumb really)

 

[LukaszR1]

Ok so i understand the whole OS thing...and it makes sense.

But how long are these records stored, like lets say i download Vista for example 3 years ago....can i get charged or accused say 5 years later?

 

[Computer Head]

I don't know the exacts (I don't work for ISPs, and each one would normally have their own retention policies), but I would say records are kept for a few years.

 

[LukaszR1]

Alrighty. Now don't think i am some like porn addict or some guy who downloads shit loads of illegal software...infact i have legal software...including opensource ofcouse.

I just wanted to get a better understanding of the whole Log thing, and where the privacy stands with what i do regarding the internet.

Thanks Guys, kinda shed some light on how the whole ISP's work